If you are here to complain about the videography in this video, please understand that it is almost 3 years old, I agree the style is awful, and I'd recommend you check out some newer videos like this: kzfaq.info/get/bejne/l66kpsugurzMdYk.html

Imagine my surprise to watch a video of an engine rebuild where I can actually hear the bloke talking clearly in it.

Good clear well spoken voice. No silly background music. You've done a good video here my friend. 😆

I worked for Alfa Romeo GB from 1968 to 1973, and had many of these engines apart. (There isn't a GTV engine on the planet that hasn't had a head gasket replacement at least once). This engine has definitely been apart before and reassembled as the heads do not come off that easily. Alfa supply a vast array of special tools including the tool to separate head from block to break the adhesive seal. Whomever took the engine apart saw what he was up against and quit.

I think the GTV has to be one of the best looking sedans ever made by anyone. Classic and beautiful.

Anywhere where there are steel fasteners in aluminum, heat the aluminum around the bolt with a propane or butane torch first....you don’t need to melt it, just uncomfortable to the touch. Then a few drops of ATF or candle wax. Has worked for me for 40 years...and BTW I don’t see a problem with the videography....

As an Alfa mechanic back in the 70's, this was a very pleasant walk down memory lane. Subbed. 😊

Nice video. Have worked on Alfas in 1977 at a dealership in Greatneck, NY, USA, Performance Imports when the Alfetta GTVs were new and was impressed with the performance and simple straight foreward mechanicals. We did a lot of head gasket work and repaired/replaced many damaged lower oil pans even ones with crash guards. I live in Florida now and am amazed how rare these cars have become. Saw one at the beach with a kayak strapped to the roof and spoke to the young owner who was unimpressed with my awe. Got it from his grandpa like it was some burden!

If you need to unseize another engine try this method: *Boil* some engine oil (preferably low(er) viscosity) and pour down through to the pistons and leave for a while. Drain repeat if stubborn. *Then* use gentle tapping with block of wood. Alternatively 50/50 mix auto trans fluid and acetone. (could try first) The idea is to have a fluid that will lubricate but is also thin enough (viscosity) to seep past the rings to do its unseizing magic. The heat from the boiling oil causes the block/pistons to expand - releasing the corrosion - reducing the need for excessive force. Rarely do I see people using the above method. Should always be gentle not use brute force. (as you know) Good video and pleased the head and block is serviceable.

Jethro, please keep up the great work. Most enjoyable and clear to view. As a collector of Italian and French sports cars, I applaud your wonderful efforts in bringing both simple and straight forward visuals and explanations, to the every day auto enthusiast. Well done and keep up the good work. Malalfa.

Thank you SO MUCH for not using that AWFUL utube "music". I actually have to mute most of the footage I watch from other 'follow my build/repair channels' I watch. Like Pistons and Petrol. Excellent series about modifying the new 124 spider, but the background/incidental music actually gives me a headache. 😣

In 1987 I had this engine in a 1979 Alpha Romeo Sports Sedan. The dipstick never registered oil. Even after 5+ quarts..dry dip stick. The engine finally through a rod that could be seen pushing through the block. Great work on the dismantling.

That engine is an impressive example of engineering for the 1960's. I had an '84 Spider Veloce years ago, and I remember how smooth revving the engine was. Lightweight, high revving, very reliable. The block didn't have any webbing to support the upper end of the cylinder liners yet there was no problem with cylinder-walking. Everything stayed in perfect alignment.

My first 4 cars were Alfas. The 1st one I got @ age 17 was a 69 Giulia Super with a 1750 motor (dealer homologation special). When trying to replace a blown head gasket, try what I might the head wouldn't budge. Using a chain block I eventually had the front wheels off the ground, while furiously hammering on it with a copper mallet. In desperation I re-assembled everything and started it. Revved it a few times, still no movement until the inlet cam jumped time (I had left a little slack). As the valves bent it finally came free.

Good understanding of engine build by such a young man = respect, sir

I really enjoyed this video. For a novice like myself I found it extremely helpful as I begin to rebuild a 56' Nash .

Back in the 1970 I worked at a Triumph motorcycle mechanic. Maybe twice a year we would have a customer bring in a bike with a stuck piston. This was usually due to rust in the cylinder on the side this the exhaust or intake valve open.We developed a system to save a lot of work and banging in piston crowns. We would remove the rocker box to take the pressure off of the valve spring closing that cylinder. Then we would squirt some light grade oil down the bore and replace the spark plug with a tool. The tool was made from an old spark plug with the porcine insulator broken out and an air chuck nipple brazed on. We would put 100 PSI on that cylinder and it would drive the oil past the rings. We would let it sit until you would here a satisfying thud as the piston went to the bottom.

Great video! Thanks for taking the time to show so much detail.

