Pics of my new "project"

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cutchaguy

Pics of my new "project"

Post by cutchaguy »

1981 Fiat Spider 2000, 5 speed manual. Purchased for $1850.


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Front

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Rear...the duct tape is a nice touch. Who needs window tinting when I got that cool yellow blocking the sun?

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Engine

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Engine

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What is the name of the part where the two coolant hoses connect? There is a leak coming from it and I don't know the name so I cannot order the correct gasket. I've looked in the Haynes manual and didn't see the part name.
cutchaguy

Re: Pics of my new "project"

Post by cutchaguy »

Forgot to ask if anyone has a source for the panels in the trunk that hide the spare tire and protect the fuel tanks and hoses?
radiopilot

Re: Pics of my new "project"

Post by radiopilot »

Not a bad buy, bet it will look nice after you're done... looks like my car and it runs excellent on the FI system.

The part you're referring to is the 'throttle plate heater'. I've never had a leak on mine so don't know what gasket to use. Looks like you could buy gasket material and RTV and make one that should work fine. One thing I would do right away is get rid of the braided fuel line and replace with a new one... mine was cracked and it leaked fuel. I replaced all the braided and rubber hoses on my car to be safe... those hoses are almost 30 years old on stock cars.

Get an 1/8 inch panel board at HomeDepot or Lowes and cut to shape, cover with dynamat or your favorite sound deadening material and cover with carpet of your choice... there are a couple of twist nuts to hold the carpet/panel in place... look for them just below the trunk lid rim underneath...

Nick
mbouse

Re: Pics of my new "project"

Post by mbouse »

yup, rubber=5year life

trunk=masonite boards, lumberyard

duct tape=every man's favorite tool

looks like your top is losing air pressure. better drop the top and get some high speed miles on that car to refill the top.
cutchaguy

Re: Pics of my new "project"

Post by cutchaguy »

Yes...all hoses are going to go and new ones are on the list.

The problem with just going to the lumberyard and getting masonite is that I don't have a template for the floorboards. I've seen pictures where I saw a plastic "shroud" (for lack of a proper term) that protects the hoses going into and out of the gas tank. Seems like a really good idea to me.

I see this car being a darker red metallic (garnet?) with a black top and interior when it gets to that time. There was minimal rust, some had been just painted over but it didn't feel "soft" when I pressed on it. Floor pan will need replacing/repairing, naturally.

Oh...naturally...the clock still works and keeps perfect time. :p
mbouse

Re: Pics of my new "project"

Post by mbouse »

where do you live? if there is another Spider nearby, you could trace those masonite pieces and cut your own easily.

yes, there are two. the piece covering the fuel tank is secured, and does not remove w/out a screwdriver. the piece covering the spare tire is loosely fitted in place by gravity and a set of clips. Finding the clips is a great project... ask the boyz with parts cars for a set of clips.

additionally ask the guys with parts cars for one of those plastic shrouds. careful placement of your trunk contents will have to suffice until you can locate a shroud. i know of no where you could buy this part new.
Foster48x

Re: Pics of my new "project"

Post by Foster48x »

PO got a little crazy with the overspray in the engine compartment :shock:

Looks like you got a keeper though.
User avatar
manoa matt
Posts: 3442
Joined: Thu Oct 26, 2006 4:28 pm
Your car is a: 1978 Fiat 124 Spider 1800
Location: Honolulu, Hawaii

Re: Pics of my new "project"

Post by manoa matt »

Welcome to the forum, that looks like a nice ride. I got the trunk boards with all the hardware. If you want I can trace the boards remove the hardware and send you the tracings and hardware. Or I could just send the whole boards.

matt.scarton@gmail.com
cutchaguy

Re: Pics of my new "project"

Post by cutchaguy »

manoa matt wrote:Welcome to the forum, that looks like a nice ride. I got the trunk boards with all the hardware. If you want I can trace the boards remove the hardware and send you the tracings and hardware. Or I could just send the whole boards.

matt.scarton@gmail.com
I'm coming to Maui in December... :D
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Kingme2
Posts: 291
Joined: Tue Aug 11, 2009 1:04 am
Your car is a: 1980 124 Spider
Location: Calgary, Alberta

Re: Pics of my new "project"

Post by Kingme2 »

lol, I'll come too if you need help putting the tracing into your bag...
Due to recent budget cuts and the rising cost of electricity, gas, and oil, we have decided to turn off the light at the end of the tunnel. We apologize for any inconvenience.

