1983 FIAT UNO checking oil

1
903 cc engine
Type
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Four cylinder in-line, liquid cooled, overhead valve. Transversely
mounted with end-on transmission
General
Bore . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 65.0 mm (2.56 in)
Stroke . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 68.0 mm (2.68 in)
Displacement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 903 cc (55 cu in)
Compression ratio:
900 models . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9.0 : 1
900 ES models . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9.7 : 1
Maximum power (DIN) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33.1 kW at 5600 rev/min (45 bhp)
Maximum torque (DIN):
900 models . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 68 Nm at 3000 rev/min (49 lbf ft)
900 ES models . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 69 Nm at 3000 rev/min (51 lbf ft)
Compression pressure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9.3 to 10.35 bar (135 to 150 lbf/in2)
Maximum pressure difference between cylinders . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0.69 bar (10 lbf/in2)
Firing order . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 - 3 - 4 - 2 (No. 1 at crankshaft pulley end)
Chapter 1 Engine
For modifications, and information applicable to later models, see Supplement at end of manual
Part 1: General
Crankcase ventilation system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
Description . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
Engine oil and filter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
Major operations possible without removing the engine
from the car . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Part 2: 903 cc engine
Cylinder head - dismantling and decarbonising . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
Cylinder head - removal and refitting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Engine - complete dismantling . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
Engine - complete reassembly . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
Engine - dismantling (general) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
Engine - initial start-up after overhaul or major repair . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
Engine - method of removal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
Engine - reassembly (general) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
Engine - refitting ancillary components . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
Engine - removing ancillary components . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
Engine mountings - renewal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Engine/transmission - reconnection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
Engine/transmission - refitting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
Engine/transmission - removal and separation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
Examination and renovation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
Fault finding - all engines . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . See end of Chapter
Oil pump - removal and refitting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Pistons/connecting rods - removal and refitting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9Sump pan - removal and refitting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Timing chain and sprockets - removal and refitting . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Valve clearances - adjustment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
Part 3: 1116 cc and 1301 cc engines Camshaft and camshaft carrier - removal and refitting . . . . . . . . . . 27
Cylinder head - dismantling and decarbonising . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39
Cylinder head - removal and refitting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
Engine - complete dismantling . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38
Engine - complete reassembly . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42
Engine - dismantling (general) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36
Engine - initial start-up after major overhaul . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45
Engine - method of removal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34
Engine - reassembly (general) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41
Engine ancillary components - refitting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43
Engine ancillary components - removal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37
Engine mountings - renewal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33
Engine/transmission - reconnection and refitting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44
Engine/transmission - removal and separation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35
Examination and renovation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40
Fault finding - all engines . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . See end of Chapter
Oil pump - removal and refitting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
Pistons/connecting rods - removal and refitting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32
Sump pan - removal and refitting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
Timing belt - renewal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
Valve clearances - adjustment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
Valve clearances - checking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
1•1
Specifications Contents
Easy,suitable for
novice with little
experienceFairly easy,suitable
for beginner with
some experienceFairly difficult,
suitable for competent
DIY mechanic
Difficult,suitable for
experienced DIY
mechanicVery difficult,
suitable for expert DIY
or professional
Degrees of difficulty
54321

2 Engine oil and filter
1
1The engine oil level should be checked at
the weekly service (see “Routine
Maintenance”). Preferably check the level
cold, first thing in the morning or if the engine
has been running, allow at least ten minutes
to elapse after switching off to permit the oil to
drain.
2Withdraw the dipstick, wipe it clean on
non-fluffy material, re-insert it and then
withdraw it for the second time (photo).
3The oil level should be between the MIN
and MAX marks. If not, top up with specified
oil to the MAX mark. Pour the oil slowlythrough the filler orifice on the rocker cover.
To raise the oil level from MIN to MAX will
require approximately 1.1 litre (2.0 pints)
(photos).
4At the intervals specified in “Routine
Maintenance” the oil and filter should be
renewed.
