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[Joelomint]

Hello...
i was looking at the alfa boxer tuning site the other evening and it said that older boxers with single carb could not be changed to twin carbs. is this strictly true, or can the single carb head be 'modified' to take twin dellorto?
also, is the stock 1.5 single carb block the same as the gold clover version? i know the later Ti block has laonger stroke and larger bore but wondered about the older cars
any ideas?

[lesthegringo]

Hi there

I wrote that site, so I hope that I'm qualified to answer!

Yes, you can modify the single card heads, either by modifying the bolt pattern itself, or by making or modifying the twin carb inlet manifolds - they are simple. The question is, though, WHY?! There are so many 'suds, Sprints and 33's in breakers yards or rotting away on peoples driveways that it is so much easier to get hold of the heads, complete with carbs and manifolds, and swap. To give an idea, I paid £150 for a 1.7 16v engine virtually complete, so a carbed engine won't set you back more than £50 to £100.

I suppose the question is, where abouts in the world are you?

Les

[Joelomint]

Yes Les,
i think my question was probly more about the blocks...
i have a s1 (85hp) wiv single carb and am driving a 1.5 ti. i also have the heads and manifolds etc from another 1.5ti.
the heads and manifolds are being polished
if i were to fit the heads to the standard block would i get the 105hp or just 95? do i need the ti block to reach the higher hp?
the bit about the cloverleaf was that there is an engine from an A reg gold cloverleaf available locally for little money and i am tempted to get it 'cos then i can build the engine out of the car.
whatcha reckon les?

[Lesthgringostillcantlogin]

Yes, basically the block is the same, with a small difference in the combustion chamber shape on the top of the piston. As I used 'normal' pistons on my old 1.5 and still got 108 bhp (using the 95bhp cams, as well..), I am certain you won't have to worry. As a precaution, dry build the heads on to the block without head gaskets, fit the timing belts correctly and turn the engine over. If it turns over without a piston touching the valves (it will stop turning if it does), then with the gasket there will be ample clearance. A blob of plasticene on the valve heads will show just how close the valve got to the piston, if you are interested!

Les

PS Scott, still can't log in!!!!