Need 3.1 engine for 92 Beretta

[calgarychris]

My car has sat in the garage in pieces for too many years because the engine head needs to be replaced. It's better to replace the engine with another that's in good running condition. Any ideas where in Calgary I could source one and somebody who could do the job for me?

[Rettax3]

I can't help directly, but I would suggest that unless your engine was in poor condition before the head went bad, if you can't replace the engine yourself (needs quite a bit of tools/equipment to do it, particularly an engine-hoist, torque-wrench, space to work, and time), you may actually be better-off replacing just the cylinder-head. You still need time (and a torque-wrench), but can do without the hoist.
Is it the head itself, or just the gasket that is bad? The 3.1 MPFI engines were solid, reliable engines, not as prone to gasket-failures like the next generation 3100 engines were, but it did happen occasionally.

If you are set on replacing the engine though, or if it is just too far gone to be worth the time and effort, you can source an engine from many different vehicles, and even upgrade to a 3100 or 3400 (just upgrade those crap intake manifold gaskets to a steel/rubber set!), including a "J"-Code 3100 that will out-perform the "M"-Code 3100 used in later Berettas. Depending on how you do it, any of those engines can be virtually drop-in ready with a couple of specialty parts. I still have a 'spare' heavy-duty conversion front engine-mount used to install a 3400 into an older 3.1 MPFI car, other Board-Members here may have one of the multi-piece segmented-assembly mounts as well -mine is simpler and less... Stylish. But if you go that route, I would suggest posting in the "Wanted" category.

Good luck!

[calgarychris]

Rettax3, thanks for the advice. The motor and other parts are too far gone to consider just replacing the head. I'll put a posting for a new motor in the "wanted" category and find somebody who could put the motor in for me.
Chris

[Rettax3]

Too bad the original engine isn't fixable, but really cool that you are going to save the car. Any chance you would consider doing a write-up with photos when you get to that stage? Would love to see a good, fresh swap-thread on here.