My Second Fiat - The Runner

[wachuko]

Look what just showed up! I like it!! This is the look I wanted. And don't ask if it works, hahahaha I need to install the seat to check how effective it is. But it has a nice looking convex mirror... seems it will work perfectly.









I used a big flat washer and installed the pin in one of the existing holes with the bolt and big washer in the big center hole where the cable/adjuster used to be... So no need to drill any holes and the existing ones are covered by the rubber gasket.

[wachuko]

Going back to a subject about 4 pages ago in this thread, did you ever get the LR bumper shock bolt out? I did mine today on my 82 by draining the tank but having done it, I think I could have done it by jacking up the tank. I say this because I loosened the clamp and drained the tank, but when I lifted and moved the tank, the filler hose never came completely off the tank neck. So I think it would have worked with a jack under the tank.

Jeff

Jaime,

you don't need to remove the tank to get the second bumper shock out, you can lift it with a car jack while all lines stay in place, this worked for me.

ciao,
Stefan

Well, confirmed it can be done by just carefully jacking up the tank. Thank you again Stefan!!

First loosen up the bolt with a 22mm wrench
Remove the four 13mm nuts that hold the gas tank down
You lift it until is above the four bolts that holds it in place and gently move it side ways away from the bolt.
Undo the bolt. Laugh a little for wasting so much time getting the tank out in the past now knowing you did not have to
Lower the lift a little to allow you to push it back into place.
Lower the lift completely so it comes down in place.
Tighten the four nuts (maybe, because of where those are, it is good to put a little of anti seize on them).
Pull out that nasty looking bumper shock!
Pat yourself in the back for a job well done and treat yourself to an espresso to celebrate.
One man job.

A few photos:

[wachuko]

I wanted something with the Italian flag colors... got this emblem and stuck in the the back:

[jimincalif]

Looking good! FYI when I pulled my tank out, it had some cheesy foam-type weatherstripping around the lip where it rests on the trunk floor that was in pretty sad shape. I cleaned it off and used 3M Strip Calk around the lip. Seals moisture, stays flexible.

Jim

[wachuko]

Looking good! FYI when I pulled my tank out, it had some cheesy foam-type weatherstripping around the lip where it rests on the trunk floor that was in pretty sad shape. I cleaned it off and used 3M Strip Calk around the lip. Seals moisture, stays flexible.

Jim

Jim, thank you, I will get some (I am thinking at the local paint supply store). The one in this car is gone...

[wachuko]

Just a few random photos...

Bought some 5/16" hard fuel/brake line to replace the rusted one.

I had to install the seat to move the car around..





Doing some work on the passenger seat. Bottom pan was badly rusted. I had some sheet of aluminum in the garage + some epoxy = repaired seat pan. Work in progress... have to do it by section and build up little by little in some areas. Father-in-law suggested I do it with fiberglass, but I still don't have good skills working with it.





















Also got some time to install the aluminum coolant overflow tank. Don't mind the multicolor in the engine bay... once everything is running as it should I will remove it all and clean and cover with POR15 until I get the body shop to fix the bubbles (rust) and get a quart of paint. When the engine comes out to put in the second engine I will spray the engine bay the same color as the outside.








Also replaced the distributor and pickup cable. When Randy (BEEK) was over he noticed that the distributor cap had groves in the contact points (a new distributor cap...). Seems there was some play in the distributor. In goes the one from the second engine. Had to set the time again, route the cables to make sure I don't fry them again...





That is all for tonight. Ciao!

[wachuko]

Almost forgot... and a video of the engine taken tonight

Have not had the chance to do any trouble shooting to figure out why is working like that without the temp sensor connected...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-0BYcegPzw8

[Snoopy]

idle very nice

[narfire]

Jamie, are you going to protect the rubber intake and vacume advance with anything to protect from the heat? I see you're going to use Marks headers. Perhaps they are a bit cooler than the type you have on now. I saw somwhere someone had fabricated a shield,but not sure how it would mount to the ansa type headers.

[wachuko]

Jaime, are you going to protect the rubber intake and vacume advance with anything to protect from the heat? I see you're going to use Marks headers. Perhaps they are a bit cooler than the type you have on now. I saw somwhere someone had fabricated a shield,but not sure how it would mount to the ansa type headers.

I am hoping to be able to go to Mark's headers sometime in August ($$ permitting). So I was not planning on doing anything else in that area. Depending on what temps I see around the intake hose I might wrap it with some heat shield for now but the part that was being affected the most was the coolant overflow tank. It was just too close to the headers.

When I go to a dual carburetor setup I will not have to worry about that intake hose getting melted by the heat

[Snoopy]

Its all ok ? We are waiting every day for news .

[wachuko]

Its all ok ? We are waiting every day for news .

All is fine. Took a few days off for personal travel to celebrate the birthday of my friend's daughter. She turned 15 years old and it is a big celebration where I come from. Back home today so it is back to work and back to working in the car. Updates to come this afternoon.

[wachuko]

It has been crazy at work lately, so I have not had a chance to work on the Spider. I was able to do just a little bit last night...

Got a new steel line to replace the fuel line that is corroded.




Also removed the old top. Noticed that the front metal needs work (looks like previous owner did a poor job repairing it with some cheap bondo...) and the first bow looks bent. I need to go back to the other frame to see the condition of that first bow. After I decide if I need to bend this one back into shape or if the second frame has a better one, I will paint the frame, lubricate it and get it ready to install the new top (BEEK volunteer to help, something we might do towards the end of next month or sometime in June).












Got the dash installed (I was just trying to progress the car... so took what ever simple and quick task to move it along...)




That is all for now...

[Europa]

Jaime, your header bow looks rough. Does it look like you can bring it back to life?

I am going through the same process, except my frame doesn't look bad. I too cleaned, sanded, primed and painted the frame. Haven't put the new top on yet; ran out of time.

BTW, where can you get (or fabricate) the soft rubber lining at the very front of the header bow? Mine is somewhat shot and in certain areas the edge of the bow is sharp. Over time that sharp edge may cut through the new top. Any suggestions?

[narfire]

BTW, where can you get (or fabricate) the soft rubber lining at the very front of the header bow? Mine is somewhat shot and in certain areas the edge of the bow is sharp. Over time that sharp edge may cut through the new top. Any suggestions?

If I think you mean the leading edge of the header bow.. on the top of the 72 I had a thin piece of plastic that kinda clipped over the sharp leading edge but on the 80 I did'nt have that strip so I layered up some good old duct tape.Seems to be working 2 years later