First posting on this forum

[76fiat76]

Greetings to all,

I recently purchased a 1976 Fiat Spider. Most of everything is there and the previous owner said it has been sitting for about a year. I got the engine running, the problem is that there is a big oil leak on the passenger side of the block towards the firewall by the valve/cam shaft covers. I got everything pulled apart and noticed that someone had smeared silicon gasket sealant on the cover and in that general are where the oil leak is. I got all of that cleaned off, suspecting they were hiding a crack, but so far I can't see any cracks. I'm hoping that it was just a leaky gasket, so my plan is to order a new gaskets for cam shaft cover and cam shaft assembly, slap it all back together and go from there. Does anyone know where I can find or what the torque specs are for those 2 pieces, cam shaft cover and the assembly? Also, any recommendations as to where to buy parts? I found Midwest and International so far.
Many thanks.

[4uall]

Hello & welcome to the greatest place on earth

These guys have never failed me http://www.autoricambi.us/

This may help http://www.fiatspider.com/f08/viewtopic ... &sk=t&sd=a

[76fiat76]

Thanks Jay, I'll check those out.

Todd

[vandor]

Todd,

The #2 and #4 exhaust manifold bolts thread into oil return passages, so if either is missing it will leak
a large amount of oil.
Other possibilities in that area are the distributor and the cambox to head gasket (and obviously the valve cover).
To change the cambox gasket you need to replace the timing belt and readjust the valve clearances.

[76fiat76]

Roger that.
I'll take a closer look at those bolts after work today. I've got the valve cover and cambox off and had planned on ordering new belts and gaskets once I gather a list of other other items I noticed that need replacing. I'm gonna include a Chilton's repair guide in that list, because I have no idea on how to readjust the valve clearances.

[tartan18]

Instead of a Chilton's manual get a copy of the factory one. These run in the neighborhood of $40. Then, when you are able get your hands on these three additional ones for the 124: Brooklands, Clymer, and Haynes. Each of these offer something as none of them has everything. For setting valve clearances check out this page on IPD's web site:http://www.international-auto.com/fiat- ... rances.cfm

[SunnySideUp]

Welcome to the Forum!

Along with the cam box and valve cover gaskets make sure you replace the end cover gaskets on the cam boxes, too, and make sure to torque everything evenly and per spec. Brooklands manual is pretty good and Auto Ricambi is a personal favorite for parts as they have always come through for me. I highly recommend going for the "hi performance" cam box gasket from Auto Ricambi as it has a silicone bead as part of the gasket - the ones I installed from them don't leak, period! It's worth the extra cost.

Where are you? Are you in the U.S.? Europe? Australia? Might be a member close by that could help in person if needed.

[RRoller123]

Welcome aboard! You will find plenty of knowledgeable and friendly people here.

Here is a thread on how to post pictures to the forum:

http://www.fiatspider.com/f08/viewtopic.php?f=4&t=21014

Pete

[76fiat76]

I have been perusing the Auto Ricambi website and intend to use them for a parts source, they seem pretty solid and they sell items individually as well as package deals, which I like. I'm here in Tucson, AZ.

[SunnySideUp]

Wahoo!!! One more for Tucson!!!

[RRoller123]

Auto Ricambi is the best for general parts stuff, imho.

[76fiat76]

Many thanks to all for the great advice and input. I'm realizing that my torque wrench's lowest range is 25ft lbs. So in my hunt for a torque wrench, I seen one advertised (SNAP-ON CDI TORQUE 3/8 DR "SPLIT BEAM" FROM 20- 100 FT LBS) for $100.00 obo for sale by owner. I'm thinking that this is a decent deal, I might go check it out tomorrow. The reason for my search is that I started putting the cam box back on and ended up snapping a bolt with my current torque wrench at 25ft lbs. Thankfully I got the broken piece out fairly easy and I have some spare bolts that the previous owner gave me with a spare cam box.