Hi All,
Time to start another thread for “Norma”, my second 1979 Spider, which I believe may be the 5th CS2 off the assembly line! Norma has a much nicer body than “Mark” which has a thread in Restorations. (having two blue 1979 Fiats I had to name them, so I used the previous owners names),


Anyhow, Norma has had some significant work done over the last few years by the PO, including engine work, a fancy rad and starter, headers and complete upholstery and body painting. Nevertheless there has been a litany of upgrades, rehabilitations and maintenance work completed since March. The initial emphasis has been on the engine and electrical systems.

The engine related work has included:

• install new spark plugs and wires
  check timing and check vacuum advance (dead)
  install single plane intake manifold (why the PO’s mechanic rebuilt the engine +1 and left the original intake manifold eludes me)
  rebuild & install a 32 adf carb with a new idle solenoid
  install new heater pipe with tee for water choke on 32 adf
  install new air cleaner assembly for 32 adf carb
  install new Olio oil pressure gauge sender & tee

Remaining planned engine work includes replacement of the vacuum advance and installation of a SS heat shield on the heaters to protect the dizzy and other parts.

Electrically the car was a disaster, lights didn’t work, random wires everywhere, remnants of an anti theft system, it was horrible. I must have removed 10 lbs of useless wires and non original components from the car.


The electrical work, so far, has included:

• clean grounds on fenders, under dash and in trunk
  clean taillight assemblies
  replace cracked headlight lens
  Sort out headlight/parking light issues & clean contacts
  install aqua coolant gauge
  install benzina fuel gauge
  install olio oil pressure gauge (in place of the clock)
  install new LED gauge lights (same as I did on Mark)
  clean all contacts on fuse panel and install the correct fuses in the correct places.
  install new handbrake switch
  repair/rebuild ignition switch contacts
  build & install Ignition switch relays
  remove mystery wiring under dash, restore to stock
  restore seatbelt light wiring
  sort out radio wiring

The only significant electrical items remaining to be done are to construct and install relay kits for the headlights and for the wipers (same as I did for Mark).

The suspension and brakes are in need of maintenance. To date I have lubricated all the brake caliper wedges and adjusted the handbrake. That has eliminated the pulling. I was pleased to see that all the pads and rotors have lots of meat remaining.

The suspension is the current focus. I note the car is about an inch lower than Mark, and the front springs are yellow, so my suspicion is that they were replaced at some point. Given the huge difference new bushings made in Mark, I am just starting that process on Norma. I am planning new ball joints, but not new tie rod ends. I did check and made sure the idler is full of oil.

I have been temporarily sidetracked because the heater control valve started leaking on Sunday. It is the original valve and has now been removed. I will be curious to see how much “bending” of the pipe is actually required to adapt the original inlet pipe to the new style heater valve. This happened after I replaced the broken actuator cable for the floor/defrost deflector.
There is currently a fan/heater trying to dry out the carpet and felt underneath, sigh.

Cosmetically the car is pretty good, the body was repainted, I have not found any rust around the rear wheels (I suspect one or both rear fenders have been replaced), but I have made a few minor refurbishments including

• install new door blocks
  install new Spider 2000 trunk lock bezel (carb version)
  install new hood bumper blocks
  install replacement jack handle (it had a jack but no handle as I found out then I had a flat)
  lubricate drivers window mechanisms
  repair driver door lock linkage which was bent with a broken connecting rod between exterior door handle and the latch.

Planned work included replacement of the badly faded badges on the hoods and fabrication of a new trunk floor.


So all in all the car is in good shape.

Dinghyguy, in the too small garage

Pretty car!

That's a beautiful car. I love the blue with gray interior.

That's also a big pile of electrical crap!

Dinghyguy (in the too small garage), that is a very nice looking car, and I'll be interested in hearing /seeing how your project progresses!

One thing I always wanted to do with my "newer" Fiats, back when I still had them, was to make a custom wood dash for the instrument cluster and glovebox. I did that for my '69 spider, out of a piece of teak that I "machined" in a friend's shop. Looks really sweet, hand rubbed-oiled, that sort of thing. I did the same with the wood next to the gearshift lever. Something for you to consider, and there are many woods with amazing grain patterns. Doesn't matter so much for the instrument cluster as the gauges obscure most of the wood, but nice for the glovebox door and center console area.

-Bryan

Thank you all for the kind words.
A q for the braintrust.

On Mark the PO added a rear swaybar. Norma does not have one but it does have yellow springs and is lower by about an inch. In the way i generally drive these cars i have not really noticed a significant difference (other than the worn front end bushings etc in one vs the other) Anyone have an opinion on which is better, lower the car or add the rear swaybar? what about both?

Oh and Bryan, I considered sanded and varnished chipboard for the industrial look......sort of like tooling but different..... comments?

But since i have a friend who has a high end cabinetry business i think it will end up as varnished Sapele mahogany or possibly bookmarked burl veneer, we shall see.

happy Friday
dinghyguy (in the popup tent addition to the too small garage)

Dinghyguy (in the popup tent addition to the too small garage), that could look kinda cool, and it's kind of a personal preference thing. I like lots of grain structure with a satin or semi-gloss finish. Durability is also a factor.

-Bryan, in the garage that's perhaps not as small as Dinghyguys, but nonetheless could always be larger and maybe with a lift.

My 81 has stock suspension with all wear parts replaced. My 82 has AR's lowering springs, rear sway bar, 25mm front sway bar with all wear parts replaced. The 81 rides nicer and is a pleasure to drive and cruise in. The 82 rides a little harsher, but is still a nice ride. The 82 is much nicer to drive hard especially on a roar with curves. It's also harder to keep it below the posted speed limit. It all depends on how you like to drive, if you take it easy then stock is great. I am over 70 now so I can get along with stock easier than I use to.

Dinghyguy,
Looks like your dizzy should be rotated to face more towards the front so the ignition cables don't get squashed by the hood.