Parts Cross-Reference Matrix?

[Fiatmonkey]

That's a nice list. One that I don't think exsits for Fiats. Someone will have to look at all the parts they have and try to use the internet to cross them as I bet a parts store would kick you out, lol. On the other hand what he pointed out are parts that work, but aren't perfect in many cases. THAT IS TOTALLY COOL IN MY BOOK! But, not so much for most people. This could be a very hard road to trudge through good look mate your ganna need it.

Or everyone good post the parts they bought and what their numbers are, but dang that would go nuts.

The Leaves and The Sky that's all I need!

[jimmycakes401]

I'm new here and don't yet have my car. But as someone who's worked on his own cars since he was sixteen, it would indeed be awesome to have a parts cross reference when you're in a bind. If knew you could grab a part at NAPA that would work fine while you're waiting for your dream part, it'd be worth it.

[Autoricambi]

Mark,

In the spirit of full disclosure.... Here is a copy of the email conversation you had with my partner Csaba Vandor. As the likely party who may have mis packed your exhaust nut.... please accept my personal, public and humble apology. In the rather large box of exhaust nuts we stock, there appears to have been one irregular or perhaps even NOS (New Old Stock) exhaust nut. And it looks that you received it by mistake... and is also appears that Csaba resolved your concern. If not please let us know.

Now please let it be said.. I am not too big a man to admit having made a mistake. Im certain it will not be my last.

Ramzi Gillespie
Auto Ricambi LLC

----------------------
From:<csaba@autoricambi.us>
Date: Thu, Jul 14, 2011 5:32 pm
To: "Mark Fxxxxxxxx"

Mark,
Sure, we will send it out on Friday.
bye,
Csaba
Auto Ricambi
http://www.autoricambi.us

-------- Original Message --------
Subject: Re: Order Confirmation
From: To: "Mark Fxxxxxxxx">
Date: Thu, July 14, 2011 2:21 pm
To: csaba@autoricambi.us

Hi Csaba,

Do you think I could a fifth to match the others, then?

Thanks,
Mark


On 7/10/2011 4:32 PM, csaba@autoricambi.us wrote:
> Mark,
>
> It is just a different brand of nut, it does no really matter where it goes.
>
> The best would be to use a larger flat washer and a conical spring washers on each stud.
> Thanks,
>
> Csaba
> Auto Ricambi
> http://www.autoricambi.us
>
>
>
> -------- Original Message --------
> Hi,
>
> One of the exhaust nuts I received is double-height, which stud is it
> intended for?
>
> Also, what sort sort of washer do I need with these on a cast iron manifold?
>
> Thanks,
> Mark

[opus10583]

Yes.

Obviously, I am the asshole.

How stupid of me to expect FIVE matching nuts...

My apologies, yet again.

Thanks,
Mark

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OTzLVIc-O5E

[opus10583]

I'm new here and don't yet have my car. But as someone who's worked on his own cars since he was sixteen, it would indeed be awesome to have a parts cross reference when you're in a bind. If knew you could grab a part at NAPA that would work fine while you're waiting for your dream part, it'd be worth it.

Yes, rather than who's brother-in-law is best, it might instead be useful to share whatever knowledge any of us can gain about the common source of 99% of the parts of these cars which were built over three decades might be.

...Or bend over, pay the gougers, and smile.

[Autoricambi]

Mark,

I take our business VERY seriously. I do what I do because I honestly enjoy it. And I know I can speak for Csaba when saying....It is something of a passion for us. As you will find for most vintage Fiat parts suppliers ...

No one (certainly not anyone associated with Auto Ricambi) ever call you that. And to imply such is misleading and wrong.

The only intention I had in my public apology was to take complete responsibility for the error of sending you an exhaust nut which was not the same as the other. Where Im from, an apology is generally treated differently.

As Csaba stated.... your single replacement exhaust nut is in the mail.

Ramzi Gillespie
Auto Ricambi, LLC

[dougburdick]

I'm new here and don't yet have my car. But as someone who's worked on his own cars since he was sixteen, it would indeed be awesome to have a parts cross reference when you're in a bind. If knew you could grab a part at NAPA that would work fine while you're waiting for your dream part, it'd be worth it.

Yes, rather than who's brother-in-law is best, it might instead be useful to share whatever knowledge any of us can gain about the common source of 99% of the parts of these cars which were built over three decades might be.

