New from the Badger State

[crybarber]

Hello all, just joined this most informative site. I live in northern WI and love everything about summer, including riding with the top down. I recently finished my first project car, 1970 VW, now starting on the next. I purchased a 1979 Fiat Spider that needs some love. I will post pictures when I can, but the body is solid and the engine turns and sounds good. The problems are in the shifter, bushings appear to be gone and the car does not like being in 2nd gear. I understand this is not all that uncommon in these vehicles. The PO was a bit of a dufus and I'm hoping changing the gear oil will help with the gear issue. If that doesn't work out goes the tranny right? Changing the shift shaft I see from this forum, that can be replaced without moving the tranny or drive shaft. I need to replace everything too, the spring the top and bottom caps and bushings. Does anyone know of a place to buy this as a kit? I foresee many hours on this website and I'm overhauling my new project. Thanks in advance for any and all suggestions.

[RoyBatty]

Get to know the guys at this web site. http://www.autoricambi.us/product/TR5-5 ... ---1973on/
As well add Mark Allison at Allison's automotive.

[bradartigue]

Hello all, just joined this most informative site. I live in northern WI and love everything about summer, including riding with the top down. I recently finished my first project car, 1970 VW, now starting on the next. I purchased a 1979 Fiat Spider that needs some love. I will post pictures when I can, but the body is solid and the engine turns and sounds good. The problems are in the shifter, bushings appear to be gone and the car does not like being in 2nd gear. I understand this is not all that uncommon in these vehicles. The PO was a bit of a dufus and I'm hoping changing the gear oil will help with the gear issue. If that doesn't work out goes the tranny right? Changing the shift shaft I see from this forum, that can be replaced without moving the tranny or drive shaft. I need to replace everything too, the spring the top and bottom caps and bushings. Does anyone know of a place to buy this as a kit? I foresee many hours on this website and I'm overhauling my new project. Thanks in advance for any and all suggestions.

You can work on the shifter in the car, but the Spider shifter is a direct linkage and the only bushings isolate the shifter rod from vibration. A 2nd gear that won't stay in place is due to a bad synchronizer inside the gearbox. When you pull it you'll likely want to replace all of the wearable parts.

Fluid won't fix it - some make it worse.

[njoconnor]

Get to know the guys at this web site. http://www.autoricambi.us/product/TR5-5 ... ---1973on/
As well add Mark Allison at Allison's automotive.

+1 on Roy's recommendations. In the occasional instances when neither Mark nor A/R has the part, Chris at http://www.fiatplus.com has always come through for me. We're very lucky to have good vendors who not only back their products, but will provide real time assistance when needed.

There's a few of us down here in the southern half of WI. Haven't done a meet up yet, but now that Blue 72 is back on the road, I'd be interested. Ideas?

Neil

[joelittel]

I'm curious to know how this turned out. Has it been fixed?