Introducing my '81 2000 FI in CT

[McFlash]

I introduced myself a couple weeks ago, but now I want to introduce the Spider I just bought.

It's a 1981 124 Spider 2000 fuel injected with 53K miles - yes original.
No, it's not the anniversary edition, but strangely, it has anniversary parts: dash (with a 1" crack), steering wheel, door panels, console.
It was originally silver (so I know it's not an LE), now it's [marina or sky] blue and eventually it'll become one of the darker reds from that year.
Beige interior is in great shape. I think it's too light to be the tan color.
It has (non-LE) 13 inch Iron Cross wheels that I actually like. They're dull now, I'd like to spruce them up - I'm open to suggestions.
I'd eventually like to get bumperettes for it, but that seems like quite the process, so it'll take some time.
I don't have a boot cover...YET, but I do have a luggage rack (very cool).
It has a Sony cd/radio that seems incredibly out of place.
It needs a new clock (surprise, surprise) and the fuel gauge is a bit wiggy.
All gears work great (including 4th).
It needs a few badges (hood, trunk and driver's side rear).
And unfortunately, it does have a half inch deep, six inch long dent in the rear passenger's side)

Yes, it has some rust (trim by the windshield, lower panels, bumpers and a few dings on the hood), but nothing more than superficial that I can see. I haven't gone under the hood extensively just yet (sometimes work gets in the way), but when I do, I'll give you all the update on the guts.

Honestly, I'm so excited I could burst! I'll have to just keep my composure so I can change the timing belt for a little piece of mind. What's after that as far as cleaning it up and making it special? I don't know. Any suggestions?

Vroom!

[TX82FIAT]

Pictures, Pictures, please!! Sounds like a pretty nice car with a little work to be done. Good stuff!

[McFlash]

http://s1194.photobucket.com/albums/aa373/TheMcFlash/

Gosh, I hope you can see my album via the above link. If not, try going to photobucket directly and my album is public under the username TheMcFlash. If I could be directed on how to include pictures in my post, that'd be great!

Thanks for your interest and of course, I welcome all feedback. Let me know what you think I should do about the bit of rust, the color, the chrome, the wheels, the bumpers (or maybe soon-to-be lack thereof), and what I should do about the brown interior that doesn't match because it's NOT an LE.

Thanks again.


Vroom!

[baltobernie]

Congratulations! Car looks great; I've seen several in this color combination - very classy.

Search for "how to post photos" and other popular questions.

May I suggest that you get the critical components (guibo, timing belt) and the universal maintenance items (brakes, hoses, etc.) inspected and/or replaced during the balance of this driving season. Enjoy your new car! You'll have plenty of time to work on it during CT winters. Lots of guys jump right in on cosmetic repairs and upgrades, only to find expensive mechanical issues overlooked during the honeymoon. (You old married guys know what I'm talking about ).

[Exit98]

Hi McFlash,

Looks good, nice interior.

Listen to Bernie though, he knows what he's talking about.

So are those boat "fenders" hanging on the fence? Do you live near the LI Sound?

Oh Bernie, it was a very long time ago, but I don't recall any "mechanical" issues during my honeymoon.

[baltobernie]

Oh Bernie, it was a very long time ago, but I don't recall any "mechanical" issues during my honeymoon.

Yeah, well you probably had some help:

[McFlash]

Exit98 - Actually, the pictures are from in front of the PO's house. She lives on Long Island - thus, the rust on the chrome.

Bernie - As for the timing belt, that get's done on this Friday. How long should it be in the hands of the mechanic for that replacement? And how long if he has to replace the water pump? The brakes were just done, but they need to be bled properly. They were super soft when I test drove it even though she had paperwork showing that they were just done. I'll be looking up how to do that even before I put it on the ferry to go back home.

This is my first time working on a car. I'm new to putting a car together (as a fire fighter I know how to cut them in half). In fact (here's a secret - just between me and you - LOL) I went on ebay, searched for Fiat parts and got familiar with what some of the parts look like. Some of the body work language isn't completely foreign, but I could use a tutorial on the mechanical stuff.

[kmac33]

Welcome to the forum and better yet, welcome to the world of Fiat Spider ownership. You will find that these are great cars. They are actually easy to work on if you have any mechanical inclination at all. Get a couple of good manuals, ask lots of questions on the forum and try to meet up with owners in your area and you'll be an "expert" in no time.
Make sure to do the guibo (also referred to as flex disk). It is part of your drive shaft assembly and does serious damage if it fails. It is only a $25.00 part and very easy to replace.

[baltobernie]

McFlash, the guibo or "donut" is a reinforced rubber coupling between the transmission and driveshaft. Many European cars (Merc, BMW, Fiat, to name a few) include these in their drivetrain to smooth out minor vibrations. Like the timing belt, they need to be changed regularly to avoid catastrophic damage. Like this:
http://i155.photobucket.com/albums/s308 ... lure-1.jpg
It sounds like you're not familiar with Spider mechanicals, so either you'll need to find a mechanic who is, or educate both yourself and a mechanic with the purchase of a shop manual. You can buy a factory reprint here:
http://www.spidermanuals.com/ For many minor repairs, you (and he) can get by with a Clymer or Haynes manual, often available on eBay.
In the meantime, check out the free maintenance and tech tips on Fiat-specific vendor websites, like this one:
http://www.international-auto.com/tech-bulletins.cfm

[McFlash]

Danny from Fun Imported Autos and Toys is about 20 minutes away and I've already met with him. In fact, he'll be doing the timing belt, etc. on Friday for me. I'm not sure of other specialist in the area besides the Fiat dealer we have, so he's a start. And yes, I'm mechanically inclined, so I anticipate filling a toolbox and hiking up the floor jack.

ALL of your help is appreciated. Thanks!