installing non-Alfa engines in old Alfa Spider pre-1962

[AlfaNeely@domain.elided]

       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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