...Or bend over, pay the gougers, and smile.

OK, I don't know about the cross reference thing but regarding the offending oil pressure regulator, I gave up trying to get them to work relibably a long time ago. The story goes that the diaphrams inside them were weak, causing them to give faulty low oil pressure readings. It was said that Fiat got tired of complaints from customers about it to the point that they removed the oil gauge and replaced it with an idiot light and filled the hole in the dash with a clock!I've been running a Stewart Warner mechanical gauge in my spider for years. Looks close to factory. If you have to have electric, try Speed hut. I have a complete set of their gauges in my Scorpion, complete with GPS speedometer and I love 'em!

[maytag]

Yes.

Obviously, I am the asshole.

Well, I guess since you said it first.....

I gotta say, as a complete outsider here, and someone who doesn't know ANYONE on this list, and other than a serious LUST for SoCal Mark's header, I don't know anything about the differences between the vendors. To my knowledge, they're all grea, and equal. And I've never bought a thing from any of them.. yet.

So let me come from that outsiders' perspective and say that yes, Mark, you are acting like the A**Hole here. It feels like you've got a case of the red-A**, and you've decided to go all postal on everyone here.

I''d suggest a little chill might be in order. Look at how you are saying things. You're offensive in your posts. IF that's how you intend to be, you're acting like an A88. if it's NOT how you intend to be, then apologize, and look for a better / more apprpriate way to say stuff!

or do like I do: say what you want, the way you want to, and then suffer the consequences.... includng people like me pointing-it out to you.

[ventura ace]

It's been a challenge for me to find the double height nuts, they are usually brass, which is an advantage for use on the exhaust. The steel ones get affected by the exhaust heat and tend to rust, making them hard to remove over time. Brass doesn't have this drawback. The brass ones are double height because brass has less tensile strength than steel, and more thread engagement is needed for torquing up to spec without risk of stripping the threads. If you ever run accross a double height brass fastener for the exhaust, hang onto it -- it's a good find!

Alvon

[FiatMac]

I agree with Alvon. Brass or stainless nuts are a good choice for use on standard steel studs in an exhaust system, not only because they don't rust, but because they will eliminate the possibility of galling that can occur if similar metals are used.

[spider2081]

I found this site shortly after purchasing my 1981 Spider in 2003.

This is the first post I am sorry I opened.

Thanks for all the vendors who try and support our aging cars !!!!!
Thanks for all of the members who use this site for a positive purpose, especially the regulars who, out of their love of Fiats give their time and experience to help others.
Thanks for the web master for supplying us the site

Hope all have a top down day and get to drive your cars today

[jimmycakes401]

Ha ha! This is the first thread I read! Whew! I just got a 1981 Spider as well. I think. That's what my manual says. Need to get it home and start working on it. Looking forward to seeing this threat get back on track. I'll be needing parts.

[opus10583]

I've been using the internet since the days before the www, remember usenet? This is the first time I've ever had to deal with the publication of private emails: If I wasn't a fan before, just imagine where I am now.

First reaction should have been 'wow, sorry about that, what can we do?', not an expensive part but both it and the principle are crucial, Plato even wrote a book about it.

...I should have just gone to the local marine supply shop, local isn't just better for food.

[htchevyii]

I hate to say it, but if you think parts are outrageous for these cars and don't like ordering them, maybe you've purchased the wrong vehicle. All but the most basic of parts will need to be ordered and I've found many parts from the local parts stores to be of poor quailty. I've found parts for these cars reasonable and for the most part have had very good service from the vendors at what I feel is a fair price. I actually feel quite lucky that they are in business carrying parts for cars that (until now), haven't been sold here in 30 years!

[Kevin1]

Opus,
If a cross reference for 30 year old parts is what you want so badly get off your duff and start it yourself!
You say you have been internet savvy since the days of usenet. Set up a website. Allow users to post all of the information they come by so it accumulates as time goes on. Got a Fiat parts book? Start looking up the "new" part numbers and posting them. Why wait for someone else to do all the work.
Owning a Fiat Spider requires a pretty large commitment on the owners part, and that seems to be lacking. Perhaps a Miata is more the car for you. Change the oil, turn the key, and if something breaks it will be available at any run of the mill parts house.