1983 Pininfarina Spider Resto

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Odoyle
Posts: 440
Joined: Mon Dec 01, 2014 10:06 pm
Your car is a: 1983 Pinafarina Spider
Location: CA

1983 Pininfarina Spider Resto

Post by Odoyle »

Thought I would share my most recent updates on the restoration of my 1983 Pininfarina Spider. :D

Here she is in the driveway after her first wash and passing CA smog first try
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Pulled the driveshaft after hearing a weird rattle on acceleration.
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Center support bearing was shot.
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Replaced the center support, u-joints and guibo.
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The driveshaft was rebalanced by a driveshaft specialist in socal, said the portion of driveshaft near the rear-axel was way out of balance, I bolted it up and it spins better than ever :D
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The front end was looking a bit worn, decided it was time for a rebuild.
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New center steering link.
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Steering arm and hub assembly.
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Well, I'd be lying if I didn't say I struggled to pry these springs out. :shock:
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Springs before paint, control arms, and a couple new ball joints.
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Sprayed them with high temp yellow paint.
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Control arm before paint.
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After sandblasting.
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Painted all the control arms black.
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I bought a really great spring compressor online, was originally marketed for coil springs on Mercedes Benzs but I was so fed up with the spring compressor I had I decided to risk it and buy this one. Wasn't cheap but it made the whole job take 20 minutes and I felt very safe. :)
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Caliper before
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A little compressed air and the piston slid right out.
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Calipers after being rebuild with new seals and painted.
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New brake hoses
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Brakes bled, toe-in set
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I pulled the A/C unit installed by the dealer, that thing was like 45 lbs. and never even worked! Still need to pull the radiator so I can get the compressor.
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She's finally back on the ground!
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Drying in the sun after a congratulatory wash
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Sandblasted the airbox
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Few coats of enamel black
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Reassembled with the AFM
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Still have to do the rear susspension, rear brakes, radiator, and thermostat so I will make this a running post.:D
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RRoller123
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Your car is a: 1980 FI SPIDER 2000
Location: SAGAMORE BEACH, MA USA

Re: 1983 Pininfarina Spider Resto

Post by RRoller123 »

Nice documentary tour! Thanks for sharing.
'80 FI Spider 2000
'74 and '79 X1/9 (past)
'75 BMW R75/6
2011 Chevy Malibu (daily driver)
2010 Chevy Silverado 2500HD Ext Cab 4WD/STD BED
2002 Edgewater 175CC 80HP 4-Stroke Yamaha
2003 Jaguar XK8
2003 Jaguar XKR
2021 Jayco 22RB
2019 Bianchi Torino Bicycle
silvadw
Posts: 83
Joined: Wed Apr 02, 2014 6:26 am
Your car is a: 1979 Spider CS2 weber 34adf
Location: Victoria Australia

Re: 1983 Pininfarina Spider Resto

Post by silvadw »

Good to see, can you come do my cay in Aus? :D :D
various KTMs and V8's
RR Sport
'79 Spider 2000
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joelittel
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Joined: Tue Mar 08, 2011 6:53 pm
Your car is a: 1980 Spider 2000 FI
Location: Evanston, IL

Re: 1983 Pininfarina Spider Resto

Post by joelittel »

What brand spring compressor did you buy, and is there a model number?
narfire
Posts: 3959
Joined: Sat Dec 27, 2008 2:14 am
Your car is a: 1980 124 spider
Location: Naramata B.C.

