dinghyguy's restoration of "Mark"
- dinghyguy
- Patron 2018
- Posts: 457
- Joined: Thu Jul 20, 2017 7:41 pm
- Your car is a: 1981 spider
- Location: Vancouver, Canada
Re: dinghyguy's restoration
Thanks Nelsonj,
Yea i have an upgraded carb, but the 32ADF does not have as large a secondary barrel as the 32/36 as i understand it.
in reading all the posts assorted it seems that the suspension is the next bit to address for a couple of reasons:
first there is the age deterioration of the various bushings - and replacement of those with urethane seems to have mixed reviews compared with original rubber type.
And then there is the springs/shocks to both bring the car down to something closer to the original design and also improve the handling. I just hate to get rid of the existing shocks, they are relatively new with little mileage. So I think the right thing to do is the bushings and make sure the rest of the metal bits , a-arms etc is all good. Then maybe the springs/shocks.
cheers
dinghyguy
Yea i have an upgraded carb, but the 32ADF does not have as large a secondary barrel as the 32/36 as i understand it.
in reading all the posts assorted it seems that the suspension is the next bit to address for a couple of reasons:
first there is the age deterioration of the various bushings - and replacement of those with urethane seems to have mixed reviews compared with original rubber type.
And then there is the springs/shocks to both bring the car down to something closer to the original design and also improve the handling. I just hate to get rid of the existing shocks, they are relatively new with little mileage. So I think the right thing to do is the bushings and make sure the rest of the metal bits , a-arms etc is all good. Then maybe the springs/shocks.
cheers
dinghyguy
1981 Red Spider "Redbob"
1972 blue Volvo 1800ES "Bob"
1998 Red Ford Ranger
1972 blue Volvo 1800ES "Bob"
1998 Red Ford Ranger
- dinghyguy
- Patron 2018
- Posts: 457
- Joined: Thu Jul 20, 2017 7:41 pm
- Your car is a: 1981 spider
- Location: Vancouver, Canada
Re: dinghyguy's restoration
Hi all, time for an update
see the following pages regarding fun with tranny.... (tranny not granny.... )
1
2
3
4
5
6
cheers
dinghyguy in the small garage or out in the rain.....
see the following pages regarding fun with tranny.... (tranny not granny.... )
1
2
3
4
5
6
cheers
dinghyguy in the small garage or out in the rain.....
1981 Red Spider "Redbob"
1972 blue Volvo 1800ES "Bob"
1998 Red Ford Ranger
1972 blue Volvo 1800ES "Bob"
1998 Red Ford Ranger
- aj81spider
- Patron 2020
- Posts: 1526
- Joined: Fri Mar 11, 2011 9:04 am
- Your car is a: 1974 Fiat 124 Spider
- Location: Chelmsford, MA
Re: dinghyguy's restoration
Nice write-up! Thanks!
I laughed at your "three weeks for a one week job." I experience that all the time (actually for me it's more like 5 weeks for a one week job!)
I laughed at your "three weeks for a one week job." I experience that all the time (actually for me it's more like 5 weeks for a one week job!)
A.J.
1974 Fiat 124 Spider
2006 Corvette
1981 Spider 2000 (sold 2013 - never should have sold that car)
1974 Fiat 124 Spider
2006 Corvette
1981 Spider 2000 (sold 2013 - never should have sold that car)
-
- Posts: 2130
- Joined: Wed Dec 24, 2014 10:21 pm
- Your car is a: 1978 124 Spider with Isuzu Turbo Diesel
Re: dinghyguy's restoration
It due to changes in Space Time related to Global Warming along with the way it lower oxygen density levels that are responsible for the increased time it takes to get things done and not our ages.
- dinghyguy
- Patron 2018
- Posts: 457
- Joined: Thu Jul 20, 2017 7:41 pm
- Your car is a: 1981 spider
- Location: Vancouver, Canada
Re: dinghyguy's restoration
Thanks aj81spider
dieselspider has hit upon an interesting question.
How many of us are older or younger than our cars?
I bet at least 70% are older than our cars, i know i am. We need a poll question, a colored graph in 3D and possibly a youtube video explaining the results....
