1965 FIAT 500 Piston

tolerance range of .00043 to .00240 inch or less than
.0059 inch the bearing inserts may be used again with-
out any need for regrinding. Should however the
clearance be greater than .0059 inch the inserts must be
renewed, using undersize inserts if the crankpin journals
have been reground.
It should be observed that 'Plastigage PG-1' is suitable
for measuring clearances up to .0030 inch so that if
carrying out 3 above produces no flattening of the
'Plastigage' the procedure must be repeated using
'Plastigage PR-1' which enables clearances up to
.0060 inch to be measured.
5
CRANKSHAFT
CON RODCALIBRATED STRIP
CON ROD
BEARING CAP
BEARING INSERT
FIG 1:30 'Plastigage' position for bearing insert-to-
crankpin journal clearance inspection
GRADUATION SCALE
BEARING .INSERT
CLEARANCE
READINGCALIBRATED
STRIP
CON ROD BEARING CAP
FIG 1 :31 Checking bearing insert-to-crankpin journal
clearance by comparing width of flattened 'Plastigage'
F50023
To fit a replacement bush proceed as follows:
Firmly hold the connecting rod between soft faces in a
vice in such a way that it will not bend when working
on the small-end and using a suitably sized drift, remove
the old bush.
Use Fiat tool A.60155 or a suitably sized drift and care-
fully install the new bush which must be an interference
fit of between .0011 to .0036 inch.
A small slot must be cut in the bush to correspond w i t h
the groove machined at the top of the connecting rod
so ensuring good lubrication between the bush and
piston pin. 1
2
3The small end bush must be a firm fitting in the con-
necting rod and show no signs of deep scoring, scuffing,
ovality or excessive wear.
Should it be considered necessary, the bush may be
reamed using a Fiat expanding reamer U.0307 so that the
bush internal diameter permits an oversize piston pin to be
fitted with a clearance of .00020 to .00063 inch. Little end bushing:Installation of connecting rod bearing inserts:
During reassembly of the big-end bearing inserts the
parts must be thoroughly cleaned and then to reassemble
proceed as follows:
Ensure the bearing half to connecting rod surfaces are
perfectly smooth and free of score marks. Under no
circumstances may the bearing surface be reworked.
Check that the bearing half inserts are properly seated,
with the locating lugs fitting into their slots: this is
essential to obtain
correct bearing clearance.
As the circumference of the bearing half is greater than
the seats in connecting rod and cap the bearing must be
fitted so that the projection at each end of the bearing
half is equal.
Thoroughly lubricate all parts and tighten the end cap
nuts to a torque wrench setting of 23.9 Ib ft. 1
2
3
4FIG 1:32 Connecting rod-piston assembly installation
on engine
REVOLUTION
DIRECTIONPISTON SLOT
CAMSHAFT
CONNECTING
ROD NUMBER

FIG 1:33 Checking crankshaft land-to-connecting rod
shoulder clearance
FIG 1:34 Engine f r o n t end without flywheel
Using an expanding reamer or Fiat reamer U.0307 ease
out the internal diameter of the bush to between .7874
to .7876 inch so that a standard piston may be fitted.
4
Piston-connecting rod assembly:
To assemble the piston to the connecting rod fit the
connecting rod to the piston so that the cylinder identifica-
tion number which is stamped on the connecting rod stem
and cap faces the expansion slot side in the piston as
shown in FIG 1 :32.
Lubricate the piston with engine oil, compress the
piston rings into their grooves and insert the piston con-
necting rod assembly into the cylinder barrel w i t h the
identification numbers facing to the side opposite to the
camshaft as shown in FIG 1 :32.
If one or both connecting rods have been renewed the
new connecting rod cap and body must be stamped w i t h
the cylinder identification number. The figures should be
stamped as shown in FIG 1 :32.
24
FIG 1:35 Camshaft end crankshaft supporting mem-
ber and bearing assembly, and spare main bearing
CRANKSHAFT
SUPPORTING MEMBER
(Camshaft end)
MAIN BEARING
Carefully inspect the crankshaft for minute cracks espe-
cially where there is a change in section. Should there
be any doubt always consult the official agents for
further advice.
