Designed originally as a 1091cc 58 hp engine, the Fulvia then probably had adequate main bearings. Indeed even the most powerful and highly modified 1600 seldom damages its front and rear mains.

However the centre main is another matter; this bearing, the smallest of the three, has to support the centre of the crankshaft - with its two adjacent big-ends requiring oil plus the feeds to the camshafts. This is why even on a standard 1300, one can often find that the lower centre-main shell is worn down to the copper.

The upper shell, receiving no thrust, is often apparently unworn. If your engine has done more than 40,000 miles, or has been used hard (like mine) then you should check the centre main.

Removing the sump is a simple, if tedious task: undo the anti-roll bar securing screws and nuts and pull the bar down; having drained the oil (!) unscrew the numerous 6mm cap screws and pull the sump away. Remove WITH GREAT CARE, the oil pick-up pipe and strainer - it is easy to mangle the four small cap screws. You can then remove the centre main bearing cap and inspect the shell and also, most importantly, the journal. If the journal is unscored and apparently unworn (check with a fingernail - if worn, then centre will be "raised" owing to the lack of wear due to the oil channel in the shell (no contact)) then you can renew the shell. If required, rotating the crankshaft will cause the upper shell to rotate, so that it too can be removed and inspected.

I replaced the lower shell in my modified 1600; I use a mechanical oil pressure gauge and saw a 15% improvement in oil pressure.

Paul de R. Leclercq, Pderl@btinternet.com, May 2003