Vancefish 1975 out of Denver, USA

[Vancefish]

Hello all,

So, I'm helping get my mothers 1975 Spider 124 back on the road.

We (she, my step father, and I) re-built it back in 1985-87. Tore it down to parts, re-wired and re-built everything. Including a custom dash (two or three designs) and console, with full role and tuck by my mother.

After it was complete, it was driven every so often, and stored in a garage for a few years. Then left in that garage for many more. I drove it five years ago for about a week. Then BACK in the garage until two years ago.

For the last two years it sat in either my parents driveway (outside), or my Uncles driveway (also outside). Then a month ago my mother told me she wants to get it running safely again. (She needs a car after the divorce, to get to work).

So, I just bought $600 worth of stuff, mostly suspension and rubber. Got a Carb re-build kit, new battery, ran it through the car wash...

I've done a LOT of suspension work over the years so not worried about that at all.

HOWEVER I'm QUITE concerned about the timing belt!The book makes it sound very difficult, and requires special tools. I can do a Civic TB in 2 hours. NOT sure I can do a Fiat AT ALL!!

I'll dig through the site and see how others have done it. AND glad to find you guys!

[124JOE]

dude its a 10mm 13mm and a 17mm
the most important thing would be get it set and dont move anything"oil timing gear the hole at 1oclock"it moves easy!

[DougC]

dude its a 10mm 13mm and a 17mm
the most important thing would be get it set and dont move anything"oil timing gear the hole at 1oclock"it moves easy!

I heard it was easy too, and nearly killed my baby. I won't do that again! Vancefish you sound very mechanical though, so you shouldn't have too much trouble.

-Doug

[124JOE]

i sat doing the timing belt over and over for hours and days
I had a bad belt that kept skiping
i think "duh it have a spare belt"so i grab it and its too long
now its easy for ME
put the car in 4th and go out and roll the car untill its on the mark,check the cam gears are on the marks
i slide the belt off at the cams first the intake side a little then the exh then the intake untill
it comes off pushing from the drivers side down under the crank,then pull up the pass side and it should come off
slide the new belt down the pass side of the crank wrap under and pullthen push the belt under the casting
and pull up on the drivers it should work on. then check the marks
remember the oil timming its the big gear under the berring/tentioner.it has a dimple
that points to 1oclock.when putting on the belt that gear has to grab then pass side uver the berring
and to the exh cam but just over half"dont slide all the way across the tooth"
put it on the intake topside and push hard "inward on the berring" pulling the belt on at the same time
i do have a haynes manual and use it


hope this helps

[Vancefish]

Thanks all!

I just got all the suspension components a few days ago, plus the new belts (timing and Alt). I also bought a set of three point seat belts, I'll have to find/create a shoulder mount point for. Plus the bearing for the timing belt.

After looking under the car I discovered the drive shaft mid-bearing (the rubber is very worn), and noticed just how messy the underside of the car is. So, I've ordered an oil pan gasket, tranny pan gasket (this doesn't leak yet, but it's the only one), Plus the seal and Gasket for the rear Diff.

Then I drove it to my Chiropractor's appointment, (intending on washing the underside on the way home). When I came out the car would not start. I tracked down a freshly broken Airtech fuel pump. (had to walk home three miles). So, I'll pick one of those up today.

I didn't realize it until yesterday, but my mother's role and tuck is no longer in the car. They reupholstered the car again, after I was gone. Now it's just a tan cloth. However there are now 6X9 speakers mounted in the backs of the back seat.

Anywho,.. You guys make the timing belt sound both easy, and difficult at the same time.

My 91 Accord runs two belts, One runs the cam, and oil pump. Running through a spring tensioner pulley. The second belt (outer) turns two balancing shafts. One in front, one in the rear. This second belt is also tensioned by a pulley with a light spring. However the pin the two tensioners sit on, is the same pin. So the trick is using a bolt to hold the first tensioner pulley while you align the balance shafts, and get that tensioner into the mix. Once both are on, and everything is aligned. You tighten the nut that locks down both tensioner pulleys.

I can do that, in about two and a half hours, AND it sounds easy to me. LOL

The repair book that came in my mother's car is,.. Get this,.. Carbooks, Inc Shop manual. Copyright 1976!

Which says something about using a couple of Fiat specific tools, as well as making it sound like not doing it this way could lead to explosions (figuratively). It mentions using a belt tensioner gauge (which I can't seem to find anyone who has one). Plus saying I'll need to replace this belt every 25,000 miles. (is that true??)

Anyway, off to work. And sorry I didn't get back here sooner. Just hunting, buying, investigating. Soon to be D-day. LOL

[Vancefish]

Well, DO NOT buy from Familycar.com! These guys were who I ordered the seat belts from. The first email talked about not charging me until they were ready to ship. The second one said sorry we don't have that, your refund may take DAYS!

So, seat belts aside, have you seen the cost of these universal fuel pumps?? Holy bottom dwelling fish batman! These used to cost $10, NOW they cost $65!!! Needless to say, this IS what I'll be paying. Just,... WOW!

Anyway, one of these days I'll have a real question. Then I can find a sub-forum to have a real thread in.

OH, how do I use the smiles on this site. I tried clicking them, clicking and dragging. All I get are code lines like a web address. What am I doing wrong there?

[azygoustoyou]

The smiles are posted when you hit submit.

[2ndwind]

Welcome Vancefish,

I used to change the timing belt in '78 and '79 Toyota Celicas (single cam) pretty easily. My son recently bought a '91 2-door Accord with 124,000 well-maintained miles. Timing belt(s) were changed at 88,000 mi. but that was 10 yrs ago! So we commenced to changing the two belts as you referenced above. Given the two belts and very tight quarters in the Accord, the spider's belt is easier, especially if you take out the radiator.

Enjoy

[Vancefish]

Well that is great news. I can easily believe someone who's done both.

I found some rough stuff last night after getting it home. First off the fuel pump was the issue (or why it didn't come home a few days ago). However I found some strut tower rust in the drivers wheel well. I'll be starting a thread on that. Looks like similar rust was found years ago on the passenger side by my step father. Question will be how extensive and how Structural the area is.

[Vancefish]

So, to put an end to this thread. Here are pics of the car,.. Then pics of the rusted "strut tower". Then a link to my first thread about that rust.











Wheel well, drivers side front. Leading side



Back side / rear of the tower



New thread:

http://www.fiatspider.com/f08/viewtopic ... 30&t=15005

[124JOE]

time to buy some new metal