Inspect the journals and crankpins. Should score marks
or ovality exist on the journals or crankpins they must
be reground and new undersize bearings fitted.
Undersize main bearings are obtainable in the sizes
.0079, .0157, .0236, .0314, .0394 inch ready fitted in
supports.
Undersize connecting rod bearings are obtainable in the
sizes .01, .02, .03 and .04 inch. The crank should be
reground to match the appropriate bearing undersize.
The clearance between the main bearing to journal
should be .00079 to .00256 inch and the connecting
rod bearing half to crankpin between .00043 to
.0024 inch.
2 1
The special cast iron crankshaft is hollow to allow for
the passage of lubrication oil. It is supported at its ends and
is provided with two cranks and a central counterweight.
The crankshaft plays an important part in the operation of
the lubrication system as its cavity provides a passage for
the oil flowing from the centrifugal filter.
Before inspecting the crankshaft thoroughly clean the
internal passage and drillings as well as the exterior and
then proceed as follows: 1:11 Crankshaft and main bearings Upon reassembly the connecting rod cap nuts must be
tightened to a torque wrench setting of 23.9 Ib ft.

5 Using the graduated sector check that all the valve
timing angles are as detailed in Technical Data.
Readjust the valve stem to rocker arm clearance to the
correct setting.
1:16 Valve stem-to-rocker clearance adjustment
It is important that the clearance between the valve
stem and rocker is kept to the recommended figure
of .0059 inch, measured when the engine is cold.
If the clearance is excessive operating noise will occur
and if less than recommended the valves will stay open
too long which will result in damage to the valve face
and its seating.
Inspect the contacting surfaces for scoring or pitting:
if it is excessive, new parts must be fitted. Also check
the condition of the rocker-to-valve and rocker ball
head-to-pushrod contact surfaces are free from wear or
pitting. The faces must have a mirror finish.
The oilway in the rockers and shaft must be thoroughly
inspected and free from sludge, otherwise lubrication
failure will occur.
The assembly clearance between the rocker arm and
shaft should be .00063 to .00217 inch and the clearance
between the rocker shaft and the shaft support should
be .00020 to .00138 inch with a maximum wear limit of
0039 inch.
Turn the engine until the valves of one cylinder are in
balance, that is, the inlet valve opening and the exhaust
valve closing. The other cylinder will now have both valves
fully closed. Adjust the valves on this second cylinder by
loosening the locknut, and turning the
adjuster as shown in
FIG 1 : 43 to obtain the desired clearance measured with
a feeler gauge. Adjust the clearances on the other cylinder
in the same manner.
1 :17 Engine assembly (sedan — all versions)
To reassemble the engine proceed as follows:
1 Thoroughly clean and dry all the parts, ensure that all
drillings are free from dirt or sludge and place on a
clean dry surface.
2 Carefully install the cylinder-piston-connecting rod
assemblies w i t h new paper gaskets between the
cylinders and crankcase seats.
3 Refit the big-end bearing shells to the connecting
rods, ensuring that they are free from any dirt or
metallic particles. Carefully ease t h e crankshaft into
the crankcase, lubricate the main journals with clean
engine oil, place a new paper gasket between the
supporting member and the flywheel end of the
crankcase. Install the supporting member and bearing
assemblies. Secure the supporting members with the
screws and special toothed washers.
4 Locate the connecting rod big-end half onto the
crankpin journals, liberally lubricate the journals with
fresh engine oil, fit the remaining shell half, matching
bearing end cap and tighten the bearing cap nuts to a
torque wrench setting of 23.9 Ib ft.
5 Inspect the camshaft bearing bores and remove any
burrs w i t h a hand scraper wetted with oil. Carefully
slide in the camshaft ensuring the cam lobes or gear
teeth do not score the front bearing bore.
6 Fit a new timing gear cover paper gasket held in
place w i t h a little grease. Install the outer thrust ring,
F50029 inner thrust ring, shoulder washer and slide on the
camshaft drive sprocket, locking it with the Woodruff
key. Assemble the timing chain and driven sprocket,
ensuring that the timing marks on the sprocket are
indexing as shown in FIG 1 :41. Secure the driven
sprocket with six screws and lockplates and care-
fully bend down the lockplates.