5Have the engine at normal operating
temperature, remove the oil filler cap.
6Place a suitable container under the sump
pan. Unscrew and remove the oil drain plug
and allow the oil to drain (photo).
7While the oil is draining, unscrew and
discard the oil filter. To unscrew the filter, a
filter or chain wrench will normally be
required. If such a tool is not available, drive a
long screwdriver through the oil tester casing
and use it as a lever to unscrew the filter
cartridge.
8Smear the rubber sealing ring of the new oil
filter with oil and screw into position using
hand pressure only (photo).
9Refit the drain plug and refill the engine with
the correct quantity and grade of oil.
10Start the engine. It will take two or three
seconds for the oil warning lamp to go out.
This is normal and is due to the time taken for
the new filter to fill with oil.
11Switch off, check for leaks and check the
oil level, topping up if necessary.
3 Crankcase ventilation
system
1
1This system is designed to draw oil fumes
and blow-by gas (which has passed the piston
rings) from the crankcase and draw it into the
intake manifold when it will then be burned
during the normal combustion process.
2Regularly check the security of the system
hoses which run from the rocker cover or
crankcase breather unit (photo).
3Periodically, detach the hoses and clean
them out with paraffin and a brush or rag pull
through.
4Evidence of sludge or emulsified oil within
the hoses or inside the oil filler cap will
indicate that the engine is running too cool
particularly if the car is used mainly for short
journeys where the engine never reaches full
working temperature.
4 Major operations possible
without removing engine
from car
1The following work can be carried out without
the need to remove the engine from the car.
903 cc engine
Valve clearances - checking and adjusting
Timing chain and sprockets - removal and
refitting
1•8 Engine – general
3.2 Crankcase vent hose (1116 cc)Fig. 1.5 Sectional view of oil filter. Bypass
valve arrowed (Sec 2)2.8 Screwing on the oil filter (903 cc)
2.6 Engine sump drain plug
2.3B Topping up engine oil (1116 cc)2.3A Typical dipstick markings2.2 Withdrawing engine oil dipstick
(1116 cc)

Cylinder head - removal and refitting
Sump pan - removal and refitting
Pistons/connecting rods - removal and
refitting
Oil pump - removal and refitting
Engine mountings - renewal
1116 cc and 1301 cc engines
Valve clearances - checking and adjusting
Camshaft and camshaft carrier - removal
and refitting
Timing belt - removal and refitting
Cylinder head - removal and refitting
Sump pan - removal and refitting
Oil pump - removal and refitting
Pistons/connecting rods - removal and
refitting
Engine mountings - renewal
Part 2:
903 cc engine
5 Valve clearances-
adjustment
2
1Adjust the valves when the engine is cold.
2Unbolt and remove the rocker cover.
3It is important that the clearance is set
when the cam follower of the valve being
adjusted is on the heel of the cam (ie;
opposite the peak). This can be done by
carrying out the adjustments in the following
order, which also avoids turning the
crankshaft more than necessary.
4Turn the crankshaft either using a spanner
on the pulley nut or by raising a front
roadwheel, engaging a gear (3rd or 4th) and
turning the wheel in the forward direction of
travel. It will be easier to turn the engine if the
spark plugs are first removed.
Valve fully open Check and adjust
Valve No. 8 EX Valve No. 1 EX
Valve No. 6 IN Valve No. 3 IN
Valve No. 4 EX Valve No. 5 EX
Valve No. 7 IN Valve No. 2 IN
Valve No. 1 EX Valve No. 8 EX
Valve No. 3 IN Valve No. 6 IN
Valve No. 5 EX Valve No. 4 EX
Valve No. 2 IN Valve No. 7 IN5Count the valves from the timing cover end
of the engine.
6Remember, the inlet and exhaust valve
clearances are different.
7Insert the appropriate feeler gauge between
the end of the valve stem and the rocker arm.
It should be a stiff sliding fit (photo).
