John,

I think the only difference is in the thermostat housing on the exhaust side of the engine. Because of the change in position of the starter motor, the duct for warm cabin air comes off at a different angle.

To be sure, I dug out what was left of my Niki 650 engine and reassembled it, then fitted the tinware from my 500 engine. It all fitted as perfectly as it does normally on the 500 engine

I've attached some photos.

Chris

Chris,

Many thanks, above and beyond the call of duty. So it would appear that if I do the block and build up my own engine from scratch, I can use my 110F tinware and just modify the thermostat end to clear the starter motor. I have a welding set up and could do this myself.

Tom: I got your email. You can send me a direct email at: johnj0213 "at" gmail "dot" com
I am still examining all costs. Seems like practical limit on boring out the 110F block is 600cc. I am waiting for the cost on buying a used 126 650cc engine here in the USA. I will compare that to buying a bare 126a1 block and buying all of the parts to build a 700cc engine. On the Italian ebay there are sources that will ship to the USA.
Have not heard anything from Nanni Ricambi. I sent them an email a couple of days ago in Italian asking if they ship to the USA.

I will probably start a separate thread on carburetors I am researching to get the brain trusts input.

I find this type of research to be fun and informative.

Thanks to all,

John

jjacob said:

Many thanks, above and beyond the call of duty.

Click to expand...

Not really - I'm happy to help. After many months it is raining here today, so I can legitimately rummage around in the shed without complaint from 'she who must be obeyed'

jjacob said:

Have not heard anything from Nanni Ricambi. I sent them an email a couple of days ago in Italian asking if they ship to the USA.

Click to expand...

I'm told that they sometimes take some time to answer, though they never responded to me, despite my best Italian.

jjacob said:

I will probably start a separate thread on carburetors I am researching to get the brain trusts input.

Click to expand...

This will be very interesting

jjacob said:

I find this type of research to be fun and informative.

Click to expand...

You learn, I learn and everybody benefits. How does the cascade go - "Data -> Information -> Knowledge -> Wisdom" - it's all good.

Chris

HI Chris;
Don't forget those 2 words, the most important that a married man will ever to learn to use--'Yes Dear'---and after 39-1/2 yrs of marriage, I still get it wrong on occasions!!:

jjacob,

I was thinking about doing the same thing that you were, going with an upgrade kit from fiat500sport. I was looking at art 0252, the 700cc upgrade kit. I personally do not see an issue with the valve boring for the head or the bore for the cylindar sleeve. I also have a 69' L with the 499cc 110F engine. Yes there is less bite on the crank case, that could cause structural issues, but the strengthening plate should take care of that issue.

I have contacted the company via email and have written them in English and Good Italian. I am awaiting their response. I asked them to post the
measurements and dimensions for their kits to alleviate email requests. I also let them know that there are others on this foumn interested in buying their parts, but there seems to abe a lack of response or late response on their part. I said we are willing to throw business their way.

Based upon the measurements they give me, I plan on getting a different crankshaft. I do not know what the benefits of the 76mm and 85mm are over the 70mm stroke. Obviously it means more HP, but to what cost I do not know. I think a crankshaft with a bigger stroke will need a deeper oil pan and pump extension. Also I am looking at a horizontal dual weber carb.

Thoughts?

I am currently trying to buy a complete 126 650 engine and transmission from Europe. This way I will get the synchromesh transmission, alternator, correct tin, etc. Backup plan is to just get a 650 block and crank and use that as the basis of a new 695cc engine.
John

Evening John;
Good to hear from you again---over the winter I have had my 'wee beastie' re-sprayed and the interior re-trimmed---burgundy on the outside and light gray on the inside looks good. I have taken the opportunity to up-grade the engine (652cc ex Fiat 126) whilst it is out. Cost has had to be my guide (I am retired, sort of!) so I have had 36mm inlet valves fitted (with harder valve seats on all valves), ported and lightly skimmed the head (used copper head gasket), fitted a 35/75/75/35 camshaft and a good sports exhaust. I have retained the original 28IBM carb, but will look to upgrade that as funds allow---poss a SU HS2. When I have got it all back together and on the road I will let you know how it goes. This should work out as fairly economical up-rate giving a good performance improvement over a standard engine.

I wrote fiat500 sport and received a response back within the day. Here is what was written (translated from Italian).

"On our site there is a photo of the pieces that make up the kit. We do not give the details that you are asking us because they are trade secrets based on our experience of working for 50 years on parts at Fiat 500 Sport. We recommend that you also purchase the crankshaft article 0289 and the front steel engine mount std art. 0380. The preparation should be made simpler and more durable on the crankcase 126. Many customers are on the 500 crankcase but must mil out 2 mm from the crankcase.
We are located between Bologna and Modena exactly at Bazzano.

Sincerely
Nanni"

jjacob, you can find all kinds of parts motors on ebay UK. If you write Nanni he might be able to find you a 126 core and gearbox. I personally am going here to buy a second engine, so I can play with the 110F I have at a later date: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/FIAT-126-500-R-650-ccm-/121318965828?pt=UK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM&hash=item1c3f2c8244#ht_0wt_0

Interesting thread- Nanni are notoriously difficult to purchase from.
My 1969 500F has a Nanni 5 speed conversion which has been fantastic and faultless in over 50,000km of hard use so I was keen to deal with them.
I sent several enquiries in Italian and English to them over the years and even an online shop order with absolutely no response.
Finally after intervention from some Italian friends I received a response stating that they would not send their products out of the EU.
The only option to purchase their products seems to be to find somebody in Italy who can purchase directly from them and pay Italian taxes.
I finally pursued this option and after 2 years finally received a strengthening plate and 5 speed conversion kit....
Good luck with your rebuild!

My problem is not finding engines and transmissions in Europe. It is getting them to the USA. Nanni will not ship to the USA. Many sellers of engines and transmissions do not want to ship outside of their home country. Also, the shipping cost to send an engine and transmission to the USA is over 500 euros.
John

John;
I have tried to send you an e-mail regarding where I know there is a 500, with possibly a 126 engine in it in the USA---let me know if the e-mail doesn't get through to you.

Not sure if I should put my head above the parapet here as I do not fancy trying to ship whole engines & gearboxes across the globe but I have shipped some relatively large items to the US , OZ & NZ when people have needed parts. I have quite a few engines and parts here for 500s and 126s so crankcases , crankshafts , cylinder heads , etc are possible. Also have some good contacts for parts