Technical Sporting that leaks everything! Time for 1242?

[goldflame]

My poor 97 Cinquecento is having a few problems.

Having only done 31k with one lady owner the paintwork is bright red, theres not a mark on her but the damn things rusting away like it's sat at the bottom of the sea!

The sump sprang a leak, so I replaced it with a cheap copy and it still leaks, just this time worse. The radiator has given up the ghost and resembles a sieve and don't ask me how but even the seals around the washer pumps have perished so it leaks screenwash! The poor lady prior fitted a new cat + mid section to the exhaust but the rear section has gone the same way as the rest of the car so I'd like to fit a new one.

My question is this. I want to fit the 1242 engine. I need to nip the front bumper of so whilst I'm there, is it easier to fit the new radiator and a reclaimed 1242 or should I just battle on with this engine?

Could I switch the lump in a day? Whats the easiest way of resolving the problems of the exhaust not fitting?

 

[jamie86]

Seems a bit extreme to do any engine swap to solve just those problems (although i've had less excuses before)

Washer pump- It's quite common for these to leak especially from the pipe at the bottom check that first..

When you put the new sump on take it you clean the contact areas before putting the new gasket on?

The radiator can be got in and out without removing the front bumper at all..

In fact so can the 1242 conversion which does also make the car more driveable and a nicer drive with the extra torque.. the easiest way for the spacer is to use the falnge of your 1108 manifold for a quick easy fix if not ca easily get one machined up somewhere

After saying all that the it's quite likely you'll get things that need doing to the 1242

For instance would deffo recommend plugs, leads, filter complete oil flush before fitting it as well as maybe cambelt possibly new waterpump saves battling away in the future

Not really much help but hey

P.s If getting a new rad and a 1242 spend the extra pennies on the aluminium one and do the cold thermostat mod keeps it all nicely cool then

 

[goldflame]

Thanks for your help, I'm going to read through and try and find an engine now. The radiator came out in two halves..! I don't know whether I should have started this but honestly, its the only way hey!

I'm going to study the engine swap thread now and try and overcome the hurdles.. all pointers GREATLY appreciated...

 

[jamie86]

It really is just a case of unbolt one lump and bolt in another other than just the exhaust spacer..

If you can get a 1242 cheap enough and the insurance increase isn't an issue then deffo go for it..

Makes a rather nice difference

 

[goldflame]

The only thing that I'm not 100% on is the exhaust spacer, I've read the other threads about it but could somebody explain the problem in more detail for me? Sorry..!

Scott

 

[chaos]

The only thing that I'm not 100% on is the exhaust spacer, I've read the other threads about it but could somebody explain the problem in more detail for me? Sorry..!

Scott

The 1242 engine block is about half an inch taller than the 1108 block due to the 1242's longer stroke. This means that the standard 1108 downpipe isn't long enough, so a spacer of about half an inch is reqiured to make up the missing length.

HTH

 

[jamie86]

As above..

The easiest quick fix that i found was an angle grinder taken to the flange of a spare manifold this then gives you enough clearance..

If you don't have a spare could even just go down to local exhaust place and get one off something in their scrap bin.. Cheap and cheerful fix that saves getting one machined up..

Although not to say that it wont blow

 

[goldflame]

Ok loud and clear on the exhaust! Heres how poor oliver stands at the moment...

What inlet manifold do I use? Can I reuse my 1108 one?

 

[fingers99]

Yep. And use the Cinq alternator. Put a new clutch kit on while you're at it.

 

[goldflame]

Yep. And use the Cinq alternator. Put a new clutch kit on while you're at it.

Cracking, thanks.

Just need to find an engine block now.....

 

[jamie86]

Good old ebay normally throws up a few punto's being broken

Good luck

 

[Fivehundred]

I don't bother with making a spacer for the down pipe for a 1242 conversion, simply cut it in half and weld in a section of tube. The advantage of doing it that way is that you can angle the horizontal part up slightly, so it still fits into the clamp on the back of the engine.

The only thing that I'm not 100% on is the exhaust spacer, I've read the other threads about it but could somebody explain the problem in more detail for me? Sorry..!

Scott

 

[Chas Uno]

Fcuk! That was quick!

You must have tolerant neighbours!

 

[Brooky]

Could I switch the lump in a day?

Yes if you have the other engine.

Ive taken an engine out,fitted new g/box,flywheel,pressure plate and clutch, vernier cam pulley and did the timing, then put it all back in on me own in a day.

Hope you find a decent engine soon and it all goes well.

 

[goldflame]

Hi there,

The car is rebuilt and just awaiting a new radiator to arrive. She's not been turned over yet but I'm not anticipating any problems with that, though I've not put oil in yet until I'm ready to start it (hoping this will aid the engine prime). Are there any tips to prime it other then gently cranking with the plugs off?

More importantly, a fault -

The gearstick feels like everything has moved over to the right. I can't get onto the far right of the gears using the gearstick, it's almost as if the whole thing has moved over to the right.

Have I put one of the linkage cables back on incorrectly?...

Regards,

Scott

 

[jamie86]

Pretty sure I put the linkage back together wrong once and had that same prob so would deffo double check that..

 

[Brooky]

thees three thingys under a plate on the top of the g/box that will require re-aligning

 

[goldflame]

thees three thingys under a plate on the top of the g/box that will require re-aligning

What do you mean? The three bolts holding the linkage plates on? Help!

 

[rallycinq]

If the box took a dunt then gears can select themselves. Assuming you've got the cables in the right place and haven't swapped them inadvertantly, lift the selector cover off the top of the box and make sure the selector plates inside the selector mechanism line up with the selectors in the box.

Cheers

D

 

[goldflame]

Hi rallycinq, thanks for your reply.

Gears selecting themselves sounds fair - it was knocked about a bit whilst being removed but the cables definately haven't been switched as I left them on their brackets. I also did a search and found a photograph and it looks correct so..

I don't know what the selector cover is, do you have a picture? I've only got a problem with what I think is called the "reverse gear linkage", IE the one with two bolts holding it down rather than the main cable with the three bolt plate holding it down.

Could you show me a picture of the selector cover?

Cheers