New to forum: Kevin and his '71 Spider

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Homegrown
Posts: 19
Joined: Mon Nov 27, 2017 1:43 pm
Your car is a: 1971 Fiat Spider 1600

New to forum: Kevin and his '71 Spider

Postby Homegrown » Tue Dec 05, 2017 1:37 pm

Hello all:
In 1971, my father purchased a new 1600 Spider Convertible from the dealer in Chicago shortly after I was born. It was the car that I got to occasionally drive my senior year of high school. However, I went off to college and my parents left the country for a period of time so the car languished in an old barn in Iowa. Fast forward from 1980s to 2017 and we've pulled out the Fiat from a barn and dropped off at my house in Minnesota for the winter.

I look forward to making the car road worthy again. The only real damage that I cannot repair is from a rodent chewing a space on the drivers seat and some less-than-perfect paint (pale yellow...ewww). Otherwise things should be solved with some readily available parts. My intention is to get the engine running (clean carb, etc) and then work on the suspension and brakes. I have no idea if the gas tank is good inside or the booster holds pressure. Time will tell.

It will be fun to have a support group as the winter wears on and the project gets underway...
Sincerely,
Kevin
Last edited by Homegrown on Tue Dec 12, 2017 4:01 pm, edited 1 time in total.

TX82FIAT
Posts: 1814
Joined: Mon May 03, 2010 11:04 am
Your car is a: 82 Fiat Spider 2000 CSO
Location: San Antonio

Re: New to forum: Kevin and his '71 Spider

Postby TX82FIAT » Tue Dec 05, 2017 4:11 pm

Good luck. Get a new gas tank. Sounds like it was stored well and rust is not an issue. The biggest issue is rust if there is any. If not....your gonna love it. Welcome aboard.
Buon giro a tutti! - enjoy the ride!

82 Fiat Spider 2000
03 BMW M3
07 Chevy Suburban

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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: New to forum: Kevin and his '71 Spider

Postby Nanonevol » Tue Dec 05, 2017 4:40 pm

Welcome! So your Dad bought it as a used car in the 80's, now it's a classic!
Here's how to post photos if needed:
viewtopic.php?f=12&t=35925
1977 Fiat Spider
1985 Jaguar XJ6
1967 Triumph Bonneville (hard-tail chopper)
1966 BSA Lightning

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riverdadd
Patron 2018
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Posts: 206
Joined: Thu Sep 11, 2014 6:16 am
Your car is a: 1975 Fiat Spider 1977 Alfa Spider

Re: New to forum: Kevin and his '71 Spider

Postby riverdadd » Tue Dec 05, 2017 6:30 pm

change timing belt asap... do not crank a old rotted belt! ask me how I know :roll:

Homegrown
Posts: 19
Joined: Mon Nov 27, 2017 1:43 pm
Your car is a: 1971 Fiat Spider 1600

Re: New to forum: Kevin and his '71 Spider

Postby Homegrown » Wed Dec 06, 2017 9:53 pm

Hi all:
I should clarify, he bought the car new in 1971. It is a true one-owner car.

Thanks for tip on timing belt. I just did my Audi 2.7 belt, but there are lots of tools (cam lock bar, crank holding pin) for the dual overhead cams on that car. Any special tools needed? I am in search of good DIY resources (pics helpful) to replace the Fiat belt. If you know of any, please share.

Rubber bushings and other parts will also have to be replaced. I can put that 20 ton HB press into service soon.

/K

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RRoller123
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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: New to forum: Kevin and his '71 Spider

Postby RRoller123 » Thu Dec 07, 2017 7:47 am

The good news is that you don't need any special tools for the timing belt change, in fact there are almost none needed anywhere in the car.

Just remember that the belt is changed with cylinder #4 TDC on the compression stroke, not #1. Number 4 is the one at the firewall.

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'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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