My first Spider

[edcreed]

Hello All, I've been lurking for a month or so, but I've decided I'm probably going to need some help from some of you from time to time, So I thought I'd say Hi.

I've purchased my 1980 124 2000 FI from a previous poster on this site (Foster48x aka Rick)

he had said that he thought it had a blown head gasket..so I've torn into it...wish me luck.

[carl]

Yea, looks like the head gasket is shot for sure! Love those wheels on your car.

[edcreed]

Thanks Carl! Can't wait to get her on the road. This is how I towed her home.

[njspider]

Are those wheels 13"??

[vandor]

Are you in Texas? I looked at that car in December, but decided I did not have the time to fix it.
If you want to upgrade to 15" wheels and sell the ones you have, lmk

[edcreed]

yes, (in Arlington)... Rick mentioned that you (Csaba - checked out your fiat page...nice rides) had looked at her, but I guess I'm the lucky guy that has to spend the time to get her going again...it's all good, I was looking for a project anyway. Rick took her a long way, and besides, it's only time and money! lol.

The spare is 13 and a different wheel altogether...but these are 14's...(second guessing myself now...but pretty sure). I think I'll keep them for now, but we'll see.

Rick said her name was Stephanie...but my grandmother mistakenly called my wife Stephanie and that's not her name...so, I think we'll be changing her name. I'm thinking Sofiat (silent T - pronounced Sophia) but it seems a bit cheesy...so we'll see if it sticks.

[vandor]

I used to have a Coupe with those wheels and I have always liked them. If you want new 15" wheels I'll take your as a trade in

There is a local club, just look up DFW Classic Fiat Club on Facebook. We meet the second Saturday of each month, and often there are other events. Come meet us even if your car is not running yet. The big event is the Spring Thing at the end of March north of San Antonio.

BTW, did Rick tell you we have a warehouse full of Spider parts?

[edcreed]

He did mention that, but to be honest, Rick seemed to have a "warehouse" full of parts already. When we were loading things up, I had to make sure he wasn't just cleaning out his garage! But I fully expect to run across something I need that he didn't already have...so I'll keep you in mind.

I'll look you guys up on fb too.

if you want to post a pic of the wheels you have, I'll give it a thought.

[edcreed]

doing some prep work while waiting for the head to come back from the machine shop.

[vandor]

Looks like you have domed pistons, that's good!

[edcreed]

Okay I have the head back from the machine shop, and have reassembled. Lined up the timing markers and before putting on a new timing belt, wanted to make sure everything turned appropriately so I put the old timing belt back on...but while turning manually, I heard a clank and turning stopped...so turned back the other way to the same result. Things appeared to be lined up appropriately and when taken apart, everything turned freely.

Can anyone offer any advice?

[DRUMMOND]

Did you make sure the TDC was on the compression stroke? Not the exhaust stroke

[ORFORD2004]

Did you make sure the TDC was on the compression stroke? Not the exhaust stroke

TDC is TDC on a bare engine block. When assembled the mark on the cam will be 180 degrees from the mark on the cover on exhaust stroke.
I suspect the auxiliary pulley that should be at 1 o'clock or not enough clearance on the valves.

John

[edcreed]

Hey guys thanks for the quick responses...and to be honest I'm in a little over my head here. ..I'm learning as I go, and I really appreciate this site and help from the good folks here.

And as long as I'm being honest, john I'm not sure I understand your reply...I understand compression stroke vs exhaust stroke but ya lost me somewhere in the middle.

I know I was on TDC when we put the head back on, but I didn't even think about which stroke I was on. So at this point, I guess I need to pull the head back off and make sure piston #1 is at tdc on the compression stroke and reassemble?

And out of curiosity, does that mean the clank was a piston hitting a valve that was pushing down too far into the cylinder?

[RRoller123]

I made up this little diagram to help me understand the cycle too, when I was putting on the new head. Hopefully it will help, and not make things more confusing! (The data is for Marks 274FI cams, but the idea applies to all cams, you don't want to be in that overlap slightly open area at the right, you want to be at the TDC where both I and E valves are fully closed.

Pete