Shake down run

[scubachris]

Had a nice little 70 mile trip to visit my parents and took my 79 Fiat. It was awesome, even the brief shower that I got caught in. It also helped me get a starting point on updating the car.

1) A/C: since this car is a daily driver for now, I need A/C. This might be a bit of a pain in the ass from my understanding I have to change the radiator out to a one of the aluminum ones and also have to add more horsepower. I guess I will have to double the carbs and use the light flywheel. Any advice on this is greatly appreciated.

2) There is a smell of gas fumes around the car and it is aggravating. It is from stem to stern and it will require me tracing out the fuel lines, changing the tank and hopefully that will get rid of the smell

3) Need to update the suspension system and put a sway bar in the back.

[spidernut]

With the 79 there are a few things you'll want to check because each can cause fuel odors.

1. There is a one way check valve located near the fuel tank inline on the fuel hose that leads to the vapor canister. This check valve is notorious for plugging up. It will cause built up pressure in the fuel tank and can cause your fuel filler hose to rupture under the pressure. It happened to me...not fun. This will result in a raw fuel smell mainly when the car is parked. Also check the charcoal canister itself which can be rebuilt. Both can cause raw fuel odors.

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2. Check your fuel lines - there will be metal lines inside the car along the driver's side rocker panel and rubber in the back and under the hood. Check the metal lines for leaks and replace all the rubber lines.

3. The carb has several diaphragms that are also prone to leakage. You'll probably need a carb rebuild.

4. Check your fuel pump - it is rare but they can leak.

[vandor]

>) A/C: since this car is a daily driver for now, I need A/C. This might be a bit of a pain in the ass from my understanding I have to change the radiator out to a one of the aluminum ones and also have to add more horsepower.

Huh? Why?? None of those are needed. These cars had dealer installed A/C and neither of those things were done. Just make sure the radiator is in good working order.
More power is always good, with a '79 you should upgrade to the 1800 intake manifold and a larger carb if you have not already done so.

[scubachris]

>) A/C: since this car is a daily driver for now, I need A/C. This might be a bit of a pain in the ass from my understanding I have to change the radiator out to a one of the aluminum ones and also have to add more horsepower.

Huh? Why?? None of those are needed. These cars had dealer installed A/C and neither of those things were done. Just make sure the radiator is in good working order.
More power is always good, with a '79 you should upgrade to the 1800 intake manifold and a larger carb if you have not already done so.

That is good to know. Guess I will be getting A/C next time I am home. Larger or duel and what is the advantage/disadvantage of each.

[DieselSpider]

I am South of you in muggy Florida and with a good hat and the top down I have really not found the lack of AC an issue in my daily commuting. I either take the Spider or ride an Aprilia motorcycle to work each day. The front vent windows do provide enough air movement for me even when the temps are in the 90's.

[scubachris]

I am South of you in muggy Florida and with a good hat and the top down I have really not found the lack of AC an issue in my daily commuting. I either take the Spider or ride an Aprilia motorcycle to work each day. The front vent windows do provide enough air movement for me even when the temps are in the 90's.

I'm not getting the point of this post.

[DieselSpider]

The point is that AC is not really a 100% critical need for a daily driver.

I live where the roadway temps can hover over 100 degrees most of the year and its very humid yet find that the Spider without AC is just fine for my commute into the office with the top up at 7:00 AM and back home in the evening with the top down. The vent windows move plenty of air to keep you comfortable unless you are stuck in really bad gridlock which one can often work around by taking the road less traveled. Dressing for the weather in light airy clothes and wearing a woven driving hat that allows the air to pass through but keeps the direct sun off your head may be all you really need to commute to and from work.

Vet out the AC conversion but also consider that with some minor changes in the type of shirts you wear and including a well vented hat as part of your driving ensemble may make AC unnecessary for you also.

[vandor]

> Larger or duel and what is the advantage/disadvantage of each.

A single carb is simpler, cheaper, easier to install, needs less fiddling.
Dual carb will provide more top-end power, but whether one actually uses that power depends on driving style. If one rarely shifts over 4000 rpm then it does not make sense to go to dual carbs. They also need more maintenance.

[scubachris]

> Larger or duel and what is the advantage/disadvantage of each.

A single carb is simpler, cheaper, easier to install, needs less fiddling.
Dual carb will provide more top-end power, but whether one actually uses that power depends on driving style. If one rarely shifts over 4000 rpm then it does not make sense to go to dual carbs. They also need more maintenance.

Good advice and it turns out that I have a Weber already installed. The guy I bought the car did;t do the work on it so I have to go through the car and see what has been done.

[Mattt123]

My 81 Spider 2000 came with the dealer installed AC, which I do need as I live in central Texas and have to be "presentable " when I get to my office. It was not working when I got the car and I figured it was going to need a new compressor, dryer, etc. Well, to my amazement all I had to do was convert the fittings to 134a, fill it up and "Bingo", it blows cold. Everything is stock and it runs cool (just below 190) even at full power with everything going. I did have cooling issues when I first bought the car. I replaced the radiator, thermostat, radiator cap and a temperature sending unit, but with stock, not upgraded parts. I could probably live without it if I brought an extra shirt with me to work. But I have found it to be a wonderful convenience.
Good Luck with your car.

[DieselSpider]

My 81 Spider 2000 came with the dealer installed AC, which I do need as I live in central Texas and have to be "presentable " when I get to my office.... I could probably live without it if I brought an extra shirt with me to work. But I have found it to be a wonderful convenience.
Good Luck with your car.

