My late mid-life crisis 77 Spider

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Nanonevol
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Joined: Thu Nov 13, 2014 9:17 am
Your car is a: 1977 Fiat 124 Spider
Location: Medway, Massachusetts

Re: My late mid-life crisis 77 Spider

Postby Nanonevol » Wed Jan 14, 2015 6:46 pm

I feel your pain! Curious, had you changed the oil in the differential with any regularity? That's one thing on my list as "Dolly" (name popped into my head-ask Freud) sits garaged for the winter. Not sure if that would have made the difference.
Whenever I get hit with some unexpected expense such as yours I always try to remember that I could be making monthly payments on a new vehicle. As you say, our way is much more "fun".
1977 Fiat Spider
1985 Jaguar XJ6
1967 Triumph Bonneville (hard-tail chopper)
1966 BSA Lightning

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Nanonevol
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Joined: Thu Nov 13, 2014 9:17 am
Your car is a: 1977 Fiat 124 Spider
Location: Medway, Massachusetts

Re: My late mid-life crisis 77 Spider

Postby Nanonevol » Mon Apr 27, 2015 8:12 am

Lots of progress on my '77 this weekend. Installed exhaust from a '79 that I bought piecemeal from Ebay and A/R including 4-2-1 of course. Everything painted black with stove paint. Wanted to change the differential oil and had trouble with the drain plug (I'm an amatuer). Wanting to move on, I actually siphoned off nearly a quart and a half although it took overnight to get it all out! Swapped my old and mismatched tires mounted on beat up CD30s for nice looking steelies and new Kumho's thanks to forum member! No locating pins made installing rear hubcaps difficult - on order. New sneakers and solid exhaust make the ride soooooo much better.
Image
(not my McMansion) Still no second gear so I've only driven her about 10 miles but plan to attack that next. Bought a transmission jack from Harbor Freight and gathering up other tools. Gotta go get that MA inspection sticker first though.
Last edited by Nanonevol on Tue Sep 19, 2017 11:43 am, edited 1 time in total.
1977 Fiat Spider
1985 Jaguar XJ6
1967 Triumph Bonneville (hard-tail chopper)
1966 BSA Lightning

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RRoller123
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Your car is a: 1980 FI SPIDER 2000
Location: SAGAMORE BEACH, MA USA

Re: My late mid-life crisis 77 Spider

Postby RRoller123 » Wed Apr 29, 2015 6:16 am

Excellent!
'80 FI Spider 2000
'74 and '79 X1/9 (past)
'75 BMW R75/6
2011 Chevy Malibu (daily driver)
2010 Chevy Silverado 2500HD Ext Cab 4WD/STD BED
2002 Edgewater 175CC 80HP 4-Stroke Yamaha
2003 Jaguar XK8
2003 Jaguar XKR
2021 Jayco 22RB
2019 Bianchi Torino Bicycle

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Nanonevol
Patron 2018
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Posts: 828
Joined: Thu Nov 13, 2014 9:17 am
Your car is a: 1977 Fiat 124 Spider
Location: Medway, Massachusetts

Re: My late mid-life crisis 77 Spider

Postby Nanonevol » Sun May 10, 2015 5:47 pm

Got my Mass inspection sticker, easy peasy. I must have gone to the right place because they didn't check the lights, shake the wheel, nothing. Now I'm taking a perfectly good running 4 speed (2nd doesn't work) Spider apart and attempting a transmission repair. I swapped out an automatic in a 68 Mustang when I was 17 or so but this looks a lot more challenging. Must admit my confidence in completing this is a bit shaky but I'm bravely wrenching forward. Got the console out, shifter off, and 3 bolts off the guibo (which is cracked BTW). I don't know why I was surprised that that driveshaft started spinning when I tried to take those guibo bolts off - I supppose because I never heard anyone in the forum mention it - so I stuck a big screwdriver in by the U-joints. Ran out of muscle and started to cramp up working on my back so called it a day!
1977 Fiat Spider
1985 Jaguar XJ6
1967 Triumph Bonneville (hard-tail chopper)
1966 BSA Lightning

User avatar
Nanonevol
Patron 2018
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Posts: 828
Joined: Thu Nov 13, 2014 9:17 am
Your car is a: 1977 Fiat 124 Spider
Location: Medway, Massachusetts

Re: My late mid-life crisis 77 Spider

Postby Nanonevol » Sun May 10, 2015 6:35 pm

Just discovered this terrific u-tube on transmission removal, install, and clutch throwout replacement:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8calc6xV2JM
1977 Fiat Spider
1985 Jaguar XJ6
1967 Triumph Bonneville (hard-tail chopper)
1966 BSA Lightning