Awesome episode! Can't wait for the rest. I'm restoring a 74 Berlina and I'm planning to dig into the engine soon. Keep your videos coming...get into the details...I'm loving it! Thanks.

And here I am... can't even strip a bicycle and put it together again. Excellent video, no gimmicks, silly music and we have a knowledgeable guy. Well done Jethro!

I have my 3rd Alfa Romeo, the one I drive is the new Giulietta CloverLeaf , bought from new almost 6 years ago. But I was very unlucky, was doing 50 mph on the A27 when the engine died. Called the AA and was told the camshaft went and with it the engine.Never canned the car, always looked after in time, but very surprised had to replace the engine with a new one, with less than 30k miles on the clock. The good thing was I contacted Alfa Romeo in Italy, they knew everything about the car and they agreed to pay 65% of the price of the engine and labour. I still have the car lol.

On the internet you always get some infos on how to do it, but honestly, you usually don t see it being done. This video was of great quality (others were too) but i guess lots of us learned more with this video! Can t wait to see the upcoming ones! Great job and a big thanks for sharing with the community!

Awesome video's, keeps me glued to the screen! For now I only have experience with a "modern" 147, but I can't wait to get my hands on a classic Alfa in a couple of years!

I had a few old alfa.... But never went that deep in dismantling... Nice job!

Thanks for sharing. I'm tearing down my 2 liter GTV 2000 engine now. Cheers.

really nice job with the engine. Congrats from Spain.

"This thing made it 50 years before i came along and ....." I thought I was the only person who thought of cars like that. Liked and Subd!

This is just amazing! Thank you very much i was glued to the screen and cant wait for the next one

I love the 1750 engine. I rebuilt one a long time ago, and it was a joy. I put it in a kit car. I was privileged to learn to drive in a 1750 Berlina. A great car for the time, more sophisticated in engine and running gear than any equivalents I know of. Shame they did so little to prevent corrosion. RHD in the uk from the early 1970s are really rare, having converted to ferrous oxide!

Appreciate the clean tidy environment. Car shops don’t have to be disgusting. Work environment meticulous, you do your job same!

That is a fantastic video. Keep up the great work. My 82 alfa thanks you as well!

Heads up, the oil/coolant milkshake situation occurs if the engine has been run with a BHG recently. If you let the engine sit for a good while, the oil and coolant will separate out again so keep that in mind when shopping for old crusty motors!

Brought back memories. 1960's I had a Ford with a six-cylinder that was screwed up. With my friend in tow, I went to where a person had said he had a low mileage engine, Unlike the marvelous equipment you have, after I paid the man and he went inside to put the money away, I looked at my friend and he understood, we picked up the engine and put it in his trunk. The seller came out and look very puzzled, he could not believe that we picked up the engine. I can't do it now as I am 80!

Man your videos are great. Very good teachs. Thank you. And congratulations for your passion to restore the soul of great engineering. Carry on your success.

I stumbled across this video and got a lot of intense flashback from my first car in the 1980s, a 1971 Alfa Romeo 1750A Berlina. Yes, it had a factory-sanctioned automatic gearbox and was one of 253 built, making 1750A even rarer. I remember lot of times, having to adjust the dreadful Solex carburettors every week, dealing with its temper tantrums during the hot weather, figuring out the sweet spot with its De Dion rear axle when negotiating the twisty roads, etc. My 1750A was only car to be best car and worst car at the same time. Great video, by the way. Excellent job of keeping the camera focused.

Dear Jethro I am loving your videos. How did you become so talented and confident? Very impressive. My mother had 3 alfas a 1300 junior, 1600 junior and a 33. The 1600 my parents drove to Antibes from nottingham for a summer holiday. We loved that car and my father would drive very quickly . My mothers also but she was told by the Alfa dealer she needed to use the brakes more when she drove. She loved accelerating and in the early 70's was one of the quickest cars and most expensive cars on the road. Happy memories. About to buy a Mito for my daughter to learn to drive so it will be good to have an Alfa back. However we love your fleet much more! Best wishes Mark

Just awesome Jethro! I am just getting my 1969 1750 GTV back on the road. I am so pleased I never sold it. I got it in 1986 so it's very special. It has a 2 litre engine, but I am not complaining. I am not doing the mechanical work, unfortunately or fortunately for so many reasons. This video was just great and it reminded me of working on Alfa engines with my late dad back in the 80's. Watching you pull out that big end bearing took me right back. You make it look way too easy & it's great to see such a young guy into Alfas who is able to work on them and clearly talk their way through that. Thank you so much.

Just watching this tonight ... I thought it was great video. Since I discovered your channel a couple of days ago, I have become thoroughly addicted! I even started researching Alfa Romeos here in the Los Angeles area. A GTV seems to be in the neighborhood of $40,000!