7 Install the timing gear cover, the oil pump, oil pressure
relief valve and seal assembly. Secure w i t h nuts,
special toothed washers and plain washers located
in the same manner as was noted on dismantling.
Locate the oil pump suction horn and secure with the
nuts and toothed washers.
8 Install the flywheel in the same relative position to the
crankshaft as was noted on dismantling. Replace the FIG 1 : 4 3 Adjusting the rocker clearances using the
optional service tools. Refer to Technical Data for the
correct clearance on early and late engines FIG 1 :42 Graduated sector C.673 for valve gear
timing
TIMING MARK

FIG 1 :44 Cylinder head h o ld-down nuts tightening
sequence. 500 Sedan
TIMING CHAIN ENDCYLINDER No. 1 CYLINDER No. 2 FLYWHEEL END
CAMSHAFT
EXPANSION SLOT C/ROD NUMBERROTATION DIRECTION
FIG 1 :45 The correct position of connecting rod-
piston assembly on engine 120.000
30
screws and together with new lockplates tighten to a
torque wrench setting of 23.1 Ib ft. Bend down the
lockplates.
9 Slide the centrifugal oil filter mounting flange, the
oil slinger and the mounting screw together with its
lockplates onto the crankshaft and tighten the screw
to a torque wrench setting of 108.5 Ib ft. Bend down
the lockplate.
10 Assemble the clutch assembly to the flywheel and
using Fiat pilot A.62023 centralize the driven plate
to the pressure plate assembly. Secure the pressure
plate assembly using screws and toothed washers.
11 Fit new oil pan cork gasket, if necessary using a little
grease to hold in position and carefully fit the oil pan
securing with screws, toothed washers and lock-
plates. Bend down the lockplates onto the screw
heads.
12 Fit the oil cooling air conveyor on the oil pan and
secure with screws and toothed washers.
13 Carefully turn the engine over and fit the centrifugal
filter mounting flange rubber seal. Fit the oil filter
cover and secure with screws together with plain and
toothed washers to a torque wrench setting of
5.8
Ib ft.
14 Ensure t h e faces of the cylinder head and cylinders
are free from dirt and oil and carefully slide the
cylinder head gasket over the studs ensuring that it
is the correct way up. Insert the tappets in the same
order to removal together with the sleeves, pushrods,
oil delivery line to the rocker arm shaft and the casing
with its seal ring.
15 Thoroughly inspect the cylinder head to ensure that
it has been correctly reassembled, carefully slide it
over the studs and secure using the four cap nuts
internally and four standard nuts and plain washers
externally. Tighten the nuts in the order as shown in
FIG 1 :44 or 1 :46 to a torque wrench setting of
23.9 Ib ft.
16 Fit the rocker arm shaft and arm assembly together
with the two supports. Tighten the supports using
screws, plain and toothed washers to a torque
wrench setting of 15.2Ibft. Adjust the tappet-to-
rocker clearance as detailed in Section 1 :16.
17 Temporarily plug the intake duct hole to ensure that
no foreign matter finds its way into the engine.
Install the spark plugs having ensured that they are
clean and correctly adjusted.
18 Reassemble the engine cowling and air
exhaust
throttle valve assembly which should be secured on
the top side using t w o nuts, t w o plain washers and
two toothed washers, on the underside with two
screws and t w o toothed washers, and centrally using
one screw and one spring washer.
19 Fit the toothed washers on the end of the spark plug
electrode and tighten the terminals together with the
special rubber boots.
20 Refit the fan, generator and ground cable assembly
and secure the crankcase, also the warmed air intake
shrouding. Finally tighten the generator to fan nuts.
21 Fit both lower exhaust silencer mounting brackets
onto the crankcase but do not tighten fully. Fit the
air conveyor and secure to the engine cowling using
six screws, six toothed washers and one nut together
with a toothed washer. Join together the t w o

sections of the air conveyor securing with seven
screws, seven toothed washers and five nuts.
22 Slide the fuel pump control rod into its seating,
assemble the insulator between oil wetted graphite
gaskets and fit the pump to the crankcase using nuts
and toothed washers.
