How to free up Crank shaft?

[NickSpider]

Have you used shadetree before? I checked out there website and it mentions they have rebuilt motors that they will swap for the existing or they will rebuilt the one I have. Ill call them up after the holidays to see what kind of money we are talking. My wife has given me some leaway but this car cannot become a money pit.

It sounds like you have a bit of work ahead of you. You may want to check out Shadetree Enginetrics in the Dallas/Fortworth area if you find you need mechanical help or used parts: http://home.earthlink.net/~fiatdr/shadetree.html

We have an old Farmall tractor that sat outside for over 20 years. After soaking the cylinders, we hooked up to a 4wd truck and pulled it down the road until the wheels started turning. It was fine after that but I don't know what damage that would cause to a Fiat engine. I've got a 70 Spider that's been sitting since 1985 that I may try it on but I have the tools and mechanic right here at home if the engine needs overhauled.

[mdrburchette]

I've talked to them when I was looking for oversized pistons for my 1608. I spoke to Cindy and was impressed with her knowledge. They've also been recommended to me by several different people but it's a bit far for me to take anything to them.

[baltobernie]

Nick, I think you've exhausted all of the easy ways to get your car running.

Classic or vintage car ownership is an expensive hobby, unless you can do a lot of the work yourself. Notice that I didn't say, "Classic or vintage Italian cars"; this applies to Fords as well as Fiats. Secondly, the ability to perform this work has little to do with your mechanical ability; it can be a matter of time, garage space, etc. You know how much it costs to have your Expedition serviced, and mechanics charge about the same regardless of what they’re working on. Imagine calling up your Ford mechanic and telling him you have a 30-year-old Fairmont with a siezed engine, then asking “what in all likleyhood am I looking at spending to get this engine running?”

I’ve been (rightfully) accused of standing on this soapbox before, and I’m not dissing you, Nick. Spiders are so darn seductive that we (all of us ) have put a lot more time and money than practical into their repair and refurbishment.

If you lived in the Baltimore-Washington area, I know a guy who would dolly your car to his well-equipped shop, install a salvage engine and other used components as required, and get your car running. For fifty bucks an hour, plus pars. At an absolute minimum, $1,000. I don’t care where you live, that would be a great price to perform this work on any make or model vehicle. Double or triple that if a full-time professional is doing the work.

OK, so now its running. How’s the rest of the drive train? Calipers/master cylinder/(steel and rubber) brake lines? Fuel lines? Wiring? Suspension? How old are the tires? Even garaged, ten years is the max. Without performing a complete inspection (not a “state safety inspection”), is this a car you want to be driving at highway speeds with your wife in the other seat? What are the odds that none of these other critical items will require repair/replacement?

I’ve said this before, too many times, but an “arms length” purchase of a safe, reliable Fiat Spider is a three or four thousand dollar proposition. That’s not a rust-free, good-looking, weatherproof daily driver. How much you’re going to be able to reduce that number by virtue of being a family friend is a complete guess at this point.

I hope I haven’t discouraged you from owning and driving one of these wonderful cars, and I wish you well.

[racydave]

Bernie is dead on. Commitment, and patience. I purposfully have not kept track of how much I have in mine. It has been helpfull to spread the expence over the last 4 years.

[mdrburchette]

I added all my receipts up one time....but none of them included labor. It can be expensive but I would do it all over again.

[htchevyii]

I've never aded them up, because I don't want to know. I do know that every car that I have ever restored cost twice as much as I figured. It's all the little stuff that you don't even factor in that adds up. Still fun though!

[NickSpider]

No discouragement here, I agree with everything you have said. I trust the man I purchased the car from he has no reason to lie. Plus I dont think he would lie intentionally especially givent the fact that if he were to screw me over royally it could affect his daughters salary job placement. As far as everything else goes, I have already invested in new rotors, brake pads, and calipers. The master cylinder seems to be in good working order (well at least it looks ok, wont be able to test it for a while it seems), I already pulled the fuel tank and had it relined, replaced fuel pump, replaced fuel lines, replaced brake lines, replaced heater lines, pulled the emissions systems off (even though it was still functioning, to prevent a freeze up later) capped all lines connected with emissions. Most likely will get the clutch changed out, just to be on the safe side. Already installed 4 new tires plus a spare (original tires from 1975 were still on it when I purchased it, nice and dry rotted). All wiring looks to be as good as new. Suspension seems to be working fine, may need to replace the front ball joints though. I have already invested quite a bit, so whats a few more thousand?

Would it be best to haul the car to a mechanic or to pull the engine and ship it to say one the place that rebuilds fiat engines and have them rebuild it and me reinstall it?

Nick, I think you've exhausted all of the easy ways to get your car running.

Classic or vintage car ownership is an expensive hobby, unless you can do a lot of the work yourself. Notice that I didn't say, "Classic or vintage Italian cars"; this applies to Fords as well as Fiats. Secondly, the ability to perform this work has little to do with your mechanical ability; it can be a matter of time, garage space, etc. You know how much it costs to have your Expedition serviced, and mechanics charge about the same regardless of what they’re working on. Imagine calling up your Ford mechanic and telling him you have a 30-year-old Fairmont with a siezed engine, then asking “what in all likleyhood am I looking at spending to get this engine running?”

I’ve been (rightfully) accused of standing on this soapbox before, and I’m not dissing you, Nick. Spiders are so darn seductive that we (all of us ) have put a lot more time and money than practical into their repair and refurbishment.

If you lived in the Baltimore-Washington area, I know a guy who would dolly your car to his well-equipped shop, install a salvage engine and other used components as required, and get your car running. For fifty bucks an hour, plus pars. At an absolute minimum, $1,000. I don’t care where you live, that would be a great price to perform this work on any make or model vehicle. Double or triple that if a full-time professional is doing the work.

