78 spider restoration in progress

manoa matt · Post by **manoa matt** » Tue Dec 19, 2006 2:59 am

Here's some pix of my work in progress, what do you guys think.

[img]http://www.flickr.com/photos/38097470@N00/326946840/[/img]

[img]http://www.flickr.com/photos/38097470@N00/326946841/[/img]

[img]http://www.flickr.com/photos/38097470@N00/326946843/[/img]

thanks for looking

matt

mbouse · Post by **mbouse** » Tue Dec 19, 2006 8:37 am

Nice Matt.

What is that round object to the right of the air breather?

mdrburchette · Post by **mdrburchette** » Tue Dec 19, 2006 10:28 am

It's the filter for the crankcase hose, isn't it?

mbouse · Post by **mbouse** » Tue Dec 19, 2006 11:21 am

Why not pull it back into the intake like the stock air breather does?

Where does one obtain one of these filters?

manoa matt · Post by **manoa matt** » Tue Dec 19, 2006 1:50 pm

The K&N filter has a small hole on the bottom plate for a fitting that I could route to the crankcase ventilation, but It would take several fittings together, or some cutting of the air filter base plate. Also when the hose is routed that way it pinches itself off. I just bought a crankcase breather air filter at Checker/Autozone/Schucks for $7. All the fittings I would have to buy would have cost me more than 7 bucks, the hose is not obstructed plus I get some more chrome under the hood.

One point to mention: The hose were talking about is the crankcase ventilation hose, usually routed to the stock air filter. At the store there were several filters, some were called: engine breather/air filter while others were (PCV)/air filter, a.ka. Positive Crankcase Ventilation.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but I think older cars only had engine breathers, usually located on or near the cam covers. The PCV valve is usually located within the air filter housing, on more modern cars, The PCV valve is a one way valve that usually contains a fire trap. I've also seen PCV filters that are little more than a small square of material that looks very similar to synthetic steel wool/brillo pad.

I wonder if our Fiats woulw prefer an engine breather/filter or a PCV/filter?

thanks

Matt

manoa matt · Post by **manoa matt** » Tue Dec 19, 2006 1:53 pm

That is assuming you are not running a stock air filter

matt

mbouse · Post by **mbouse** » Tue Dec 19, 2006 3:17 pm

My newly fitted rectangular air breather assembly came with a 1/2" metal tube fastened to the lower plate for attaching this crankcase hose.

Some rectangular air breathers come only with a 1/2" hole in the lower plate with no fitting to attach the hose.

Of course, as everyone should know...the Spider's crankcase breather hose is the metric equivelant of 3/4". Thus, Matt's comment on adapters, etcetera.

I found that a simple natural gas fitting works just nice inbetween the 1/2" tube and 3/4" hose. Found at Home Depot. Looks real nice with just a simple chrome plated hex between the two hoses. Make sure you get your rectangular air breather WITH the fitting for a hose already on it. Ask your vendor before you order. Mine came from http://www.webercarbsdirect.com

Matt, how did you fasten that crank breather filter?

manoa matt · Post by **manoa matt** » Tue Dec 19, 2006 3:48 pm

While looking for parts for my restoration I came across an old Fiater who was looking to get rid of a lot of stuff. I now have 6 large boxes of misc origional parts for almost all years. Anyway a K&N filter was in one of the boxes, used and with no fitting. The breather I bought has a 3/4" tube that the hose fits perfectly over, no hose clamp needed.

matt

manoa matt · Post by **manoa matt** » Tue Dec 19, 2006 4:03 pm

Ok Mike, I just read that last question after I posted.
The breather just hovers there, the hose holds it up. Not attached to the air filter, but they touch. I'm still working on the car, engine is finished and running, still to do: suspension/brakes/wheel bearings

So I'm not shure if the breather and air filter will rattle against each other, untill I get a chance to drive it over some pot holes.

I just found the dreaded cancer, RUST!!! at the typical locations. right at the forward edge of the floor boards. I plan on doing a partial floor board replacement with a custom fab panel, will require cutting out rust and weld in new panel. Was thinking about fiberglass patches, but I know rust will come back, and since the patch goes across some of the unibody frame members, repairing with metal and welding to those is important.

I may post some pix next year about the process. Have you looked at the brackets that hold up the windshield? look inside the doors looks like a cast metal with a chrome veneer. mine don't look so good. I can push it and hear the metal flakes crunching. where the hell do i get these?

matt

racydave · Post by **racydave** » Tue Dec 19, 2006 6:17 pm

Ive seen some Fiats with this hose vented to the atmosphere. Maybee this is ok? Seems like it would suck the unburned vapors from the engine crankcase and help keep eng oil cleaner if in breather system. Also the other hoses to the cyclonic trap( which is basically the crankcase ventilation system) need to be good and sealed.

Haps93 · Post by **Haps93** » Tue Dec 19, 2006 6:34 pm

I like the looks of the crankcase breather. Was wondering if one could expect any "ill effects" from a setup like this, such as oil fumes entering the cockpit. Or any engine running / idling issues ?

Haps

78 Spider

mdrburchette · Post by **mdrburchette** » Tue Dec 19, 2006 7:30 pm

manoa matt wrote: Have you looked at the brackets that hold up the windshield? look inside the doors looks like a cast metal with a chrome veneer. mine don't look so good. I can push it and hear the metal flakes crunching. where the hell do i get these?
matt

Those brackets are part of the windshield frame. They are pretty beefy so you might be okay with sandblasting and repainting them. If not, there should be one floating around for you to get. Either way, I'd pull the frame and get it repaired.

I'm a bad girl. I'm running no filter at the crankcase hose except a piece of cloth on the end of the hose. I haven't had time to check out the cannisters that are available. I don't get any fumes inside the car, even with this setup.

Haps93 · Post by **Haps93** » Sat Dec 30, 2006 8:22 pm

Here's my 78............very similar to yours (already had painted fan shroud and covered lines)............I did "Borrow" your crankcase breather idea though.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/38097470@N00/339081740/

.....Haps

78 Spider

So Cal Mark · Post by **So Cal Mark** » Sat Dec 30, 2006 8:53 pm

wow! you should have warned me to have my sunglasses on before opening that pic

It looks good, but I'm surprised to see all of the emission equipment in place and connected. Do you have to conform to smog specs?

Haps93 · Post by **Haps93** » Sat Dec 30, 2006 10:43 pm

Thanks Mark,

No, we are exempt up here in the "Great White North" but so far I've decided to leave everything in tact. There is no belt running the air pump, in fact it's seized solid. Would there be any advantage to removing all the smog components ? I'm not very mechanically inclined. This is my first "toy". I bought a year ago in Virginia and drove it (history unknown) all the way back to Canada (brave or stupid ...not sure). I absolutely love the car and it definetly gets lots of stares up here.

........Haps (Chris)

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