79 restoration started

[kbee00]

That looks sooooooo much better than my first Fiat

My First Fiat - Parts car

Do not write it off just yet... maybe it can be safe.

Maybe, but I am worried about the frame....Next week I will have time to properly look at it.

[Exit98]

Thanks for the Targa story. It sure was a great adventure till the end.

If I ever do it it will surely be in the novice touring category regardless of the car.

For all its fun and adventure it can be very dangerous.

[kbee00]

So I have had some time to start on pulling the motor out of Spider1 - here are some pics of the block and head -








looks like that engine was running very rich based on the build up on the valves. Blocks looks really good - but I'd like comments from those in the know - I want to rebuild this engine into a FI, 9.5:1 compression, lightened, high breathing motor. I believe I will need a different head, right? (this is a '79). If so, I am in the market for the right one - anybody have one?

I have gone thru the front part of the car - shock towers, etc are all in perfect shape. No rust at all! But I did notice the oil pan resting on the cross member - engine mounts are surely junk - but is there anything else I need to look for?

If weather gets nicer, I plan on pulling the motor and gearbox out this week. Then I can inspect the rest of the structural part of the car. It is sure nice to have two cars - one to learn, one to build.

BTW - I picked up Spider2 yesterday. Have only driven it off the trailer - cold here today and have too much "honey do" list stuff to do but I will get pics up asap. Here is one teaser pic from the PO:



Some of you have seen this pic I am sure....

[kbee00]

I have contacted Apex in Bensonville, Il per the suggestion of FLU Chicago members. I am pulling the block/trans on Saturday and will be dropping off the short block to have it overbored to fit new pistions (per SteveC) and lightening the crank and flywheel.

I am working on finding the FI intake from the Fiat Croma which means I will have to lose the brake booster - which I was planning to do anyways.

Next step - machine the block, crank and flywheel. Install new pistons, rods (lightened) and bearings. Once the bottom end is good to go, I will work on the top end.

Any advice on how to modify the trans to handle the extra HP would be appreciated. I have read that the 131 trans is beefier but requires serious mods to the car - HELP!

I am going to add this post to my restoration thread - don't want to hijack my own thread!! I only hope to help those that are going thru the same process as me.

Thank you!!!!

Loren

[kbee00]

Ok, so where am I. I have bought new con rods off of a Croma - lighter and stronger than stock. I have also got pistons coming from SteveC - funny how one can make connections from the other side of the earth. Amazing to me!! Anyway, the block is going to a "local" machine shop for the overbore and lightening. Once the bottom end is done, I will probably have SteveC work a head for me and then it will be time for the intake. Mark A. has been in contact and is working on a new FI system. Unless Mark works his magic I will probably go with the Croma intake (major work on removing the brake booster) and some sort of aftermarket software/ECU. I will of course chronicle my adventures!! I think I can get 175HP from my car - so a tranny swap is in the pipeline. 131 for sure. Anyone out there have a spare to sell???

Next will be the suspension. Lowereed, changing the lower pickup points on the chassis. roll bars, rear end work, etc. All in good fun, yes?? After I have spent $15000 on the car, I can sell it for $5000. What a deal.....I must be crazy. Oh well, it is the journey, not the destination, right?

To be continued.....

[kbee00]

Finally starting to get parts in - here is a pic of the one of the con rods - got a new set from a gentleman in Germany.



Wait till you see the FI intake.....whooo whooo!! Should have that later this week. Engine number one is scheduled to be ready for rebuild soonly - still need a few things. The more I inspect Spider1 - the more it seems that will be the car for the restore - Spider2 will be a practice car and summer driver.

[kbee00]

sorry so long to post - actually been working on the cars!!

Here is my intake - have to remove the brake booster but that is OK. Planned on it anyway.

This is from a Croma - no idea what this car looks like - even WiKi couldn't help me....

Anyone ever adapt one of these to their car? If not, I will figure it out....



New set of pistons are on their way from Belfast - big valve head too once I can figure out how to ship it here for less than $250.....whew!!

The Europeans have all the great stuff for our Fiats - but getting it here is a pain in the arse!!!

Thanks for following along...

[swede]

Pic of Fiat Croma engine bay.
Did you buy a croma 2.0 turbo engine ?

[kbee00]

I only purchased the FI intake. I am looking for the proper ECU to adapt to my Spider.

