New pictures,...original '79 2000

[wetminkey]

I actually did not know that, so thanks for the information, bradartigue!
I do know that the red interior is rare, and cannot be replaced through most (if not all) of the vendors. I found that out in 2003 (or so) when I began rebuilding the engine. The PO(S) was driving the car with no air filter (because the broken reed valves were allowing the exhaust to burn the filters up!). That pretty much sandblasted the cylinder walls!
The car does have a new (2003) canvas top that I haven't got pictures of yet, and it's radio was missing, so I installed a Sony Xplod with 6" two ways up front, and 6"x9" three ways (in boxes) in the rear. The car was re-painted silver just before I bought it in 2000.
Otherwise, it's pretty much all there and original. Best part is that it has been in Colorado most (if not all) of it's life, and is rust free (I found some surface rust on the passenger floorboard that has been stablized and finished).
For these reasons, I wanted to ask if anyone needed pics of parts of the car. And perhaps this post can be searched in the future by members looking for this kind of information. "Spidey" will always be in my garage,...it's a keeper!
I'll post picture tutorials as I complete projects for sure.
Again, thanks!
Todd.

[wetminkey]

As I was placing body plugs in the engine bay access holes, I realized that even my windshield washer reservoir bag is original, and intact. It is still full of washer fluid. That would be rare for most of my old cars. Funny to see the Italian wording on the outside of it!
Todd.

[wetminkey]

I wanted to let you all know that it's a really good thing to find out that the "gansta lean" is just a bent frame because I was able to just grab that seat back in both hands and bend that sucker back to REALLY close to it's proper alignment! I thought it was a broken frame, and of course, I hadn't tried changing it's alignment because of that. I will have it strengthened, per the great links I have been provided here (THANKS ALL!!) when I can afford to re-upholster the seats, but for now it looks SO much better! Thanks!
Spidey is back together now, filled with some fuel stabilizer and fresh fuel, on the battery charger, and should be out of the small garage for pressure washing tomorrow.
What a nightmare dealing with the broken, misaligned, stripped, missing, etc,...hardware for this car!! It really needed new sets of hardware for the re-installation of the carpet, seat tracks, and a number of other items. Sure looks better now, has matched hardware, and was a lot easier to assemble with the new stuff!
Now the seat tracks move forward and back properly (they didn't prior to this, and that made removal a PITA), and the trunk lock and latch mechanism are re-installed and work perfectly (they had been removed due to being frozen).
I'll get pics posted ASAP,...don't expect a 1979 original interior and body to be real pretty,...but it is presentable despite that (not quite as good looking as the Ferrari GTO that just sold for $38,000,000, though!).
Again, thanks!
Todd.

[AriK]

Unfortunately the gangsta lean works its way back after several minutes of driving and you keep reverting back to step 1. Hmmm., you know you own a FIAT when...

[fiat218]

As I was placing body plugs in the engine bay access holes, I realized that even my windshield washer reservoir bag is original, and intact. It is still full of washer fluid. That would be rare for most of my old cars. Funny to see the Italian wording on the outside of it!
Todd.

I bet the water is original too

[wetminkey]

Ahhh, negative. Straight new washer fluid.
Except for occasional storage, Spidey gets taken care of. This is Colorado!
I'll be sure to get some pics of this "brand new condition" soft vinyl bag, made in 1978/9. You'll be surprised.
Todd.

[wetminkey]

Yo! Arik!
I, and my wife, have been driving with the "Full" gansta lean for the past fourteen years,...Any reduction will be fantastic!
Thanks for letting me know this will not be much of a fix! We'll get to the strengthened seat back frame at some point,...
Todd.

[wetminkey]

And I'll bet none of you have body plugs in the engine bay access holes,...so there!
Todd.

[fiat218]

And I'll bet none of you have body plugs in the engine bay access holes,...so there!
Todd.

I do

[2500diesel]

And I'll bet none of you have body plugs in the engine bay access holes,...so there!
Todd.

I do

Yep. The PO on my '82 didn't change much. Two way street; nice that it's original, but I'll be the one changing the original
32 year old rubber fuel lines, vacuum lines, brake lines, etc.

[wetminkey]

Boy am I glad I did all that when I started working on the car in 2000, just after I bought it.
However, Spidey must miss the mice (I guess they're not there to turn the little wheels!), 'cause as I was starting it to pull it out and pressure wash it, it sputtered, then fumbled a bit, and now it won't fire. I guess I'll be troubleshooting that,...geeze it was running like a champ just a couple of days ago!
Again, pics ASAP,...but delayed for now.
Todd.

[wetminkey]

No spark at number one,...and the coil has zero primary resistance across + and - terminals.
NAPA is stumped when it comes to a Marelli coil,...or a replacement! For cripes' sake!
Ordered an MSD Blaster II coil due to information from a previous post on this site. Jegs has best price and free shipping at the moment.
Todd.

[bonsaiwino]

Not sure if this might help:

http://www.vickauto.com/newstore/index. ... ts_id=4016

[wetminkey]

Thanks, bonsaiwino! I looked at a huge number of possible suppliers for a coil, and found Jegs to be the cheapest. The old one was a std 12v coil and probably of low voltage output. This will be quite an upgrade,...especially if I can afford to put an MSD ignition in the car later on.
Most of the old cars I've built have MSD ignitions, and they perform very well with increased power, MPG, and decreased emissions. A higher output coil is just a good start towards that goal.
Thanks again, Todd.

[wetminkey]

Well, Spidey is out of the small garage and able to run, but it wasn't the coil. The car now sports a Blaster 2, but has a MAJOR grounding situation, and will need troubleshooting (just haven't got to it yet). Only 3V at the ignition, but runs perfect if I jumper from the battery 12V,...then seems to have capacitance for a short time after stopped, then returns to a MAJOR short condition. I'll disconnect alternator next and test,...can't go driving around with that jumper wire hanging out of the trunk and dangling along the passenger's side, going to the coil +!!
Anyway, I was able to finally get the car pressure washed after re-assembly of the interior, and get some new pictures. It needs a real hand washing, but looks pretty good,...





And top down:





The Kenwood 4ch powers these in the rear:



And this powers Spidey:



I threatened to show off my original w/w reservoir (can't believe they survive so well, usually one of the first things to deteriorate in my other old cars,...good, soft plastic,...):



I love seeing the Italian wording (especially after spending most of my shore hours in the Navy in Italy).
Thanks for looking!
Todd.