8If the clearance is incorrect, release the
rocker arm adjuster screw locknut using a ring
spanner. Turn the adjuster screw using a
small open-ended spanner, but tie something
to it in case it is inadvertently dropped
through one of the pushrod holes.
9Once the clearance is correct, tighten the
locknut without moving the position of the
adjuster screw.
10Repeat the operations on the remaining
seven valves.
11Re-check all the clearances. Make sure
that the rocker cover gasket is in good
condition and fit the rocker cover.
6 Timing chain and sprockets
- removal and refitting
3
1Remove the alternator drivebelt as
described in Chapter 2.
2Unscrew and remove the crankshaft pulley
nut.3Disconnect the hoses from the fuel pump.
4Unbolt and remove the fuel pump with
spacer and rod.
5Support the engine on a hoist or under the
sump and disconnect and remove the
right-hand mounting. Then unscrew and
remove the timing cover bolts. The base of
the cover is secured by the front two sump
pan studs. Unbolt and lower the front end of
the sump. Avoid breaking the gasket. Remove
the timing cover.
6Undo and remove the camshaft sprocket
securing bolt; this will also release the fuel
pump drive cam from the end of the camshaft.
Note the timing marks on the camshaft and
crankshaft sprockets.
7Using two tyre levers, carefully ease the two
sprockets forwards away from the crankcase.
Lift away the two sprockets and timing chain.
8Remove the Woodruff key from the
crankshaft nose with a pair of pliers and note
how the channel in the pulley is designed to fit
over it. Place the Woodruff key in a container
as it is a very small part and can easily
become lost. The camshaft sprocket is
located on the camshaft by a dowel peg.Refitting
9Fit the Woodruff key to the front of the
crankshaft.
10Tap the crankshaft sprocket onto the front
of the crankshaft.
11Turn the sprocket so that the Woodruff
key is uppermost.
12Turn the camshaft until it is in such a
position that if the sprocket was fitted the
dimple timing mark on the sprocket would be
nearest to and in alignment with, the one on
the crankshaft sprocket.
903 cc engine 1•9
5.7 Adjusting a valve clearance
1 Sprocket retaining bolt
2 Fuel pump eccentric cam
3 Timing chain4 Camshaft sprocket
5 Sprocket locating dowel
6 Camshaft7 Woodruff key
8 Crankshaft
9 Crankshaft sprocket
Fig. 1.6 Timing chain and sprockets (Sec 6)
1
To prevent the crankshaft
rotating, either select a gear
and have an assistant apply
the footbrake hard or
remove the starter motor and lock the
ring gear teeth with a large cold chisel
or screwdriver.

13Engage the timing chain with the teeth of
the crankshaft sprocket. Then locate the
camshaft sprocket within the upper loop of
the chain in such a way that when the
sprocket is pushed onto the camshaft, the
timing marks will be in alignment. Make sure
that the self-tensioning links are on the inside
of the chain against the cylinder block
(photos).
14Place the camshaft sprocket onto the
camshaft so that its positioning dowel
engages.
15Secure the camshaft sprocket by fitting
the special cam, that drives the fuel pump, on
its locating dowel. Fit the camshaft sprocket
retaining bolt (photo).
16Tighten the sprocket bolt to the specified
torque.
17If the timing cover oil seal showed signs of
leaking before engine overhaul the old seal
should be removed and a new one fitted.
18Using a screwdriver, carefully remove the
old oil seal, working from the rear of the cover.
Fit the new seal making sure it is inserted
squarely, and tap home with a hammer.
19Lubricate the oil seal with engine oil.
20With all traces of old gasket and jointing
compound removed from the timing cover
and cylinder block mating faces, smear a little
grease onto the timing cover mating face and
fit a new gasket in position.
21Fit the timing cover to the cylinder block
and finger tighten the securing bolts, and
spring washer. Ensure that the fuel pump
pushrod bush is in place in the cover.22Wipe the hub of the pulley and carefully
place into position on the crankshaft. It should
locate on the Woodruff key. It may be
necessary to adjust the position of the timing
cover slightly in order to centralise the oil seal
relative to the pulley hub.
