should i buy a spider that won't pass smog?

[HuntingtonSpider]

I have the oppurtunity to buy a 77 in decent running resto condition for 900 dollars. The only problem is it wont pass smog/ should I take the chance or run as fast as I can. What are the common problems with failing smog on these later carbed models. Also, its for my girlfriend for her birthday tomorrow so any suggestions are welcome.

[calvinconrad]

did the owner say why it won't pass?

[HuntingtonSpider]

Owner doesn't know. He's selling because he's expecting a child next week and doesn't have the time or money to fix it. I got the idea his wife wanted the car gone asap.

[spidernut]

It can fail for something as simple as a bad vacuum line, timing not set right, fuel mixture out of adjustment, etc., or something as significant as valve train problems or worn piston rings.

If you like the car, it would be worth having a mechanic do a diagnostic on it. Mark Allison is in the LA area and is an expert at working on Fiats...http://allisonsautomotive.com/

[124JOE]

yes get it quick
you can learn to fix it or find someone loves the car and knows how to help like us

[dmwhiteoak]

I'm with joe, buy it!

[So Cal Mark]

the only tricky part is if there is equipment that is missing. Otherwise, it's pretty much a piece of cake to make them pass

[HuntingtonSpider]

So i bought the car...got it for 600, drove it 2 hours home in the worst LA traffic, witnessed a wreck in front of me on the 405, waited in more traffic, and finally made it home with my girlfriend's new car. The car is pretty strait and rust free but has a terrible paint job, especially the hood. The carb backfires but drove pretty worry free the whole way, especially in higher gears. The car looks good from 10 feet away but up close you begin to realize just about everything needs replacing.
Hopefully I can get it to pass smog and make it a good ride for my girlfriend to cruise to the beach with. She has plans to paint it Postiano yellow with a black stripe down the middle with black interior. Working title "The Bees Knees".

[Kent124]

$600 if you can't get it to pass smog you can always part it out.

[Danno]

That appears to be worth every penny of your 600bucks. Great deal, even if it does need work.

[Danno]

From what I can see the smog parts all seem to be there. Probably needs a carb rebuild and/or tuning. Hopefully that can get you past the smog problems.

[So Cal Mark]

I'd say that's a great buy. Interesting dash treatment

[spiderrey]

Itll pass

[MrWampus]

I'd say that's a great buy. Interesting dash treatment

Yeah, for $600 you haven't put much at risk. And about the dash, it looks a little different. Does the top line have a curl up? Never seen one like that, they are usually flat on the top edge. And is it fully upholstered too? Can't tell from the pic.

[spidernut]

VERY nice for $600. Sounds like a timing issue...do the "normal" just-bought-a-Spider stuff and you'll probably fix it automatically. A new timing belt, tune-up, carb rebuild and replacement of vacuum lines might do the trick!