I crawled until the engine to look at the timing belt after I install it and noticed the seemed didn't seem right on the lower section where the engine attaches to the transmission.



Isn't there supposed to be a cover plate there? Why would someone remove it?

Yes, there is, and you'll want to replace that ASAP! You don't want dirt in the bell housing. It's called the flywheel inspection plate I think, or maybe cover, or maybe... http://www.ebay.com/itm/FIAT-SPIDER-FLY ... ORE:US:101

hamlet wrote:Yes, there is, and you'll want to replace that ASAP! You don't want dirt in the bell housing. It's called the flywheel inspection plate I think, or maybe cover, or maybe... http://www.ebay.com/itm/FIAT-SPIDER-FLY ... ORE:US:101

That's what I thought. Should I attempt to clean it out before I replace the shield? I have no idea how long it's been off.

Not sure if you can clean it with the little access you have there. My 81 used one of the bolts to hold the plate also to attache the short ground wire coming from the body. I hope you still have that.

Just checked. Mine is missing too! Can someone post a picture of that ground wire?

Here's mine from the back and the front. Apologies for the dirt - these were pictures taken as I was taking the engine/transmission out. It's a lot cleaner now!