23Tighten the timing cover securing bolts in
a diagonal and progressive manner.
24Tighten the crankshaft pulley nut to the
specified torque again holding the crankshaft
against rotation as previously described
(paragraph 2) this Section.
25Refit the fuel pump and alternator
drivebelt.
7 Cylinder head-
removal and refitting
3
1For safety reasons, disconnect the battery
negative lead.
2Refer to Chapter 2 and drain the cooling
system.
3Refer to Chapter 3 and remove the
carburettor, air cleaner and spacer block.
4Undo and remove the five nuts and
washers securing the exhaust manifold and
hot air ducting to the cylinder head.
5Detach the cable from the temperature
indicator sender unit.
6Refer to Chapter 4 and disconnect the
distributor LT lead and the coil HT lead.
7Refer to Chapter 2 and remove the
thermostat housing from the cylinder head.
8Disconnect the coolant hoses from the
cylinder head.
9Note the electrical connections to the rear
of the alternator and disconnect them.
10Disconnect the mounting and adjuster link
bolts and remove the alternator from the
engine.
11Unscrew the four nuts securing the rocker
cover to the top of the cylinder head and lift
away the spring washers and metal packing
pieces. Remove the rocker cover and cork
gasket.
12Unscrew the four rocker pedestal
securing nuts in a progressive manner. Lift
away the four nuts and spring washers andease the valve rocker assembly from the
cylinder head studs.
13Remove the pushrods, keeping them in
the relative order in which they were removed.
The easiest way to do this is to push them
through a sheet of thick paper or thin card in
the correct sequence.
14Unscrew the cylinder head securing bolts
half a turn at a time in the reverse order to that
shown in Fig. 1.7; don’t forget the one within
the inlet manifold. When all the bolts are no
longer under tension they may be unscrewed
from the cylinder head one at a time. This will
also release a section of the cooling system
pipe secured by two of the bolts. All the bolts
have washers.
15The cylinder head may now be lifted off. If
the head is jammed, try to rock it to break the
seal. Under no circumstances try to prise it
apart from the cylinder block with a
screwdriver or cold chisel as damage may be
done to the faces of the head or block. If this
or the Hint, fail to work, strike the head
sharply with a plastic headed hammer, or with
a wooden hammer, or with a metal hammer
with an interposed piece of wood to cushion
the blows. Under no circumstances hit the
head directly with a metal hammer as this may
cause the casting to fracture. Several sharp
taps with the hammer, at the same time
pulling upwards, should free the head. Lift the
head off and place on one side.
16The cylinder head may now be de-
carbonised or dismantled, refer to Section 17.
Refitting
17After checking that both the cylinder block
and cylinder head mating surfaces are
perfectly clean, generously lubricate each
cylinder with engine oil.
18Always use a new cylinder head gasket as
the old gasket will be compressed and not
capable of giving a good seal.
1•10 903 cc engine
6.15 Fitting fuel pump drive cam and
sprocket bolt
6.13C Self-tensioning links on inside of
chain6.13B Timing mark alignment6.13A Fitting the sprockets and timing
chain
If the head will not readily
free, turn the crankshaft.
The compression generated
in the cylinders will often
break the gasket joint

light alloy construction and is easily damaged
use a blunt scraper or rotary wire brush to
clean all traces of carbon deposits from the
combustion spaces and the ports. The valve
head stems and valve guides should also be
freed from any carbon deposits. Wash the
combustion spaces and ports down with
paraffin and scrape the cylinder head surface
free of any foreign matter with the side of a
steel rule, or a similar article.
8If the engine is installed in the car, clean the
pistons and the top of the cylinder bores. If
the pistons are still in the block, then it is
essential that great care is taken to ensure
that no carbon gets into the cylinder bores as
this could scratch the cylinder walls or cause
damage to the piston and rings. To ensure
this does not happen, first turn the crankshaft
so that two of the pistons are at the top of
their bores. Stuff rag into the other two bores
or seal them off with paper and masking tape.
