Alabama Restoration

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WaltL

Alabama Restoration

Post by WaltL »

Hi Everyone,
Just became a member this evening. I'm from the Huntsville area of North Alabama. Over the last several months I've been in the process of restoring a red 1981 Fiat 2000. So far I've rebuilt the transmission, installed a new clutch and redid the driveshaft to include shaft bearing and universals. Currently, I'm in the process of refinishing the top frame. Should have it bead blasted, prime and painted by this weekend. Next task will be the top. I'm looking forward to participating in the forum. Walt
mdrburchette
Posts: 5754
Joined: Wed Jan 25, 2006 5:49 am
Your car is a: 1972 Fiat 124 Sport
Location: Winston-Salem, NC

Re: Alabama Restoration

Post by mdrburchette »

Welcome Walt. Hope you've been taking pictures during your restoration.
1972 124 Spider (Don)
1971 124 Spider (Juan)
1986 Bertone X19 (Blue)
1978 124 Spider Lemons racer
1974 X19 SCCA racer (Paul)
2012 500 Prima Edizione #19 (Mini Rossa)
Ever changing count of parts cars....It's a disease!
rlux4
Patron 2022
Patron 2022
Posts: 4211
Joined: Thu Jan 10, 2008 8:32 pm
Your car is a: 1982 2000 Spider
Location: Granite Falls, Wa

Re: Alabama Restoration

Post by rlux4 »

Hey Walt, welcome. How long have you owned your car? Did you do the tranny rebuild yourself? Nice going. Keep up the good work and let us see some pics of the Spider.
Ron
Ron Luxmore
rlux2n2@gmail.com
'82 2000 Spider: after 26 years between Spiders.
mbouse

Re: Alabama Restoration

Post by mbouse »

hi walt. welcome. looking forward to seeing some pictures
WaltL

Re: Alabama Restoration

Post by WaltL »

Ron,
I bought the car, a turbo without the turbo equipment, last Jun off of Ebay for a grand sum of $990.00. At that time, the transmission was poping out of first and second. The top was also shot and the interior needed help. I started the restoration in earnest last November. I am not a mechanic, but as a member of the military I have access to an auto craft shop. The transmission is like a jig saw puzzle. I replaced the synchros, bearings and shift forks. The biggest problem I had was with new parts. Several bearings had to be sent back due to defects. The most irritating event occured when I put the transmission back in the car and test drove it. The trans was popping out of second and third. I was fit to be tied! Had to remove the trans once more. Turned out that the new springs for the detent balls were not strong enough. I put the old springs back in and the transmission works great. As time went on I decided to redo the entire car. It's a fun project and you really learn alot. Walt
rlux4
Patron 2022
Patron 2022
Posts: 4211
Joined: Thu Jan 10, 2008 8:32 pm
Your car is a: 1982 2000 Spider
Location: Granite Falls, Wa

Re: Alabama Restoration

Post by rlux4 »

Access to a auto craft shop! I should have stayed in the Navy. I just put rebuilt tranny in, Jon Logan did it so I'm pretty sure I won't have to take it back out again. (hope-hope) What a bummer that must have been.
Cool the way you're getting in there and doing all that work.
And thank you for your sevice for us all.
Ron
Ron Luxmore
rlux2n2@gmail.com
'82 2000 Spider: after 26 years between Spiders.
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