OK, so now its running. How’s the rest of the drive train? Calipers/master cylinder/(steel and rubber) brake lines? Fuel lines? Wiring? Suspension? How old are the tires? Even garaged, ten years is the max. Without performing a complete inspection (not a “state safety inspection”), is this a car you want to be driving at highway speeds with your wife in the other seat? What are the odds that none of these other critical items will require repair/replacement?

I’ve said this before, too many times, but an “arms length” purchase of a safe, reliable Fiat Spider is a three or four thousand dollar proposition. That’s not a rust-free, good-looking, weatherproof daily driver. How much you’re going to be able to reduce that number by virtue of being a family friend is a complete guess at this point.

I hope I haven’t discouraged you from owning and driving one of these wonderful cars, and I wish you well.

[NickSpider]

too far involved to quit now.

No discouragement here, I agree with everything you have said. I trust the man I purchased the car from he has no reason to lie. Plus I dont think he would lie intentionally especially givent the fact that if he were to screw me over royally it could affect his daughters salary and job placement. As far as everything else goes, I have already invested in new rotors, brake pads, and calipers. The master cylinder seems to be in good working order (well at least it looks ok, wont be able to test it for a while it seems), I already pulled the fuel tank and had it relined, replaced fuel pump, replaced fuel lines, replaced brake lines, replaced heater lines, pulled the emissions systems off (even though it was still functioning, to prevent a freeze up later) capped all lines connected with emissions. Most likely will get the clutch changed out, just to be on the safe side. Already installed 4 new tires plus a spare (original tires from 1975 were still on it when I purchased it, nice and dry rotted). All wiring looks to be as good as new. Suspension seems to be working fine, may need to replace the front ball joints though. I have already invested quite a bit, so whats a few more thousand?

Would it be best to haul the car to a mechanic or to pull the engine and ship it to say one the place that rebuilds fiat engines and have them rebuild it and me reinstall it?

Nick, I think you've exhausted all of the easy ways to get your car running.

Classic or vintage car ownership is an expensive hobby, unless you can do a lot of the work yourself. Notice that I didn't say, "Classic or vintage Italian cars"; this applies to Fords as well as Fiats. Secondly, the ability to perform this work has little to do with your mechanical ability; it can be a matter of time, garage space, etc. You know how much it costs to have your Expedition serviced, and mechanics charge about the same regardless of what they’re working on. Imagine calling up your Ford mechanic and telling him you have a 30-year-old Fairmont with a siezed engine, then asking “what in all likleyhood am I looking at spending to get this engine running?”

I’ve been (rightfully) accused of standing on this soapbox before, and I’m not dissing you, Nick. Spiders are so darn seductive that we (all of us ) have put a lot more time and money than practical into their repair and refurbishment.

If you lived in the Baltimore-Washington area, I know a guy who would dolly your car to his well-equipped shop, install a salvage engine and other used components as required, and get your car running. For fifty bucks an hour, plus pars. At an absolute minimum, $1,000. I don’t care where you live, that would be a great price to perform this work on any make or model vehicle. Double or triple that if a full-time professional is doing the work.

OK, so now its running. How’s the rest of the drive train? Calipers/master cylinder/(steel and rubber) brake lines? Fuel lines? Wiring? Suspension? How old are the tires? Even garaged, ten years is the max. Without performing a complete inspection (not a “state safety inspection”), is this a car you want to be driving at highway speeds with your wife in the other seat? What are the odds that none of these other critical items will require repair/replacement?

I’ve said this before, too many times, but an “arms length” purchase of a safe, reliable Fiat Spider is a three or four thousand dollar proposition. That’s not a rust-free, good-looking, weatherproof daily driver. How much you’re going to be able to reduce that number by virtue of being a family friend is a complete guess at this point.

I hope I haven’t discouraged you from owning and driving one of these wonderful cars, and I wish you well.

[brad131a4]

Never ever look at what the cost of keeping a spider or getting a spider back on the road is going to be. No car is ever worth the amount that isn't the point. You do it because you want to not because you have to. I'll still take a 10 to 15yr old car over a new one as its still cheaper to drive. Even if you spend 2-3 thousand it will still be better looking than just about all of the newer convertibles out there.

[So Cal Mark]

if you don't have a local mechanic that is VERY familiar with Fiats I'd pull the motor and ship it to a real Fiat specialist. A search of engine/machining problems created by non-Fiat shops will scare the crap out of you

[mdrburchette]

Vick's Auto Parts is in your state. I'd call them to see who they would recommend. Like Mark says, find a mechanic that's familiar with Fiats. They're not rocket science, but it seems many who aren't familiar with them turn stupid when they work on them.

[baltobernie]

Sorry, I didn't realize you were already well into refurbishment/repair. I still like the idea, though, of a donor car engine, so that you can get running and sort out any other issues. Any chance that there are Fiat clubs nearby with members that can assist?

[SpiderHead]

Sorry, I didn't realize you were already well into refurbishment/repair. I still like the idea, though, of a donor car engine, so that you can get running and sort out any other issues. Any chance that there are Fiat clubs nearby with members that can assist?

I'm with Bernie here, but get a whole car! buy a parts car with a running engine if you have the room.. or a running engine from one being parted out if you don't.

You will save time and cash

-Ryan

[NickSpider]

is it possible the crank shaft is frozen because the transmission may or may not have fluid in it? This may be a stupid question, just trying to narrow down all the options before I get the engine rebuilt.

[So Cal Mark]

if the trans was seized it could prevent the engine from turning, but that would be an odd circumstance. My bet is that the piston rings are rusted to the cylinders