Car's been sitting

[gudtimer41]

I'm purchasing an 82 spider, rust-free, in great cosmetic condition. Starts easily, smoke-free. The problem is, it's been sitting for about 7 years, with only an occasional drive up and down the driveway. The brakes feel like they're dragging. The steering feels heavy. There's no relay for the cooling fan so it overheats, and when it does, vapor comes from the air intake in front of the windshield and the upper radiator tank seam is bubbling. On the whole it looks like a great buy, but what do I need to do with this car? Thanks for your input.

[DUCeditor]

First off, if the price is reasonable, this sounds like a good car. Sitting alone can kill a vehicle, but if she starts and runs well it seems as if she has escaped the worst of it.

The radiator may have a problem, possible fixable. The heavy steering may be a problem, or may not. Are you familiar with how Spiders feel? Having no power steering they tend to be heavy in parking lot situations. Even if there is you are likely looking at a rebuild of the front end, something most older cars need and perhaps a new steering box, but in most cases (unless someone over-tightened the box to compensate) that'd show as play, not tightness.

Brakes? Likely a rebuild after sitting. Parts are quite inexpensive.

I had all that done on my `77 (except the radiator), plus rehanging a sagging exhaust, a tune up and new rubber for about $2K.

You might use that figure as part of your haggling.

Be aware there may be other things lurking. There usually are! But if the basic car is sound, and, as mentioned, the price is right, I'd not let fear of that make me hold back. If there is nothing else wrong now there will be in a few months when you start driving her regularly. This is part and parcel with any classic car.

-don

[rlux4]

0ur 82s don't have a relay for the cooling fan, the components are the fan motor, a thermostatic switch in the bottom of the radiator and a ground at the pod on the left front inner fender. If you can take a hot wire to the fan by unplugging the connector going to it and the fan comes on the motors OK. Next check to see if the switch is good by taking it off the car and putting it in water being heated on the stove, as the water heats up it should make internal contact as you approach 190° and get continuity between the two terminals on it. If both of these components check out OK then go to the ground pod on the inner fender and look for the largest black ground wire, make sure it's making good solid contact, in my case I had to replace the female spade terminal on the end of the wire because even pinching the original terminal wouldn't get me good enough ground.
Ron

[So Cal Mark]

while Ron's advice is thorough, I'd look at the fuse and contacts first. 2k is about what I'd expect you to spend to get the car road worthy after sitting for that long

[azruss]

i am concerned about the moisture coming out of the defrost vents and the radiator seam bubbling. replace your radiator cap. sounds like it is stuck and not releasing pressure. looks like you are in for a radiator and heater core fix,

[Exit98]

I'll bet the heater valve is open and after sitting so long the heater box is probably rotted and leaking hot steam when the car gets hot.

See if closing the heater valve stops or reduces the steam from the dash and cowel area.

[rlux4]

Well duh! I guess a fuse for the power source could be considered a component that may need looking at.
While we're on the subject of fuses; when I first got my car I was advised to clean any corrosion on the fuse contacts at the fuse panel and give them all a slight crimping to get better contact on the GBC type fuses our cars use. It was good advice and I've never had a fuse panel related issue. Maybe that's why I forgot to include the fuse as a component.
Yeah, that's it.
Ron

[gudtimer41]

Thanks for all the useful replies. This is my second spider, as I previously owned a '74. It lasted me for several years, but then the timing belt went and I couldn't afford to get the work done to repair it back then. I pick up the '82 tomorrow, and I'll be able to dig deeper into the car but honestly, once it's cleaned up inside and out it'll look just like it came out of the factory. A little rust on the top tube of the front bumper (can I just flip the bumper over?) and a new back window for the top and I'll be in business. I paid $3750 for it, and it seems like the deal of a lifetime. Even the clock is working! Yow!! Ed from Waukesha, Wisconsin

[DUCeditor]

Sounds great Ed! Do please post some pix when you get her!

-don

[gudtimer41]

I just picked up my spider and would like to post a couple of pics. How do I go about it? Ed

[124JOE]

I just picked up my spider and would like to post a couple of pics. How do I go about it? Ed

do a search "how to post photos"
get photobucket,flickeror picaso to house you online photos then upload some pics to them,
copy the img code and paste one a posting


pm me if your lost!joe

[2ndwind]

Welcome, pic tutorial:
http://www.fiatspider.com/f08/viewtopic ... res#p37831