FrankenStein lives...
Took my first drive last night, and actually put on a whopping 6.5 miles. Weather was too beautiful to pass up. Had been 70ish all afternoon, and no precipitation. Only ventured around the country block three times cuz i have no tags, and no lights.
Discovered that the speedo in addition to the tach works. No gauges or idiot lights function, so the dash is now the major issue. Lucas, Lord of Darkness will have to be taught to obey.
Brakes are a little weak. New pads, shoes and rebuilt calipers don't seem to overcome the inertia of the six cylinder engine's weight on a system designed for a four cyl motor. maybe after the rotors get a chance to set...
The aftermarket exhaust keeps the noise tolerable, but it sure isn't producing the correct sports car sound. the tranny and clutch seem just fine, both in all four forward as well as reverse gears.
So, i am pleasantly encouraged to proceed with this restoration project. tackling the electrics will be a month long ordeal, i am sure. and the upholstery will continue to be restored.
Periodic progress reports to follow.
it's alive !!
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mdrburchette
- Posts: 5754
- Joined: Wed Jan 25, 2006 5:49 am
- Your car is a: 1972 Fiat 124 Sport
- Location: Winston-Salem, NC
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mbouse
At this point in time, there is no comparison.
i continue to say, as soon as i sell the triumph, i am building a 2 litre Spider engine. I just hope my '80 Spider makes it 'til then.
but, it sure was nice getting some wind in my hair yesterday! The SpitWad was the only thing available to provide that enjoyment. It is too early to think of getting the Spiders on the road. Too much road salt still laying around....waiting for a couple of good rain showers.
i continue to say, as soon as i sell the triumph, i am building a 2 litre Spider engine. I just hope my '80 Spider makes it 'til then.
but, it sure was nice getting some wind in my hair yesterday! The SpitWad was the only thing available to provide that enjoyment. It is too early to think of getting the Spiders on the road. Too much road salt still laying around....waiting for a couple of good rain showers.
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mbouse
Fun is a good word. Lots of work.
It is very interesting to be able to use the wrenches and sockets i've stuffed in the back of the tool chest since buying my first Spider. Everything on the SpitWad is in inches. At the same time, it is a little frustrating cuz the fasteners are not off the shelf items, again. most fasteners are in fine thread, not National Course. Makes for quite a few trips to Fastenal for a bag of bolts or nuts.
HOWEVER I smell spring in the air. Once that happens, it is all over and done with while the Spiders come out to play!! The SpitWad should be painted red, cuz it is gonna get treated like the red-headed step child in about a month.
It is very interesting to be able to use the wrenches and sockets i've stuffed in the back of the tool chest since buying my first Spider. Everything on the SpitWad is in inches. At the same time, it is a little frustrating cuz the fasteners are not off the shelf items, again. most fasteners are in fine thread, not National Course. Makes for quite a few trips to Fastenal for a bag of bolts or nuts.
HOWEVER I smell spring in the air. Once that happens, it is all over and done with while the Spiders come out to play!! The SpitWad should be painted red, cuz it is gonna get treated like the red-headed step child in about a month.
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So Cal Mark
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mbouse
Actually, Mark, on the '69 they are US threads. I understand your comment however. Earlier on, the Brits used yet another thread pattern here-to-for misunderstood by those of us who refer to earth as something you walk on, and not secure a black wire to. Commonly referred to as the Whitworth threads, or BSW "British Standard Whitworth". Then there are the BA, or British Association threads, and the British Standard Fine (BSF).
Those crazy threads can be found on almost everything British before, say 1966. And Mark is correct, these curious threads are very, very near US threads, unlike the obviously different metric thread patterns Spider owners are used to. These threads are even more confusing when one considers the bolt shank, or hole size is the same as US bolts, and the bolt head is in inches as well.
My '69 is a Federalized vehicle, meaning it has left hand steer, gauges behind the steer wheel, and US fasteners. it contains zero metric fasteners, and all US threads with US hex heads. Triumph went to great lengths to make this car very very acceptable to as much of its US market as possible. Unfortunately, the boot is not something to put your foot in. And the cubby still holds your maps.
Thread gauges have become my most treasured tool in the box lately. Thanks for letting me share some of what i was forced to learn over the long winter.
Those crazy threads can be found on almost everything British before, say 1966. And Mark is correct, these curious threads are very, very near US threads, unlike the obviously different metric thread patterns Spider owners are used to. These threads are even more confusing when one considers the bolt shank, or hole size is the same as US bolts, and the bolt head is in inches as well.
