I should have my "wreck" next Wednesday. I'll be preparing it for transport in the coming days. When I get it home, what do you guys recommend for trying to start it. The previous owner started it about two years ago, but didn't drive it. He had bought it from an individual that had it sitting in a garage for 8 years.
He replaced a lot of parts like wires, plugs, distro?, timing belt and various other components. I figure someone on here must have been in this situation and at least be able to tell me what NOT to do.
Starting a Wreck
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Fiatmonkey
Re: Starting a Wreck
Plugs, wires, and belts need to be replaced again. It is not good for them to sit that long. Hoses need to be checked to see if they aren't either too soft or too hard.
Flush and fill all the liquids including the fuel tank. Old gas gets lower and lower on octane as it sits. You really should pull the tank and clean it, to thoroughly flush it out. If you don't do this you will most likely go through a lot of fuel filters and fuel pumps.
Check all the bushings in the trailing arms, panhard rod, and sway bar. A bad bushing in a trailing arm can lead to a broken trailing arm, so definitely look. Make sure all the dust boots one the tie rods, ball joints, and center link are good. Split or missing boots can lead to failure in the parts. Check the idler assembly (the passenger side version of the steering box), it will at the minimum need to be re-filled. Most commonly though the bushings inside are shot from driving w/o oil in the idler. If that is the case you'll need a new one.
Hmmm that should keep you busy for a while.
Oh check the fuel lines next to the drivers seat (if it is that year car). These lines have a tendency to rust and leak fuel into the cabin. I think you know that a fire hazard.
Ok now you're set.
Good luck on your new toy!
Flush and fill all the liquids including the fuel tank. Old gas gets lower and lower on octane as it sits. You really should pull the tank and clean it, to thoroughly flush it out. If you don't do this you will most likely go through a lot of fuel filters and fuel pumps.
Check all the bushings in the trailing arms, panhard rod, and sway bar. A bad bushing in a trailing arm can lead to a broken trailing arm, so definitely look. Make sure all the dust boots one the tie rods, ball joints, and center link are good. Split or missing boots can lead to failure in the parts. Check the idler assembly (the passenger side version of the steering box), it will at the minimum need to be re-filled. Most commonly though the bushings inside are shot from driving w/o oil in the idler. If that is the case you'll need a new one.
Hmmm that should keep you busy for a while.
Oh check the fuel lines next to the drivers seat (if it is that year car). These lines have a tendency to rust and leak fuel into the cabin. I think you know that a fire hazard.
Ok now you're set.
Good luck on your new toy!
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jimmycakes401
Re: Starting a Wreck
LOL! My new toy needs lots of work. my main concern is just getting the car started. Not necessarily driving it, but checking to see if the engine is still in working order.
The gas tank is off, so I'll be spraying that and getting it ready then I'll go through all the fuel system to make sure it is in check. He replaced the fuel system a few years ago, which hopefully held up...
One of the board members contacted me via email and suggested I drop an ounce of automatic transmission fluid in each cylinder and let it sit for a few weeks. Then rock her a bit in fourth gear till those rings pop.
After that I plan on checking the rest of the stuff you mentioned, then doing the whole brake system. After that, this sucker needs TONS of body work (which means I get to do some modifying because of it). He ripped the whole interior out so I'll be redoing that too. Woot! LOL
Anyone else have ideas on starting up the drive train? Suggestions. Things NOT to do. I want to make sure I skip out on the NOTs.
The gas tank is off, so I'll be spraying that and getting it ready then I'll go through all the fuel system to make sure it is in check. He replaced the fuel system a few years ago, which hopefully held up...
One of the board members contacted me via email and suggested I drop an ounce of automatic transmission fluid in each cylinder and let it sit for a few weeks. Then rock her a bit in fourth gear till those rings pop.
After that I plan on checking the rest of the stuff you mentioned, then doing the whole brake system. After that, this sucker needs TONS of body work (which means I get to do some modifying because of it). He ripped the whole interior out so I'll be redoing that too. Woot! LOL
Anyone else have ideas on starting up the drive train? Suggestions. Things NOT to do. I want to make sure I skip out on the NOTs.
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Fiatmonkey
Re: Starting a Wreck
If the rings are seized in place and you have to do the automatic transmission fluid ( cause it is really lubricating ) trick then you are going to want to check the cylinders. Normally this means there will be some minor inperfections now and at the minimum you will need new rings. A Fiat can run on WAY under 100 psi per cylinder, but its just not running great. So, once they break loose check the psi of each cylinder. Do it once early on to see if work needs done while you're doing work. Then after the motor starts again check the pressure agian after the motor has run for a couple days. This way if the rings are shot no left over geeew will be showing a better seal and giving you a false pressure.
If it needs new rings that's not the end of the world
If it needs new rings that's not the end of the world
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jimmycakes401
Re: Starting a Wreck
Okay. My father-in-law will know how to do all that. He's got the tools for that.
My car came with an extra block, so I'll probably start building another motor. Will need more parts though. Will probably be on the look out for more donor parts. Of course I can use some off the other engine after I rip it out of the car. But hopefully I can at least drive for a short time on what I've got.
My car came with an extra block, so I'll probably start building another motor. Will need more parts though. Will probably be on the look out for more donor parts. Of course I can use some off the other engine after I rip it out of the car. But hopefully I can at least drive for a short time on what I've got.
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jimmycakes401
Re: Starting a Wreck
A new blog post with lots of pictures. Got the tires on today.
http://fiatspider.weebly.com/
http://fiatspider.weebly.com/
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jimmycakes401
Re: Starting a Wreck
She's got tires and is up on blocks. For more info, check out my blog. Here's a pict though!