1981 Fiat Spider, all black... "Corvino", italian for the Raven
User avatar
manoa matt
Posts: 3442
Joined: Thu Oct 26, 2006 4:28 pm
Your car is a: 1978 Fiat 124 Spider 1800
Location: Honolulu, Hawaii

Re: Pics of my new "project"

Post by manoa matt »

I should be here on Oahu until Dec 22nd and back just after the new year. I'll keep it on hold for you. Depending upon your airline, you may have a layover/stop in Honolulu to switch planes before going on to Maui. I can meet you at the airport durring the layover if you buy me a beer at the airport bar. If we can't meet up I'm sure we can work out some sort of deal to get the parts between the islands. Keep in thouch.

Matt
cutchaguy

Re: Pics of my new "project"

Post by cutchaguy »

manoa matt wrote:I should be here on Oahu until Dec 22nd and back just after the new year. I'll keep it on hold for you. Depending upon your airline, you may have a layover/stop in Honolulu to switch planes before going on to Maui. I can meet you at the airport durring the layover if you buy me a beer at the airport bar. If we can't meet up I'm sure we can work out some sort of deal to get the parts between the islands. Keep in thouch.

Matt
I have a direct flight from Portland to Maui. Shoot me a pm with cost to ship to Salem, Oregon, and what you would like for them, and an address to send some $. I'll make sure to include a "found in Oregon" item as well as a thank you for your generosity! :)
User avatar
manoa matt
Posts: 3442
Joined: Thu Oct 26, 2006 4:28 pm
Your car is a: 1978 Fiat 124 Spider 1800
Location: Honolulu, Hawaii

Re: Pics of my new "project"

Post by manoa matt »

I'll be in and around the Portland area from September 19th through September 24th. I'll be meeting up with my parents who are currently traveling the pacific northwest in their new Airstream trailer. Going to do some flyfishing in Oregon around the Portland area. Maybe I can deliver it in person.
zachmac
Posts: 1278
Joined: Sun Aug 24, 2008 9:20 am
Your car is a: 1978 Spider [1979 2 ltr engine]
Location: Aiken, SC

Re: Pics of my new "project"

Post by zachmac »

cutchaguy wrote:What is the name of the part where the two coolant hoses connect? There is a leak coming from it and I don't know the name so I cannot order the correct gasket. I've looked in the Haynes manual and didn't see the part name.
Your car might be different but on my 1980 FI car that little hater part is simply bolted on top of the intake plenum and otherwise has no "communication with it or any gaskets? It simply sits there and passes warm water over the plenum to heat up the air flow faster to assist with emmisions control as far as I know. If it leaks coolant then either one of the hoses is leaking or one of the seams on the part itself.

BTW, I have emailed other FI car owners and no manual that anyone has seen talks about this part or its function. My theory above is a guess. I removed mine and am planning on simply routing a hose from the the hard pipe T to the in line T going to the block. This cleans up the engine compartment, keeps the air charge cooler (which might be a bad emmision thing but is a GOOD pawer thing), and maintians a path for coolant flow to the back of the block whenever you have the heater control valve closed.
Jeff Klein, Aiken, SC
1980 FI Spider, Veridian with Tan (sold about a year ago), in the market for another project
1989 Spider, sold
2008 Mercedes SL65
2008 S600 Mercedes V12
Foster48x

Re: Pics of my new "project"

Post by Foster48x »

zachmac wrote:
cutchaguy wrote:What is the name of the part where the two coolant hoses connect? There is a leak coming from it and I don't know the name so I cannot order the correct gasket. I've looked in the Haynes manual and didn't see the part name.
Your car might be different but on my 1980 FI car that little hater part is simply bolted on top of the intake plenum and otherwise has no "communication with it or any gaskets? It simply sits there and passes warm water over the plenum to heat up the air flow faster to assist with emmisions control as far as I know. If it leaks coolant then either one of the hoses is leaking or one of the seams on the part itself.

BTW, I have emailed other FI car owners and no manual that anyone has seen talks about this part or its function. My theory above is a guess. I removed mine and am planning on simply routing a hose from the the hard pipe T to the in line T going to the block. This cleans up the engine compartment, keeps the air charge cooler (which might be a bad emmision thing but is a GOOD pawer thing), and maintians a path for coolant flow to the back of the block whenever you have the heater control valve closed.
In the Factory Service Manual for the 80 FI they refer to part your talking about as a "throttle plate heater".
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