Honda engines all run anti-clockwise, except for the recent S2000, so there would be problems with transmissions. A standard Ford Pinto is a reliable engine, but I gather no more so than an Alfa twin-cam, and the pinto is also ugly, fairly agricultural, and suffocated unless you take to the ports with an angle-grinder an some unreasonable enthusiasm.
To make things easier to manage, perhaps a stock Alfa engine with mid eighties electronic ignition and a single carb? I don't know what the rules would be around emissions equipment for an engine transplant in a late 50s car are like where you are*, but if you can simply fit a single carb and electronic ignition (not computerised), it will be easy to install -- just bolt in -- easy to set-up, tune, and would be dead reliable.
*I know in Australia, when you transplant an engine, you have to meet either the emissions regulations for the age of the engine, or the age of the car, whichever is more recent.
-----Original Message-----
From: AlfaNeely@domain.elided [mailto:AlfaNeely@domain.elided]
Sent: Wednesday, 2 October 2002 14:42
To: pennington@domain.elided; alfa-digest@domain.elided
Subject: installing non-Alfa engines in old Alfa Spider pre-1962
I once stuffed a Chrysler Hemi into an MG TD. Anything can be done.
Mine was dangerous now that I think back about it. Today, I would put an
Alfa into the MG.
The 2000 / 2600 Alfa from the late 1950 to early 1960 period is
physically a much larger car. There was a 59 2000 with a small block Ford on
eBay a few months ago. It appeared very nicely done. It also brought a nice
price - over $10,000 as I recall. It was almost Cobra like.
There have been attempts to stuff American V-8 power into various Alfa
chassis. The Giulietta / Giulia is very small and the narrow Ford 289 / 302
has been stuffed in there. Not easy and probably not worth it.
There is no reason an Alfa engine would not be quite reliable. An
easy swap would be a mid 1980's Bosch Injected Alfa spider engine and
driveline complete with the computers. At least everything is more or less a
bolt in with all Alfa components. And the Bosch injected Alfas are very
reliable in my experience.
For an even easier swap, find a 91 or newer Alfa spider drive train
with an automatic. No clutch linkage problems, but the transmission tunnel
might be too small.
I would suggest sticking with Alfa power. The car will be worth more
if it is not perceived as having been butchered to stuff an off brand engine
into it. Plus to suggest otherwise would make this off topic for the Alfa
Digest.
On the other hand, a Mazda rotary engine is very compact and would fit
most anywhere. The Ford Pinto 2300 overhead cam four is a good engine that
should fit. Honda? Naw, a Honda in an Alfa would be desecration. Cummings
Turbo Diesel? Ferrari F1 might be interesting...
Ciao,
Russ Neely
Oklahoma City
In a message dated 10/01/2002 6:46:54 PM Central Daylight Time,
owner-alfa-digest@domain.elided writes:
> Date: Tue, 1 Oct 2002 16:13:10 -0400
> From: pennington@domain.elided
> Subject: installing non-Alfa engines in old Alfa Spider pre-1962
>
> Hi
> Has anyone ever thought about, or tried, to intall a non-Alfa
> Engine in an old 2 seater Alfa Spider.... circa 1958 - 1962
>
> I am hoping for the reliabalility that a new engine would
> offer, not speed....
>
>
> I am serious about this and have spent a long time wondering if
> it is possible.....
>
>
> I would greatly appreciate serious replies to this message
> and would also appreciate a responding to my personal email
> at....
>
> pennington@domain.elided
>
>
> The reason I am asking is that in 1967 I owned a 1958 Spider
> that never ran.... and sold it in 1968. I have regretted selling
> it all these years.....
>
> Yours truly, Richard Pennington
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