What to Replace After 11 Years of Sitting?

[Pete112]

Hi All,

So I am finally going to start my '80 project car! Long story short, last summer I bought an '80 and afterwards I found it had a title issue (never transferred from 3 owners ago). I googled the owner from '97, met up with him, and he reapplied for the title for me. Finally it's legally mine!

Anyway, it hasn't run since '97 so the engine is seized. I'm picking up a used engine and tranny from a fellow board member. Eventually I'll rebuild the original but I wanted a quicker route to a running car.

So, onto my question - what do I need to replace and/or inspect before attempting to drive my Fiat and while I have the engine out? Mind you this is a bit of wishful thinking since it's probably far from the road, but I have to start somewhere!

So far, I thought of mandatory:

clutch kit
brake lines, rotors, calibers, pads
carb (hopefully I can find one on here)
intake (carbed '80 is supposedly the worst so I figured if I'm rebuilding a carb, it might as well be a good one)
gas tank relined
fuel pump
rubber fuel lines
timing belt
radiator and hoses
water pump
tires

Optional, and let me know what you think:

metal fuel lines
master cylinder
ball joints/suspension
exhaust
heater core

Can anyone think of anything else? I do realize that there are probably other problems such as electrical. But I won't know what they are until after its somewhat running. I'm really just looking for things that I have to do after such a long period of sitting. I don't want to crash the first time I drive the car because I didn't think of something. Or put the whole engine back in and someone says "ah, you should have xyz before you reinstalled the engine."

On a side note, the car is very rust free. It's been garaged since its been sitting. Doors, engine mounts, etc show no signs of oxidation. Only bit of rust is in the back wheel wells.

Thanks for your help and looking forward many more conversations with everyone!

[So Cal Mark]

you've listed nearly every facet of the car, but include a driveshaft coupler/flex joint in your list. You'll probably have to rebuild the calipers.

[mdrburchette]

You may want to consider replacing the motor mounts. They're a real pain to remove once the engine is in the car. Also check and replace the rubber driveshaft donut and transmission mount. Your brake hard lines should be okay if you flush them as well as your hard fuel lines. Definitely change all fluids.

[baltobernie]

Definitely change all fluids.

... including the steering box (it's probably dry, with nothing to change. Otherwise, use a turkey baster). Also adjust this box while the engine is out; it's hidden under the intake manifold. If you haven't done so, search the forum regarding proper oils for the engine, transmission and differential.

You might not need rotors or pads; measure before discarding usable ones. Ditto fuel pump. clutch, radiator, and all items from your "Optional" list. For example, if the fuel pump is bad, you will know when you turn the key, and it is easily replaceable at that moment. Same thing with the radiator.

The tough part is separating "restoration" from "repair" when it comes to your budget. I think you're on the right track regarding replacing safety, low-cost, and inaccessible items first, then get it running and driving around the neighborhood. At that point you can better evaluate your investment and make a realistic plan. Your "fellow board member" may be a valuable resource in bird-dogging used or loaner parts to reach this point.

Congratulations on your perserverence, and Welcome!

[TulsaSpider]

I am wondering if you tried to free the engine at all? many times, (according to posts here), soaking the rings with auto transmission fluid for a few days or weeks can free up the rings. Mine sat for 13 years and I got in running in under a week. I have had issues along the way but with this forum and determination I have handled them all! Good luck!

[Pete112]

Thanks all! That's exactly the advise (and encouragement) I was looking for! That's fasinating that you were able to get a car running after 13 years of sitting. Was the engine turned over a few times during those 13 years? I don't think mine was. At this point, I think I've dumped so much trans fluid and PB Blaster down the engine that its almost filled up to the pistons! The line is about 3-4 inches past the full mark on the dipstick! Honestly, I haven't tried forcing it with all my might but I have tried pretty damn hard with the breaker bar.

And you are right about the help with the forum! Just last night a fellow board member sold me all kinds of spare parts for a great price! It's nice not having to sink a fortune into the car just to get it on the road (crossing fingers).

Well, keep the advise coming. I just wanted to touch base to let you know I've read the comments and will be working on it more often once the weather breaks a bit (very cold, detached garage).

[So Cal Mark]

hopefully you're dumping the PB and atf down the spark plug holes and not into the oil sump.

[Pete112]

Yes, it was through the spark plug holes. But it disappears after a day or so and yet still no turning! I guess I'll try really forcing it before pulling the engine and putting in the replacement I just got.

[mdrburchette]

I just don't understand why I'm hearing about all these locked up engines lately. I pulled a 72 into the shop that had been sitting outside for 22 years and the engine is nice and free. Have you tried rocking it back and forth in gear to see if it helps?

[So Cal Mark]

that's a good sign! if the oil is getting into the crankcase, that means it's getting past the rings, so they're not rusted solidly to the cyl walls.
Denise-I think a lot of these engines had problems before they were stored. Otherwise, why just park a driveable car? Leaving an engine with a leaking head gasket will allow the rings to rust to the cyls. Rust never sleeps!

[pope]

I started to disassemble my engine yesterday after sitting in an unheated garage in Michigan (Brrrrr) for 10 years out of the car with no plugs and open manifold ports. The entire inside still had a light coat of oil and looked as fresh as a North Carolina Daisy including the pistons and chambers. What the heck are these guys doing with their Spider!

[So Cal Mark]

perhaps they were some of the models dumped in the Pacific and salvaged. That might explain why Fiat used a sailboat emblem on some cars

[htchevyii]

My '72 sat for 25 years and when i got it the air cleaner was off. It cranked right over no problem, (no atf or anything, to my dismay, when I went to pick it up the p.o. had allready moved it outside using the starter motor). The engine later turned out to be junk, but due to bad machine work, not from sitting.

[Fi8spider]

Hi, I have salvaged a spider or two from years of storage, advice you ask>>>grease up the those front wheel bearings, check the diff for oil and make sure the brake hydraulics work faultlessly before you hit the tarmac. Good luck.

[Pete112]

I thought it was common for engines to sieze after sitting for a few years. From what I'm reading here, I guess it's hit or miss. No, I have not tried the 4th gear push thing. Honestly I was worried about breaking the transmission. I thought something has to give, and what if it's not the engine? Now that I have a spare tranny and engine, I guess I don't have much to lose. First I'm going to try turning it with all my might, and maybe a longer pole!

As for the sitting story, mine was in a fender bender and the driver was afraid of it. I know this b/c I talked to the PO that did not sell it to me, but was the last to drive the car. So it did run before it was garaged in '97.