Author Topic: Confusion over second dizzy  (Read 7730 times)

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Offline deks

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Confusion over second dizzy
« on: September 25, 2025, 04:47:38 PM »
So Ive spoke of this on my thread but thought I'd do a post in engines

I appear to have what looks like a distributor on the rear cam carrier
but I have a separate one in the front of the engine as per pics


Anyone any ideas and if it isnt a dizzy what is it
Lancia Beta Spyder 2000 (1979 model)

Online Ferrit

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Re: Confusion over second dizzy
« Reply #1 on: September 25, 2025, 04:56:55 PM »
Duel dizzyies :-)

I am guessing the top one is left over from it being a Vx head?
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Offline deks

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Re: Confusion over second dizzy
« Reply #2 on: September 25, 2025, 05:01:39 PM »
Duel dizzyies :-)

I am guessing the top one is left over from it being a Vx head?

I've not seen a VX or its engine so thanks for the feedback.

Hpe it doesn't cause me any issues going forward.

I might look to blank it off while its out I am sure that won't be too difficult to do

Lancia Beta Spyder 2000 (1979 model)

Offline SanRemo78

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Re: Confusion over second dizzy
« Reply #3 on: September 25, 2025, 05:08:18 PM »
Most cars have the block mounted distributor. The Montecarlo/Scorpion has one mounted on the back of the rear bank, Fiat 124's on the inside of (what would be on a Beta) the front cambox and the iE and VX had them mounted on the end of the inlet camshaft where your second one is. To me this points to a head replacement from a later car? Unless it's something to do with emissions kit?
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Offline peteracs

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Re: Confusion over second dizzy
« Reply #4 on: September 25, 2025, 05:19:38 PM »
Hi Steve

The normal carb type head has the blanking plate you need and I have one or two….

As mentioned it is probably IE head unless you are really lucky and have a VX head which had larger inlet valves. 

Peter
Beta Spyder S2 pre F/L 1600
Beta HPE S2 pre F/L 1600

Offline deks

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Re: Confusion over second dizzy
« Reply #5 on: September 25, 2025, 05:41:13 PM »
Hi Steve

The normal carb type head has the blanking plate you need and I have one or two….

As mentioned it is probably IE head unless you are really lucky and have a VX head which had larger inlet valves. 

Peter

Thanks Peter.
Once I have the engine out etc I will seek guidance from the knowledgable people here to try and identify the head and work on what course of action maybe needed
Lancia Beta Spyder 2000 (1979 model)

Offline Nigel

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Re: Confusion over second dizzy
« Reply #6 on: September 25, 2025, 06:58:22 PM »
If you post the 7 digit cast-in number (between cyl 1 and 2 I think)
i've got a list to refer to.

N.
1984 2.0 Carb HPE [ex Aus] Grigio Finanza.
2007 Mazda 6 2.3 [current daily, highly recommended]
The past:
1980 2.0 HPE White in South Africa [hope it survives!]
1976 1.6 Coupe Lancia Blu [PFG 76R] [probably deceased]
oh,and an Uno Turbo 1997 also in SA [stolen,never recovered]

Offline deks

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Re: Confusion over second dizzy
« Reply #7 on: September 25, 2025, 07:10:14 PM »
If you post the 7 digit cast-in number (between cyl 1 and 2 I think)
i've got a list to refer to.

N.

Thanks Nigel. Hope to have the engine out tomorrow. I will look for numbers and share them here
Regards Steve
Lancia Beta Spyder 2000 (1979 model)

Offline Nigel

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Re: Confusion over second dizzy
« Reply #8 on: September 25, 2025, 08:14:36 PM »

Steve,
Sorry, a misunderstanding.....it's visible between the spark plugs at the top.

N.
1984 2.0 Carb HPE [ex Aus] Grigio Finanza.
2007 Mazda 6 2.3 [current daily, highly recommended]
The past:
1980 2.0 HPE White in South Africa [hope it survives!]
1976 1.6 Coupe Lancia Blu [PFG 76R] [probably deceased]
oh,and an Uno Turbo 1997 also in SA [stolen,never recovered]

Offline deks

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Re: Confusion over second dizzy
« Reply #9 on: September 25, 2025, 08:54:30 PM »

Steve,
Sorry, a misunderstanding.....it's visible between the spark plugs at the top.

N.
[/quote

No worries.  It’s still coming out tomorrow but at least I can find those details in situ 👍
Lancia Beta Spyder 2000 (1979 model)

Offline deks

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Re: Confusion over second dizzy
« Reply #10 on: September 26, 2025, 08:52:30 AM »

Steve,
Sorry, a misunderstanding.....it's visible between the spark plugs at the top.

N.

