1971 Spider (BS1) Project Launch

[cbmeadors]

I finally launched the “new” project, a 1971 Spider. Since I can’t seem to get enough of going through all the other build threads on this board, I thought I would start my own thread to document my progress. Hopefully, I can also take advantage of the advice and knowledge of others on this board.

By way of car history, it is a 1971 124 Spider (BS1) with a 1438cc motor. It is paint code 413 – Periwinkle Blue. I believe it to be an original Texas car and it has sat in Lubbock Texas since the Reagan administration. Obviously the car isn’t running, but the engine turns. Interior and dash are rough. Otherwise, the car is overall solid, although it is impregnated by West Texas red dirt. It is very straight but it has some rust in the usual areas. It's most interesting feature is the bullet marks in the driver's door - very Texas. I like the character it adds, so I'm planning on keeping them.



Looking forward to getting her running and roadworthy as she is intended as a fun car for my wife. Realistically, I will be rebuilding and sorting most everything. The “plan” is to sort out the engine, brakes, and suspension, before moving on to the body and interior. Ultimately, I want to keep the color, the early style bumpers and interior. I’d like it to stay fairly original looking, but with a few sensible upgrades. Fortunately, this isn’t my first Spider, so I have another car, a couple of extra engines, and loads of spare parts to help with the task.

I expect that this project will be a slow-burn. If you find yourself in Fort Worth, Texas and looking to get your hands dirty, I’m happy to provide beer. Always fun to have an extra set of hands and to meet others with my same car affliction.

I'll post my progress as I go.

Christopher



View of the 1438 of the engine - desperate for a pressure wash.


Engine (sans radiator) - complete with 30+ years of West Texas red dust.


Interior looking rough


Trunk - more red dirt

[AriK]

Welcome!
Looks like you're gonna get your hands dirty on this one, but the body looks solid for something that hasn't run for 35 years. It looks like she sat outside topless for a while. You left out the very best part, i want to see the door with the bullet holes so i can reconstruct the scene
Enjoy the project, looks like you're gonna have some fun!
If i were you i'd start with draining the fuel tank and change as much fuel line as possible. Soak a bit of oil down the spark plug holes, change the oil, coolant, then give it a go.
Enjoy.
Btw, do you still have your red '77?

[philbert]

Great looking project, love the color! I did up a 1970 several years ago, aren't those the one year only 1970 side marker lights? 1438 engine is sweet too. Have fun, post lots of pix! Eric

[cbmeadors]

Door with the bullet marks.


I've hammered out the one at the edge of the door so it will close properly, but I want to leave the one in the center. Probably just clear coat it.

@AriK - I do have the '77. Mechanically, that one is better, but I'm now faced with a mountain of body work. That project is currently stalled as I picked up a '74 Ford Bronco that I'm also working on. Now that I've got 2 spiders, I'm hoping I can work on certain issues on both cars.

@Eric - those are the 1970 side markers. The car is titled as a 1971, but the build plate shows it as a 1970.

[AriK]

One Spider, let alone two and a Bronco certainly will be overwhelming to the point that they may remain incomplete projects for a very long time. Using one as a parts car is the most logical choice but only you know the correct solution. In any case there's a wealth of information here and you are among some of the craftiest enthusiasts who will guide you through your project. I, among many here will be following your thread with interest.
Ari

[vandor]

Are you on the local clubs email list? We meet at least once a month.
Email me for info.

[cbmeadors]

I'm not - but its a good idea. Is the Italian Car Club the local club?

[cbmeadors]

My first speedbump and request for advice. At this point, my goal is simply to get the fluids, belts, hoses changed so I can get motor going. Then I can evaluate what issues the motor might really have (e.g. why it was parked in the first place).

Hit the engine bay with the power washer to get rid of as much of Lubbuck real estate out of the car. Unbelievable how much dirt and debris came out. Pulled off the coolant housing and thermostat - then I found this:



I"m used to rust and dried coolant in the system, but nothing like this. Huge chunks of, for lack of a better word, "boogers". Green, yellow, and white - some clearly crystals, others form solid chunks. I obviously don't want to put on the brand new water pump and a new radiator with this garbage in the system.

My question is has anyone encountered this before? Does is make sense that this is just 30 years of old coolant solidifying? At this point, my plan is to flush it out the debris and use some kind of coolant flush to try and break up the solids. Or am I kidding myself and I need to pull the head - which I'd rather not do at this point. Thoughts or suggestions?

[vandor]

> Is the Italian Car Club the local club?

No, that was not the one I was referring to, but to the DFW Fiat Club, which is a chapter of the national club.

I'd try to flush the heck out of that cooling system and hope for the best.

[DieselSpider]

You may be surprised with how much of that will come out of the cooling system when soaked in distilled water and white vinegar. I would not resort to a boiler scale remover yet as that stuff is as caustic if not more so as old formual Draino.

It may take more than a few hours to get that soaked off.

[cbmeadors]

Filled with distilled water and white vinegar - letting it sit. Can't wait to see what fresh horror comes out when I flush it.

In the meantime, I figured I would remove the gas tank and get ready to replace all the fuel lines. I drained the gas tank - about 2 gallons of 30+ year old gasoline. The smell was staggering - and persistent. My wife was not pleased. Maybe I can sell it to the local hipsters as "vintage fuel" Probably just a trip to the hazardous waste disposal place as soon as they open today.

[cbmeadors]

Nice weekend weather means that I successfully got the timing best replaced - after much wresting with the tensioner. Made a handy TDC tool out of HF dial gauge (~$6) and a cheapy air pressure gauge (<$2).

As i'm replacing wires, etc., I find myself completely perplexed by the coil. Any insight into what i'm looking at, as well as improvements, are welcome:



I'm assuming the whitish thing marked as Marelli is the "resistor" - although i don't understand what purpose it serves. Based on the connectors, it seems that many of these wires have been added by the PO. The green wire runs from the coil to the distributor, and shares a post with the condenser and points. Does this arrangement make sense? More importantly, is there an improvement I can make in terms of a coil that will not require all this wiring mess?

[vandor]

You need this:

http://www.autoricambi.us/product/IG0-0 ... --1966-70/

[70spider]

You need this:

http://www.autoricambi.us/product/IG0-0 ... --1966-70/

I can 2nd that. This was one of the first and best upgrades I did on my '70 1438.

[cbmeadors]

Update on the project. Upgraded the ignition based on Csaba's recommendation. Seems like electrically everything is under control. However still won't start. Next is the compression test 1:120, 2: 45, 3:120', 4: 50. Ouch.

Leak down test and I'm getting lots of air loss. I can hear it hissing from the intake and the coolant. No noise on the crankcase or the exhaust Looks like the head is coming off.