Gotta say, nice normal bloke.good vid .had the same on a renault 5 turbo block.it brought back memories of going through 3 blocks .ahhh that phase 1.

Enjoyed your video. I did this to a Hillman Imp (Sunbeam Stilletto) engine in the mid 90's that had been mechnaically siezed for years- Not to dissimilar contraction- all alloy block but SOHC. Pistons were like yours and it took a 2T press to remove 2 of them. I tried all the tricks to remove them- including coca-cola soak, hot oil, socked in plus-gas and a block/mallet- But none of the sympathetic ideas worked- The press did it. Re- honed, cleaned pistons- new shells and rings and that engine ran!

Another awesome video JB, I couldn't imagine why anyone would complain sir, you do excellent work. Thank you for sharing, and looking forward to more video's, ie, Weber DCOE, hint, hint....thx Jethro.

Very interesting and informative. Many thanks. (I envy your talent !)

I have never been inside an Alfa Romeo engine so this was quite fascinating to me. It seems that each builder has their own style of design, studs vs head bolts, wet vs dry sleeves and even the design of the timing chain case all point to racing heritage.

It's nice to see there are Alfa enthusiasts in down under !

One of the best engine's ,simple powerful easy to maintain i am an x owner of A 75 i still dream this car

back in the '70s '80s Alfa Romeo was the most fun to drive!

Rusted piston rings, Marvel Mystery Oil and time are your friends

These engines are such a joy to work on my first alfa was a 73 1300 junior frost damaged block ,had it welded profesionaly but oil gallery was compromised so i fitted external copper oil pipes to the cam box ,looked real cool . Greatly underestimated engine the 1300 very free reving willing engine mine would do 90 all day buzing like a wasp .god bless alfa

Very good job sir, it's very important that you like it!!!

The level of skill in that shop is awesome

It's a beautiful video-you have a talent for cars and film.

the good thing about bullet proof engines, when they are well designed, a little bit of rust breaker, and some pressure washing wont hurt them, hydraulic press when needed..... they can be revived with part sources and dedication....

Dude, what a lovely calm style you have! You have a proper engineering approach in a KZfaq sea of bodgers! Great video and great skills. I have a 156 JTS and love it. I had an Alfasud 1.3SC when I was a student and loved that too. There's just something about the feel of an Alfa. 😎

@Jethro Bronner, for stuck screws, consider modifying an air hammer, grind the end down to fit a 3/8" drive, weld a large nut onto the shaft for a wrench of your choice. The hammering motion dislodges even the most rust/stubborn bolts. It's what the diesel guys use to change out glow plugs w/out snapping them off and it's incredible how effective it is. I made one, it's never disappointed me yet. Love your videos.

I dont care about the videography, that is irrelevant! I really enjoyed all the details, the pace and all the thoughts behind it. You are a very honest person, that shows in your work. More of this!

Jethro, this video is awesome, it is just what I love to watch on KZfaq. Very interesting and well explained. And for God's sake, those Alfas... Mmmmm. Sub!

Awesome track - used it a few times on my short lived youtube channel career.

I like your vid you actually show the issues and whats causing them instead of just high speed camming the work i just subscribed

I remember those so well, those Alfa motors, the 1600.1750.2000 were all way ahead of their time. Twin Cam, sidedraughts, They could make good power

This just needed the mustie1 treatment. Pour some atf down the plug holes, let it sit for a while then start cranking back and forth until it lets loose. Ac Delco injector cleaner is great too. I've brought back a few engines from the dead with that technique. I don't know if I would have put the effort in for one of these engines though. I'd rather take my chances with a "pick a part" engine.

Put penetrating Oil on the threads,Take a wide flat blade screwdriver, insert it in the threaded spark plug part and screw it out (counter-clockwise). 216 cid Chevy sixes had this problem a lot. As did Honda 50, 65, 70 and 90 motorcycles. They all used 10mm plug threads.

What a gorgeous engine

Well done. I have a corroded 1600 block and no idea how to salvage it. Someone said anaerobic sealer and the stock o-rings around the barrel seats will suffice. These engines are getting rare to find anymore.

Lovely purchase...good find...luck...enjoy...

Piston number 1 sure was seized bad.Worth keeping as a souvenir as you said you did.Looking forward to the engine progress update.

Very interesting video! I have never worked on an Alfa engine and was surprised to see wet liners in the block! How cool! I guess this explains one reason why they are so loved! Being here in the US we hardly ever even see Alfa's let alone work on them,, lol. Good show man!!

Excellent video, thank you totally enjoyed it

Excellent video. Great work, as always. Change nothing in your approach or production...

Best way to un seize a engine is by pouring boiling engine oil in the chambers and turning it back and forth.... Great vid 👌👌

This is a good job, on the engine and video too.

