new memeber

[azygoustoyou]

HI everyone, I just got a 1978 Fiat spyder 124. It needs lots of work and I'm excited to get started. The floors in it are pretty rusted and there's rust in other spots. As I hear, they usually rust in the same areas once the rust starts. It needs new interior also but the good thing is the engine has been rebuilt. I got me a sand blaster and mig welder. Lets see where it takes me,LOL

[mbouse]

Hi and welcome to the site. Of course, we appreciate work-in-progress pictures of any Spider restoration.

in case you were unaware, floor boards are available from some of our vendors. might wanna check those sources before you steal a real estate sign for your first project.

also, while eradicating the rust, check the shock towers for structural rust issues.

looking forward to those pictures.

[baltobernie]

Hello azygoustoyou, and welcome! Some great Spider roads in South Jersey.

"Burnin' wire" myself with a '73 purchased the day after Xmas. Got the front bumper mounts attached this past weekend. Using .030 flux-filled at the lowest power setting, but still gotta be careful! That Soviet steel can't take much heat.

Bernie
self-taught Fiat welder (☼☼☼)
self-taught philosopher (☼)

[azygoustoyou]

sounds like your having fun. I know the bumber mounts are bolted to the cars frame. What did you have to weld? the bumber to the bumber mount. I haven't ever welded anything. I'm pretty sure I'll be all right. I pick up on things very quickly. I borrowed my buddies mig welder and I believe it has .024 wire in it. I'm still reading up on how to do it. I have to weld in new floors. I have to replace more than what the new floor pans offer. I figure thats the best place to start since no one will see the welds. LOL If you don't mind, If I have any questions on the welding, I'll give you a shout

[racydave]

Hi Brady, welcome! Just a helpful hint, MIG welders work very much better with gas. The flux application is not a good way to weld steel. Many classes are offered in area evening schools. There are also some good forums dedicated to metals and welding http://www.metalmeet.com/forum/index.php

[azygoustoyou]

Hi Racydave,
I do have 75%argon 25% Co2. Are you saying this isn't the way I want to weld the steel. I haven't tried it yet but I don't think I'll have any issues as long as I know I'm using the right equipment. The wire I was intending to use is .o24 gage. I was told to do some practicing on some scrap.

[racydave]

Brady sounds like youre on track, Dave

[azygoustoyou]

Hi Racydave,
I can't seem to get pics put on the site. If you would like to see some, l could send you some through email or what ever other way thats possible. And, if you have any suggestions on the problems with the car, I would appreciate anyones advise .

[racydave]

Brady, always interested. Post pics at photobucket, or mine are on flickr...

[azygoustoyou]

Here are my pics [img][IMG]http://i253.photobucket.com/albums/hh60 ... IM0962.jpg[/img]IMG]http://i253.photobucket.com/albums/hh60 ... Fiat25.jpg[/IMG][/img]

[azygoustoyou]

[img]IMG]http://i253.photobucket.com/albums/hh60 ... Fiat25.jpg[/img][/img]

[baltobernie]

Hi Brady, it looks like RacyDave is further along than I am in this area. I'm just beginning.

My 1973 came with the first generation of 5 mph bumpers; the original chrome skinny bumpers with rubber "accordian" absorbers. These had petrified on my car, and a couple of shots from Braille parking clods left them literally hanging on. This system uses a steel dowel on the car thru the center of the accordian, and a tube bumper mount that provides the necessary travel. My solution was to cut off the accordian and dowel, and weld the two (identical) ends together. This brings the bumper back almost to the pre-5mph position.

I just kept fiddling with the power settings (I've only got four) until I got bead instead of hole.

[azygoustoyou]

Hi Baltobernie, Welding sounds like its going to be an adventure. I figured I'd strip the vinyl off my seats and sew new ones to replace the old. Wouldn't you know even the seat pads are rusted. LOL

[baltobernie]

Want me to weld up those cushions fer ya?

Another "two steps forward, etc." week. Machine shop pronounced the cylinder head flat, so no additional expense there. Local shoe repair charged me $8 to repair tear in boot cover. Feeling skippy, I removed the dented oil pan to straighten, and found broken oil pickup! There was oil pressure indicating when I bought the car, so we dodged that bullet. Back to the machine shop to have the aluminum pickup welded on, so they get another crack at me!

I don't know if the PO or his mechanic was a gorilla, or if the car sat indefinitely, but Gina is fighing me tooth and nail. Needed the impact wrench to remove the oil pan and transmission drain plugs. The world's largest Chan-L-lock pliers couldn't remove the oild filter, and I'm trying to find an 8mm square socket for the steering box plug, because it won't budge, either. Oh, and a sheared-off wheel bolt, for good measure.

[azygoustoyou]

I have no oil pressure either registering on the gage. I haven't had time to check the oil pan, it's cold out there. I don't have a garage yet. If my pan is dented, then I'll check what you said. I think I'll make a oil pan protector even if the pan is good. I hear to many stories about the pans. I'm looking into getting or making one of those Rotisseries to do the car right. I always wanted this car so I'm not going to skip any steps.