Edit... Resto mod FIRST DRIVE

[SoFlaFiat]

Made some slow tedious progress on wiring the dash today.





I figured out that I shouldn't have tossed the resistor for the high temp warning signal... Might anyone have one or know what I should look for?
If I can't find something I'm probably not going to worry about it too much as I am in the habit of watching the temp gauge anyway.

[spider2081]

I think if you want you could use a separate LED direct from the temp switch in the head. The sensor supplies the ground.

[SoFlaFiat]

Are you saying if I use an LED, I would not need a resistor? In other words, run directly from the high temp sensor in the head to an LED bulb?

[vandor]

I think if you want you could use a separate LED direct from the temp switch in the head. The sensor supplies the ground.

Yes, any warning light, or to even a buzzer. Alan, the resistor was there so the gauge does not burn out because it is grounded. A light or LED would be OK with it being connected directly to ground.

[spider2081]

The good thing about a panel mount LED is there is a large selection of sizes, bezel styles and colors. Also with your talent if you could modify the gauge with a small LED that lights from the sensor in the head. A 12 volt LED will light (almost full bright) around 3 volts but a 12 volt incandescent bulb doesn't become dimly visible until about 6 volts. This is one of the reasons LED's make good annunciators. LED's draw very little current compared to incandescent bulbs also. So you connect power to the + side of the LED and the sensor to the other. If the coolant temperature exceeds 160 degrees the sensor closes and the LED light's

[btoran]

i'm just finishing a custom dash project as well (although no where near as customized as yours). i'll be very happy in the next few days when i'm all done with the wiring. i know it's an italian car, but they didn't need to make it look like a bowl of messy spaghetti. i'm curious, how are you going to finish the face and top of your dash?

[SoFlaFiat]

Csaba and 2081,
Thanks for the direction, I will do that! I have an extra temp guage so I think I will try putting it in there.

Csaba, can you help with the terminals on the alt I got from you guys? What's the best approach for wiring the no charge idiot light?
I am installing a volt guage, so again, not the end of the world if I don't have the warning light.
I'll take help from anyone, just asking Csaba since the alt came from AR...

btoran,
Cleaning up that spaghetti was one of my top priorities! Terrible isn't it?
My answer for now is "Birdseye maple vinyl" on the face. It will be relatively easy to pull the whole thing out and replace if the vinyl doesn't last and I am at the point with this project that I want to see it running and can always modify later. It's been a long process...
The funny part about using vinyl... I'm a woodworker by trade boat builder, cabinet maker, sculptor...
The top, and bottom of the dash will get leather wrapped panels. These will be removable in separate pieces. The speedo and tach "bump" will also be a separate piece, fastened from the bottom.

[SoFlaFiat]

Another question, my 1977 has always run at about 190 degrees and I thought that was normal. Should it be running at 160?
Is the high temp sensor set for 160? I get the feeling, in Florida, that light will be on all the time
I have installed an aluminum rad in the hopes that it will cool better than the stock one.

[Exit98]

Alan,

190 degree F is just where it should be.

The Spider cooling system works fine. It just doesn't overheat ever as long as the system is up to snuff. Just check out azruss' post here: http://www.fiatspider.com/f08/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=27147

You new radiator is nice but the stock one works just as good. As long as the passages are clear, the water pump is pumping and the fan is cycling on and off as it should you could idle all day at 100 degrees and the needle will barely climb.

[spider2081]

Wow sooo sorry I thought I was typing 260 not 160. Maybe I should not have said anything about a temp because I don't know where the over temp sensor is suppose to switch. For some reason I thought is was when the needle is in the red area of the temp gauge.

[SoFlaFiat]

Doug,
By process of illumination (that was a auto fill/auto correct mistake... But I like it so I'm leaving it!!)
I figure that the coolant passages in my 77 are getting clogged up. Time to rebuild that one anyway!
I have for a while blamed the rad on not being able to keep up with summer heat but as Azruss has tested, the stock system should be fine. My 77 does not like sitting in traffic and starts to creep up over 200 - 220 to the point that I plan my route and go out of my way to avoid long lights and heavy traffic. As long as the car is moving it sits at 190. That said, maybe it's just that I don't like sitting either
Either way, the aluminum one is bought and paid for and does fit my new engine bay nicely so I am happy!

Next, I finally bit the bullet and bought seats! I searched out the cheapest lowest back racing seat I could fine and we will remove the red cloth and use tan leather to match the dash. These seats were only $251 for the pair with free shipping




I figure, I can't go wrong with that!

[SoFlaFiat]

Ok, I'm hooking up an LED then!!

[vandor]

> can you help with the terminals on the alt I got from you guys? What's the best approach for wiring the no charge idiot light?

The wire with the male terminal from the alternator should go to one side of the light, and switched power (with the ignition switch) to the other.

>My answer for now is "Birdseye maple vinyl" on the face.

You should find a cabinet maker to do that for you
(inside joke)

[SoFlaFiat]

I keep looking for a decent cabinet maker but the only one I can afford says he's an electrician now...

[btoran]

great idea on having the top dash panels removable.