Great videos Jethro, I'm a big fan of the 105/115 series coupes and I have been looking for something like this for a while. Really looking forward to the rest of this series.

Very good video work and showing the way the Alpha is made - I have a friend who has been an Alpha fan for years. I was a career motorcycle mechanic back in the '70s and it is remarkable how similar the top end of the Alpha engine is to the original Kawasaki Z1 of '73 - must have been some tech "sharing" with that, lol.

I love the vid man. Make more. Really educational.

Early on you said its fighting you. Its you fighting it, too gung ho. In time you will learn more as we all did and still do. Anywhere steel and aluminium are together there will be electrolytic corrosion problems. We've all been there. You can soak those threads but it can take days or even weeks till they finally let go without breaking. I think i was in my 40s before I stopped busting rusted stuff, It is such a pleasure when after a time soaking they come apart as if they were new and not chemically bonded.

What a strange engine but cool to learn about it. Thanks for sharing!

Taking stuck bolts out of aluminum is an art. You need patience and a mapp gas torch with a breaker bar. Sometimes an excellent pair of visegrips. You can put a nut on and hit them with a 3 pound brass hammer. It can aid in crushing the white powder (filiform corrosion) on one side of the threads. Use your breaker bar and work the fasteners back and forth. Heat it often and use penetrating oil. You will get a feel for when bolts will break in time. If they are accessible, you will never break another one unless it's rusted through. Tap everything twice afterwards.

That moment when righty tighty becomes lefty loosey

Great documentation!! Not sure anyone else has posted a comprehensive 105 tear down. Nice work pal.

Light torch heat , penetration oil such as PB Blaster or Kroil , and time , are always your friends when working on old motors. Also with that stud that snapped off. It’s always best to soak them first and then go slow and work back and fourth in small increments to help clear the thread paths on the way out. Stuff I’ve learned from my 80yr old mechanic who still repairs cars and started in 1955

Lovely Job Young Man...never seen An ALFA ENGINE BEFORE APART!!! I REALLY LIKE TGE CRANK SHAFT IN IT...COUNTER WEIGHTED AND 5 MAIN BEARINGS...One of the 1st 4 bangers I remember seeing...was the MG A...1500cc...the 1600cc with twin overhead cams was nice looking...3 main bearings ..weak to say the least...like the Porches early 57 race engines with roller bearing cranks...bearing failure was common...sad to say...ALL TGE BEST!!!

Nice work!

How refreshing to see someone who knows what they are doing. Taking an air wrench to an engine makes me wince.

I'm no mechanic, but the reason there was water in the oil pan and the engine was probably due to the antifreeze or water in the radiator leaking (for some reason) in the engine. By the way you shoot great videos. I am glad i found them.

A good video, although for anyone wanting to find the cause for a seized engine it's almost always faster to start at the bottom end. As far as the cams being loosened and the chain already being off, that means that someone else has already tried to find why it's seized (checking for seized/damaged camshaft bearings, common in engines that were run low of oil). If I saw that I'd have immediately flipped the engine over and started on the bottom end. As it turns out, the head did need to come off before the bottom end was taken apart so it works out well here. This is a great learning experience in 'exploratory diagnosis' for us viewers! Thanks for this!

We have a/the Alfa specialist in our area. Although you seldom if ever see ARs' on the road where I live (Upstate New York), I'm always amazed at how many different ones he has come and go. They definitely have a following and thats cool!

All seemed right by me? Thank you for posting Happy New Year!

just found this video great job mate

As Richard Hammond once said on top gear... Alpha is so proud of their new car. They drove it around the Nuremberg ring for 24 hours and for for 22 of those hours... it didnt break down once.

Good clear diction very interesting video .

Very, very educational, thanks! 🍀

Damn, that head came off so easy. It took me days to pull off the heads on my GTV6.

Interesting engineering on this block! Are the head studs 1 piece through to the main bearings? It almost looks like it on the video. Hard to tell with out seeing 1 in person

Nice motor!! And beauty!!!

Great job

Automatic transmission fluid seems to work best for me with seized pistons. Heat works great too. Especially when someone red loctites something together. If you get stuck with the plugs use a helixcoil kit. Nice garage.

The sexiest 4-cyl. engine ever.

Great video for me thanks .

Excellent job mate :)

enjoyed this your approach is refreshingly different to other channels 👍

I unstuck one, left the flywheel on, put some long bolts into the flywheel so they stuck out, then used an 8 foot piece of I-beam (a metal post) and used it against the bolts sticking proud of the flywheel and thus applied a torque to the flywheel. It turned. One of the barrels lifted up. The head was off. Some rust in the cylinders since it had been stored with the head off. And the rings all gummed up with crud. This method not recommended.