User avatar
RRoller123
Patron 2020
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Posts: 8179
Joined: Sun Nov 13, 2011 2:04 pm
Your car is a: 1980 FI SPIDER 2000
Location: SAGAMORE BEACH, MA USA

Re: My late mid-life crisis 77 Spider

Postby RRoller123 » Mon May 11, 2015 7:43 am

Awesome! The antique sticker requirements are sure pretty loose here in MA. I got basically the same on mine. Very surprised, must be a lot of old car codgers up on Bacon Hill. 8)
'80 FI Spider 2000
'74 and '79 X1/9 (past)
'75 BMW R75/6
2011 Chevy Malibu (daily driver)
2010 Chevy Silverado 2500HD Ext Cab 4WD/STD BED
2002 Edgewater 175CC 80HP 4-Stroke Yamaha
2003 Jaguar XK8
2003 Jaguar XKR
2021 Jayco 22RB
2019 Bianchi Torino Bicycle

User avatar
Nanonevol
Patron 2018
Patron 2018
Posts: 828
Joined: Thu Nov 13, 2014 9:17 am
Your car is a: 1977 Fiat 124 Spider
Location: Medway, Massachusetts

Re: My late mid-life crisis 77 Spider

Postby Nanonevol » Mon May 11, 2015 8:15 am

Actually, it's not registered as an antique. I've got a regular license and registration on the car. With an antique plate aren't there restrictions like only driving on Sunday's or to car shows?
1977 Fiat Spider
1985 Jaguar XJ6
1967 Triumph Bonneville (hard-tail chopper)
1966 BSA Lightning

User avatar
RRoller123
Patron 2020
Patron 2020
Posts: 8179
Joined: Sun Nov 13, 2011 2:04 pm
Your car is a: 1980 FI SPIDER 2000
Location: SAGAMORE BEACH, MA USA

Re: My late mid-life crisis 77 Spider

Postby RRoller123 » Mon May 11, 2015 11:52 am

'80 FI Spider 2000
'74 and '79 X1/9 (past)
'75 BMW R75/6
2011 Chevy Malibu (daily driver)
2010 Chevy Silverado 2500HD Ext Cab 4WD/STD BED
2002 Edgewater 175CC 80HP 4-Stroke Yamaha
2003 Jaguar XK8
2003 Jaguar XKR
2021 Jayco 22RB
2019 Bianchi Torino Bicycle

User avatar
Nanonevol
Patron 2018
Patron 2018
Posts: 828
Joined: Thu Nov 13, 2014 9:17 am
Your car is a: 1977 Fiat 124 Spider
Location: Medway, Massachusetts

Re: My late mid-life crisis 77 Spider

Postby Nanonevol » Wed May 13, 2015 7:39 pm

Thanks! I know we also have a cool option in Mass. of using antique license plates, as long as they are in good condition.
1977 Fiat Spider
1985 Jaguar XJ6
1967 Triumph Bonneville (hard-tail chopper)
1966 BSA Lightning

User avatar
Nanonevol
Patron 2018
Patron 2018
Posts: 828
Joined: Thu Nov 13, 2014 9:17 am
Your car is a: 1977 Fiat 124 Spider
Location: Medway, Massachusetts

Re: My late mid-life crisis 77 Spider

Postby Nanonevol » Wed May 13, 2015 7:49 pm

Progress on the transmission removal and repair. Had a hard time with four of the eight bolts at the guibo so went to the back of the driveshaft to disconnect it there. First I marked both sides with white paint so I can put it back the same way, but I have a feeling that''s not important at this particular junction. Maybe someone can clue me. When the back end of the driveshaft came off the differential about a tablespoon of oil dripped out. Is this a concern? Maybe someone can clue me again.
Guibo has a big old crack in it. A couple more things to disconnect and then on to the fun part - the starter bolts and that top driver side bolt!
1977 Fiat Spider
1985 Jaguar XJ6
1967 Triumph Bonneville (hard-tail chopper)
1966 BSA Lightning

User avatar
RRoller123
Patron 2020
Patron 2020
Posts: 8179
Joined: Sun Nov 13, 2011 2:04 pm
Your car is a: 1980 FI SPIDER 2000
Location: SAGAMORE BEACH, MA USA

