Engine & identification
Vehicle identification
| No. of cylinders Type | 4/OHC |
|---|---|
| Capacity (Fiscal) cc | 1570 (1556) |
| Compression ratio :1 | 9,0 |
| Suitable for unleaded petrol | Yes |
| Minimum octane rating RON | 98/95 |
| Ignition system Make | Bosch |
| Ignition system Type | SZ |
| Ignition system Description | CB |
| Fuel system Make | Solex |
| Fuel system Type | 40 ADDHE |
| Fuel system Description | Carb-2V |
Ignition system
| Ignition coil Make | Bosch |
|---|---|
| Ignition coil Type | 0 221 119 008 |
| Ignition coil supply voltage + with ballast V | 11,0 |
| Primary resistance Ohm | 2,8-3,4 |
| Distributor (ECM) Make | Bosch |
| Distributor (ECM) No. | 0 231 170 229 |
| Contact breaker gap/trigger air gap mm | 0,35 |
| Dwell angle °(%) | 59-65 (66-72) |
Firing order
The firing order for the Alfa Romeo Alfetta 1.6 (1978–1981) is 1-3-4-2.
| Firing order | 1-3-4-2 |
|---|
Valve clearances
Valve clearances for the Alfa Romeo Alfetta 1.6 (1978–1981) are 0,40-0,45 mm inlet and 0,45-0,50 mm exhaust, measured cold.
| Valve clearance - INLET mm | 0,40-0,45 cold |
|---|---|
| Valve clearance - EXHAUST mm | 0,45-0,50 cold |
Engine oil & fluids
Engine oil
The Alfa Romeo Alfetta 1.6 (1978–1981) takes 6.5 litres of engine oil with the filter.
A listed engine oil option is SAE 10W-50 for moderate climates, with API/ACEA classification SE.
A listed engine oil option is SAE 15W-50 as an alternative for moderate climates.
Manual gearbox
The manual gearbox has a listed capacity of 3.0 litres. The specified oil is SAE 85W-90.
Coolant
The listed total cooling-system capacity is 8.0 litres.
Grades, filling conditions and capacities
| Engine oil options | |
|---|---|
| Ambient temperature range | Moderate climate |
| Engine oil grade SAE | 10W-50 |
| Engine oil classification API/ACEA | SE |
| Ambient temperature range | Moderate climate alternative |
| Engine oil grade SAE | 15W-50 |
| Engine with filter(s) litres | 6.5 |
| Other lubricants and capacities | |
| Manual transmission oil grade SAE | 85W-90 |
| Manual transmission litres | 3.0 |
| Cooling system - total capacity litres | 8.0 |
Service & electrical
Ignition timing
Basic ignition timing for the Alfa Romeo Alfetta 1.6 (1978–1981) is 7°±1° BTDC at 850 rpm.
| Ignition timing | Without vacuum |
|---|---|
| Ignition timing - basic BTDC °Engine/rpm | 7±1/850 |
| Ignition timing - alternative °Engine/rpm | 95=4±1/850 |
Battery
The Alfa Romeo Alfetta 1.6 (1978–1981) uses a 12 V, 60 Ah battery (reserve capacity 90 minutes).
| Battery V/RC(Ah) | 12/90 (60) |
|---|
Spark plugs
The Alfa Romeo Alfetta 1.6 (1978–1981) uses Lodge 2HL spark plugs with a 0,55 mm electrode gap.
