Time to Rebuild My '79

[msjulian]

After 16 years of ownership and use it's finally time to get started on rebuilding my 1979 Spider.





The plan is to rebuild all the major components and change the color scheme. I want to paint the car a red used on earlier Spider and change the interior and top to black.

The first thing was to gut the front suspension.


Since I have access to the machines I decided to build control arm bushings using Teflon impregnated Delrin to free everything up.


Also upgrading to a rebound adjustable shock.

[msjulian]

Typical seat issues so I am adding some supports to beef the backs up.

[124JOE]

hello and welcome
looks like you are keeping busy

[RRoller123]

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

Here is a link to a map of Spider owner’s locations. Many forum members have listed their locations.

https://www.zeemaps.com/map?group=191825

Pete

[vandor]

Did you make delrin bushings for the upper arms? They only work properly if they have inner sleeves.

[msjulian]

I finished the uppers last week. Can't wait to see how all the suspension improvements work on the car.

[msjulian]

Busy day last Saturday. Pulled the engine and trans to take back to the shop at the house and blow apart to see what all needs to be replaced.

[msjulian]

Back at the shop...


Previous owner tried to shortcut the fix on the oil pan leaking and piled on the silicon. Made a big mess in the oil pump pickup


Sure didn't take very long to make a big pile of parts.


Transmission all torn down and it looks like all that will be needed is shift forks, synchro rings and springs.


I was struggling to find the source of a transmission rattle for some time now. I thought is was coming from inside the trans but it appears that the dust cover on the yoke came loose and made all the noise.


So my wife asked if I was investigating a crime scene with all the bagging and tagging. I told her "yep, the murder of a Fiat"

[vandor]

Yes, the dust covers on both the transmission and rear end yoke can break loose and rattle badly!

[msjulian]

Better to Fix, discard or replace?

[lglade]

Let us know how you like those Fox shocks, too. The company has a great reputation and they might be a better priced alternative to the yellow Konis that many of us have purchased. Did you get them for all four corners and what sizes are they?

[msjulian]

I have run the Fox single adj shocks on other cars and they work great. They are more expensive then the Koni but the adjustment range is extremely wide. They are probably over kill for a daily driver but if you want to tune up for an occasional autocross they are hard to beat.

[msjulian]

The first of many parts orders... pretty good list of parts for only $1200.00!!

1 (GA9-455) Transmission Gasket Set
2 (TR4-418) Transmission - Shifter Fork- 1/2 & 3/4
4 (TR7-414) Synchronizer Ring - 1st thru 4th Gear
4 (TR7-429) Synchronizer Spring
1 (TR5-464) Shift Lever Anti-Rattle Clip or Spring
1 (CL1-495) Clutch Kit - 1971on – OEM VALEO
1 (CL0-481) Clutch Alignment Tool
1 (BG0-440) Pilot Shaft Bearing - 1966-83
1 (DR5-470) Driveshaft Rebuild Kit -
1 (MO7-491) Transmission Mount - FIAT 124 1968-85 5 speed
1 (TR5-540) Shifter Lever Lower Socket Kit - 1973on
1 (EN2-441.STD) Connecting Rod Bearing Set - 1976on STD
1 (EN3-456.STD) Main Bearing Set - 1592, 1756 & 1995cc STD
2 (MO5-470) Motor Mount - 1975-85
1 (BT5-200) 2000 Timing Belt Kit -1979on
1 (BG2-444) Auxiliary Shaft Bearing Set
1 (EN0-001) Freeze Plug Kit
1 (LU4-470) Lower Dipstick Seal 1979-85
1 (EN7-414) Piston Set - 1756 and 1995cc- 84.4mm - 8.8 CR
2 (SU5-496) Upper Ball Joint
2 (SU5-497) Lower Ball Joint
2 (SU2-485) Front Swaybar Outer Bushing
2 (SU2-407) Front Swaybar Inner Bushing
2 (SU4-453) Tie Rod End Set - 1970on
1 (BR1-058) Brake Caliper Kit - Front
2 (BR4-451) Brake Hose - Front 1966-85
2 (BG8-414) Front Wheel Bearing Hub Washer
1 (BG8-417) Spindle Nut - Left Front
1 (BG8-418) Spindle Nut - Right Front
2 (SE8-480) Front Wheel Bearing Seal
1 (SE0-050) Speedometer Drive Seal
1 (GA6-404) Complete Gasket Set -1979-80 Carbureted

[msjulian]

Finished blasting all the big aluminum parts... Cleaned up nicely.

[msjulian]

Welding up the cracks we found in the cross member.





Now I have to repair the mounts in the frame. Two of the four bolts pulled through when we pulled the cross member out.