Alfa flat four engine conversion anyone???

[phbjohns]

Hi, as an ex Alfasud owner, I'm a great fan of the Alfa flat four: nothing sounds qute like it on the overrun... I've now got a 1989 120L five speed with a leaky head gasket and am thinking about converting to Alfa power. I believe this has been done before (on a Rapid?) Has anyone here had experience of this conversion? Does it work well? Any pitfalls I should avoid?

Thanks in anticipation,

Paul,
Devon

[RapidRapid]

Hi there, yes this conversion has been done to a Rapid by a lad in Lincoln, i'll see if i have some contact details for him.

[KenONeill]

I've a nasty feeling that this may be difficult. IIRC the 120s all had a swing axle, and the 130s all had semi-trailing arm rears. If so, then if the conversion needs the sud box, it would also need new rear suspension arms I think.

[phbjohns]

Thanks for the info: I was planning to retain the skoda gearbox as I'd probably end up with 5 reverse gears and one forward if I used the Alfa box (engine in front of the box in the Sud). Yes, my 120 has swing axles which will add to the fun: don't back off on the bends!!!

[KenONeill]

In that case, the biggest issue (assuming the cranks rotate the same way) will be any need for an bellhousing to engine adapter plate and modified flywheel splines to pick up the Skoda input shaft.

I've just covered uprated front dampers in "Rapid 136 Webers", but no idea about rears on a 120 other than Spax adjustables.

[geoffb]

Hi, as an ex Alfasud owner, I'm a great fan of the Alfa flat four: nothing sounds quite like it on the overrun


Sorry, off topic a bit as I really can't help with the conversion but ................. oooooh, yes, the old Alfa flat four boxer

In my relative 'yoof' I had an Alfa Sprint Green Cloverleaf for a while. I loved that car so much (when it was going .............. fabulous mechanicals, s--t electrics) and hated seeing it 'dissolve' in front of my eyes

But the point is I used to drive everywhere with the windows down, just to play tunes on the exhaust Had nothing quite like it before or since.

Good luck if you can do it.

[phbjohns]

Originally Posted by KenONeill

In that case, the biggest issue (assuming the cranks rotate the same way) will be any need for an bellhousing to engine adapter plate and modified flywheel splines to pick up the Skoda input shaft.

I'm assuming the cranks both rotate in the same direction: I think some old Renaults had cranks turning in the opposite direction but the direction has been standardised on 99.9% of cars. I guess it will be out with the vernier / tape measure and a visit to an engineering workshop to machine up an adaptor plate and fabricate new engine mounts. Not sure about an exhaust, probably a couple of transverse silencers in place of the rear bumper...

I've just covered uprated front dampers in "Rapid 136 Webers", but no idea about rears on a 120 other than Spax adjustables.

I'll think about uprating the suspension when I get the engine nailed into place. That should be easy by compaison!!!