20vt - Engine & Gearbox Out Jobs

Hello all,

I've just yesterday had my 1999 Coupe 20vt delivered. Bought as a MOT'ed, running project, it needs the cambelt, clutch and CHOD (suspected) doing so I'm planning to pull the engine and gearbox out to make access a lot easier. Are there any jobs you guys would recommend doing while said engine and gearbox are out? I've bought barnacle and countrycruising's Coupe Fiat book which should be delivered soon and nosed through the workshop manuals so I'm prepared for what's to come and have ordered the cam locking tools and dial gauge adapter in preparation. The car came with a new Dayco cambelt and both tensioners I think along with at least one of the aux belts so those will be done as well. I'm also planning on doing the front and rear main seals too unless you guys say otherwise.

Will also be asking about clutch recommendations shortly too. The Coupe has a FC performance chip installed, but no paperwork, and supposedly a stage 1 360° bearing turbo but again, no paperwork to confirm. The leather interior has worn its 156k miles and 15(!) previous owners extremely well, the engine has very healthy oil pressures and sounds great but the bodywork lets it down a bit, not too worried about that though.

I'll be making a start once the weather behaves itself and once my 16v boxer engined Alfa 145 is sold.

Thanks

I assume this is the silver one from the Retro Rides forum? Looks pretty good in the photos!

I made a similar post in May 2019, the list was quite long! 31/5/19 if your interested.

One which might not be immediately obvious when you're thinking about the engine: with the engine out, the bay is much more accessible. This is perhaps the time to change the brake pipes... they probably look fine in the engine bay itself, but under the car and particularly where they go around to supply the front flexes, maybe not so good. And it's a real pain to change them with the engine in place. The clutch pipe and master cylinder are worth looking at, too.

Also check the wheel arches and sill ends for rust. Also, the condition of the radiator and its support strut... and the Eiffel towers, suspension tower tops, and all the other exciting places that are just too hard to get at with the engine in place.

Yep, that's the one! The rear arches are rusty but the sills and floor pan are solid. Paint isn't great but I'm not too bothered by that. I love the red Coupe you saved too!



Thanks respace, I'll go see if I can find it



Thanks barnacle, I'm really looking forward to your book arriving Good point regarding the brake pipes, I'll check them out. A spare radiator support was included with the car and isn't in bad nick so I'll refurb it and swap it over. A pair of what I believe are stainless bumper supports from an Alfa 145 were included with the car too which should be close to the Coupe ones.