1981 Fiat Spider 2000 - What am I doing!? LOL!!

This is the place to discuss restoration problems, post questions or projects-complete or partial.
Post Reply
jimmycakes401

Re: 1981 Fiat Spider 2000 - What am I doing!? LOL!!

Post by jimmycakes401 »

What are roofing screws?

Anyway! Got out on the road! Last week my father-in-laws drove me down to inspection. I have dual registration here in RI so I can go to shows and stuff, but also cruise with a passenger. It passed just fine. Safety really.

After inspection we headed over to a parking lot so I could get used to starting and going. I never had to drive a manual, so it is taking some getting used to. I'm not stalling or grinding anything so I'm pretty happy. The RPMs were up around 1800 and I didn't even have to press the gas much. I adjusted it to around 1200 but haven't taken it out again. There's been a lot of rain up here and this cars not going out into the ran. Hoping to get a few more really nice days so I can have some fun before winter.

My battery seems to be charging fine. I think it just got down really low. Going to invest in a trickle charger for the winter months. It has new oil in it. I'll probably change the oil again in the spring. It hadn't been on the road since 1989. The guy left the old CT inspection sticker on there for me. He said it wasn't illegal to leave it, so I left it on for fun.
User avatar
4uall
Posts: 4145
Joined: Mon Sep 26, 2011 12:09 pm
Your car is a: 1980 Fiat Pininfarina Spider 2000 F.I.
Location: Ottawa, Ontario, Canada

Re: 1981 Fiat Spider 2000 - What am I doing!? LOL!!

Post by 4uall »

That is awesome. I am very happy for you. Hope all continues well for you and your car :wink:
Jay

Fiona
1980 FI 2000 Spider
ITZEBTZE

https://goo.gl/photos/eNKaX7hrXhBu9fmp6

FINN (FN-2187)
2014 Jeep Wrangler Sport
MYTHERPY
User avatar
124JOE
Posts: 3141
Joined: Fri Jun 24, 2011 7:11 pm
Your car is a: 1978 124 fiat spider sport 1800
Location: SO. WI

Re: 1981 Fiat Spider 2000 - What am I doing!? LOL!!

Post by 124JOE »

Yes,yes that's great news
I'm very happy for you and your car
It should idle at 850 rpm
The trickle charger is a good idea
when you do everything correct people arent sure youve done anything at all (futurama)
ul1joe@yahoo.com 124joe@gmail.com
jimmycakes401

Re: 1981 Fiat Spider 2000 - What am I doing!? LOL!!

Post by jimmycakes401 »

I shall lower the rpm later today. Sun is shining. I have a lot to do later. Not sure if I'll have time for a practice run.
User avatar
giuliot60
Posts: 715
Joined: Fri Mar 30, 2012 9:39 pm
Your car is a: 81 Fiat Turbo removed Spider
Location: Concord, NC (Charlotte area)

Re: 1981 Fiat Spider 2000 - What am I doing!? LOL!!

Post by giuliot60 »

If you don't already have it, Brad Artique's FI maintenance guide has idle adjustment procedures.

http://www.artigue.com/fiat/
Giulio/Charlotte
1st car '75 pistachio 128 sedan
Owned a '74 Spider, '68 Firebird, a '65 GTO convertible, and a customized '74 650 Yamaha
Currently own an '81 Turbo (removed) Spider
jimmycakes401

Re: 1981 Fiat Spider 2000 - What am I doing!? LOL!!

Post by jimmycakes401 »

I do have that. I need to read through it again.
User avatar
4uall
Posts: 4145
Joined: Mon Sep 26, 2011 12:09 pm
Your car is a: 1980 Fiat Pininfarina Spider 2000 F.I.
Location: Ottawa, Ontario, Canada

Re: 1981 Fiat Spider 2000 - What am I doing!? LOL!!

Post by 4uall »

5.10.2 Idle Speed Setting.

Run the engine to normal operating temperature. On cars with automatic transmissions,
set the parking brake, block the wheels, and put the transmission in "D". Completely
seat the idle speed screw. Loosen the accelerator linkage stop screw retaining nut and
adjust the stop screw to achieve 800 to 900 RPM on manual transmissions and 700 to
800 RPM on automatic transmissions.

