Disaster

[fiasco]

I don't know how many stupid things you have to do before you are disqualified from owning a Fiat... Actually, I've only done a few stupid things, but the magnitude of my stupid things may get me there quicker than most. I escaped by the skin of my teeth after trying to flood the cylinders with water, but cars don't recover well when all the oil runs out while you are driving on the freeway. For the record, I do know that you have to complete all three steps 1)filler cap comes off, 2) oil goes in, 3) filler cap goes back on. That third one is real important.

So anyway, my car is toast. Mark's initial diagnosis is a spun or seized bearing. Rough estimates run from $2000 for a replacement engine to $3000 for a complete rebuild of mine. And before you ask, no, this is not work I would do myself.

The thing is, I'm pretty sure I could get a whole car in good condition for what I would pay to get the current one fixed, and then if I part out the current one I could recover some of that money, right?

So here's my question. What could I reasonably expect to generate by parting out my '76? The engine is stock and recently damaged on the bottom end, the trans is good, the smog equipment is all there. The interior is in good shape, the console and dash are recently covered, suspension is not new but in decent shape, the canvas on the top is no good, but the hardware is all good. I'm not offering at this point, just wondering how much I should realistically expect to recover if I do. Are talking in the couple hundred dollar range, a thousand, fifteen hundred? What are your thoughts?

Thanks,
-- se

[kuhndg]

Sorry to hear about your bad news, Steve. I am NO EXPERT with respect to a lot of the other folks on this forum, but I will tell you guy's buy part cars for a reason. I sold a 80 Spider to my brother prior to starting on my current restoration and I wish I never would have. Not being privy to your personal finances, or the amount of room you have at your home for additional vehicles.....maybe find yourself another reasonably priced car and take the best of what you have accomplished on this one and transfer it to another?

[manoa matt]

Been there done that. 1500 mile road trip, me and my buddy on spring break, 150 miles from home on the last leg and stopped for gas, checked the oil, added 1/3 quart and forgot the cap. Driving down the highway, car starts shaking VIOLENTLY, pull over, reach for the key, before I can shut it off, KA-BOOM. A rod broke free from the piston and punched a hole in the side of the block. Luckily we had a bottle of whiskey left

Your car sounds pretty good, why part it out? I'm sure someone in Cali has a spare engine you could pick up for a few hundred. I got a good engine from a 76 parts car that is sitting on a pallet. I'm never going to use it and hate to junk it because I live on this rock in the middle of the Pacific. It's yours if you pay shipping....but I'd hate to imagine what that would cost. I've also heard there are some great pick and pull places in Cali with 124 spiders

[htchevyii]

I hate to see solid cars parted out, but it does seem a dead Spider is worth more in pieces that as a whole. On the other hand, If you get an engine built you will know you have a good solid engine and if you just buy another car it could blow up tomorrow. Rust free cars are also rare, so if yours is solid it would be better that some bondo bucket. Also the amount of work to strip the car and sell the parts would be greater that of swaping the engine. You could buy a good running rust bucket and swap in the engine, then part it out and maybe recoup all your money. You can see that I would fix it, but I also can't stand to see good cars go to the scrap yard and I don't keep track of how much I spend on my cars, cause I don't fix them to sell.

[rlux4]

Dog-gone Steve! That is a major bummer. I'm very sorry to hear this. We (So Cal Fiat people) need to put our heads together to see what your best option is. I know Mark needs to make a living, (and I hope I'm not stepping on your toes Mark), but maybe we can plan a couple of tech days, get together and tear it down. You get the parts, we put it back together.Or do a swap out as Matt says. It would benefit those of us who haven't taken out a Fiat engine. Question 1: Do you have a garage? Question 2: Do you allow beer on your property? (Pepsi in my case, I never could stand beer)
Let's see if we get any positive responses.
Ron

[manoa matt]

one option: http://losangeles.craigslist.org/lac/pt ... 48938.html

Several others, (with a couple 84's):
http://losangeles.craigslist.org/lac/ct ... 45429.html
http://losangeles.craigslist.org/lac/ct ... 10023.html
http://losangeles.craigslist.org/sfv/ct ... 90039.html
http://losangeles.craigslist.org/lgb/ct ... 94209.html
http://losangeles.craigslist.org/sfv/ct ... 50498.html
http://losangeles.craigslist.org/sfv/ct ... 05214.html

The 73 looks pretty good.

[ga.spyder]

Sorry,Steve.Here is another option from evil-bay
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1980-fia ... dZViewItem

[4babycar]

Steve - I am very sorry to hear about you car. From the pictures I have seen of your car, I think you would be foolish to part that one out, in my opinion. I would try to get a solid engine and do a transplant. I live on the other side of the country from you but I have a spare lower for a 76 that came with my last spider purchase that you are welcome to if you pay for shipping (coming from 24501 - probably better off getting something closer). I have the head for it as well but I was told by the PO that it was damaged and would need a slight repair but I don't know any more than that. Just let me know. Be patient and listen to all the excellent advise you get here and feel fortunate that you are so near Mark, Ron and the whole crew out there. Please let me know if there is anything that I can do.

