I'm part of the club now!

[lordxenu]

A few weeks ago I posted about a Spider that I was wanting to buy.

Well, I've bought it! Check out my catch

http://s215.photobucket.com/albums/cc17 ... er%202000/

It has some idle issues and the exhaust is hanging a little lower than it should, but the oil pan has nary a single ding in it, and the body is in good shape. Transmission is crisp and doesn't slip out of gear, and the clutch is good.

The top is...alright, it needs some work...it has some new tires on it, it has a bit of an oil leak, but I believe we found the leak area. Also the tires need to be balanced, and it still has the stock rotors from '81 on it, so those need to be replaced eventually. And all the rubber bits are from 28 years past as well. With that said, it does run strong and drive good. The paint is in awful shape, and it needs repainted...luckily it still has the color formula/code/name on the inside of the trunk.

Power windows! and the clock even works!

The guy who owned it is a great guy, its been a 3 owner car, and he knew the other 2 owners, and it sat in a garage for 10 years before he bought it and started playing with it. It's been babied all its life, and in the few years that the last owner had it, he only put about 200 miles on it. 62,304 miles on the odometer.

I think I found a winner!

[rlux4]

I think you scored, big time!
The engine bay looks unmolested, so hopefully the nightmare of figureing out a POs FI "fixes" will be avoided.
What's the blue thing in the middle of the dash?
Ron

[lordxenu]

I think you scored, big time!
The engine bay looks unmolested, so hopefully the nightmare of figureing out a POs FI "fixes" will be avoided.
What's the blue thing in the middle of the dash?
Ron

It's rigged to the cooling fan, you can manually turn the fan on and off with it. The 2nd owner of the car apparently had issues with the thermostat not engaging properly, so he just wired a switch so he had control over it. I plan on rewiring it, as the guy I bought it from replaced the thermostat.

Even with the fan off it never got above 190 when we had it running down there, but yeah...minor fix, the wiring for everything is still down there in the engine bay.

[mdrburchette]

Very nice find! I know you'll be enjoying that car for years to come.

[lordxenu]

To be honest I can't wait to drive it around town, to work and stuff (Work isn't very far away)

I'm not a big traveler so I think this car can be a daily driver for me. I may go somewhere like once a day.
Can't wait to get the looks when it rolls by

Its strange though, a lot of you fiat guys are old enough to be my dad, I guess the kids around my age don't appreciate cars like this. (I'm 21)

[racydave]

Its always a pleasure to welcome the next generation of enthusiasts! Son! Have you checked into any local clubs or chapters? Its always easier when you have support and friends...

[lordxenu]

Its always a pleasure to welcome the next generation of enthusiasts! Son! Have you checked into any local clubs or chapters? Its always easier when you have support and friends...

I'll have to check into that and see if there are any local groups around me, I dunno if there is.

Definately going to be working on it the next week or so, I gotta drain the tank, change the oil, check fluids, check my bushings and stuff and see if they look healthy (probably not), jack the exhaust up (its hanging low)

Tons and Tons of little things, like rewiring the thermostat so the fan kicks in automatically instead of on a switch...and I need to take the stereo out and figure out how he had it wired...there's some sort of little amplifier under the passengers side of the dash.

The biggest problem with the car has to be that paint job, it looks absolutely terrible. It would have looked better if I'd have done it in my back yard, dust and all, that's how bad it is.

There's a couple of dents on the car, but nothing major, so that's good

[Ceawlin]

You're not in the club until you are stranded by the side of the road, lost, in the dark , getting seriously rained on with no cell coverage.
THEN you are in the club.

Serously, welcome aboard.
Me, I would leave the fan on the switch.
The sensor that tells the fan to kick on is poorly placed, and tends not to turn on the fan.

[racydave]

No, my fan and switch are un-molested and work every time!

[katsi]

Nice - Whad ya pay for her?
I too have issues with my fan and hooked up a fan switch and was looking for someplace to mount it. Never thought of that center peice to the dash. Although, that is where my hazard switch is so I may place it below in the wood.
Anyway, nice car.

[digitech]

Usually, when an external, manual fan switch is added, it is wired in parallel (in addition to) the existing thermo switch. The external switch is a desirable addition - peace of mind while stuck in traffic and an easy way to test the fan anytime you like. Verify the wiring and leave it in.

[katsi]

I totally agree with the digital man but, be carefull if you need to replace the thermal switch. When I went to unscrew mine, it had been on so long, it took part of the radiator with it. Had to get a new radiator and switch.

[lordxenu]

I totally agree with the digital man but, be carefull if you need to replace the thermal switch. When I went to unscrew mine, it had been on so long, it took part of the radiator with it. Had to get a new radiator and switch.

I paid $2800 for this car.

I bought a new fan switch and a head gasket set (to get the various little gaskets around the head, valve covers...cam covers, etc.)

I also have a new oil filter and some Castrol GTX 20w50 waiting for it when I get the oil leak solved (cam cover gasket is leaking)

I think the fan switch will be fine, the radiator was taken out and taken to a cleaner when the 3rd owner had it. Also this manual switch is rigged all to hell, we can't even connect the fan switch because of the way its wired, so I've got to do a bit of electrical work to fix it back to normal.