Bough my first fiat spider a month ago. Its a red 1983 with black interior - manual; in pretty good shape with small amount of rust at the wheel arches and the usual minor wear and tear, it has 108K miles. I'm the second owner, the PO had not tinkered around much so it is almost completely original. I'm hoping that my marriage survives this car
This form is awesome, don't know where I'd be without it. Definitely plan on donating soon.
My mechanical skills are average at best but thanks to all the info available I've started to replace and fix a few parts so far:
- new spark plugs, spark wires, magnetic pickup, and vacuum advance
- new rubber fuel lines, clamps and a new fuel filter
- I sent the fuel rail with the injectors and the cold start valve to OKInjectors for cleaning - helped a lot
- Changed the Aux air valve with a refurbished one - helped with the rough idling when engine was cool
- Cleaned the electrical grounds
Remaining dragons to be slain:
1-Timing belt, I think it only has about 20k but it is almost 10 years old
- I am worried this is beyond my skills and i will screw it up 2- Valve adjustment, I think I can do this one
---For 1 and 2, got a quote from mechanic of $1,000 for a new timing belt, water pump and valve adjustment---debating whether to do these myself or have the mechanic do them
3- I may have busted the front shocks when I had the real tires jacked up for a day to change the fuel lines - so new shocks
4- Annoying hesitation sometimes when I hit the gas at low RPM, maybe timing advance related
5- Anything to make it easier to steer
6- new top
.....on and on
Enough with the details - I'll post separately to get answers to specific questions. Again thanks for the membership to a great form.