New @ Central FL

[Sweetvinny66]

Just picked up my, I guess I would say second Fiat Spider. The first one was a 82 pini I think around in 09, I traded my 02 Lancer Rallyart for. It needed tons of restoration so I sold it. Today I just drove my newly aquired 78 Spider. Drove it 100 miles back home with no issue. Ad stated it had a rebuilt motor, with new pistons, rods, cams, distributless ignition, etc. Also new clutch assembly and front and rear steering and suspension. Also its covered by a new top and sitting on kyb gas shocks and rotas wrapped in dunlops. It has some electrical issues but when i got her home, me and my dad started at it. First was the hood latch, which I broke the hood rod, so half of it stopped the hood from completely closing. Then was the fuel gauge, my dad sourced that the new fuel tank that was installed might not have had a ground so we grounded it. Next was the water temp gauge which the forums again heeded the way as we reseated the connection and allocated the electrical temperature controller. So during both those processes I unscrewed the the dash so I could fix them but it was unnecessary since thier wiring wasn't the curlprit there. But it fixed my turn signals. So all is well. Needing the carb tuned next then trying to figure out what all the dash intruments/buttons etc Im missing. This forum has already helped me on my way to restoring this beaut to the glory days.

[ORFORD2004]

You should have a emergency rod under the dash to open your hood on the left side.

[kilrwail]

Where are you in FL? I'll be near Sanford Jan thru Mar if you need a hand - I have a '78 as well.

[Sweetvinny66]

You should have a emergency rod under the dash to open your hood on the left side.

So far no luck on the spare rod, im missing most of the interior and stuff except for the essentials. So the search goes on.

[Sweetvinny66]

Where are you in FL? I'll be near Sanford Jan thru Mar if you need a hand - I have a '78 as well.

Im located in between Tampa and Orlando in Winter Haven. At the moment im debating on getting a new exhaust, since my dad concluded im running rich because they tune couldnt be done as the catalytic converter might be clogged. Then the exhaust pipping went from large diameter to a small then large again and then to the stock muffler causing even more back pressure. So im going to either cut it out and straight pipe it or get a vicks headers back exhaust, or maybe both in that order. Other than that my parking lights and tag light magnificently repaired its self, but ill track it down later since its functional. Oh ya my oil cap gasket was raw so we were going to replace it and my dad put the cap back on with no gasket, so I drove off and lost a qrt or two down the road. Good thing I hobbled it back home and we finished the seal, but my engine is a mess with oil in the valley and such. But im taking a day to do an eval of the things I need to get it fairly stock wise and better running order. So far craziness 70mph n going strong.

[Sweetvinny66]

[kilrwail]

Let me know if you guys get stumped by something after New Year's. You're only an hour away.

[BEEK]

I am in the Clermont area. PM me and ill send you my number. I have 30+ years experience as a fiat mechanic. I am now teaching Auto shop in high school. Guess what, there are 2 spiders and 3 scorpions in the auto shop... I would be glad to assist if needed with anything. Did you buy the brown one on craigslist?

[Sweetvinny66]

Let me know if you guys get stumped by something after New Year's. You're only an hour away.

Will do! Would like a ride out with some Fiats, it would be awesome.

[Sweetvinny66]

I am in the Clermont area. PM me and ill send you my number. I have 30+ years experience as a fiat mechanic. I am now teaching Auto shop in high school. Guess what, there are 2 spiders and 3 scorpions in the auto shop... I would be glad to assist if needed with anything. Did you buy the brown one on craigslist?

Thats not far at all, and yes I drove down to Englewood for it. It was on cl for the longest and thought id check it out, then ended up buying it. It was an old resto mod but still in better shape than the others I was prospecting for a new commuter. So far ive put down 250-300ish miles since the 21st.

[BEEK]

I thought it was a good deal. But i am currently into a scorpion restoration and also a 75 spider restoration, So i dont need another project.. my wife may kill me.... if she finds out...lol

[Sweetvinny66]

I thought it was a good deal. But i am currently into a scorpion restoration and also a 75 spider restoration, So i dont need another project.. my wife may kill me.... if she finds out...lol

Haha, I understand that. So far this has been my favorite car to tinker on, pretty simple with nice lines.
Going to set the carb today, or atleast try to.

[Sweetvinny66]

So I figured out I have the Weber 32/36 DFEV carburetor. And i turned in all the way in mix and idle jet and its still running rich. My idles at 1200-1400 and no room to compensate anymore. So anyone know what jets are needed to get a correct tune on the DFEV, so far its been going all over with the search button and I cant seem to find the ideal jets to go with, let alone where to start.