Ok first off I am new to the forum and Fiats, and enjoying every minuet of it...

Back story, I was offered a 1975 Fiat Spider for a project a month ago. I accepted it sight unseen, and picked it up 3 weeks ago. Over all when I got it, it was dirty and had been sitting but all the parts seemed to be there and the body was in good shape. Problem areas I found was the floor boards (seems to be a common issue on the forum) and less than significant body rust on the door, and minor rust on the trunk lid and gas cap lid. Photos in my first post http://www.fiatspider.com/f08/viewtopic ... 13&t=23353

Since then I have been under the hood (if the hood was attached) and I have found the the engine seems to be in better shape that expected. At first I was told it was probably in need of a rebuild, to find that all the seals in the engine seem to be new or never used and the top end is extremely clean with no build up or corrosion inside the over head cams and the oil in the engine is clean like it is never been run. The only issue that seems to be there is the water channels where the water pump was is rusty, a little additive should fix that.
After tinkering for the last 2 weeks I have tested the starters that I got with it and the alternators (all tested good) managed to re-install the starter and a new battery and test. The engine turns over with little effort from the starter, and the fuel pump runs (loud but works, will replace with an after market one). Checked to see if she would start with a little fuel, no spark so no go.
I am hopeful to have her running with in a month. have a laundry list of things that need to be done first like: re-install the new radiator, timing belt cover, alternator, re-plumb the fuel system, reattach the transmission support bracket, and a bunch more....

Just wanted to update you guys and see what you guys may think i need to do while I am at this before I do something stupid.
Thanks

Just everyone's 2 cents:
Before you try to start the car, replace the timing belt. AR has a good package deal on water pump, timing belt, etc that would be a good plan.
Personally, I would replace radiator hoses, brake booster hose, vac lines, rubber sections of fuel system. Old rubber is going to cause problems once you get her going. Do it now and save the headache.

SoFlaFiat wrote:Just everyone's 2 cents:
Before you try to start the car, replace the timing belt. AR has a good package deal on water pump, timing belt, etc that would be a good plan.
Personally, I would replace radiator hoses, brake booster hose, vac lines, rubber sections of fuel system. Old rubber is going to cause problems once you get her going. Do it now and save the headache.

Thanks for your information I was planning on doing all of that because, I was fortunate enough to get with the car a box of new parts, to include; new water pump, new belts, hoses for the new radiator, role of fuel line, heater hoses, break system parts, axle parts, and more.

I got really lucky when I found that box in the trunk.

Update,
Testing why I am not getting fire from my plugs, I find that all my wires are just too old to do anything. I also tested my ignition coil and it test the same as the new one. So it is off to get new wires, for some reason no one near me seems to have the spark plug wires I needed so I went with a custom set. Also the fuel pump seems to be in good shape, the noise it was making was due to the thing not being attached correctly to the trunk.
Durring the time I wasnt testing and figuring out the spark issue, I was re plumbing the cooling system with new rubber and adding a little paint to a few pieces to touch them up a bit. (Pictures to come)
Next thing I need to do is test and re attach the alternator, cut and install the new spark plug wires, install the new belts, replumb the heater and fuel lines, and along the way little touch ups since the peices are already off.

Over all not moving to fast and may not meet my goal of the end of the month to get her running, but closer each time I get time to work on her. I will keep you posted.