Preparing for Beta 2.0 into Scorpion engine swap - questions

[Tony K]

Hello,

I am planning to transplant the 2.0 from a '79 Beta Zagato into my stock Scorpion. I used the search function and found a few old threads discussing this topic, but a complete list of what to do when swapping a carbureted engine would be helpful.

I plan to keep the car carbureted, and plan to keep the 2.0 stock for now and use the factory carburetor. I just want to get it in the car and running good to start; I don't need or have time for performance stuff right now.

The Scorpion is all stock except for an Ansa exhaust and smog controls removed (which is fine here).

What will I need to know/do to transplant the 2.0 from the Zagato?

- Which oil pan?
- Which water pump?
- Motor mount issues to expect?
- Which head?
- Any exhaust fitting issues (using the ANSA)
- Any issues mating the 2.0 to the Scorpion transaxle? Should I use the Beta transaxle?
- Any shift linkage rod issues, or is that just with FI conversions?
- What other parts to use from Scorpion engine?
- What other specifics to know/use?


Thanks,

Tony :)

[beek]

scorpion oil pan and pump
scorpion water pump
scorpion motor mounts, if memory serves me correct there may be a slight issue with the upper bolt on the rh side of the block, requiring some material removal, but i dont remember if it was only the 1800 lancia block
either head
exhaust should be fine, it will be raised a small amount, but fit fine as i can remenber
use the scorpion transaxle
use all of the scorpion accesories, bolt right on

good luck with this , its easy

[Tony K]

Thanks! :)

Any reason for me to not use the 2.0's oil pump? The Scorpion isn't getting oil pressure, and it may be the pump . . . I'd love to use the 2.0's pump rather than buy another . . .

[beek]

the scorpion pump is the only unit that properly fits the pan. check your pump, as i have never seen one of these fail. ive seen them with specs way out still build pressure. check the relief system.

[bjmarsh]

Easy conversion. You will have to remove material on the block side to fit motor mount, it has been documented several places. Beta pan is terrible design, use scorp oil pump & pan. Scorp head should be better but either will work. Car was inteded for a 2l engine originally so it is close to a bolt in. Basically take a beta short block and bolt on all your scorpion accessories. Good lu ck. Sure your low oil pressure is not a bad sender?

Barry 2L FI

[Tony K]

Beek -- thanks!

Barry -- regarding the motor mount, I've read contradicting reports in various threads here and elsewhere it seemed to me that only certain 2L blocks require material removal? (i.e. maybe FIAT but not Lancia, or maybe from different years or FI vs. carbed engines?)

I've heard and read from various sources that the Scorp head gives higher compression but the 2L head gives better flow. I personally don't care which.

Regarding oil pressure -- when I bought the car, the gauge read zero, and I didn't think anything of it because they are notorious for the sending units failing. So after some time of idling in my driveway, the engine started squeaking at idle and having difficulty turning. I wondered what it was, thinking probably some belt-driven accessory. Then I removed the oil fill cap, and the cams looked pretty much dry. Ran the engine a few more seconds with cap off, no oil being thrown out or about. Uh-oh. Well, whatever, I was going to do a 2L conversion, anyway.

I, too, find it hard to believe the oil pump might fail; what Beek says makes much more sense. I'm hoping to find a lot of muck clogging the pickup or a stuck relief valve. We'll see.

Not sure how much damage have been done to the cams from the loss of oil pressure, but I have a spare head in addition to the ones on the engines. Not sure if it's a 1.8 or a 2.0 head, though . . .


Thanks for the info, any other suggestions or help greatly appreciated,

Tony :)

[bjmarsh]

The Beta 2L has a boss that IIRC is used to mount a plate for the two piece CV halfshaft. It's best to measure but from memory you need to remove about 0.5 inch of material so the Scorp RT rear motor mount bracket will fit. I had the block milled at a machine shop (twice in fact!). Others have just cut it shorter with a hacksaw. It will be pretty obvious when you get the block out of the car. Cut it a little too long and the motor mount won't fit, cut it a little too short and you will be adding washers to make up the slack ( guess how I know!). I think you may also have to retap the boss but its pretty easy to do.

I think the Fiat block does not have the boss, DJ would know I think he used a 124 block on his conversion. It really is an easy swap and change the nature of the car. It won't rev as well ( even if balanced) but the extra torque is noticable.


Barry

[SubGothius]

The 1800 (stock Scorpion) head on a 2L block adds about half a point to your compression ratio; the 2L head breathes better, but this mostly only concerns extended high-RPM racing purposes and should be more than compensated for by the power gain and more-streetable torque of increased compression, and as long as you'd be rebuilding the 1800 head anyway, you could do some port matching/polishing on it to improve flow. Midwest-124 knows and does all the Guy Croft tricks if you just want to send it to a pro, maybe at least to have the port and prep work done even if you'll assemble the rest yourself. This page may help you identify the spare head you have:
http://www.mirafiori.com/faq/content/headid/headid.html

[Tony K]

Tye, Barry,

Thank you both. Excellent information, very helpful. I appreciate it greatly! :)

- Tony