Re: My late mid-life crisis 77 Spider

Postby RRoller123 » Thu May 14, 2015 6:37 am

Yes, we can use antique plates, the year has to match and you can register the plate number.
'80 FI Spider 2000
'74 and '79 X1/9 (past)
'75 BMW R75/6
2011 Chevy Malibu (daily driver)
2010 Chevy Silverado 2500HD Ext Cab 4WD/STD BED
2002 Edgewater 175CC 80HP 4-Stroke Yamaha
2003 Jaguar XK8
2003 Jaguar XKR
2021 Jayco 22RB
2019 Bianchi Torino Bicycle

User avatar
Nanonevol
Patron 2018
Patron 2018
Posts: 828
Joined: Thu Nov 13, 2014 9:17 am
Your car is a: 1977 Fiat 124 Spider
Location: Medway, Massachusetts

Re: My late mid-life crisis 77 Spider

Postby Nanonevol » Sun May 17, 2015 5:27 pm

Got the last of the bits on the transmission unconnected: the clutch cable, ground strap, speedometer. Now on to the fun part. Got the two "easy" starter bolts off. That third one has me at an impasse. I feel like I need two universals just before the socket. (local hardware just closed) Anyone else experienced that? I've got all the extensions I need. And while I haven't attempted it yet, I think the top drivers side trans to engine bolt won't be as tricky as this third starter bolt. At least I can see it.
Call me a quitter but has anyone ever tried cutting an access hole in their floorboard to get at these bolts? Or is this total Fiat restore heresy?
I'm where I think "timspider" was a year ago. Are you forum folk prepared to walk me through this too? :P
1977 Fiat Spider
1985 Jaguar XJ6
1967 Triumph Bonneville (hard-tail chopper)
1966 BSA Lightning

User avatar
Nanonevol
Patron 2018
Patron 2018
Posts: 828
Joined: Thu Nov 13, 2014 9:17 am
Your car is a: 1977 Fiat 124 Spider
Location: Medway, Massachusetts

Re: My late mid-life crisis 77 Spider

Postby Nanonevol » Sun May 17, 2015 8:55 pm

Went back and discovered that third starter bolt from up top. Managed to place a box wrench on it (other two were 13 mm, this one was a 14 mm -?) then lined up a piece of lumber against the end and whacked it to loosen the bolt. Was so pleased I didn't even mind getting it the rest of the way off the slow, tedious way. Don't even want to think about trying to put it back in later!
1977 Fiat Spider
1985 Jaguar XJ6
1967 Triumph Bonneville (hard-tail chopper)
1966 BSA Lightning

User avatar
Nanonevol
Patron 2018
Patron 2018
Posts: 828
Joined: Thu Nov 13, 2014 9:17 am
Your car is a: 1977 Fiat 124 Spider
Location: Medway, Massachusetts

Re: My late mid-life crisis 77 Spider

Postby Nanonevol » Sat May 23, 2015 7:07 pm

Some people just should not be allowed to go near a car with a wrench. I already found my oil drain plug stripped and with evidence of a vice grip and now this. I thought I was home free after getting the top drivers side transmission to block bolt out but the passenger side is proving even harder. It looks like someone may have stripped and tapped this and cracked the block in the process. I'm not sure of the bolt size. It something between a 19 mm and a 3/4" with about a dozen washers on it.
Image
And I can't get it out. I'm trying the extensions technique like I did on the other side (without much luck) and I'm trying an offset wrench from above. You can see how I flattened out the lip on the firewall to get the wrench on straighter. Can't get it to budge.
Last edited by Nanonevol on Tue Sep 19, 2017 11:44 am, edited 1 time in total.
1977 Fiat Spider
1985 Jaguar XJ6
1967 Triumph Bonneville (hard-tail chopper)
1966 BSA Lightning

User avatar
RRoller123
Patron 2020
Patron 2020
Posts: 8179
Joined: Sun Nov 13, 2011 2:04 pm
Your car is a: 1980 FI SPIDER 2000
Location: SAGAMORE BEACH, MA USA

Re: My late mid-life crisis 77 Spider

Postby RRoller123 » Sat May 23, 2015 7:24 pm

Uh Oh.... Not sure what to offer to solve this. Pull the engine and transmission as a unit?
'80 FI Spider 2000
'74 and '79 X1/9 (past)
'75 BMW R75/6
2011 Chevy Malibu (daily driver)
2010 Chevy Silverado 2500HD Ext Cab 4WD/STD BED
2002 Edgewater 175CC 80HP 4-Stroke Yamaha
2003 Jaguar XK8
2003 Jaguar XKR
2021 Jayco 22RB
2019 Bianchi Torino Bicycle


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