General What did you do to your vintage spider today?

[124BC1]

----------------------------------I know parts even though new, like master cylinders, fuel pumps, wheel cylinders have a shelf life sometimes..

Original Fiat brake master cylinders used to include a small notice in the packaging which I reckon most people didn't notice/read.
It advised stripping the master cylinder and cleaning/re-lubricating it with clean brake fluid before installing it on the car if it may have been in storage for some time.

 

[124BC1]

40 IDF’s that fit on a Twincam manifold are pretty rare. The new versions are produced for VW and the spindles are too long.
I think throttle bodies and Megasquirt are the future, especially with AI to populate the map. Unfortunately that is all way beyond my knowledge and ability!
I fitted a block mounted distributor and electronic ignition from a Lancia Beta but that means an offset manifold, which I found! I started doing my car in 2007!! I rebuilt the engine with some advice from Guy Croft, and converted it from the wheasey 80hp FI Cal spec to 150hp on standard parts bin parts! Stock cams, pistons, exhaust header (all Lancia) Abarth Inlet valves and GC valve port specs on a Lancia head. I saw an engine with less power and torque on ebay for £4k!! Would be a big challenge to find all those bits today!

Webcon in the U.K. offer an offset inlet manifold: -

Iirc, they used to offer a full kit including the correct 40 IDF's (or 44 IDF's if you preferred, kit ref. PF1201) but now seem to just offer the manifold and mention the problem with the throttle shafts- they do helpfully provide dimensions of their manifold so you can measure up to check it's suitability.
However, throttle shafts can be shortened or alternatively perhaps even replaced with the correct one's - they do stock lots of Weber carb parts.
So, not impossible for someone who know's what they're doing...

Re - rebuilt engines/tuned engines - one of the U.S. major parts suppliers (I supplied a list of these suppliers to someone on here some time ago) for the 124 Spiders lists Fiat T/c engines of various capacities both fully rebuilt or indeed tuned from c. $5000. From the description of the work they carry out, it seems like do a comprehensive job and iirc, they'll supply a dyno sheet for the engine. They usually require a core engine to be supplied (in advance or possibly? afterwards to get a refund of the core deposit), but given shipping costs and currency exchange rates this is really only suitable for U.S. residents.
I could probably fully rebuild an engine to standard spec. or even slightly 'hotted-up' for a fraction of this cost, but there again I'm not paying me for my time.

 

[smahaley]

Some types of clip seem to be ground flat on both sides (avoids the potential problem I described) plus they seem to fit more securely in square grooves.
(I've seen some u/joints that even used selectable different thicknesses of clip to adjust clearances, but not on Fiat's, so you're o.k.).

I'm not sure about how well the clip is fitting into it's groove at this point (red arrow) compared with the width of the loose clips on the bench - it might just be the angle of the shot? No harm to double-check before you store the shaft and possibly forget about it?

View attachment 463124

*Sorry to hear about your back issues but well done for getting the driveshaft back together while suffering.
(am similarly afflicted myself, want to work but just can't at times).

Yes well spotted - i wasn’t quite done with seating the clips when I took that shot.

I did something dumb (again?) 10 days ago and took my grown sons (2 of them) racing elec go karts. Having actually raced I *obviously* had to get the best track time. Which I did. As well as a herniated disc (or so they say - will see whenever I get the MRI).

 

[Twink80]

Webcon in the U.K. offer an offset inlet manifold: -

View attachment 463125
View attachment 463126


Iirc, they used to offer a full kit including the correct 40 IDF's (or 44 IDF's if you preferred, kit ref. PF1201) but now seem to just offer the manifold and mention the problem with the throttle shafts- they do helpfully provide dimensions of their manifold so you can measure up to check it's suitability.
However, throttle shafts can be shortened or alternatively perhaps even replaced with the correct one's - they do stock lots of Weber carb parts.
So, not impossible for someone who know's what they're doing...

Re - rebuilt engines/tuned engines - one of the U.S. major parts suppliers (I supplied a list of these suppliers to someone on here some time ago) for the 124 Spiders lists Fiat T/c engines of various capacities both fully rebuilt or indeed tuned from c. $5000. From the description of the work they carry out, it seems like do a comprehensive job and iirc, they'll supply a dyno sheet for the engine. They usually require a core engine to be supplied (in advance or possibly? afterwards to get a refund of the core deposit), but given shipping costs and currency exchange rates this is really only suitable for U.S. residents.
I could probably fully rebuild an engine to standard spec. or even slightly 'hotted-up' for a fraction of this cost, but there again I'm not paying me for my time.

Great info. I think it would be very difficult to shorten newer carb spindles, the one carb has a welded on washer/seal as there is no space for a nut! I did manage to remove this and reweld it (had to to fix a siezed bearing). The spindle bearings also have seals to prevent air being drawn in.
Finally the pair of spindles have to be precisely aligned to ensure the butterflys and fuel pumps operate simultaneously.
Webber do a great Haynes manual on their carbs, if you ever see one buy it!

 

[Slotman]

Good day!, today I completed the install of a new 32/36 weber, timing belt replacement, as well as tensioner bearing, water pump, 4 new coolant hoses and flushed the radiator...it started on the 3rd turn of the key and idles, got some fine tuning to do but today is the first time my spider ran in 12 years!

 

[Twink80]

Good day!, today I completed the install of a new 32/36 weber, timing belt replacement, as well as tensioner bearing, water pump, 4 new coolant hoses and flushed the radiator...it started on the 3rd turn of the key and idles, got some fine tuning to do but today is the first time my spider ran in 12 years!

You cant beat all that hard work then hearing the engine firing up! Its a joy that never stops giving!!

 

[Slotman]

One of the best parts after I shut it off, was hearing the sound the clock makes when its running...I had forgotten about that...