The waterways should also be covered with
small pieces of masking tape to prevent
particles of carbon entering the cooling
system and damaging the coolant pump.
9With a blunt scraper carefully scrape away
the carbon from the piston crown, taking care
not to scratch the aluminium. Also scrape
away the carbon from the surrounding lip of
the cylinder wall. When all carbon has been
removed, scrape away the grease which will
now be contaminated with carbon particles,
taking care not to press any into the bores. To
assist prevention of carbon build-up the
piston crown can be polished with a metal
polish. Remove the rags or masking tape from
the other two cylinders and turn the
crankshaft so that the two pistons which were
at the bottom are now at the top. Place rag in
the cylinders which have been decarbonised,
and proceed as just described.
10Examine the head of the valves for pitting
and burning, especially the heads of the
exhaust valves. The valve seatings should be
examined at the same time. If the pitting on
the valve and seat is very slight, the markscan be removed by grinding the seats and
valves together with coarse, and then fine,
valve grinding paste.
11Where bad pitting has occurred to the
valve seats it will be necessary to recut them
and fit new valves. This latter job should be
entrusted to the local agent or engineering
works. In practice it is very seldom that the
seats are so badly worn. Normally it is the
valve that is too badly worn for refitting, and
the owner can easily purchase a new set of
valves and match them to the seats by valve
grinding.
12Valve grinding is carried out as follows.
Smear a trace of coarse carborundum paste
on the seat face and apply a suction grinder
tool to the valve head. With a semi-rotary
motion, grind the valve head to its seat, lifting
the valve occasionally to redistribute the
grinding paste. When a dull matt even surface
is produced on both the valve seat and the
valve, wipe off the paste and repeat the
process with fine carborundum paste, lifting
and turning the valve to redistribute the paste
as before. A light spring placed under the
valve head will greatly ease this operation.
When a smooth unbroken ring of light grey
matt finish is produced, on both valve and
valve seat faces, the grinding operation is
complete. Carefully clean away every trace of
grinding compound, take great care to leave
none in the ports or in the valve guides. Clean
the valve seats with a paraffin soaked rag,
then with a clean rag, and finally, if an air line
is available, blow the valves, valve guides and
valve ports clean.
13Check that all valve springs are intact. If
any one is broken, all should be renewed.
Check the free height of the springs against
new ones. If some springs are not within
specifications, replace them all. Springs suffer
from fatigue and it is a good idea to renew
them even if they look serviceable.
14Check that the oil supply holes in the
rocker arms are clear.
15The cylinder head can be checked for
warping either by placing it on a piece of plate
glass or using a straight-edge and feeler
blades. If there is any doubt or if its block face
is corroded, have it re-faced by your dealer or
motor engineering works.
16Test the valves in their guides for side toside rock. If this is any more than almost
imperceptible, new guides must be fitted.
Again this is a job for your dealer as a special
tool is required to ensure the correct
installation depth and the cylinder head must
be warmed to 80ºC (176ºF) before fitting the
guides.
17Commence reassembly by oiling the stem
of the first valve and pushing it into its guide
which should have been fitted with a new oil
seal (photos).
18Fit the spring seat. Fit the valve spring so
that the closer coils are towards the cylinder
head and then fit the spring retaining cap.
19Compress the valve spring and locate the
split cotters in the valve stem cut-out (photo).
20Gently release the compressor, checking
to see that the collets are not displaced.
21Fit the remaining valves in the same way.
22Tap the end of each valve stem with a
plastic or copper-faced hammer to settle the
components.
23The cylinder head is now ready for
refitting as described in Section 7.
18 Examination and renovation
4
1With the engine stripped down and all parts
thoroughly clean, it is now time to examine
everything for wear. The following items
should be checked and where necessary
renewed or renovated as described in the
following Sections.
