Big end float and other measurements

[AlfaCyberSite <acs@domain.elided>]

Must admit this is going to sound a bit cynicaland it is, a little bit.

Bruce is going to vast quantities of work to make sure his 2 liter
engine is going to be as in spec as possible.

He mentions he hand filed down the big ends so they all had the correct
(and same) end float.

Personally, I'd be more concerned now with the balance of the rods.
Unless this engine / car is to be used for racing, doubt if there will
be one iota of difference as to how the engine performs. And if it is a
racing engine, a slight imbalance on any of the reciprocating parts will
still be considerably more critical at say 7500 than the correct end
float.

(Now the cynical part). I've been waiting for Bruce to write to the
Digest asking what to do because the liner protrusion is not within
specs. The shop manuals always show this being checkedgenerally with a
special tool incorporating two dial gauges.

A rather famous Alfa person and who does a lot of work on the cars was
once asked what one does in this situation. He replied he never measured
the protrusion because he didn't have a clue what you do if they're not
within specsand he's a machinist.

Has anyone out there ever had engine / head problems which were traced
to the liner protrusion being slightly out of spec?

My opinion is that Alfa heads have to be virtually perfectvalve guides
and seats, valves, head can't have ever been overheated (warped),
therefore perfectly flat and cams fit in the bottom bearing shells
without rocking, etc. The block (for a street engine) is critical but
not nearly as much as the head. The block should be spotlessly clean,
all mating surfaces should be clean and not pitted, all bearing
clearances should be within specs, either a new oil pump or a carefully
refurbished one, rods should be indexed and all reciprocating parts
should be balanced (including flywheel and clutch).

Obviously it needs to be assembled carefully, with special care taken on
the cam timing.

Engine stand: I use a fairly heavy duty Harbor Freight stand with a
highly modified Alfa metal engine mount to support it on the exhaust
side.

Bruce, I applaud your 'carefulness', just suggesting what I feel are the
most critical engine building items. And you're correct, the next one
will go much faster.

Biba
Irwindale, CA USA

Anyone out there ever rebuild something on their Alfa without All of the
'required' factory tools?

Hmmm, I see a lot of hands.

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