Technical Is this a 500 exhaust?

[ianhowe]

Hi, I had this exhaust in my shed from the last time I attempted a 500 restoration, as I finally got the car running today I fitted it, but I can’t fit heat shield & RHD tin wear , is it a 500 one or 126?

 

[the hobbler]

Hi, I had this exhaust in my shed from the last time I attempted a 500 restoration, as I finally got the car running today I fitted it, but I can’t fit heat shield & RHD tin wear , is it a 500 one or 126?

It looks like a 500 exhaust---if you are trying to fit a 500 exhaust onto a 126 engine, it won't fit. The "heater-outlet" on the 500 engine faces towards the front of the car (back of the engine)---the 126 "heater-outlet" comes out on the SIDE of the thermostat-housing, so the down-pipe needs to go over the at "heater-outlet".

 

[ianhowe]

It looks like a 500 exhaust---if you are trying to fit a 500 exhaust onto a 126 engine, it won't fit. The "heater-outlet" on the 500 engine faces towards the front of the car (back of the engine)---the 126 "heater-outlet" comes out on the SIDE of the thermostat-housing, so the down-pipe needs to go over the at "heater-outlet".

Hi Nobbler, yes I had to take the heater tin off, can I use a 500 heater tin on a 594 126 engine as I have a couple I can use ?

 

[the hobbler]

Hi Nobbler, yes I had to take the heater tin off, can I use a 500 heater tin on a 594 126 engine as I have a couple I can use ?

Hi Ian; I see no reason as to why you can't fit a 500 Thermostat housing on a '126' engine----the heads are just about the same. To be honest, you will lose nothing by trying, so give it a go----just let us know what the outcome is please---all these little snippets of information help

 

[troger]

Hi Ian,
You can install the 500 thermostat housing and it will fit the engine. But you will have problems with the heater hose. It won't fit properly over the starter motor.
The metal tube (behind the heater hose) has to be a different one and the Bowden cable for the starter motor is also different.

 

[the hobbler]

Hi Ian,
You can install the 500 thermostat housing and it will fit the engine. But you will have problems with the heater hose. It won't fit properly over the starter motor.
The metal tube (behind the heater hose) has to be a different one and the Bowden cable for the starter motor is also different.

Hi Ian; Fitting a different "starter pull cable" is not a difficult job, so if the 500's cable won't reach and you DO have to fit a '126' part, that will still be a lot cheaper than buying a new exhaust system. With regard to the "heater trunking", if the Fiat part for a '126' won't fit (I THINK that is a bit longer), get yourself a copy of the "Car Builder" catalogue (if you go on to their website, it is free)---it is an absolute goldmine for all sorts of parts. Just for interest, the internal measurement of the "heater ducting" is 3 inches---Car Builder can supply a length (they supply it in 1metre lengths) of "3inch internal--Silicon Flexible Ducting" which can be bent through quite sharp bends and still retain its internal diameter.
The reason that Fiat moved the starter to the side of the bell-housing on the '126'engines was to gain more back-seat room----by moving the starter, they gained 4 inches of extra leg-room in the back of the '126'.