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Sat Sep 06, 2008 9:03 pm

Here's a couple quick spy shots of a project we're mucking about with up here in Wi. It's a Barrien Venture chassis with a 3 rib bus box getting pushed by a Fiat/Abarth 1.8 liter DOHC howler. (It's basically a 124S engine like the one that comes in the Fiat Spider). The engine may eventually migrate to one of our other projects, but for now, we're using the rail chassis for testing. It's running through a Subaru Legacy radiator with dual fans. Lots to do, but it works. We built the adapter and flywheel. We'll keep you posted....

Those who know me will immediately recognize the clever Adams signature "temporary fuel tank mount of death" technique. Works well for parking lot tests, but not recommended for heavy off-road action.

Here's the Fiat engine with topside mounted Bosch 009 distributor adapted to it. Currently running an Empi/Weber 32/38 carb with electric choke, but have a manifold with a bank of 4 each 36mm keihin sidedrafts sitting on the bench. One thing at a time. Flywheel is made from a new lightened Empi type 1 unit with the center cut out and new blank welded in, then machined to fit the Fiat crankshaft. Adapter is made from aluminum plate.
Note the GM 3wire alternator. Not a bolt-on, but an easy adapt for just about any water buffalo....

Bill

Sat Sep 06, 2008 9:07 pm

Keep us posted on how that Fiat works out. How did you adapt it to the VW trans?

I'm very interested, as I have a good running Fiat engine sitting in my garage right now.

Sat Sep 06, 2008 9:18 pm

Here's a quick pic of the adapter before welding:

Here's the flywheel. A lightened VW unit with new center section welded in and machined:

Here's the distributor adapter for using a Bosch 009 in the Fiat engine.

A long time ago, I used to race VW beetles with Fiat engines...

Sat Sep 06, 2008 9:30 pm

Hi Les,
What engine do you have? 1.6, 1.8 or a 3 liter? All of the DOHC engines share the same bolt pattern and flywheel, so the problems associated with adapters are the same. If you're interested, I have all the specs. If you have access to a good machine shop that still does things "the old way", it's pretty straightforward having the flywheel machined. You can build the adapter plate yourself if you have the patience, but the tolerance is that there is no tolerance......
Bill

Sat Sep 06, 2008 9:41 pm

Here's a shot of the 4X4 manifold with the keihins mounted. The carbs are off a Honda 900F sportbike (1982 vintage) and have been boiled and re-jetted for the Fiat engine. This picture was taken during my manifold research and design. It's much more refined now. All I need to do is see if it works. It will probably take lots of jet fiddling to get them right, so I elected to get the engine running with the weber 32/38 for now and then get the keihins going after all the plumbing for the radiator gets sorted out and painted.

Sat Sep 06, 2008 9:50 pm

My engine is actually one of the smaller ones. It's from a '68 850 Spider. It's either 847 or 903 cc's.

Sun Sep 07, 2008 7:32 pm

Very cool, but you know what Fiat stands for...

"Fix It Again Tony"

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