Next up is the air horn install writeup, stay tuned for another story of intrigue, pathos and technical innovation ....
cheers
Dinghyguy
dieselspider has hit upon an interesting question.
How many of us are older or younger than our cars?
I bet at least 70% are older than our cars, i know i am. We need a poll question, a colored graph in 3D and possibly a youtube video explaining the results....
Next up is the air horn install writeup, stay tuned for another story of intrigue, pathos and technical innovation ....
cheers
Dinghyguy
1981 Red Spider "Redbob"
1972 blue Volvo 1800ES "Bob"
1998 Red Ford Ranger
1972 blue Volvo 1800ES "Bob"
1998 Red Ford Ranger
- Nanonevol
- Patron 2018
- Posts: 828
- Joined: Thu Nov 13, 2014 9:17 am
- Your car is a: 1977 Fiat 124 Spider
- Location: Medway, Massachusetts
Re: dinghyguy's restoration
Nice job! My top right transmission bolt is probably not holding as strong as it should due to a PO using the wrong bolt and cracking the block. I found a big stack of washers on the bolt. Seriously, how much trouble is it to go down to the hardware store and get the right bolt?
I also had a small coolant leak at that crack but I sealed it up with silicone. These are the things we just have to live with as we enjoy the car.
I also had a small coolant leak at that crack but I sealed it up with silicone. These are the things we just have to live with as we enjoy the car.
1977 Fiat Spider
1985 Jaguar XJ6
1967 Triumph Bonneville (hard-tail chopper)
1966 BSA Lightning
1985 Jaguar XJ6
1967 Triumph Bonneville (hard-tail chopper)
1966 BSA Lightning
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- Posts: 9
- Joined: Sat Apr 01, 2017 8:11 pm
- Your car is a: 1978 Fiat Spider 124
Re: dinghyguy's restoration
Very nice writeup dinghyguy, it's great to share your build with all. But also the writeups showing potential pitfalls.
Thanks.
Thanks.
- dinghyguy
- Patron 2018
- Posts: 457
- Joined: Thu Jul 20, 2017 7:41 pm
- Your car is a: 1981 spider
- Location: Vancouver, Canada
Re: dinghyguy's restoration
As promised, the air horn install, enjoy
(with a
sometimes things actually work out....
cheers
dinghyguy, BEEP BEEP
(with a
sometimes things actually work out....
cheers
dinghyguy, BEEP BEEP
1981 Red Spider "Redbob"
1972 blue Volvo 1800ES "Bob"
1998 Red Ford Ranger
1972 blue Volvo 1800ES "Bob"
1998 Red Ford Ranger
-
- Patron 2018
- Posts: 1199
- Joined: Tue Jul 15, 2014 4:57 pm
- Your car is a: 1979 2000 Spider
- Location: Ault, Colorado
Re: dinghyguy's restoration
Cool! I'll bet THOSE get attention!
Nice job,...as usual!
Todd.
Nice job,...as usual!
Todd.
1988 Mazda RX-7
1979 Fiat Spider 2000
1978 3/4 ton Chev 4x4 P/U "FRANKENTRUCK"
1976 Camaro
1972 VW Superbeetle
1969 Ford F100
1968 Mustang coupe
1979 Fiat Spider 2000
1978 3/4 ton Chev 4x4 P/U "FRANKENTRUCK"
1976 Camaro
1972 VW Superbeetle
1969 Ford F100
1968 Mustang coupe
- dinghyguy
- Patron 2018
- Posts: 457
- Joined: Thu Jul 20, 2017 7:41 pm
- Your car is a: 1981 spider
- Location: Vancouver, Canada
Re: dinghyguy's restoration
So the lady of the house (if it was a boat they would be the admiral perhaps) graciously gave me a set of bushings and ball joints for the front end as a Christmas present. I guess she didn't like the clunk on speed bumps....
So in the too tiny garage, without heat, or proper wiring i start the disassembly. Did i mention it was snowing? It was so cold the beer never got warm!
This is the roomy side, the other side is so tight not even a picture could get out!
Disassembly is mostly successful(only one broken stud holding the sway bar) and almost all the parts are on the floor.