Lock the accelerator stop screw with the retaining nut. Use the idle speed screw (1) to
set idle at 850 to 900 RPM on manual transmissions and 700 to 800 RPM on automatic
transmissions. If idle speed cannot be reached using this procedure, fully remove the
idle speed screw (2) and clean the orifice and the screw itself using a high pressure
spray cleaner (carburetor cleaner is fine).
Jay

Fiona
1980 FI 2000 Spider
ITZEBTZE

https://goo.gl/photos/eNKaX7hrXhBu9fmp6

FINN (FN-2187)
2014 Jeep Wrangler Sport
MYTHERPY
User avatar
giuliot60
Posts: 715
Joined: Fri Mar 30, 2012 9:39 pm
Your car is a: 81 Fiat Turbo removed Spider
Location: Concord, NC (Charlotte area)

Re: 1981 Fiat Spider 2000 - What am I doing!? LOL!!

Post by giuliot60 »

Well said Jay. I see you've been doing your homework :)
Giulio/Charlotte
1st car '75 pistachio 128 sedan
Owned a '74 Spider, '68 Firebird, a '65 GTO convertible, and a customized '74 650 Yamaha
Currently own an '81 Turbo (removed) Spider
User avatar
seabeelt
Patron 2019
Patron 2019
Posts: 1614
Joined: Tue Feb 19, 2008 4:22 pm
Your car is a: Fiat Spider - 1971 BS1
Location: Tiverton, RI

Re: 1981 Fiat Spider 2000 - What am I doing!? LOL!!

Post by seabeelt »

You finally got there, Congratulations :!: Just curious, you mentioned dual registration in RI, I 'm getting ready to register the 71 and was wondering if there was and extra fee for the dual registration. Also how did you insure it, (who - Hagerty or American Collectibles or????)
Michael and Deborah Williamson
1971 Spider -Tropie’ - w screaming IDFs
1971 Spider - Vesper -scrapped
1979 Spider - Seraphina - our son's car now sold
1972 Spider - Tortellini- our son's current
jimmycakes401

Re: 1981 Fiat Spider 2000 - What am I doing!? LOL!!

Post by jimmycakes401 »

I believe I went with America.

I want to say it was like $6 extra?

Thanks for the idle info Jay!
User avatar
4uall
Posts: 4145
Joined: Mon Sep 26, 2011 12:09 pm
Your car is a: 1980 Fiat Pininfarina Spider 2000 F.I.
Location: Ottawa, Ontario, Canada

Re: 1981 Fiat Spider 2000 - What am I doing!? LOL!!

Post by 4uall »

:wink:
Jay

Fiona
1980 FI 2000 Spider
ITZEBTZE

https://goo.gl/photos/eNKaX7hrXhBu9fmp6

FINN (FN-2187)
2014 Jeep Wrangler Sport
MYTHERPY
jimmycakes401

Re: 1981 Fiat Spider 2000 - What am I doing!? LOL!!

Post by jimmycakes401 »

Hmmm... When I was in the garage I didn't think the video was picking up the gauges. But it did. You can't see them long. LOL. My battery light is still on but everything seems to be charging fine....

Image
jimmycakes401

Re: 1981 Fiat Spider 2000 - What am I doing!? LOL!!

Post by jimmycakes401 »

Having major trouble finding where my wire is hitting ground. Anyone with any suggestions on my inline injector fuse suddenly blowing, please chime in. Visit this thread for more info. Fiat isn't leaving the garage until it's fixed. And it's really nice out!!!!

http://www.fiatspider.com/f08/viewtopic ... 30&t=20963
jimmycakes401

Re: 1981 Fiat Spider 2000 - What am I doing!? LOL!!

Post by jimmycakes401 »

Back in shape. Cars running. Any questions, check out the link to the thread in the previous post.
User avatar
4uall
Posts: 4145
Joined: Mon Sep 26, 2011 12:09 pm
Your car is a: 1980 Fiat Pininfarina Spider 2000 F.I.
Location: Ottawa, Ontario, Canada

Re: 1981 Fiat Spider 2000 - What am I doing!? LOL!!

Post by 4uall »

I am super happy for you :lol:
Jay

Fiona
1980 FI 2000 Spider
ITZEBTZE

https://goo.gl/photos/eNKaX7hrXhBu9fmp6

FINN (FN-2187)
2014 Jeep Wrangler Sport
MYTHERPY
Post Reply