23 Fit the air conveyor cover complete with the accelera-
tor control relay lever and rod. Secure using eight
mounting screws, eight toothed washers, eight plain
washers and eight nuts. Fit the fuel line retaining clip
which is secured by one of the air conveyor upper
screws. Install the generator and fan drive pulley
having first placed four adjusting rings between the
pulley halves and the thrust ring on the outside.
Secure the pulley to generator shaft using three
screws and three toothed washers. Fit the generator
fan drive belt.
24 Refit the carburetter having first positioned the
bakelite heat shield between the t w o oil moistened
graphite gaskets. Secure the carburetter using t w o
copper washers and t w o self-locking nuts. Fit the
exhaust silencer and secure to the exhaust manifolds
with nuts and spring washers. Place the t w o graphite
gaskets between the manifold joints. Fit both exhaust
silencer upper mounting brackets and secure them
on the top side to the brackets already in place w i t h
nuts and toothed washers on the bottom side w i t h
screws and toothed washers.
25 Carefully position the distributor at a 10 deg advance
setting and secure w i t h a
nut, plain washer and
spring washer. Fit the fuel pump to carburetter line
complete w i t h mounting bracket rubber lining and
secure the line with two clamps. If difficulty is
experienced in positioning the fuel line into the pump
or carburetter funnels it is suggested that the line
ends should be heated in hot water and thoroughly
dried before installing.
26 Install the air cleaner elbow and rubber hose assembly
on the top of the carburetter using a graphite gasket
in between and secure w i t h nuts, plain washers and
spring washers. Carefully position the air cleaner, line
and hose assembly and connect it to the elbow.
Secure the cleaner to air conveyor cover using screws
and toothed washers.
27 Fit the spark plug cables complete with the rubber
grommet for cable mounting bracket on engine
cowling and connect the cables to the distributor
and spark plugs. Fit the oil pressure gauge sender
unit together w i t h its sealing washer.
28 Install the cylinder head cover and oil breather pipe
assembly w i t h a cork gasket inserted between.
Secure w i t h self-locking nuts and fibre washers.
Connect the accelerator control relay lever rod to the
carburetter and secure with the clip.
29 Fill the oil pan with the correct grade and quantity of
oil, insert the dipstick and the engine is ready for
refitting.
1:18 Engine assembly (station wagon)
Reassembly of this engine is straightforward as it is
the reverse procedure to dismantling. It is recommended
that Sections 1 :5 and 1 :17 are studied as the assembly
technique is similar for both the horizontal and vertical
F50031 cylinder engines. The following points should however
be noted:
1 Refer to FIG 1 :45 for the correct positioning of the
connecting rod-piston assembly on the 120.000
engine.
2 The sequence of tightening the cylinder head nuts is
different, the new order being given in FIG 1 :46.
