Uno tune up settings

Hi, does anyone have the tappets & ignition timing settings for a 1989 Uno 45, 900cc. thanks Peter

903cc engine (pushrod-type), inlet clearance 0.15mm, exhaust clearance 0.2mm. Ignition timing (points ignition) 5 degrees static advance. Apparently the points gap is set to 0.4mm by using a 3mm Allen key through the hole in the side of the distributor, going on what it shows in the handbook.

I assume you meant 903, but just in case here are the specs for 999cc FIRE (OHC-type), inlet clearance 0.3mm, exhaust clearance 0.4mm. Ignition timing (breakerless ignition) 3 degrees static advance.

FIRE engine was used from 1986 onwards, but the 903cc engine was still cropping up in Mk2 models (after '89) so a 1989 Uno 45 could have either.

I don't know why FIAT used both engines at the same time; maybe they had a lot of 903s left over after 20-odd years of production!

Welcome to the forum, by the way

-Alex

Excellent, thanks for the help. Paid $500 (Kiwi) for it, no rust, cleanest engine bay iv ever seen, 56,000 miles, excellent interior, never been resprayed. It is the 903cc, only problem is lack of power going up a hill. Are all the 903cc push rods that lacking in power, my 1976 mini had more power than this. thanks Peter

Haha - I wondered if you were in NZ. I just had that feeling that you were! So, 1989 means 'Mk1', and it's called a 'Sting'.

Is this that black 'modified' one that was on Trademe? We need some pictures! (click Go Advanced, Manage Attachments)

Although both engines have the same 45bhp, the 903cc with 67Nm doesn't have the torque that the 999cc has (and with 80Nm the 999cc is not exactly a stump-puller ) so I think if I had the 903cc, I'd be forced to upgrade it.

I believe your 1976 Mini would have had less power (34bhp?) but definitely more torque, so yes the Mini would have got up hills easier. Torque is for acceleration and climbing hills, power is for top speed - I think you would find that the Uno gets up to a higher top speed (140km/h is claimed) than the Mini, helped as well by the better aerodynamics: Cd only 0.34!

Anyway - so your options are:
- Give it a tuneup and hope for the best
- Fit some tuning goodies intended for the old FIAT 850 or 127. Shave the head, fit a bigger carb, hot cam, etc. If you can find them!
- Swap it for a FIRE engine, preferably 1108cc as I reckon that's the best all-rounder. Will need mountings etc. and possibly gearbox.

You could go down the path of a bigger (1301cc/1372cc/1498cc/1580cc) engine (with an Uno 70 as a donor for mountings and other parts), or a complete re-shell of an Uno Turbo into yours, but with fuel prices going the way they are, I think you want to keep it small and simple.

If you're looking for parts, try www.fiatparts.co.nz and tell him I sent you

Cheers,
-Alex

I think we have more Kiwi Uno owners the UK Uno owners now!

Alex is spot on with his advice. The ohv 903cc lump is a very old design and dates back to the 50's! The FIRE meanwhile is much more modern coming from the mid 80's and is still around today in much evolved form.

Why not go for the 1242 Punto engine rather than the 1108? You get that bit extra torque that makes all the difference. Or if you're brave then go for the 1242 16v engine as not only is it more powerful it is also incredibly efficient. As long as you don't go silly on the extra power it will actually be more economical than the 899 in day to day running as you won't be thrashing it just to get the car to move...

Welcome to the forum by the way

Thanks for the advice, I will try the tune up first and see how we go. Its a petrol friendly city rundabout, so I dont want to spend too much on it. It was on TM for half a day, it is blue, the guy who looked at it first missed out as he ummed and arhed for too long, then he came back whilst we were there and offered the seller $150 more, but we had already handed over the cash .

You guys maybe interested to know we sold a 1981 131R on TM last year for $3500, it had no WOF or Reg, it went to an Aussie, apparently they never made it to AUS. But they have a cult following over there. He exported it back to AUS. It had a strong motor and had all the rust taken out, but as always with 131's the cancer came back. Great car though, lots of fun when on good tyres.

Our first dealings with Fiat (in 1980) was a 125 Special, once again a great car, but too much rust!

We will be on the look out for a Uno Turbo IE, if anyone knows of a rust free model, or at least only rust in the doors. We can handle the motor and gearbox needing work as we have restored many a classic. (We are addicted to 1960's & 1970's Merc's)

Finally, on the Uno the windscreen wipers seem to decide when to turn off on their own, Do we strip the rely and motor down and rebuild, or throw away?

Lastly, great forum, very freindly, thanks

Peter

thanks

Peter

Good suggestion Chas but we are in New Zealand - the Mk2 Punto is only just becoming common now (as a Jap import), almost all are the 16V version, and because they're not yet 'old cars' there's very few in wrecker's yards and a major component like the engine would be $$$$.

As for the Mk1 Punto, for some reason few have the FIRE engine, most are the 1.6.

Having said all that, it's pretty hard to find the 1108cc engine, but you might just be lucky like I was and get hold of a Mk2 Uno 60S - which is an 'old' car and therefore cheap.

Cars don't get old as quickly in NZ as they do in the UK - as I mentioned, most Mk2 Puntos are still in really good, almost-new condition - even though they're seven years old, they're only just coming into the country now. So getting an engine out of one to put into an Uno is, well, not practicable

-Alex

Hi Peter - "windscreen wipers" - you'll get the hang of the Uno after a while - Uno means one, so a number of things (wipers, stalks, washer jets, bolts holding things on) are found in the singular form

Pretty easy one this - it's probably the self-parking contacts on the motor. I think it's worth stripping it down and giving it a clean (e.g. a points file between the contacts: they are two strips pushed apart by a lump on the main wormwheel). I wouldn't throw away as parts like this can be surprisingly expensive (in NZ) even in second-hand condition, you're probably talking at least $60. The Mk2 wiper motor is better in my opinion, faster, quieter, and the wiper parks on the left side instead of the right. So if you do want to replace the motor, ring Italian Autos in Auckland and try and find a Mk2 wiper motor... good luck!

Well - there's always my Uno Turbo - it's pretty much rust-free (now) having enjoyed several welded repairs over the years and it's lived in my garage all the time. I'm debating whether to keep it original or strip it out. Mine has no sunroof, which is quite a plus point. Motor and gearbox are excellent. New clutch, new suspension, and so on, no expense spared. If I was to sell, I'd want good money. If you're ever in Hamilton you may like to come and check it out - PM me. To roll out a popular cliche, I don't really want to sell it and will probably regret it later, but I suppose anything's for sale at the right price.

I reckon there must be a sizeable chunk of the Kiwi population whose memory of FIATs is of the 125 or the 131! People often seem to reminisce about them when they see my yellow Punto - must be the colour or something, as what else is there in common between a 2001 Punto and a 1972 125? The 70's FIATs have a totally different character to the 80s or 90s FIATs of course, 'cult following' as you said (probably more so in Australia as they didn't get the 80's FIATs!)

If FIAT were trying to maximise their sales in this part of the world, they might have brought out a rear-wheel-drive saloon (instead of the Marea)and called it the Nuovo 125! Probably a bit late now in today's economy-conscious market.

My background with 70's FIATs was the 128, 128 Coupe, and X1/9. The X1/9 was RWD of course, but not nearly the same 'hooligan car' as a 131
Cheers,
-Alex