Thanks for the pics of the Croma!

[kbee00]

Finally got down to purchasing more parts - went to Csaba for help and of course he came thru.

Engine is at the machine shop and awaiting new pistions, bearings, etc.

Tranny is mostly apart and will need new synchros, and a couple of new gears. Other than cleaning, that should be it.

I am working on the FI system (looks like megasquirt will do the job) but will need help on adapting the Croma FI - looks like I will be the guinea pig on this one - no one has done this before - at least that I can find.

Went to Vick's for help - but they didn't seem interested in helping other than scraping my plan and buying their new FI system - almost $2K ???? whoa!!

I think mine will be cheaper AND better ......we'lll see

Next update after tranny is rebuilt and motor is back from the shop.

[kbee00]

Decided to post before the engine/tranny work was completed - I can see that will take awhile.

Meanwhile - family has been gone visiting the last few days so I was able to spend time on Spider#1 -

I finished disassembling the engine bay - even took the wiper cowling off. I pulled the thing off and WHOA!! A big ol' mouse staring right at me. I didn't have time to grab my phone to take pic - he was off like a flash. Got out thru a hole in the firewall, went down the frame rail, jumped onto the cross member, then he hit the ground and was gone! Scared the crap out of me!!! He was living in the vent opening under the cowl. Full of mouse house stuff. Got out the vacumm......

Next, went into the interior - started on the drivers side first (less wasps over there) - hooked a bungee cord to hold the door open (the car is on front supports only, the rear is resting on the tires) and pulled the door off - sure enough, broke the little bitty bolt holding the door pull. Anyone know how to remove the remains besides an easy out (which are NEVER easy) ??? HELP!

The door is surprisingly heavy - not like British cars I am used to...

Took the broken seat out - the PO actually had boards stuffed up in the back of the seat to keep it upright.....the frame was broken right thru - just sheared right off...never seen that before. Love the Italians....I am married to one so I know the drill...

Next is the windshield – then the passenger side, then the dash, etc. Slow going as I am bagging (actually using cheap plastic food containers) and tagging (magic marker on the lids of the containers) and even though I have another running Fiat to remind me where things go, it helps me to remember.

Pics for kicks…..

my outdoor shop


seat repair....WHAT!

mouse house

[kbee00]

I am almost finishedwith "deconstruction" mode - suspension is next once the rotisserie is finished. I spent the weekend clearing space in the garage - actually had to rent a storage unit in order to make room. Moved all my old racing stuff, bins of clothes, car parts, etc. Fitted up my welder, make room for an air compressor and appropriate sand blaster cabinet, and received my POR-15 order. I have a stack of metal and 2 new rolls of .024 E-70 wire and a full tank of tri-gas.

Next step is to build the rotisserie and roll the shell into the garage. I am hoping to have it done and painted in the next 45 days. Wish me luck!!

Here are the bad spots that need repair. This is Spyder #1 -the trip from hell to MN - and surprisingly the rest of the car is totally solid! I don't know why these particular spots are bad -especially the passenger seat mount that torn right off when I pulled the seat.....There was a hole right above the heat shield.

[dom]

Famous last words the "rest of the car is totally solid".

That is usually not the case, the more you look the more you find. Check the rockers and around the jack points. Take a hammer or a screwdriver to areas that appear to be surface rust just to make sure.

[124JOE]

now dip it.joe

[kbee00]

Famous last words the "rest of the car is totally solid".

That is usually not the case, the more you look the more you find. Check the rockers and around the jack points. Take a hammer or a screwdriver to areas that appear to be surface rust just to make sure.

Yep, found some quarter size holes on the floor - thankfully nothing more.

I finished welding in new metal on the drivers side. Cleaned, etched and POR15'd that side - except for an area right behind the pedal box. That is a complicated shape and will require some panel beating to fit.

Cleaned, etched, and POR215'd the sills, boot, and other misc areas.

Next up is the passenger side - 4 small holes to fix and i have to weld in a section of the right rear seat support - about 4" of the piece. Tore out when I removed the seat. Have to find a dead car and cut out the proper piece to weld back in.

Oh yeah, got a real nice welders flash burn on my face. Spot welding does not work well with a helmut, and I can't always cover the weld nozzle with a glove to block the light. Anyone have a better approach? I did wear some gas welding glasses to help cut down on the "sand in the eye" feel of welders flash.....