I'm finally getting some positive momentum going on my '72. I decided to go ahead and do the timing belt and tensioner bearing before something bad happened (it had been some time since the last one ). Since I had the radiator out, I decided to clean it up and repaint it and up-grade to a new electric fan. And since I had all that out, I decided to take the horns out and clean them up and repaint them. The same with the battery box and coolant recovery bottle. Since I had the alternator exposed I swapped in the 65 amp one from my '83 and performed the requisite wiring change. While I had all the parts out, I decided to clean up the radiator support and paint it as well. So today, I got it all back together. With new spark plugs and new 100 octane fuel (this is NASCAR country with 100 octane at several stations around) she started quickly and runs well. I think she will need a few tweaks to the carb as it had been sitting awhile, smelled rich and wanted to idle around 300 rpm. It has been about a year since I drove it so I had to take it down to the end of the cul-de-sac and back with no hood, bumpers or lights just to feel the wind in my hair.

I think working on a Fiat is a whole lot like the "If You Give a Mouse a Cookie" book. You can't just do one project and be satisfied.

Here are some pics.

Stock Fiamm horns and front radiator support....



New Fan and painted timing belt cover (I couldn't get the yellow clean)...



"New" 65 amp alternator and fan housing (yes, the PO switched to in-head T-stat)...



Much better, now back to body work...


More to come...

You made good progress. Did you swap the washer bag to the driver's side?

NICE JOB AND WHO SAYS ONE THING DOSENT LEAD TO ANOTHER....
ZEEK

HEY US TNOTICED THAT LOWER RADIATOR HOSE TO THE WATERPUMP LOOKS SAME AS MY 78
THEY SAY CANT BE HAD DOES YOU HAVE A # OR ANYTHING?
PLEASE LET ME KNOW
THANKS
ZEEK

Yeah mdrburchette, the PO had moved a few things around as I am discovering. I have an original manual and was trying to figure out were things were originally. It looks like he moved the bag to the drivers' side when he moved the coil to the passenger side. I found where it originally attaches, but the coil is in the way so I just left it where it is. The manual wasn't all that helpful as many of the pics were of the euro version with twin carbs and horns inside the engine bay.

Zeek, the radiator hoses are as follows: The upper is the lower hose from a 1977 Audi 100 Series LS 1.9L (Drive-Rite #B70704 from Advance Auto) the lower is the lower hose from a 1992 Chevrolet Cavalier RS 2.2L (Drive-Rite #B70817 Adv. Auto). The upper hose fit as is, the lower hose I cut off about 2 1/2 to 3 inches of the straight end and the cut-off end mounts to the radiator. Hope that is helpful.

The PO had flexible universal hoses on it and I was sure I could do better than that. The guy at Advance left me alone in the hose aisle for about 15 min till I found some close matches.

Looking good.

A little update on the project....

The snails' pace restoration continues.

I finally got the distributor swapped out for the electronic one from the '83. It runs great, better than it ever has. Of course, to be fair the points and condenser were 8-9 years old.

I bought some Calyx manifold dressing for the exhaust and really like the look and ease of use. We'll see how well it holds up.

I also got a new air cleaner to add a little bling.

Here are the latest pics.



close up.


As for the bodywork?... I'm so discouraged about that. I can't get more than 1 hour free every week or so to work on the car and am getting nowhere fast. After almost 2 years, I must admit defeat. I'm checking out some shops to let a pro do it. I want to get this project done so I can enjoy driving it again!

Calyx manifold dressing works great, looks great and lasts for months!

Yeah that manifold sure looks better this way! Good work and keep us posted.

Well finally, more progress!

I finally finished the preliminary body work and got the first coat of primer down. So for the first time in almost 2 1/2 years my spider is all the same color.

Next step, sand it smooth and then the high build primer and block sanding.

Here are some pics.






Maybe some tiger teeth and some US army air corp markings to go with the new color?.. nah...this car has red in its future.

Looks good! Are you doing the interior paint when you paint the outside?

Yeah Brady,

I will pull the doors off to do the inside of the doors and the jambs. From what I read here, I will likely reinstall the doors prior to final color and clear to avoid tearing up the new paint. When I remove the seats and carpet I will do the bedliner paint on the floor and rear bulk-head.

As much as possible I'm trying to keep it a rolling restoration. This is a driver quality restoration not concourse. I fear that if I tear it down too much I will loose motivation and never get it back together and going again. More of a psychological thing versus mechanical.

Boy I understand that!

Hi Jon,

It's coming along. Slow and steady wins the race. Hang in there.

Last time we visited my son and family in Charlotte my bride and I stopped in to meet and visit with Denise out in Walkerville. Next time we are down your way maybe we can get together and talk shop.

If you haven't connected with Denise yet maybe you should. She'll provide all the inspiration you'll need to get back on the road. Her 72 Spider is a dream machine.

Doug,

Thanks for the encouragement. This forum is a great resource. I haven't had a chance to meet up with anyone on the forum yet. I was hoping to make it to one of the two summer meets but my schedule didn't allow it. I look forward to meeting some of the southeasterners maybe next summer. Next time your in Charlotte PM me and we'll meet up.