Fiat panda 30 head

[Jota69]

Can I fit a panda head to a 126 with the 594cc engine? I just got a 126 and after searching this forums for panda cilynder head it talks about fitting it onto the 650cc engine. And also can anyone tell me the exact parts that I will need from a panda and what year panda parts do I need for this

[thepuddlejumper]

I believe it can be done, some have been fitted to 500's but not sure it is worth the work.  You will need the head and carb off an air cooled panda (not sold in this country)unless you want to fit dollerto twin 40's.  One of the head studs will need to be shortened.  If you want to have heating you will need to modify a 126 thermostat/heater cover or fab one up.

Ralph

[Jota69]

Im living in italy at the moment and they have pandas everywhere here, so the parts shouldnt be that hard to find. What year of the fiat panda where aircooled and what size engine should I look for?

[thepuddlejumper]

Vehice was a Fiat Panda 30, I think it was a 650cc motor see:
http://cgi.ebay.it/Auto-Ricambi-e-Accessori___FIAT-500-PANDA-30-TESTATA-MOTORE_W0QQitemZ110487319063QQddiZ7429QQddnZAutoQ3aQ20RicambiQ20eQ20AccessoriQQcmdZViewItemQQptZRicambi_automobili?hash=item19b98eb217

It was a 126 engine fitted into the panda car with a modified head and carb to increase the power from the engine to drive the larger panda body.  I think the cam was also an improved item.  As you are in Italy you will be able to find one at an economical price.

Ralph

[Jota69]

So by looking at the engine I will be able to tell it apart or are thre any markings on the engine I should look for? Another question also, if I find the complete panda engine would it fit on the 126 without modification? What other fiat engine would fit without too much modification?

[1973/126]

 I`m sure there is a thread about this somewhere on the forum, but I can`t find it. There was also a picture posted of the Panda 30 engine. It looks different from outside, and you wouldn`t be able to use the whole engine as it rotates anticlockwise. So you can`t use the cam either. Pretty much you need the head carb, push rod tubes, need to get 2 shorter studs made for the head. Apart from that you`ll have to modify the tin work on the engine, or get a German spec 126 engine. Hope this helps a little bit.
 There was a Panda 30 head on eBay with everything needed which sold for £250,-, you`ll probably find some stuff cheaper in Italy.

[Jota69]

If I won't be able to use the panda cam, should I use my stock cam for now or just wait and get an upgraded cam

[1973/126]

 I`m not sure which cam would be ideal to use with the Panda head. There are few guys on here they have got this set up, so they might be able to give you some advice...
 Rusty what profile is the cam in your Alquatti engine?

[Rusty's Uncle]

I have not stripped the crankcase yet as I am working on another engine & space is a problem. I did however have a chat with the guy who had the engine done just before Christmas. I was pleased to hear him say that he had gone for a fast road cam rather than full race. When I get it out I will see what measurements I can get.  [-/

[Jota69]

So should I do the panda head swap or just rework the 126 head?

[Rusty's Uncle]

If you go for a Panda head you will either have to modify it and / or your tin work. There are a few things that could be done to your existing head. Have bigger valves fitted , light skim to raise compression & open up and polish the ports. Posting a picture of the inlet ports on a standard 499ccs head next to the head from my 795ccs Alquati engine. The receipt for the big engine describes the reworked 126 head as Stage 1. The inlet port has been opened up to match a Dellorto FZD or a Weber 30 DIC carb manifold.

[1973/126]

 Rusty it is great that you can upload pics now [-/. Your modified head looks good. Does it have standard size valves, or they bigger?

[Jota69]

so If i just have my stock 126 head reworked and get a better carburator like a webber 30 or a dellorto fzd it will be less modification and it will have the same effect as putting a panda head on? will a dellorto 40 dhla work fine with a reworked stock head and fast road cam or will it be too much for this combination.

[hudsonhenry]

so If i just have my stock 126 head reworked and get a better carburator like a webber 30 or a dellorto fzd it will be less modification and it will have the same effect as putting a panda head on? will a dellorto 40 dhla work fine with a reworked stock head and fast road cam or will it be too much for this combination.

A well ported panda 30 head (twin port) should give you better results with a twin choke carb than you would get with a well ported 126/500 single port head with an FZD or other single port carb.

However the FZD was the best carb we tested on the single port head. It gave the same peak power as a bigger Dellorto (36mm if I remember correctly) twin choke but the twin choke had some big flat spots that we could move around the rev range but never eliminate. The FZD gave a nice linear power curve. It also has the added advantage of being lighter, it's a nightmare supporting a big twin choke, they vibrate like buggery and whatever you have mounted them onto breaks eventualy along with the rubber spacer between the carb and manifold, which then lets in lots of air and could cause the engine to go bang.

I had this problem in a rally across Europe a couple of years ago and had to have an FZD and manifold shipped over on a next day from England in order to continue. It ran perfectly once fitted despite not being set-up properly.

[Jota69]

I quess I will just go with the fzd and the reworked stock head to avoid future from a twin choke carburator and also avoid problems with fitmant of the panda head, or maybe i will go with the panda head and a dellorto fzd. but most likely i will go with the stock head reworked and a good fast road cam.