My '69 is a Federalized vehicle, meaning it has left hand steer, gauges behind the steer wheel, and US fasteners. it contains zero metric fasteners, and all US threads with US hex heads. Triumph went to great lengths to make this car very very acceptable to as much of its US market as possible. Unfortunately, the boot is not something to put your foot in. And the cubby still holds your maps.
Thread gauges have become my most treasured tool in the box lately. Thanks for letting me share some of what i was forced to learn over the long winter.
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mdrburchette
- Posts: 5754
- Joined: Wed Jan 25, 2006 5:49 am
- Your car is a: 1972 Fiat 124 Sport
- Location: Winston-Salem, NC
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mbouse
makes me wonder how many still are out there that i don't know about. we americans get an awfully puffy head sometimes and think that what we do and say is the best for the rest of the world.
i remember them telling me and my parents when i was in grade school that by the time i graduated the US would be 100% metric. i remember my dad laughing out loud, and quietly trying to hold me back a few years to slow the progress of metrics.
i remember them telling me and my parents when i was in grade school that by the time i graduated the US would be 100% metric. i remember my dad laughing out loud, and quietly trying to hold me back a few years to slow the progress of metrics.
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Jim DeShon
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mbouse
i finally found some non-US standard threads. Nope, not metric either.
They appear to be #8-24 which if true, is not a common size. Most assuredly they are Whitworth threads.
These threads I found on the stock gauges, made in the UK. the threads for the bolts that hold the gauge to the dash board.
Man, I can envision someone getting frustrated, and forcing something close to fit. Wow, would that make a mess.
They appear to be #8-24 which if true, is not a common size. Most assuredly they are Whitworth threads.
These threads I found on the stock gauges, made in the UK. the threads for the bolts that hold the gauge to the dash board.
Man, I can envision someone getting frustrated, and forcing something close to fit. Wow, would that make a mess.
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Michael N. Marcus
When I was a teenager I had a Raleigh 10-speed bike that used the dreaded Whitworth fasteners. One time I was about 10 miles from home, and one pedal fell off because a bolt disappeared. None of the nearby hardware stores stocked Whitworth bolts (no surprise) and I had to ride home with ONE PEDAL.mdrburchette wrote:Thanks for sharing your knowledge, Mike. I never knew there were more than just the standard or metric thread measurements.
Fortunately, that one pedal did have a toe clip and leather strap, so I was able to push down and pull up with my right leg, while my left leg went along for the ride.
It was not fun.
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The Magic Fiat
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mbouse
Neil,
Over the years, Lucas has out-performed himself, and has graduated to being a Lord, which carries much more weight than a mere Prince.
And, we are counting on the fact that the LBC market is substantially friendlier to the seller. It is our intent to relinquish title to this vehicle at the worst, with a break-even bottom line. Of course, a small profit would not be turned away either.
A budget was set before we knew the sources of parts, and I am happy to say with only two exceptions we've stayed within the budget. Wasn't planning on replacing the wind screen, but had no choice. And who could have forseen that the vinyl kits for the seats were in excess of $500 for the pair? Other than those two items, pretty much...if you have experience with Spider restorations, you can peg a SpitWad restoration cost fairly well. The sources are different, but the costs are similar.
Resale is completely different due to the popularity of the marquee. British autos, especially sports cars are much more in demand than Fiats and Lancias. Even the clueless quicky name the Brit auto. I still cringe when I hear how much someone likes my MG. It's not an MG....it's a....FIAT!
Over the years, Lucas has out-performed himself, and has graduated to being a Lord, which carries much more weight than a mere Prince.
And, we are counting on the fact that the LBC market is substantially friendlier to the seller. It is our intent to relinquish title to this vehicle at the worst, with a break-even bottom line. Of course, a small profit would not be turned away either.
A budget was set before we knew the sources of parts, and I am happy to say with only two exceptions we've stayed within the budget. Wasn't planning on replacing the wind screen, but had no choice. And who could have forseen that the vinyl kits for the seats were in excess of $500 for the pair? Other than those two items, pretty much...if you have experience with Spider restorations, you can peg a SpitWad restoration cost fairly well. The sources are different, but the costs are similar.
Resale is completely different due to the popularity of the marquee. British autos, especially sports cars are much more in demand than Fiats and Lancias. Even the clueless quicky name the Brit auto. I still cringe when I hear how much someone likes my MG. It's not an MG....it's a....FIAT!
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Jim DeShon