[fiasco]

Wow Ron - that's a response I did not expect, though if I had thought about it I probably should have. The SoCal Fiat community is an amazing group of people.

I would definitely be open to this idea. I would never want to try this on my own - but not because I'm not willing to do the work itself - because I just don't have the knowledge/experience necessary to do it right. But with some knowledgeable people in the room, it just might be doable.

To answer your questions, I do have a garage, and while I am more of a Pepsi guy myself, I'm glad to provide a variety of beverages (and grill a bunch of meat and bake a bunch of potatoes and unbag a bunch of chips, and...) to anyone willing to give up some of their free time to help me get my car back on the road.

I'll start looking through my swap options and see if we can generate any more interest in a work day. Hey we were going to do the timing belt and valve adjustment anyway, right?

-- se

[ventura ace]

Bummer! I can't image how that brick felt when it hit you! I'm glad it wasn't a collision (and injuries) -- as I dreaded when I read the title of your thread.

Looks like you have many options, including some generous offers of free engines (or major parts of engines). I'm aware of another complete 1.8L high performance engine in Dallas-Ft. Worth area that is available for sale. Jeff Schefferman (lived here in LA area until a few years ago) is putting in a 2.0L engine, and offering his up for sale:

(From Fiatcenter.com, http://fiatcenter.com/bbv2/bbBoard.cgi? ... gtid=16893)

post # 537 of 537

Speaking of coupes, the new 2.0L killer engine for the coupe will be ready in another 4-6 weeks, and I am selling the 1.8L in the car now as a complete unit.

It has: 84.8mm bores/5mm dome, lightened pistons/total seal rings/40/80 cams/40 IDFs/Pearson manifold/header/custom electronic ignition/lightened flywheel/all ported and cc'd and balanced. Estimated 145 HP, runs to 7000 rpms in 5th.

Runs really strong, really smooth, no smoking or oil burning at all, and has about 4000-5000 miles on it since it went in the car. It will be in the car until the new one is ready to go, so anyone near Houston (where I have the car) is welcome to drive it. Selling it as a whole package, including the ignition. Just drop it in your 124 and you will have fun day one!

As far as shipping stuff like this, I've shipped and received stuff of this size on pallets for not too much more than $100. Try freightquote.com. They will help you find the best deal.

And, of course, your engine is likely salvageable, though one would need to analyze things closely to see what was damaged by the heat. As Mark was likely suggesting, once you tear down an engine completely, it makes good sense to make everything as good as possible when you put it back together, which does cost money. There are ways to cut corners.

Since you don't depend on the car for everyday, take your time and weigh the options. I'll be glad to lend a hand and tools when it comes time.

Take care,
Alvon

[fiasco]

Thanks Alvon. I'll check out the shipping options as you suggest.

Downside is that this car has actually been my daily driver since I bought it, so we'll be down to one car until it's on the road again. Not going to complain because we're still better off than 90% of the world, but the inconvenience provides a lot of motivation for gettin' 'er dun.

-- se

[rlux4]

All right Ace! That makes two of us so far. It sounds like this will happen. Steve, I'm thinking maybe an engine swap would be the way to go, it would get it back on the road much faster, and leave you an engine you could take your time and rebuild for the future.
Ron

[SpiderHead]

Count me in!

I have tools, a fair bit of mechanical ability, and a thirst for knowin' stuff.

I'm going to go on the hunt with you fellas to find Steve here a solid engine for the swap.

I have an engine hoist, I'll bring it up.

Time frame.. do you guys think we can get it done in a day?

-Ryan

p.s. That engine in Texas sounds like a show piece. Maybe overkill in this case... but Steve give him a call! If you can get it for $900.00 including freight to Cali.. That might be the smart buy.

On the other hand we might be able to find you a solid clean runner for a fair bit less than that.

***Ryan puts down his beer, puts on his "I R Seeryus" hat and goes fishing for a motor for Steve***

[SpiderHead]

ok, just put the word out on our parts for sale page...

here is the link http://www.fiatspider.com:16080/f08/vie ... =11&t=5046

Guys put out the hot button alert on other Fiat sites you may belong to. Lets get this done!

Feel better Steve? We gonna keep you AND your car in our group! Your request to give up has been denied!

lol

-Ryan

[SpiderHead]

one option: http://losangeles.craigslist.org/lac/pt ... 48938.html

Several others, (with a couple 84's):
http://losangeles.craigslist.org/lac/ct ... 45429.html
http://losangeles.craigslist.org/lac/ct ... 10023.html
http://losangeles.craigslist.org/sfv/ct ... 90039.html
http://losangeles.craigslist.org/lgb/ct ... 94209.html
http://losangeles.craigslist.org/sfv/ct ... 50498.html
http://losangeles.craigslist.org/sfv/ct ... 05214.html

The 73 looks pretty good.

Nice Matt! you rock! you found 7 engines in Los Angeles in a few minutes... from Hawaii!

Steve, the first one looks good from the description. He says it is currently running.

I have a compression tester, a full sized truck, and days free for hooligan activities!

Let me know

-Ryan