Cylinder block and crankcase
2Examine the casting carefully for cracks
especially around the bolt holes and between
cylinders.
3The cylinder bores must be checked for
taper, ovality, scoring and scratching. Start by
examining the top of the cylinder bores. If they
are at all worn, a ridge will be felt on the thrust
side. This ridge marks the limit of piston ring
travel. The owner will have a good indication
of bore wear prior to dismantling by the
quantity of oil consumed and the emission of
blue smoke from the exhaust especially when
the engine is cold.
4An internal micrometer or dial gauge can be
903 cc engine 1•17
17.19 Fitting split collets17.17B Inserting a valve into its guide17.17A Valve stem oil seal
1
Press a little grease into the
gap between the cylinder
walls and the two pistons
which are to be worked on.

used to check bore wear and taper against
the Specifications, but this is a pointless
operation if the engine is obviously in need of
reboring due to excessive oil consumption.
5Your engine reconditioner will be able to
re-bore the block for you and supply the
correct oversize pistons to give the correct
running clearance.
6If the engine has reached the limit for
reboring then cylinder liners can be fitted, but
here again this is a job for your engine
reconditioner.
7To rectify minor bore wear it is possible to
fit proprietary oil control rings. A good way to
test the condition of the engine is to have it at
normal operating temperature with the spark
plugs removed. Screw a compression gauge
(available from most motor accessory stores)
into the first plug hole. Hold the accelerator
fully depressed and crank the engine on the
starter motor for several revolutions. Record
the reading. Zero the tester and check the
remaining cylinders in the same way. All four
compression figures should be approximately
equal and within the tolerance given in the
Specifications. If they are all low, suspect
piston ring or cylinder bore wear. If only one
reading is down, suspect a valve not seating.
Crankshaft and bearings
8Examine the crankpin and main journal
surfaces for signs of scoring or scratches.
Check the ovality of the crankpins at different
positions with a micrometer. If more than
0.001 inch (0.025 mm) out of round, the
crankpins will have to be reground. They will
also have to be reground if there are any
scores or scratches present. Also check the
journals in the same fashion.
9Wear in a crankshaft can be detected while
the engine is running. Big-end bearing and
crankpin wear is indicated by distinct metallic
knocking, particularly noticeable when the
engine is pulling from low engine speeds. Low
oil pressure will also occur.
10Main bearing and journal wear is indicated
by engine rumble increasing in severity as the
engine speed increases. Low oil pressure will
again be an associated condition.
11Crankshaft grinding should be carried outby specialist engine reconditioners who will
supply the matching undersize bearing shells
to give the required running clearance.
12Inspect the connecting rod big-end and
main bearing shells for signs of general wear,
scoring, pitting and scratching. The bearings
should be matt grey in colour.
13If a copper colour is evident, then the
bearings are badly worn and the surface
material has worn away to expose the underlay.
Renew the bearings as a complete set.
14At the time of major overhaul it is
worthwhile renewing the bearing shells as a
matter of routine even if they appear to be in
reasonably good condition.
15Bearing shells can be identified by the
marking on the back of the shell. Standard
sized shells are usually marked STD or 0.00.
Undersized shells are marked with the
undersize such as 0.25 mm.
Connecting rods
16Check the alignment of the connecting
rods visually. If you suspect distortion, have
them checked by your dealer or engine
reconditioner on the special jig which he will
have.
17The gudgeon pin is an interference fit in
the connecting rod small-end and removal or
refitting and changing a piston is a job best
left to your dealer or engine reconditioner due
to the need for a press and jig and careful
heating of the connecting rod.
Pistons and piston rings
18If the cylinders have been rebored, then
the reconditioner will supply the oversize
pistons and rings and the gudgeon pins. Give
the job of fitting the new pistons to the
connecting rods to him.
19If the original piston rings or just new rings
are to be fitted to the original pistons, use
great care to remove and fit the rings as they
are easily broken if expanded too much.
