Alfa Romeo1981–1985Technical specifications

Alfetta 1.8: Technical specifications

Workshop data for the 1.8-litre petrol (engine code 016.78). Covers engine, fluids, service and torques: the figures to check before a job or a parts order.

Summary

Match the engine code (016.78) to the vehicle before ordering parts or applying these figures.

Vehicle specifications

Overview

Make: Alfa Romeo
Model: Alfetta
Years: 1981–1985
Fuel: Petrol
Engine code: 016.78

Performance & efficiency

Power: 90 kW (122 hp)
Engine size: 1,779 cc
Cylinders: 4 · OHC
Compression ratio: 9.0:1
Fuel system: Weber

Fluids & capacities

Engine oil (with the filter): 5.5 litres

All 82 specifications below

Engine & identification

Vehicle identification

No. of cylinders Type	4/OHC
Capacity (Fiscal) cc	1779 (1767)
Compression ratio :1	9,0
Suitable for unleaded petrol	Yes
Minimum octane rating RON	98/95
Ignition system Make	Bosch
Ignition system Type	TSZ-i
Ignition system Description	Trans-i
Fuel system Make	Weber
Fuel system Type	40 DCOE
Fuel system Description	Carb-2V

Ignition system

Ignition coil Make	Bosch
Ignition coil Type	0 221 600 002
Ignition coil supply voltage + with ballast V	11,0
Primary resistance Ohm	2,9-3,4
Secondary resistance Ohm	7100-8700
Distributor (ECM) Make	Bosch
Distributor (ECM) No.	0 237 002 018

Firing order

The firing order for the Alfa Romeo Alfetta 1.8 (1981–1985) is 1-3-4-2.

Firing order	1-3-4-2

Valve clearances

Valve clearances for the Alfa Romeo Alfetta 1.8 (1981–1985) 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 1.8 (1981–1985) takes 5.5 litres of engine oil with the filter.

A listed engine oil option is SAE 10W-50 for moderate climates, with API/ACEA classification SF.

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

Lubricants and capacities — complete reference
Engine oil options
Ambient temperature range	Moderate climate
Engine oil grade SAE	10W-50
Engine oil classification API/ACEA	SF
Ambient temperature range	Moderate climate alternative
Engine oil grade SAE	15W-50
Engine with filter(s) litres	5.5
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 1.8 (1981–1985) 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 1.8 (1981–1985) uses a 12 V, 60 Ah battery (reserve capacity 90 minutes).

Battery V/RC(Ah)	12/90 (60)

Spark plugs

The Alfa Romeo Alfetta 1.8 (1981–1985) 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	Bosch
Spark plug Type	W7DC
Electrode gap mm	0,7
Spark plugs Make	Champion
Spark plug Type	N6YC
Electrode gap mm	0,8
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	7-12/1800
Ignition advance checks °Engine/rpm	18-23/3800
Ignition advance checks °Engine/rpm	27-31/5400
Vacuum check	Ignition timing advances
Vacuum range °Engine	13-17
Vacuum starts mbar	200
Vacuum ends mbar	279
Idle speed rpm	850-1000
Fast idle speed - MT/AT rpm	1700-2000
Oil temperature °C	70
CO level at idle speed - tailpipe Vol. % CO	3,5 Max
HC level at idle speed ppm	300
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	Ducellier
Starter motor Type	DME124P1
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	AD1
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

Other engine tightening torques
Cylinder head instructions	—
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	—
Flywheel/Drive plate
Crankshaft pulley/damper centre bolt	187-195 Nm
Spark plugs	25-35 Nm
Chassis tightening torques
Rear hub	265-324 Nm
Road wheels	—

Frequently asked questions

What is the firing order of the Alfa Romeo Alfetta 1.8?

The firing order for the Alfa Romeo Alfetta 1.8 (1981–1985) is 1-3-4-2.

What spark plugs does the Alfa Romeo Alfetta 1.8 use?

The Alfa Romeo Alfetta 1.8 (1981–1985) uses Lodge 2HL spark plugs with a 0,55 mm electrode gap.

How much oil does the Alfa Romeo Alfetta 1.8 take?

The Alfa Romeo Alfetta 1.8 (1981–1985) takes 5.5 litres of engine oil with the filter. A listed engine oil option is SAE 10W-50 for moderate climates, with API/ACEA classification SF. 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 1.8?

Valve clearances for the Alfa Romeo Alfetta 1.8 (1981–1985) are 0,40-0,45 mm inlet and 0,45-0,50 mm exhaust, measured cold.

What is the ignition timing for the Alfa Romeo Alfetta 1.8?

Basic ignition timing for the Alfa Romeo Alfetta 1.8 (1981–1985) is 7°±1° BTDC at 850 rpm.

What battery does the Alfa Romeo Alfetta 1.8 use?

The Alfa Romeo Alfetta 1.8 (1981–1985) uses a 12 V, 60 Ah battery (reserve capacity 90 minutes).