Distributor rotor

[btexpress]

I have a 1976 fiat 124 spider. The motor has been changed out to a 1980 2000. The rotor in the distributor for a 1976 124 will not fit the distributor shaft (too large and has about 25 degrees play). The # on the distributor is S144 by 401 R1 P1-60. Did fiat make a 124 in 1980? My parts house did not have a listing for a fiat 1980 2000 or 124. They had a listing for an X19, 128 and something else that I had not heard of. Any ideas? Any help would be appreciated.

[rlux4]

Sometimes the listing for our car will be "Spider", did they try that at the parts house? In any event, they might have to special order it even if they did find the listing. If that's the case it wouldn't hurt to try one of the vendors who help keep our cars on the road by carrying a broader parts list. Here's a link that will give you most of these vendors:
http://www.fiatspider.com/f08/viewtopic ... ers#p21626
Ron

[divace73]

A lot of that would depend in which country you are asking the question??
In Australia the 124 (coupe) stopped in about 77ish and there were never any spiders available for sale here unless privately imported.
The 124 spider was made up to 1982 (really 1985.5 including the Pininfarina DS models) so if you walk into any auto store in Australia, they will never have records of any 124 series car after 77ish.
Going back to your question, if you have a 2000 distributor in your car (and will more than likely be electronic where your 76 wouldn't be and will have points) ask for a rotor of Fiat that was available in 1980 in your Country (for eg in Oz we had the 131 and Argenta) for which all had more or less the same motor and distributor.
Failing that, there are some very good vendors that are frequently on this site, which will have the part you need.

The 25 degrees play you mention is the mechanical advance and is normal, there should be a set of springs that return it back to a normal state.

[btexpress]

Thanks for the info. What was giving me problems was my distributor had dual pionts and I did not think they had dual point into the 80's. Part of this project was to change my ignition system to electronic.Thought a 1976 distributor might fit in a 1980 motor but obviously not. Did not see any springs that would return the rotor to it 's origional position from the 20-25 degrees playin the rotor. On this subject is the word dizzy another word for distributor? Kept seeing that word and finally decided that is what it meant.
There is a Vick Auto Sport in the metroplex so I will give them a call Friday. I should be able to explain what I have and let them suggest the right rotor. Most any part for older Fiats is a special order item anyway. Vick Auto Sport would more likely have it in stock anyway. Thanks again for your responses and hope everybody has a great Thanksgiving.

[vandor]

What do you mean by play in the rotor? Play between the rotor and the shaft, or play in the shaft?
If the former: do you have the little metal tab that goes between the rotor and the shaft? Without that, the rotor will be very sloppy.
If the latter: you likely are feeling the advance weights/springs, they are located in the bottom of the distributor.

A distributor from a '76 will physically fit and work in a 2 liter engine, but it will not give you an optimal advance curve.
Best thing would be the original 1980 electronic ignition, but they are getting pricey.

We sell Pertronix electronic ignition conversions for $89.50, which a lot simpler and more reliable than the Crane unit. We are in Colleyville, very close to DFW airport. Call me if you want to come by or need info: 682-233-FIAT (3428)

[htchevyii]

Sure sounds like the issue I just had on my 78. It was originally equipped with the dual points. See the pictures in my post. Apparently the clip was missing from mine giving me he same problem that you describe. The Beck Arnley brand rotor seems to be built differently than the rest and fits tight without it.
http://www.fiatspider.com/f08/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=21083

[btexpress]

As it turns out my 1976 distributor does work in the 1980 2000 motor and as some one mentioned the mettle clip was missing from my rotor. got a new one today. I will worry about improving the performance after I get it running. I will keep the number of the store in Collyville. It is much closer than Arlington. I noticed when I was trying to start it today that a relay was faintly buzzing. Could not tell if it was the fuel pump relay or the relay that changes the dual point from starting to running. Remember it now has an electronic ignation. I will check them out tomorrow and if it is the dual points relay my repair manual shows how to make a hardwire bypassing the relay. Don't think it was the fuel pump becasue I could hear the motor running when the key was on. Thanks again for your info.

[BEEK]

this is a picture of the rotor and the metal clip