New member in Raleigh, NC

[rkhdnguiba]

Hi everyone, I'm here in Raleigh, North Carolina and just purchased a 1982 Spider. Although it looks real nice, it is in need of some major engine repairs and eventually new paint. With luck, the picture is attached.


Although I plan on doing some of the minor work (previously worked on my 1979 Spider), I'm not going to attack the initial engine work. Can anyone recommend a mechanic / shop in the Raleigh area that has experience working on these engines?

[RRoller123]

Welcome aboard! You will find plenty of knowledgeable and friendly people here.

Here is a thread on how to post pictures directly to the forum:

http://www.fiatspider.com/f08/viewtopic.php?f=4&t=21014

And here is another picture-posting thread:

http://www.fiatspider.com/f08/viewtopic ... 12&t=23084

And here is a link to a map of Spider owner’s locations. Many forum members have listed their locations.

https://www.zeemaps.com/map?group=191825

Pete

[4uall]

Hello & welcome to the greatest place on earth

[steve8462]

that Spider looks a lot like one i saw for sale in Dalton, GA about 8 months ago

[FiatMac]

Welcome. Glad to see another NC owner. Is that the Spider that had been listed on Craigslist in Greensboro for the last couple of years, maybe longer?

[rkhdnguiba]

Hi Fiatmac, I hope this is the right way to reply, since I wanted to answer your question. Not sure how long this particular car was for sale, but I did buy it in Greensboro. Do you know of any Triangle or Triad Fiat events or get-togethers?

[DWAmmons]

Another Welcome to you, I too am in Raleigh and am in the final pieces of getting my 79 fixed up and ready to enjoy. I had a previous 79 and the motor needed work, I took it out of the car and took the block to a machine shop that is part of Car Quest on Germantown road in West Raleigh sort out past the fairgrounds but before you get to Cary. I think he did a great job, a friend of mine and I then installed performance cams. My friend moved out of town and he has the engine now so I have not seen how it ran but he was also pleased with the work done at that shop.

[rkhdnguiba]

DW, thanks for your reply and pointer.

Update on progress: Changed timing belt, new water pump and thermostat, fixed brakes (one rebuilt caliper), new shocks and general tune up. Currently runs great, other than not as much low end power as my first 1979 Spider. Next to tackle are some interior items, and I would really like to get the clock working.

One troublesome observation: Tach 'jumps around' typically between 3k - 4k rpm. Wondering if this is an easy fix or something to be concerned about.

[brackie1]

Hey rk, I too am in north Carolina. I am in the Winston area. We have an Italian car club called Cossa Rossa. Meets every 2nd Wed. Easy to join, no dues, have things going on most of the time. Have about fifty members. Don't know of a mechanic in Raleigh but the is a good one in Lexington called Mechanix Euorpa.