Hi Nigel. Numbers on the head are 437 2281    these were between plugs 2 and 3

regards Steve
Lancia Beta Spyder 2000 (1979 model)

Offline deks

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Re: Confusion over second dizzy
« Reply #11 on: September 26, 2025, 10:43:37 AM »
I don't think its just the head thats not right. There appears to be nowhere to add a mechanical fuel pump that mine should be running. Its been converted to electric and I was hoping to return it to standard.

Lancia Beta Spyder 2000 (1979 model)

Offline Neil-yaj396

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Re: Confusion over second dizzy
« Reply #12 on: September 26, 2025, 10:48:22 AM »
Maybe they dropped in a complete ie engine? I'm taking it that the blank in the middle of your second pic is cast or welded in? That is where the fuel pump fits, but an extra problem would be that the ie engine might not have the tab on the lay shaft to drive the pump?

Probably worth sticking with the electric pump. If done properly with a cut out switch it's usually an improvement on the mechanical set up.

Offline deks

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Re: Confusion over second dizzy
« Reply #13 on: September 26, 2025, 10:53:59 AM »
Maybe they dropped in a complete ie engine? I'm taking it that the blank in the middle of your second pic is cast or welded in? That is where the fuel pump fits, but an extra problem would be that the ie engine might not have the tab on the lay shaft to drive the pump?

Probably worth sticking with the electric pump. If done properly with a cut out switch it's usually an improvement on the mechanical set up.

yes the blank is part of the cast.  To be fair I dont mind the electric fuel pump and wouldn't even have thought about it had someone else like you mention a crash cut sensor/switch. Which I am now going to research.  The return for fuel pipe has also been disconnected but I assume this is because it would keep pumping as soon as ignition was on as the return would be sending back fuel.  I was going to reconnect that during restoration but wondering now whether I should or shouldn't.
Lancia Beta Spyder 2000 (1979 model)

Offline Nigel

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Re: Confusion over second dizzy
« Reply #14 on: September 28, 2025, 07:52:00 PM »

[/quote]

Hi Nigel. Numbers on the head are 437 2281    these were between plugs 2 and 3

regards Steve
[/quote]

Steve,
That's a fuel injected head you have. Coincidently, I have the same head on my carb-equipped engine.

Nigel
1984 2.0 Carb HPE [ex Aus] Grigio Finanza.
2007 Mazda 6 2.3 [current daily, highly recommended]
The past:
1980 2.0 HPE White in South Africa [hope it survives!]
1976 1.6 Coupe Lancia Blu [PFG 76R] [probably deceased]
oh,and an Uno Turbo 1997 also in SA [stolen,never recovered]

Offline deks

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Re: Confusion over second dizzy
« Reply #15 on: September 29, 2025, 10:16:46 AM »


Hi Nigel. Numbers on the head are 437 2281    these were between plugs 2 and 3

regards Steve
[/quote]

Steve,
That's a fuel injected head you have. Coincidently, I have the same head on my carb-equipped engine.

Nigel
[/quote]

The head at least. due to the lack of mechanical fuel pump location I am guessing the whole engine is from an injection car. Dont know whether thats better or not and doesn't really matter to me. A few little things to iron out on that front when i get to that stage but nothing thats of concern.
Lancia Beta Spyder 2000 (1979 model)

Offline HFStuart

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Re: Confusion over second dizzy
« Reply #16 on: September 29, 2025, 12:16:19 PM »
I'm not sure I've seen one before with the pump mounting removed at casting  - but then all of mine have been earlier. I wonder if it's still got the annoying lobe on the auxilairy shaft ?

Offline peteracs

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Re: Confusion over second dizzy
« Reply #17 on: September 29, 2025, 01:00:24 PM »
I'm not sure I've seen one before with the pump mounting removed at casting  - but then all of mine have been earlier. I wonder if it's still got the annoying lobe on the auxilairy shaft ?

Hi Stuart

The IE engine I stripped had a removable plate and still had the lobe.

Peter
Beta Spyder S2 pre F/L 1600
Beta HPE S2 pre F/L 1600

Offline deks

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Re: Confusion over second dizzy
« Reply #18 on: September 29, 2025, 03:23:57 PM »
I'm not sure I've seen one before with the pump mounting removed at casting  - but then all of mine have been earlier. I wonder if it's still got the annoying lobe on the auxilairy shaft ?

No idea about any of that.

its got some weird mount points either side of the block as well that look as if they are mounts for a forward mounted engine but as far as i can think back Lancia never did a RWD

None of this matters really as long as it runs though I wonder if it will cause me issues if I need to rebuild it or buy specific parts such as gaskets though I am hopefully i dont need them and it won't matter if I do
Lancia Beta Spyder 2000 (1979 model)

Offline peteracs

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Re: Confusion over second dizzy
« Reply #19 on: September 29, 2025, 03:35:56 PM »
Hi Steve

The 4 bolts/studs are for an exhaust support on the normal exhaust

Peter
Beta Spyder S2 pre F/L 1600
Beta HPE S2 pre F/L 1600