Key to Fig 1 :47 1 Suspension arm 2 Screw,
rubber pad to bracket 3 Bracket-to-engine nut
4 Nut, arm to bracket 5 Arm bracket 6 Spring
7 Arm pin-to-support nut 8 Screws, pin to support
9 Pin arm to supportFIG 1 :47 Power plant rear suspension FIG 1:46 Cylinder head stud nut tightening sequence.
500 D. F and L Sedan and Station Wagon

4 Mixture too weak
5 Water in fuel system
6 Petrol tank vent blocked
7 Incorrect valve clearance
(c) Engine idles badly
1 Check 1 and 6 in (b)
2 Air leak at manifold joints
3 Slow-running jet blocked or out of adjustment
4 Air leak in carburetter
5 Over-rich mixture
6 Worn piston rings
7 Worn valve stems or guides
8 Weak exhaust valve springs
(d) Engine misfires
1 Check 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 8, 10, 13, 14, 1 5, 16, 17 in (a);
2, 3, 4 and 7 in (b)
2 Weak or broken valve springs
(e) Engine overheats
1 Generator and fan drive belt too loose
2 Shutter or thermostat seized in closed position
(f) Compression low
1 Check 14 and 15 in (a), 6 and 7 in (c) and 2 in (d)
2 Worn piston ring grooves
3 Scored or worn cylinder bores
(g) Engine lacks power
1 Check 3, 10, 1 1 , 13, 14, 15, 16 and 17 in (a), 2, 3, 4
and 7 in (b) 6 and 7 in (c) and 2 in (d). Also check (e)
and (f)
2 Leaking joint washers
3 Fouled sparking plugs
4 Automatic centrifugal advance not operating
(h) Burnt valves or seats
1 Check 14 and 15 in (a), 7 in (b) and 2 in (d). Alsocheck (e)
2 Excessive carbon around valve seat and head
(j) Sticking valves
1 Check 2 in (d)
2 Bent valve stem
3 Scored valve stem or guide
4 Incorrect valve clearance
(k) Excessive cylinder wear
1 Check 11 in (a) and see Chapter 4
2 Lack of oil
3 Dirty oil
4 Piston rings gummed up or broken
5 Badly fitting piston rings
6 Connecting rods bent
(l) Excessive oil consumption
1 Check 6 and 7 in (c) and check (k)
2 Ring gaps too wide
3 Oil return holes in piston choked with carbon
4 Scored cylinders
5 Oil level too high
6 External oil leaks
7 Ineffective valve stem oil seals
(m) Crankshaft and connecting rod bearing failure
1 Check 2 in (k)
2 Restricted oilways
3 Worn journals or crank pins
4 Loose bearing caps
5 Extremely low oil pressure
6 Bent connecting rod
(n) High fuel consumption (see Chapter 2)
(o) Engine vibration
1 Loose generator bolts
2 Blower blade assembly out-of-balance
3 Incorrect clearance for rear engine mounting rubber
F50033

FIG 3 : 4 Use of fixture Ap.5030/1 to check ignition
timing
Reassembly is the reverse procedure to dismantling but
the following points should be noted:
1 Lubricate the parts of the centrifugal advance mecha-
nism, the drive spindle and the part of the shaft which
accepts the cam w i t h Fiat VS oil.
2 Ensure that upon reassembly the slot in the rotor arm
housing matches the distributor driving dog. Lubricate
the felt pad in the rotor arm housing.
3 Fit the distributor back onto its support gently rotating
the rotor arm so that the drive dog engages w i t h the
drive shaft mating flange. Provided the crankshaft has
not been turned the rotor arm should finish up pointing
to No. 1 cylinder segment in the distributor cap. Tighten
the distributor retaining nut, refit the distributor cap and
leads to the spark plugs and the LT lead to distributor
body terminal.
4 Add a few drops of oil to the distributor shaft lubrication
fitting (see FIG 3:3).
3 : 6 Removing and dismantling distributor
(station wagon)
The distributor is located towards the top rear of t h e
engine and is bolted direct onto the crankcase rear cover as
shown in FIG 1 : 2 . It is driven direct by a gear in mesh w i t h
a corresponding gear on the camshaft. The basic design of
the distributor is the same as that for the sedan and sports
engine, except that the distributor cap has been redesigned,
there is a gear instead of the dog
drive and no distributor
support. To remove and dismantle the distributor proceed
as previously described taking great care about marking
the location of the distributor to rear cover and rotating
the engine until No. 1 cylinder is on compression. This will
ensure that reassembly is straightforward without loss of
ignition timing.
503:7 Timing the ignition
It is necessary to retime the ignition should the distribu-
tor shaft or camshaft have been removed. To retime the
ignition proceed as follows:
1 On the timing sprocket cover fit Fiat tool AP.5030/1 as
shown in FIG 3 : 4. Ensure No. 1 cylinder is on the
compression stroke with both valves closed. Rotate the
crankshaft until the mark on the centrifugal filter cover
lines up w i t h the 10° mark on the fixture. This setting
corresponds to a 10° static advance BTDC.
2 Check t h a t the points gap is correctly set between
.018 and .020 inch. Turn the distributor shaft until the
rotor points in the direction of No. 1 segment in the
cap and the points are just opening.
3 Without disturbing the distributor shaft, insert the lower
coupling on its toothed end, install the support and
tighten the locknut. Secure the distributor to the sup-
port using the mounting screw.
To check that the distributor is properly timed to the
engine and the centrifugal automatic advance is operating
correctly giving a
total advance of 18° to 28° respectively
proceed as follows:
1 Connect Fiat timing tester AP.5030 with a 220-volt-
single-phase power outlet fitted with a good earth
connection. It is important that the tester is earthed
before it is allowed to operate. Also ensure that the
tester earth terminal is connected to a bare metal part
of the vehicle.
