73 Fiat Spider 2.0

[SLOSpider]

Well some of you may remember Spider 1.0 the red one that I had to replace the shock towers on and then the dog running out and ruining the left front fender. Well that spider is now at a new home of a friend that had to have it after driving it for awhile. I think he even signed up here. He was staying with me last year and has now moved back home. The mistake of mine as leaving the criagslist search for Fiat 124 on my phone. Just when I sold him everything I found the 1973 Fiat pop up.

Well Four things, it was only 4 hours away, it was the small bumper car (really wanted a 74), the price was right and owner said it had the 1800 engine upgraded. He stated he stopped driving because 4th gear was popping out and he didnt want to hurt it by driving it more. I of course believed him. Only some outside photos but enough to take a day off work, fire up the blazer, get a uhaul trailer and head out.

First look under car was a crude but holding repair to drivers rear floor board, hum, ok I thought, not too bad. Then next of course the shock towers - perfect. Crossmember - perfect. No fenders replaced, no big bondo jobs, no rust anywhere on body I could find. Bumpers all there and straight. Interior was redone awhile back but holding up. Some fiberglass on drivers upper floor board area but cant see why from under the car. So I pop the hood a go, oh. Owner says what? I say its been upgraded but not the 1800 its a 2.0 FI motor. I was hoping for the 1800 has I have some dual webers I was planning to install. He ask is that good or bad. I said it depends on who you ask. bad for me as I never worked on one .

Before heading down I checked with DMV as he could not verify non op and by pics the tags were 2 years out. So yep over $600.00 in fees for lovely California! I told owner about this and we agreed to a reduce price for the car that would almost cover half of the fees. Battery dead so a push up on the trailer and a trip home.

Charged battery in garage over night to hopefully get started, it was only parked because of 4th so should be easy. Fuel didnt smell too bad. So in with the battery and cranking, cranking, cranking. I dont hear the aftermarket fuel pump so under and check voltage, nada. Replace 16a fuse that was blown, nada. Find wire under back seat and run jumper to fuse and pump comes on. Crank some more, nothing but now I am smelling fuel. Look under car nope, look in engine and seems like every FI line is leaking. So I push it off and return trailer.

Upon returning home I noticed I left the key on so to see if I drained the battery I bump the key and what do you know, it started, although a bit rough as to be expected with fuel leaking and old gas. was able to rev it a bit and at least feel better I had a running motor.

So with no FI manual and nothing found on here or the net on how to remove the injectors I dive in. Now two things the motor seems to be tilted back further than it should be and maybe just bad / weak trans mount and second the FI rail is right next to the brake booster. So I jack up the trans to raise the engine up and get to the FI nuts. Scratches, a few words of encouragement and fighting to get the connectors off I got the fuel rail out. I say to myself its never going back in that way so I might as well see about taking the intake off. Best way was to remove the left motor mount bolt and jack up the left side to clear booster. It worked like a charm. I then placed the rail back in the manifold to see if it will go in as an assembly and fit great. So that is how its going back.

A few questions:

1. Has anyone seen this car before?
2. Everything looks original so Im looking to replace all the injectors, hoses, time switch, cold start valve Best prices for these? International? Napa? any brands I should stay away from?
3 The main FI line had a flare fitting on one end, can I buy this hose like this or do I reuse fitting and cut off old hose.
4 What is the difference in the 2.0 and earlier transmounts? not sure what is under there if its the original mount or they swapped the 2.0 trans and mount too. I need to replace
5 the motor mounts look shorter and have a rib in the middle. Would these be a stock 2.0 mount?
6 I would love to make a harness that I could plug all the injectors into then mount the manifold and only have one connector above to plug in. Anyone made one or bought one like this somewhere? Seems impossible to plug and unplug once mounted. and installed on the engine.

Any thoughts, comments or questions welcomed. Here are some photos so the post is not usless :}







or link to albulm : http://s125.beta.photobucket.com/user/B ... t%20Spider

[narfire]

Cool car, some might think best of both worlds....small bumper and fuel injection.

Not sure what you mean by looking original as the FI came out in the 80 cars, this has been transplanted, not really the easiest thing to do but some have done it with success.
The injectors could just do with a good cleaning and a replacement of the micro internal mesh filter. I get most of my hoses from the local jobber store.
Clean all the connections for the thermotime and other switches, they don't fail all that often. Do check the dist cap as if the PO had swaped to the electronic ignition the wires under the cap get old and brittle and will break leaving you stranded.
Do swap all the FI hoses to the injectors and pay attention to where the screw to tighten the clamps as you might have to tighten when the rail is all installed. Disconect battery as the chances of crossing the connection on the starter can be a sparking experience.
The mail fuel line was a steel line coming from the back of the car with a fitting that connected to a flex line to the fuel rail. If it has been sitting for awhile, perhaps entertain the idea of cleaning out the fuel tank as any gunk will get caught up in the fuel pump which is before the filter.
Flex disk/donut after the tranny...change as the t. belt.
Not sure about the motor mounts and any height difference between the engines.
If you wanted a 1800, depending where you are, source one from a parts car or perhaps a vendor near by might have one, and put it on a stand and build over time. Then find a second spider and drop the 1800 in.
The 2L FI can have some after market bits and pieces added that will liven it up quite a bit.
Have fun
Chris

