one set of mods made to a 1750

[PeteLaurel@domain.elided]

Hi Steve,

My first Alfa was a 1969 Berlina I bought from my dad in 1977. In 1981 I had
the engine rebuilt by Merrit Carden (he of gear lightening, and yes, he did a
wonderful job on my transmission as well). Merrit put in the 10.4:1 pistons,
ground some custom cams for the car, put on a GTA header, a then brand new 2L
Spica pump, a '74 intake manifold and air box, polished (a bit) and ported
the head/intake manifold, balanced everything, and put a MarliPlex ignition
system on it.

Although the Berlina is long gone, the engine lives on in our 69 GTV. I have
no clue how many miles are on the motor, but aside from a little smoke it
runs fine. It passed all the California smog tests right up until the last
one was required. Merrit did an awesome job on the motor, both rebuilding and
setting it up. It probably got 10-15 more horsepower over the stock unit, and
has been very trouble-free ever since.

I think you'll either want to leave it stock, or if you do elect to make
mods, consider intake, exhaust, spark, fuel delivery, and valve timing,
opening and overlap (like, no duh, but I still had to say it :) ).

Sincerely,
Peter Lundquist

Date: Sat, 28 Sep 2002 22:44:39 -0600
From: "Stephen D. Thompson" <thompsonlaw@domain.elided>
Subject: 1750 re-build mods?

I am buying a 71 Berlina.  The current owner is doing an engine swap (taking
the re-built 1750 out of the Berlina and installing it into a 69 GTV, and
swapping that engine into the Berlina).  I am having the head taken off and
inspected and may very well have a valve job while it is out on the bench.
The gearbox is in very good shape so I have no worries there.  The 71 Ingram
rebuilt SPICA stays with my car.

As long as I am considering doing the head on the motor, are there any
performance mods for sporty daily mountain driving I should consider?  5500
to 6000 feet elevation around here on a daily basis with occasional trips up
to 8700 feet.  My last alfa had a rebuilt 2 liter that was ported and
printed with a hyper cam and variable valve grind.  I enjoyed it a lot at
sea level (Tacoma).  My knowledgeable friends tell me I will love the feel
of a 1750 as is.  I have never spent a lot of time behind a 1750.  I
appreciate any comments.

Thanks in advance,

Steve Thompson
Ketchum, Idaho
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