Along came a spider......finally some progress.

[RRoller123]

Nice!

[mdrburchette]

Get your tonneau cover hooks put on the rear cowl before you get your trunk lid installed. Make sure you stuff a rag in the Great Black Hole before you even begin. It has an appetite for 10 mm sockets, nuts, etc.

[NCArachnid]

Thanks for the pointers Denise. I went very slow tightening down the front turn-signal housing but still slightly overtightened the PS. I backed off and don't see any obvious dimpling but it would be nice if they attached by a different method.

Thanks to the FiatSpider board for the thread with pics of the fuel door spring. I must have spent 45 min trying to figure out how that thing went in. Finally gave up and grabbed my ipad and took it to the shop to have pictures in hand and it went right in first time.

Look what I found when I cleaned up my side marker light housings...
Gaskets.....
Not my picture but that is a close-up of what they look like.

So the correct way to instal the trunk weatherstrip is with the break right at the striker, correct?

[azruss]

most put the weatherstrip in that way. The important thing is the seam needs to be on the bottom lip away from the edges. This allows all the water in the trough to run away before getting to the seam.

[mdrburchette]

Now that you mention it, my markers have that little gasket. It just doesn't seem to do anything to keep the marker from hitting the paint, which is what I was most concerned about.

[sixcharlie]

Just to chime in on door hanging party, I'm in Charlotte. I'll pm my details.

[giuliot60]

Yes. Me too. Sixcharlie and I have been helping each other out (he more than I). I'm located between Harrisburg and Mint Hill.

Looks great BTW!

[NCArachnid]

Quick update....

After 1 week with a dremel and $20 worth of abrasive bits the grille is now bright aluminum again!




I put it in with the surround and got it all snugged in tight and realized I can't put the "Fiat" emblem on now. I was toying with the idea of not putting an emblem on anyway. I guess I won't for now.

Started looking at the faded paint on the sway-bar and springs and noticed the ball-joint and tie-rod end rubbers are all cracked and the joints are dry. So now I'm taking the whole front suspension out to repaint and replace the bushings. Took advantage of a Father's day sale to get some replacement front-end rubber.

More later...

[Sambo42]

Thanks for the pointers Denise. I went very slow tightening down the front turn-signal housing but still slightly overtightened the PS. I backed off and don't see any obvious dimpling but it would be nice if they attached by a different method.

Thanks to the FiatSpider board for the thread with pics of the fuel door spring. I must have spent 45 min trying to figure out how that thing went in. Finally gave up and grabbed my ipad and took it to the shop to have pictures in hand and it went right in first time.

Look what I found when I cleaned up my side marker light housings...
Gaskets.....
Not my picture but that is a close-up of what they look like.

So the correct way to instal the trunk weatherstrip is with the break right at the striker, correct?

you've reminded me that I have to do this on Sofia as well. Would you have a photo of how the turn signal housing mounts to the inside of the fender? I have to find and order in a pair...

[NCArachnid]

Here is a pic of the front of the inner fender with the headlight bucket and the early-model front turn-signal light below. Hope this helps.



I have the whole front suspension out and am cleaning and priming everything. Will post photos when I get everything back together.

[Sambo42]

Perfect. I assume the same arrangement holds in the side indicators?

[NCArachnid]

Sorry Sambo42, I think this is a picture of what you are referring to.....front side-marker light mounting.


Spent the last 1-2 weeks cleaning front suspension parts and painting everything. Now I have a pile of gleaming parts and just need to assemble them. Won't get to it until early next week. Will post pics as soon as the front-end is together.

[NCArachnid]

Just ordered a set of hyper-silver Rotas from SpiderMark. Can't wait to see the front suspension assembled with the new wheels and tires. The wheels should be in Monday and then I'm looking at the Kumho Ecsta AST from discount tire, 205/50-15. Good price and good reviews from the Miata crowd.

Then I'm really going to want to take it out for a spin.

Pics to follow....

[azruss]

I sand blasted my grill and clear coated with a 2 part urethane. I mounted the grill emblem without the aluminum surround.

[giuliot60]

Sounds great Jon.

We need to have a Charlotte Spider get together soon. I need to bump up my "Charlotte's Web" thread. There are close to a dozen of us. Where are you again? I'm south of Harrisburg and East of Mint Hill.

I'm looking at Kumhos for my Passat wagon at Discount Tire. Great reviews and you can't beat the price.

Giulio

Just ordered a set of hyper-silver Rotas from SpiderMark. Can't wait to see the front suspension assembled with the new wheels and tires. The wheels should be in Monday and then I'm looking at the Kumho Ecsta AST from discount tire, 205/50-15. Good price and good reviews from the Miata crowd.

Then I'm really going to want to take it out for a spin.

Pics to follow....