| Spark plugs Original equipment | Lodge |
|---|---|
| Spark plug Type | 2HL |
| Electrode gap mm | 0,55 |
| Spark plugs Make | Beru |
| Spark plug Type | 14-7DU |
| Electrode gap mm | 0,8 |
| Spark plugs Make | Bosch |
| Spark plug Type | W7DC |
| Electrode gap mm | 0,7 |
| Spark plugs Make | Champion |
| Spark plug Type | RN7YCC |
| Electrode gap mm | 0,7 |
| Spark plugs Make | NGK |
| Spark plug Type | B7ES |
| Electrode gap mm | 0,7 |
Tuning and emissions
| Ignition advance | Without vacuum and basic timing |
|---|---|
| Ignition advance checks °Engine/rpm | 35-38/5100 |
| Ignition advance checks °Engine/rpm | 14-20/3000 |
| Ignition advance checks °Engine/rpm | 27-33/5100 |
| Vacuum check | Ignition timing advances |
| Vacuum range °Engine | 14-19 |
| Vacuum starts mbar | 133 |
| Vacuum ends mbar | 282 |
| Idle speed rpm | 850-1000 |
| Oil temperature °C | 70 |
| CO level at idle speed - tailpipe Vol. % CO | 3,5 Max |
| HC level at idle speed ppm | 400 |
| CO2 level at idle speed Vol. % CO2 | 13-16 |
| O2 level at idle speed Vol. % O2 | 0,5-2,0 |
Starting and charging
| Starter motor Make | Bosch |
|---|---|
| Starter motor Type | 0 001 211 987 |
| Minimum starting voltage V | 10,0 |
| Maximum cranking amps A | 162-198 |
| Alternator Make | Bosch |
| Alternator Type | 0 120 400 848 |
| Alternator output A/V/rpm | 45/14/2000 |
| Voltage regulator Type | 0 190 601 006 |
| Regulated voltage V | 13,9-14,8 |
Service checks and adjustments
| Oil pressure bar/rpm | 3,5-5,0 |
|---|---|
| Thermostat opens °C | 82 |
| Drive belt size - alternator mm | 9,5x813 |
| Drive belt tension - alternator/PAS/AC mm | 10 |
Fuel system
| Fuel pump delivery pressure bar | 0,4 |
|---|
Tightening torques
Cylinder head bolt torque
The cylinder head bolts on the Alfa Romeo Alfetta 1.6 (1978–1981) are tightened in 3 stages: 77-79 Nm, then 82-83 Nm, then a final 86-88 Nm.
| Cylinder head | |
|---|---|
| Tighten | 77-79 Nm |
| Tighten | Run engine 15 minutes |
| Tighten | 82-83 Nm |
| Tighten | Run engine 1000 km |
| Tighten | Loosen |
| Tighten | 86-88 Nm |
| Cylinder head instructions | — |
|---|---|
| Other engine tightening torques | |
| Main bearings Stage 1 | 23-25 Nm |
| Main bearings Stage 2 | 47-50 Nm |
| Big end bearings Stage 1 | 25-26 Nm |
| Big end bearings Stage 2 | 50-53 Nm |
| Flywheel/driveplate | 97-100 Nm |
| Spark plugs | 25-35 Nm |
| Chassis tightening torques | |
| Road wheels | 60-80 Nm |
Frequently asked questions
What is the firing order of the Alfa Romeo Alfetta 1.6?
The firing order for the Alfa Romeo Alfetta 1.6 (1978–1981) is 1-3-4-2.
What spark plugs does the Alfa Romeo Alfetta 1.6 use?
The Alfa Romeo Alfetta 1.6 (1978–1981) uses Lodge 2HL spark plugs with a 0,55 mm electrode gap.
How much oil does the Alfa Romeo Alfetta 1.6 take?
The Alfa Romeo Alfetta 1.6 (1978–1981) takes 6.5 litres of engine oil with the filter. A listed engine oil option is SAE 10W-50 for moderate climates, with API/ACEA classification SE. A listed engine oil option is SAE 15W-50 as an alternative for moderate climates.
What are the valve clearances for the Alfa Romeo Alfetta 1.6?
Valve clearances for the Alfa Romeo Alfetta 1.6 (1978–1981) are 0,40-0,45 mm inlet and 0,45-0,50 mm exhaust, measured cold.
What is the cylinder head torque for the Alfa Romeo Alfetta 1.6?
The cylinder head bolts on the Alfa Romeo Alfetta 1.6 (1978–1981) are tightened in 3 stages: 77-79 Nm, then 82-83 Nm, then a final 86-88 Nm.
What is the ignition timing for the Alfa Romeo Alfetta 1.6?
Basic ignition timing for the Alfa Romeo Alfetta 1.6 (1978–1981) is 7°±1° BTDC at 850 rpm.