Picked up My Spider yesturday

[amsiegel]

I picked up my 1977 Spider from my friend who got from the person who sold it to me last week. Here is the short story

Car looks good on outside inside needs a little help but not bad.

Friday night we got the brake lights working and took care of the rattleing noise that was happening at 3000 rpm. The shroud over the timing belt was loose.

Saturday topped of the coolant overflow bottle checked tire pressure and hit the road. I decided to take back roads and limit the interstates not to push the car hard the trip was about 200 miles. I drove first 50 miles with top up just to get the feel of the car then stopped for gas and dropped the top. All was going good till I was about 80 miles into the the trip and the rear tire decided it wanted to fall a part. When we checked over the car we forgot to check if there was a jack or lug wrench. Well there was not. After sitting on side of road for close to hour a police officer and another drive stopped to help and got the spare on the car.

A little farther into the trip the car wsa getting a little sluggish. I stopped at the first auto parts store and bought a jack and a 4 way lug wrench. When I went to start the car after leaving the store the fuel pump noise was much louder than the night before. I kept going. The car would not hold idle while I was stopping at red lights in the small towns. I got to I-75 and stayed behind slow trucks till I got home. When I build into my house the car was running a little better and was idleing but rough.

I think the BP gas I put in the car at 50 miles had a detergant in it that might have loosen up some stuff in the fuel system. When I stopped because of the flat tire I did pop the hood and look around. Now that I think about the clear plastic fuel filter that is installed right before the carb did look a little darker. I am gonna check the car out again later today.

Things I notice during the trip.

1. 5th gear was a little hard to get into. It could have been me and the fact the shift knob kept comming off.
2. Wipers are SLLLOOOWWWW. I will clean connections and check it out later.
3. Driver seat needs to be repaired or replaced. Something is up the the hinge part. Had to prop it foward with the antifrezze jug.
4. Right side turn signals dont work but the running lights do.
5. The car is fun to drive
6. There is a metal tube/pipe that is on the exhaust manafold that had broken. Someone crimped the end and capped of the section on top of the engine it goes to. I dont have my part books with me but I will post what it is later.


I will post photos later

[mdrburchette]

It sounds like a very productive drive. Once you work the bugs out you'll be able to enjoy it without worry! Looking forward to pics of your new ride.

[joelbert2k]

Sounds like a rather eventful drive. I'll bet you still had fun though, didn't you?
I'd say go ahead and replace that fuel filter. Get another clear one though. The first time I filled my spider it went about 1/2 tank before it quit. My first thought was fuel pump but I noticed how dirty the filter was, replaced it and it's still going strong. That was about 3 months ago on a daily driver. By the way, I keep a spare filter and screwdriver in the trunk.
Joel

[majicwrench]

Sounds like a typical Fiat road trip! You are braver than me, however, I have had mine a year and I'll bet I haveln't put 100 miles on, mostly just back and forth to town.
That crimped piece to the exhaust manifold is probably the old air injection tube.
Carbureted Fiat idle issues gonna happen from time to time, filter has nothing to do with it.
Can't wait to get mine on a trip,
Keith

[So Cal Mark]

air injection goes to the cyl head, so it's probably the egr tube that is crimped off. You're pretty gutsy going 200 miles on the initial trip! If those tires have been sitting for years, replace them all before driving at any fwy speeds.

[mbouse]

if you attempt to tackle that entire list all at once, you'll be overwhelmed. best to go for the easiest first, then move on - - one at a time.

great adventure, most of us have been down that path at least once. you CAN love or hate the journey, it is easier if you learn to enjoy it.

best of luck with your new car!!

[Ceawlin]

Please learn from my mistake.
I drove my 81 for about a year and a half on tires that LOOKED fine. Plenty of good tread. No visible rot or
damage.
Then, one day, the left rear just gatored and the flapping rubber took out about three different body panels.
New tires for that car should be just about $200.
Bodywork, new trim pieces, etc etc-considerably more.
I still love my car, but I set myself back at least a few years, and lots of money.
Never again do I not buy new tires for a used car.

[amsiegel]

Trust me if I would have seen any type of tire store after the first flat the car would have gotten new tires right then. I was on back roads and was not near anytowns. By the time I got back to civilization I was about 30 miles from home, it was after 5PM, and a big storm was comming in. The car will have new tires on it soon probably a week from this Friday. The car wont be going anywhere till then. I have to find the time and go through the car and make my list on what to replace, correct, and repair. Of course I could always but the car on stands and drop the tires off and the tire place.

any suggestions on tires??

[rlux4]

I like my Kuhmos. They're reasonably priced and perform great for my kind of driving.
Ron (Graduate, with honors, of the "Little old Lady School of Driving)

[So Cal Mark]

generally the Kumhos are touring tires and have fairly soft sidewalls. Great ride, but not the best for high speed cornering

[amsiegel]

There is a Tire Plus store near me that has 13 inch Yokohama and Firestones 185 / 70 R13 which are S or T rated for speed. I think thats the way I will go. Will probably do it a week from this Friday.

[amsiegel]

Well I sorta fixed the wobble driver seat. The bottom hinge blots where missing and one of the support bolts was missing also. Of course when I pulled the seat out I found out there was a rust hole in the seat pan big enough to fit a bowling ball through.

[So Cal Mark]

you should get a larger bowling ball so it can't fall through the floor

[fiasco]

Congrats on your new adventure. I'll chime in on those wipers. Take the whole linkage off and set it on your bench. Spray it liberally twice a day with WD40 or PB Blaster, or somesuch, and rotate the linkage by hand a few times. Do this every day for two weeks or so - let that penetrating oil soak and soak and soak. I did this and it made a huge difference - not enough that my wipers actually work on the car, but a huge difference nonetheless. Good luck!

-- se