2 Remove No. 1 spark plug lead, insert the strobe light
adapter and reconnect the spark plug lead. Using a
piece of white chalk mark the TDC position on the
centrifugal filter cover.
3 Start the engine and aim the strobe light beam towards
the chalk mark drawn on the centrifugal filter cover.
With the engine running slowly the mark on the centri-
fugal cover must correspond wi th the first white line
on the fixture (10°). Slowly increase the speed of the
engine so operating the automatic advance and the
chalk mark should move counterclockwise until at
maximum speed it reaches the second white mark on
the fixture.
It should be noted that the ignition timing for the model
500 sports engine the static advance is 10°, an automatic
advance of 12° giving a total advance at maximum engine
speed of 2 2 ° .
Should Fiat fixture AP.5030/1 not be available the
advance position may be set as follows:
1 Turn over the
engine until No. 1 piston is on the com-
pression stroke w i t h both valves closed.
2 Rotate the crankshaft clockwise until the reference
mark cast on the centrifugal filter cover is set .5118 to
.5512 inch ahead of the arrow cast on the timing
sprocket cover. This will give a static advance setting
of 10° BTDC.
3 Proceed as directed for ignition distributor timing and
mounting described earlier in this section.
3 : 8 Sparking plugs
The sparking plugs must be regularly inspected, cleaned
and the electrode gap adjusted to a gap of .019 to .023
inch.
The inspection of the deposits on the electrodes is par-
ticularly useful because the colour and type of deposit

1
2
6
3
8
11
13
17
19
22
25
27
29
31
33
36
35 323430 28
26
24232120 ,1816 15 14 12 10 .9 .15 4
FIG 8:11 Sectional view of shock absorber
Key to Fig 8:11 1 Threaded shank, floor mounting
2 R o d 3 Cylinder upper blanking threaded ring
4 Seal housing 5 Rod seal 6 Tab spring 7 Spring cup
8 Gasket packing spring 9 Casing gasket 10 Vapour
pocket drain and chamber 11 Rod guide bush
12 Vapour pocket drain capillary hole 13 Dust shield
92
14 Casing 15 Working cylinder 16 Vapour pocket drain
passage 17 Valve lift limiting disc 18 Fluid passage orifice
19 Valve lift adjustment washer 20 Valve star-shaped spring
21 Inlet valve 22 Piston 23 Compression ring
24 Inlet valve holes in piston 25 Rebound valve holes
in piston 26 Rebound valve 27 Valve guide cup
28 Rebound valve spring 29 Piston mounting plug
30 Compensating valve 31 Compensating valve annular
passage 32 Compensating-and-compression valve carrier
plug 33 Compression valve 34 Compression valve orifices
35 Lower plug 36 Threaded shank, lower mounting
FIXTURE
FIG 8:12 Leaf spring position under full static loads'
on fixture A.66061 or A.74061
no signs of distortion or cracking which, if evident,
new parts must be fitted.
2 Check the steering knuckle surfaces, that are in con-
tact with the bearing inner races for any signs of
scoring or seizure.
3 Inspect the condition of the two upper thrust rings and
of the lower packing ring. Parts which show sign of
excessive wear must be renewed. Lower packing rings
are supplied in service in the thicknesses tabulated
below.
Once the items have been reassembled no appreciable
clearance should be evident between the steering
knuckle and the kingpin housing. This adjustment
is obtained by installing the lower packing ring of
suitable size.
4 Check that the seating on the drums for the roller
bearing outer races are smooth as no clearance is
allowable between the races and their seatings. Care-
fully inspect that the bearing cages and the rollers
show no signs of chipping, breakage, or discolouration
due to overheating.
5 Carefully inspect the seal which must not be torn and it
should locate perfectly both on the drum and the
steering knuckles.
Reassembly:
Reassembly is the reverse procedure to dismantling.
OversizesUnder-
sizes
.002 .004 .006 .008 .010 .012
.0979 .1016 .1036 .1056 .1076 .1095
.100 .102 .104 .106 .108 .110
.002 .004
.0957 .0938
.096 .094
Stand.
in.
in..0977
in..098