156 Advice

[Petrolhead747]

Hi all.
I have just acquired my dads old car. It’s a 2003 156 1.6sportivo. It’s an insurance write off (water ingress and bent conrods) but in great condition.
I plan on doing it up and either keeping it or selling it on, but am undecided whether to replace the bent conrods or put in a second hand engine (2.0 hopefully). Any advice on this? I believe the old ecu will run the 2.0 engine fine? I’ve replaced big-end bearings on my own GTV so the size of the job doesn’t bother me.
If anyone knows of an engine for sale could you please let me know? Im also looking for a full leather interior and the climate control module (wont allow different temp setting for each side).
Thanks.

[GTA Jim]

My first 156 had sucked in water and was an insurance write off, the bloke I got it off repleaced the broken conrods and all was good! That was until I broke the gearbox Sorry carnt be more help!

Send Ned a PM or give em a bell he might be able to help you on both counts!

http://www.alfaowner.com/Forum/members/autolusso.html

[Smaky]

Originally Posted by Petrolhead747

Hi all.
I have just acquired my dads old car. It’s a 2003 156 1.6sportivo. It’s an insurance write off (water ingress and bent conrods) but in great condition.
I plan on doing it up and either keeping it or selling it on, but am undecided whether to replace the bent conrods or put in a second hand engine (2.0 hopefully). Any advice on this? I believe the old ecu will run the 2.0 engine fine? I’ve replaced big-end bearings on my own GTV so the size of the job doesn’t bother me.
If anyone knows of an engine for sale could you please let me know? Im also looking for a full leather interior and the climate control module (wont allow different temp setting for each side).
Thanks.

If it's bent the rods and been left full of water for a while then the engines a goner, chechk the 156 Hydrolocked thread currently running for an engine I'm sorting atm with the exact same problem. but remember, you need belt kits and big end shells too, if the engine can be rebuilt.

[Petrolhead747]

Thanks Smacky. Just read your thread. Getting more disheartened by the minute about rebuilding it now! My GTV spun a big-end bearing so thats why i rebuilt that engine. The 156 deserves a 2.0 lump anyway!

[Petrolhead747]

The 2.0 lump is a straight swap for the 1.6 right? Ive also been told the old ECU will run it no problem?

[Rockhopper]

Unless you want the car for yourself i wouldn't bother trying to fix it up, break it for spares instead. A write off 1.6 with the wrong engine isn't going to fetch good money! A 1.6 generally won't fetch good money!

[156Chris]

Originally Posted by Rockhopper

Unless you want the car for yourself i wouldn't bother trying to fix it up, break it for spares instead. A write off 1.6 with the wrong engine isn't going to fetch good money! A 1.6 generally won't fetch good money!

Hate to say it but he's right in a finacial sense ... if however it's something you fancy doing yourself as a project type thing then go for it ... but tbh don't expect to get the money back you've put in ...

[Petrolhead747]

I dont have it in me to break an alfa, If it was a BMW, no problem! But then you're stuck with the shell, hassle of shipping parts etc.
Id rather get it back on the road, even if I only break even on it (which I think shouldnt be a problem, I only paid €800 for it).