iachella wrote:I've read this whole thread with great interest. The idea of the 155TS engine on a Nord block intrigues me greatly. I haven't been able to determine from the discussion of the water return problem, if it is just due to the space at the back of the head to the firewall in older GTVs. I'm thinking about the Alfetta GT and I just looked at mine and I have at least 4 inches (10cm) from the back of my head to the firewall (bulkhead). What are the dimensions of the fitting that bolts to the back of the head? It would seem an easier mod would be to build an elbow with a flange to bolt up to the back of the head, at least on the Alfetta.
Are there any other problems with the Nord block to the 155TS head, or is this the only major one? How do the exhaust studs line up to the 75TS exhaust manifold. My Alfetta would use the standard exhaust manifold from a 75 and custom made ones wouldn't be necessary.
What else can people tell me about this conversion?
Thanks,
Stefano
That it is going to be a royal pain in the butt, the head studs are different between the Nord and the TS. Much easier to just use a 75 TS engine as a base.
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Mats Strandberg
Mats, I have to disagree . . . it's fairly easy. To make up for the shorter studs in the Nord block, all you have to do is counterbore the head to 19mm, 25mm deep and use shank-type lug nuts. It can be done on a drill press and it all fits very neatly under the cam cover. The drawing below shows the type of nut I'm describing.
The 75 TS exhaust manifolds will bolt directly to the 155 head and you should be able to use the front section of a 75 TS exhaust system to connect with the Alfetta exhaust.
The "elbow" you're looking for is the original 155 thermostat . . . see photo. It points toward the exhaust side, but may allow you to eliminate the u-tube that's part of the Alfetta lower radiator hose. See photo.
You'll also need a new set pistons. The 75 TS connecting rods are 1 mm shorter than the Nord engine, so you can replace pistons and rods, or buy a set of conversion pistons from Paul Spruell. So that he doesn't need an additional Carrillo rod for the TS engines, he makes a piston with a raised wrist pin location. I think they're available in 84 mm and 85 mm.
The intake side of the 155 head is different. You'll have to use the 155 intake and an EFI, or make a manifold the one below for 45 DCOE Webers.