[So Cal Mark]

I'd say you lucked out with a 2L rather than an 1800. Chris is right, no reason to swap cold start inj, thermo switch and other stuff without testing them. Unless you have extra cash to throw around. The motor mounts sound like the early mounts. One thing to look closely at is the clearance from the oil pan to the crossmember. Make sure it's not touching with those mounts installed. The tranny mounts were all the same.
One last item, make sure the dist cap isn't contacting the hood when it's closed

[SLOSpider]

Thanks guys for your suggestions. The engine is tilting pretty far back and the 2 down pipes were touching the crossmember. I thought I had read somewhere that when putting a latter engine in the early cars you had to use shorter mounts maybe sourced from a volvo? But then maybe that was with the flat hoods. Id rather have a flat hood or the larger bubble hood. As far as the sensors go, no not enough to throw around but more than having a breakdown with some 30 year old sensor. I will check the online manual for ohm test while there out but once Im into something I dont like going back. Plus it seems that most of these parts are reasonable except the MAF sensor, which seems to have an old one in the trunk .

IF I can be done with the injection parts for 200 or less then Im fine with that and move onto other issues Im sure to find.

[SLOSpider]

This is what I would like to find or make up. be alot easier than fighting those connectors ever again.

[So Cal Mark]

the BMW-style connectors work well on the injectors, that's a recommended upgrade

[SLOSpider]

Got some fuel hose and clamps today. Painted the upper intake and fuel rail for a clean install. Was given a lead on an injector re-builder so Ill call him tomorrow and see how much.

When I took off the upper intake there was only silicone on it no gasket. Found one at AR so placing an order there. Any forum discount going on since Ive been gone? Going to be a good $$ one.

Also looking for a good used single type brake reservoir with cap if someone wants to part with one. Last one I got was a trip to the LA junk yards and came home with a ton of stuff. If not Ill flip for a new one.

Question of mounts is should I order the 73 mounts or the later ones being I got the bubble hood it should clear with the taller ones. Looking to get clearance from exhaust hitting the crossmember. As I stated before the engine is tilting back too much so no Idea which mounts are the problem I guess I could start with the transmission one and go from there. In the AR site they list one that is a bit higher than stock not sure if I should try that one for the trans.

[narfire]

Was given a lead on an injector re-builder so Ill call him tomorrow and see how much.

Price here is $25.00 per including clean, flow test,print-out and filter change. I've seen on the forum around $20.00 per as well.

[SLOSpider]

Thanks that is about what I heard. I sent them an email but Im impatient so I ordered 4 new injectors and seal from Rock Auto for $116.00 just now. We will see how they work . Going to order some other items from AR just wondering if they offer discounts to forum members. Not to mention the $$ I spent on the last Fiat with them

[vandor]

The Spider 2000 Transmission mounts are taller than the earlier ones, but the early ones have been discontinued for ~20 years, but I still find some every now and then.
Watch out, as some vendors sell a mount that's even taller than a 2000 mount, it can cause issues on some Spiders.

[SLOSpider]

The Spider 2000 Transmission mounts are taller than the earlier ones, but the early ones have been discontinued for ~20 years, but I still find some every now and then.
Watch out, as some vendors sell a mount that's even taller than a 2000 mount, it can cause issues on some Spiders.

Of the two listed is one higher than stock that you have? Was going to try the taller one.

[vandor]

You did order the taller one. Thanks.

[SLOSpider]

If all the shipping Gods smile on me I may get everything by Friday and be driving Sunday

[Fiat88]

Goodluck with your new project!

[SLOSpider]

Thanks. I got the upper plenum cleaned along with throttle plate and painted. Checked and cleaned the TTS and TPS. Removed broken bolt from lower intak to plenum. painted fuel rail and injector hold downs. Waiting for new injectors, breather hose, brake fluid and booster hose, single brake resivoir setup, transmission mount, throttle cable. Also found a guy that had the correct grille and a clean good condition windshield frame that is on its way. Now just pacing waiting for parts. I also went to DMV to pay their rediculas 700 dollars for transfer and 2 years back registration! Pretty sure this time its getting full coverage in case another Dobie decides to try and take me out again.

Had a question about the stock anntenna location. I saw one that had it in the wiper cowl for 73. Mine has been reloated to the left rear fender. Not sure I like it there or anywhere for that fact. May delete it and run an under dash or windshield type.

This car should run better than it ever has at least since the quicky transplant that was done. Lots of wires to loom and re-route and clean up the engine bay.