Always remove and fit rings from the crown
end.
20If three old feeler blades are slid behind
the piston rings and located at equidistant
points, the rings may be removed or fitted
without their dropping into the wrong grooves
and will reduce the chance of breakage
(photo).
21If the original pistons are being refitted,
make sure that the ring grooves and their oil
return holes are cleaned out and freed from
carbon. A piece of piston ring is a useful tool
for this purpose.
22The three pistons rings are as follows:
Top - Thinner compression marked TOP
Second - Thicker compression, step at base
Bottom - Oil control (photo)
23If proprietary wear control rings are to be
fitted to overcome bore wear, fit them strictly
in accordance with the manufacturer’s
instructions.
24Always check the piston ring groove
1•18 903 cc engine
18.24A Checking piston ring groove
clearance18.22 Piston ring marking
18.20 Using feeler blades to fit piston ringsFig. 1.26 Piston/connecting rod
relationship (Sec 18)Fig. 1.25 Checking a crankpin (Sec 18)

clearance and end gap. Both clearances
should be checked with a feeler gauge. Check
the end gap when the ring has been pushed
squarely down the cylinder bore for two or
three inches (photos).
25If new rings are being used and the
cylinder bores have not been rebored, always
make sure that the top compression ring has
been stepped to prevent it contacting the
bore wear ridge.
Flywheel
26Check the clutch mating surface of the
flywheel. If it is deeply scored (due to failure to
renew a worn driven plate) then it may be
possible to have it surface ground provided
the thickness of the flywheel is not reduced
too much.
27If lots of tiny cracks are visible on the
surface of the flywheel then this will be due to
overheating caused by slipping the clutch or
“riding” the clutch pedal.
28With a pre-engaged type of starter motor
it is rare to find the teeth of the flywheel ring
gear damaged or worn but if they are, then the
ring gear will have to be renewed.
29To remove the ring gear, drill a hole
between the roots of two teeth taking care not
to damage the flywheel and then split the ring
with a sharp cold chisel.
30The new ring gear must be heated to
between 180 and 220ºC (356 and 428ºF)
which is very hot, so if you do not have
facilities for obtaining these temperatures,
leave the job to your dealer or engine
reconditioner.
31Where such facilities are available, then
the ring gear should be either pressed or
lightly tapped gently onto its register and left
to cool naturally, when the contraction of the
metal on cooling will ensure that it is a secure
and permanent fit. Great care must be taken
not to overheat the ring gear, as if this
happens its temper will be lost. A clutch input
shaft pilot bearing is not fitted on this engine.
Camshaft
32Examine the camshaft bearings for wear,
scoring or pitting. If evident then the bearings
will have to be renewed. The three bearingsare of different sizes and they can be removed
and new ones fitted using a bolt, nut and
distance pieces. When drawing a new bearing
into position, make sure that the oil hole is
correctly aligned with the one in the
crankcase. The centre and rear bearings
require reaming after fitting, the bearing at the
timing chain end is supplied ready reamed
(photo).
33The camshaft itself should show no marks
or scoring on the journal or cam lobe
surfaces. Where evident, renew the camshaft
or have it reprofiled by a specialist
reconditioner.
34Check the teeth of the camshaft sprocket
for wear. Renew the sprocket if necessary.
Cam followers
35Examine the bearing surface of the cam
followers which are in contact with the
camshaft. Any indentations or cracks must be
rectified by renewal. Clean sludge and dirt
from the cam followers and check their fit in
their bores. Side to side rock is unusual
except at very high mileage.
Timing chain
36Examine the teeth on both the crankshaft
sprocket and the camshaft sprocket for wear.
Each tooth forms an inverted “V” with the
sprocket periphery and if worn, the side of
each tooth under tension will be slightly
concave in shape when compared with the
other side of the tooth, ie; one side of the
inverted “V” will be concave when compared
with the other. If any sign of wear is present
the sprockets must be renewed.