Re: 1983 Pininfarina Spider Resto

Post by narfire »

That looks great. Nice these cars are simple .
Looks like a busy morning...Sooo, what did you do in the afternoon? :)

Chris
80 FI spider
72 work in progress
2017 Golf R ( APR Stg. 1)
2018 F350 crew long box
Sambo42
Posts: 155
Joined: Fri Apr 09, 2010 12:00 am
Your car is a: 1971 Fiat Spider

Re: 1983 Pininfarina Spider Resto

Post by Sambo42 »

joelittel wrote:What brand spring compressor did you buy, and is there a model number?
I was just thinking the same thing. Maybe this?

http://zdmak.com/wbstore/main.asp?actio ... =1&LowCt=0
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joelittel
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Your car is a: 1980 Spider 2000 FI
Location: Evanston, IL

Re: 1983 Pininfarina Spider Resto

Post by joelittel »

That does look like it...
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Odoyle
Posts: 440
Joined: Mon Dec 01, 2014 10:06 pm
Your car is a: 1983 Pinafarina Spider
Location: CA

Re: 1983 Pininfarina Spider Resto

Post by Odoyle »

joelittel wrote:That does look like it...
Thats the one! I payed like $75 for it on eBay. Works great for the front end.
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Odoyle
Posts: 440
Joined: Mon Dec 01, 2014 10:06 pm
Your car is a: 1983 Pinafarina Spider
Location: CA

Re: 1983 Pininfarina Spider Resto

Post by Odoyle »

Though I would add a few more photos of the restoration. Enjoy :)

Cork gasket had failed and started to leak coolant.
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Plenum chamber after sandblasting
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Removed the radiator so I can remove the last of the A/C components
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All A/C equipment removed
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Fan before
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Dissasembly
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Media blasted the fan shroud with aluminum oxide then painted it enamel black, clear-coated the rest.
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Cleaned up the alternator
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Sandblasted and wire-wheeled coolant tee
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Crumbling fuel fill-neck next to it's replacement.
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New thermostat next to the old one.
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Old timing belt tensioner next to the new one.
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New timing belt + tensioner
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All put back together! She is complete..for now.
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RRoller123
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Your car is a: 1980 FI SPIDER 2000
Location: SAGAMORE BEACH, MA USA

Re: 1983 Pininfarina Spider Resto

Post by RRoller123 »

Thanks for sharing, we love pics!
'80 FI Spider 2000
'74 and '79 X1/9 (past)
'75 BMW R75/6
2011 Chevy Malibu (daily driver)
2010 Chevy Silverado 2500HD Ext Cab 4WD/STD BED
2002 Edgewater 175CC 80HP 4-Stroke Yamaha
2003 Jaguar XK8
2003 Jaguar XKR
2021 Jayco 22RB
2019 Bianchi Torino Bicycle
cos
Posts: 156
Joined: Tue Dec 01, 2009 10:54 am
Your car is a: 1978 cs2 spider

Re: 1983 Pininfarina Spider Resto

Post by cos »

very smart looking engine bay now, well done!
Exit98

Re: 1983 Pininfarina Spider Resto

Post by Exit98 »

Wow, you do nice work!
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Nanonevol
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Your car is a: 1977 Fiat 124 Spider
Location: Medway, Massachusetts

Re: 1983 Pininfarina Spider Resto

Post by Nanonevol »

Nice job! Do you remember where you got the orange plug wires? I'm looking for those.
1977 Fiat Spider
1985 Jaguar XJ6
1967 Triumph Bonneville (hard-tail chopper)
1966 BSA Lightning
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Odoyle
Posts: 440
Joined: Mon Dec 01, 2014 10:06 pm
Your car is a: 1983 Pinafarina Spider
Location: CA

Re: 1983 Pininfarina Spider Resto

Post by Odoyle »

Nanonevol wrote:Nice job! Do you remember where you got the orange plug wires? I'm looking for those.
I believe there stock from the factory, but they could have been put by a P.O.
pluktv
Posts: 136
Joined: Tue Feb 21, 2012 2:38 pm
Your car is a: 1979 spider
Location: Halifax Nova Scotia

Re: 1983 Pininfarina Spider Resto

Post by pluktv »

That's a really nice read. Thanks for taking the time to work on the car, take pics while you are doing it, edit and post all of this. Keep it up!
My two cents ain't worth what it used to be
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