Page 111 - Wayne Carini's Guide to Affordable Classics

THE BACKSTORY
Dustin Hoffman’s character drove a 1967 105-series Duetto, the generation of Spider that preceded the popular 115-series that we’re covering here. The difference hardly mattered though, because most of the looks stayed the same and the little boat- tailed Alfa’s performance was greatly enhanced by 1970 when the Kamm-tail 115-series was introduced.
Il Metodo Italiano
Some explanation is required for model years under the Alfa system. Alfa Romeo importers and dealers tended to play a little fast and loose with dates and models, and it was not uncommon for an Alfa to be titled with the year in which it was sold listed as the model year. This habit, coupled with a strike in Italy that hobbled production in 1970, means that you might still find an older 1969 model titled as a 1970, or a car with all the 1972 upgrades titled as a 1971.
Here’s how it’s supposed to go: 1970 Alfa Spiders have the flat-back Kamm-tail design rather than the boat-tail of the older Duetto. But because of that strike, there really aren’t many true 1970 Spiders, and the cars started arriving in large numbers for 1971. These cars came with the holdover 1750 (1779 cc) engine from the Duetto, which had featured Spica mechanical fuel injection since 1969. For 1972, the Spider (and all US-bound Alfas) received the larger-bore 2000 (1962 cc) engine with Spica injection, and that engine remained mostly unchanged through the 1970s.
What’s the Deal with Spica Fuel Injection?
Alfa Romeo Spider
However, that’s mostly because ham-fisted shade tree mechanics started fiddling with the system without the first clue about what they were doing.
The Spica system is remarkable in that it allowed Alfas to meet increasingly stringent US emissions requirements without the performance-robbing air pumps and other gear that was choking the life out of competitors like the MGB during the same period. However, it’s a complicated system and it’s very difficult for the amateur to get a maladjusted Spica system tuned up at home. Setting up a Spica system is really a job for a professional. But once it’s set up, it should stay set up as long as you resist the urge to fiddle with it.
One important note: leave all the little clamps and pieces in place. Every part serves an important purpose. If your Spica system tends to crack the metal injector tubes or tends to foul the plugs, something’s out of adjustment or missing. As long as you keep a Spica system in good condition, you should get reliable performance out of it.
Spiders in the Spica Era
The difference between a 1750 and 2000 engine is mostly a matter of engine bore size. The 1750 had an 80 mm bore, where the 2000 carried an 84 mm bore. Both used an 88.5 mm stroke. The 1750 was rated at 132-135 horsepower and 137-138 lb ft of torque. The 2000 engine was rated only at 129 horsepower and 132 lb ft, but this was also the era when power ratings went from gross to net, so all engines lost at least a little nominal power. The Spider 2000 continued to offer 129 horsepower until 1976, when the rating dropped to 110 hp and 110 lb ft of torque. The 2000 engine with Spica injection was maintained without major changes through
Spica mechanical fuel injection has been the victim of a very bad
reputation in America, and many Alfa owners will say the best
course is to get rid of it and replace it with a pair of sidedraft
Weber carburetors (40 and 45 DCOE are popular choices). the 1981 model year.
Pininfarina’s design for the Duetto Spider is as gorgeous today as it was in 1966.
Wayne Carini  Affordable Classics  109