In the dissassmbly I found instead of alignment shims behind the special bolt holding the lower a arm to the cross member there was a stack of washers! So my question is, did Fiat ever put washers on those bolts in the factory? I ask because ther is no evidence that the suspension has been apart on that side. (the other side yes), and it had shims!
so took all the parts to my friends sandbaster and now the kitchen counters are a paint shop....
"dear, is is too cold in the garage. I have to do it in the kitchen."
Cheers from the too tiny garage
dinghyguy
So in the too tiny garage, without heat, or proper wiring i start the disassembly. Did i mention it was snowing? It was so cold the beer never got warm!
This is the roomy side, the other side is so tight not even a picture could get out!
Disassembly is mostly successful(only one broken stud holding the sway bar) and almost all the parts are on the floor.
In the dissassmbly I found instead of alignment shims behind the special bolt holding the lower a arm to the cross member there was a stack of washers! So my question is, did Fiat ever put washers on those bolts in the factory? I ask because ther is no evidence that the suspension has been apart on that side. (the other side yes), and it had shims!
so took all the parts to my friends sandbaster and now the kitchen counters are a paint shop....
"dear, is is too cold in the garage. I have to do it in the kitchen."
Cheers from the too tiny garage
dinghyguy
1981 Red Spider "Redbob"
1972 blue Volvo 1800ES "Bob"
1998 Red Ford Ranger
1972 blue Volvo 1800ES "Bob"
1998 Red Ford Ranger
-
- Patron 2018
- Posts: 1199
- Joined: Tue Jul 15, 2014 4:57 pm
- Your car is a: 1979 2000 Spider
- Location: Ault, Colorado
Re: dinghyguy's restoration
Yup. I usually warm everything inside, run to the garage and spray, and then hang the items indoors to dry. Isn't it horrible not having a heated garage?!
I do like the fact that the beer doesn't get warm,...!
Todd.
I do like the fact that the beer doesn't get warm,...!
Todd.
1988 Mazda RX-7
1979 Fiat Spider 2000
1978 3/4 ton Chev 4x4 P/U "FRANKENTRUCK"
1976 Camaro
1972 VW Superbeetle
1969 Ford F100
1968 Mustang coupe
1979 Fiat Spider 2000
1978 3/4 ton Chev 4x4 P/U "FRANKENTRUCK"
1976 Camaro
1972 VW Superbeetle
1969 Ford F100
1968 Mustang coupe
-
- Posts: 2130
- Joined: Wed Dec 24, 2014 10:21 pm
- Your car is a: 1978 124 Spider with Isuzu Turbo Diesel
Re: dinghyguy's restoration
I wish for an air conditioned garage. Too often its well over 100 degrees in there.
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- Patron 2020
- Posts: 487
- Joined: Sat Jul 31, 2010 9:36 pm
- Your car is a: 1981 Spider 2000
- Location: Collinsville, IL
Re: dinghyguy's restoration
Yes the factory used washers of different thickness. I spend a lot of time in my shop so it has both heat and AC, it is all a matter of what you want to spend your money on.
1987 Lotus Super 7 clone
1981 Fiat Spider 2000 AT
1982 Fiat Spider 2000 5sd
1970 Fiat Coupe
1981 Fiat Spider 2000 AT
1982 Fiat Spider 2000 5sd
1970 Fiat Coupe
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- Posts: 740
- Joined: Mon May 05, 2008 1:03 am
- Your car is a: 1985.5 Volumex
Re: dinghyguy's restoration
Incidentally, the horns won't work there because that's where the factory installed intercooler is located.
Jim
Jim
- dinghyguy
- Patron 2018
- Posts: 457
- Joined: Thu Jul 20, 2017 7:41 pm
- Your car is a: 1981 spider
- Location: Vancouver, Canada
Re: dinghyguy's restoration
thank you all for answering the suspension washer question. I have learned something which is good.
Jimb - the sense of speed italian horns give a fiat negates the need for an intercooler, that and the superbee wing i think it needs......
cheers
dinghyguy
Jimb - the sense of speed italian horns give a fiat negates the need for an intercooler, that and the superbee wing i think it needs......
cheers
dinghyguy
1981 Red Spider "Redbob"
1972 blue Volvo 1800ES "Bob"
1998 Red Ford Ranger
1972 blue Volvo 1800ES "Bob"
1998 Red Ford Ranger