I felt that way too at one time until I was challenged to honestly see for myself. It has been 4 1/2 years now and I have not once arrived unrepresentable or in need of a change of clothes riding either a motorcycle or driving the Spider. There are now about a dozen of us who drive old convertibles and motorcycles to work daily in an extremely professional office dealing with top executives in the entertainment and product industries and the few with cars that have AC confess that they rarely use it now that they are accustomed to driving with the top down. Many actually hate the closed in feeling of being in a regular car now. We all arrive at dawn as the sun has just started to rise and leave at dusk while its beginning to set and park together in the same area of the companies parking garage. Possible if we came in later in the day and left while the sun was still in full blaze that would be different however since we are global we have the option to shift our time coming in before 7 AM to be more available to those in other parts of the world who would be nearing the end of their work day.

Try it you may find that you'll like it.

[Ramzi]

I reckon it doesnt get as warm where you are maybe. But here in Texas on a 112 degree day A/C is not a want... its a must for most people. I drove a desk for years and even on early start days, a commute to work in the 124 meant that you put your tie on once you arrived at the office.

Now a buddy of mine has air conditioned seats in his wife's car.... hmmm wonder what that would require in a Spider?

Ramzi

[DieselSpider]

Even in September at mid day the roadway temps can still reach 118 degrees along with having Semi-Tropical humidity here. Its still doable working in a executive office even riding a motorcycle in full gear meaning a mesh level 3 armored jacket with over pants, carbon fiber gloves, boots and full faced helmet. I would not recommend waiting until after the sun has fully risen however even shifting your morning commute to 15 minutes earlier in the day can make a 20 degree cooler difference. I have been at this for over 4 1/2 years now and its only in the really bad dog days of summer that the evening commute can leave you in need of a fresh shirt.

Many people will find that like me they were only repeating a misconception and that they really do not "NEED" AC to commute and those that might need it may only need it on a select few days of the year. Before you go through the expense and bother really vet out if its actually a true need and if the value it adds is really worth the time, cost and effort.

Many folks shoot them selves in the foot so to speak by wearing base layers made of synthetics that do no breath well and quickly wick away perspiration to stay dry. Black shirts and pants can get searing hot in the Florida Sun for example and burn you where they make direct contact with skin and would be a poor choice for top down summer commuting.

When its really hot and humid I will reroute my drive home to include a few tree lined streets which when its over 115 degrees on the main roads can feel chilly when you enter them and get out of the direct sun and can be quite refreshing. Just be aware that too late in the day there can be giant spiders hanging from the trees that are venomous enough to knock you off your feet for a few days and possibly consume a pound of flesh. Last one that got me left me feeling as if I had been beaten with an axe handle and thankfully no flesh was consumed though there was major bruising for several weeks.

I grew up in Northern New England and would go winter tent camping in the mountains where the nights were -35 F so I am not Southern born and raised making it a hard sell to get me to try commuting without AC on a motorcycle or in a convertible in a Semi-Tropical climate however honestly it has been quiet doable.

My air conditioned SUV was costing me $70 a week for my commute however the bike brought that down to around $7 every ten days so the thousands of dollars in savings at the end of the year just added incentive. The diesel Spider only gets about 2/3 the fuel economy of the bike however that still relates to $11 a week for commuting compared to $70 with the SUV.

[Ramzi]

You know me... And dead horses....

It was ~85 and 95% humidity today... And I ran the AC on my 3 mile commute and didnt give it a second thought. And I even drove a deisel which gets about 23 mpg.. So with deisel at $2.50 it really doest make much sense to be uncomfortable for many of us... I'm just too old for that anymore i guess.

And when its 115 this summer Ill probably keep doing the same while the 124s stay in the garage until its cooler...

Enjoy the the ride and you Spider.

[DieselSpider]

You know me... And dead horses....

It was ~85 and 95% humidity today... And I ran the AC on my 3 mile commute and didnt give it a second thought. And I even drove a deisel which gets about 23 mpg.. So with deisel at $2.50 it really doest make much sense to be uncomfortable for many of us... I'm just too old for that anymore i guess.

And when its 115 this summer Ill probably keep doing the same while the 124s stay in the garage until its cooler...

Enjoy the the ride and you Spider.

The Diesel Spider gets between 40 and 50 mpg. Roadways were in the mid 90's today on my 13 mile evening commute with high humidity finally developing into a pretty decent storm front (dozed off after I got home and almost missed putting the top up in time). Put the top down, vent widow opened, my hat on and with a long sleeved dress shirt the sun was not beating on me directly. Arrived home dry and comfortable.

Was in a 40 mph motorcycle accident a few weeks ago where the bike rolled over me as I went down on some sugar sand on the roadway so I will not be able to ride a motorcycle for a while but can still work the clutch. The dark Port Wine bruises have faded to a medium Claret but still smart.

Between the Diesel Spider and the Motorcycle I have cut over $4,000 from my annual fuel expenses and can honestly say that there have been very few days in the past 4 1/2 years that I felt there was any need for AC. Now that I have acclimated to Florida living I am also saving electricity at home since 80/81 is now the comfort setting on the thermostat and below 79 is chilly.

Not doing too bad for an elderly bearded gent who walks with a cane and the doctors slated to have been in a wheel chair for 20 years already. I may trim the beard a bit when the temps start breaking regularly over 100.

Anyway don't do what I did and for years blow away thousands of dollars because everyone knows its too hot in Florida to commute to an office without AC. Give it an honest see and you may be amazed at how fast your wife can make the money you save disappear. ;>