37Examine the links of the chain for side
slackness and particularly check the
self-tensioning links for freedom of
movement. Renew the chain if any slackness
is noticeable when compared with a new
chain. It is a sensible precaution to renew the
chain at about 60 000 miles (96 000 km) and
at a lesser mileage if the engine is stripped
down for a major overhaul.
Cylinder head
38This is covered in Section 17.
Rockers and rocker shaft
39Thoroughly clean out the rocker shaft. As
it acts as the oil passages for the valve gear,
clean out the oil holes and make sure they are
quite clear. Check the shaft for straightness
by rolling it on a flat surface. If it is distorted,
renew it.
40The surface of the shaft should be free
from any wear ridges caused by the rocker
arms. If it is not, the shaft will have to be
renewed. Blocked shaft oil holes often
contribute to such wear.
41Check the rocker arms for wear of the
rocker bushes, for wear at the rocker arm face
which bears on the valve stem, and for wear
of the adjusting ball ended screws. Wear in
the rocker arm bush can be checked by
gripping the rocker arm tip and holding the
rocker arm in place on the shaft, noting if
there is any lateral rocker arm shake. If any
shake is present, and the arm is very loose on
the shaft, remedial action must be taken. It is
recommended that a worn rocker arm be
taken to your local FIAT agent or automobile
engineering works to have the old bush drawn
out and a new bush fitted (photo).
42Check the tip of the rocker arm where it
bears on the valve head, for cracking or
serious wear on the case hardening. If none is
present the rocker arm may be refitted. Check
the pushrods for straightness by rolling them
on a flat surface.
Oil pump
43Unscrew the four securing bolts which
connect the two halves of the pump body.
44Clean all the components in a bath of
paraffin and dry them.
45Inspect the gears for wear or damage and
then check for wear in the following way.
46Insert a feeler blade between the tooth
peak and the body. This should be between
0.05 and 0.14 mm (0.0019 and 0.0055 in).
47Now place a straight-edge across the
body flange and check for gear endfloat. This
should be between 0.020 and 0.105 mm
(0.0008 and 0.0041 in). Where the clearances
exceed the specified limits, renew the pump.
48Check that the oil pressure relief valve
spring is in good condition and not deformed.
903 cc engine 1•19
18.41 Rocker components18.32 Camshaft bearing18.24B Checking piston ring end gap
1

micrometer to trace the cause of the trouble.
It is very seldom that any trouble of this nature
will be experienced when fitting the
crankshaft.
9Tighten the main bearing bolts to the
specified torque wrench settings (photo).
10Using a dial gauge or feeler blades
inserted between a thrust washer and the
crankshaft, check the crankshaft endfloat. If it
exceeds the specified limit, the thrust washers
can be changed for thicker ones (photo).
11Bolt on the crankshaft rear oil seal carrier
using a new gasket. The carrier should have
been fitted with a new oil seal and the seal lips
greased (photos).
12Fit the engine rear plate (photo).
Flywheel
13Offer the flywheel to the crankshaft. With
pistons No. 1 and 4 at TDC, the dimple on the
flywheel must be uppermost.
14Screw in and tighten the bolts to the
specified torque. The crankshaft may be held
against rotation by either jamming the starter
ring gear or placing a block of wood between
one of the crankshaft webs and the inside of
the crankcase (photo).
Camshaft
15Oil the cam followers and return them to
their original positions (photo).
16Oil the camshaft bearings and insert the
camshaft, taking great care not to damage the
bearings with the cam lobes. Fit the front
bearing, chamfer inwards (photos).
903 cc engine 1•21
20.10 Checking crankshaft end float20.9 Tightening main bearing cap bolts20.6 Fitting a main bearing cap
20.16B Camshaft front bearing20.16A Fitting camshaft
20.11B Crankshaft oil seal and carrier
fitted20.11A Crankshaft rear oil seal carrier and
gasket
20.14 Tightening flywheel bolts20.12 Engine rear plate
20.15 Cam followers
1