73 Fiat Spider 2.0

[SLOSpider]

SLO:

I don't have the know how to help you with your head/valve timing issues

But, what you do for me is, motivate me to get through my more minor issues. For that, I thank you.

You know Ill do anything I can do to help out others. As in most things I find with EVERY Spider I own, its not what Fiat built, its what other have tried to do to them to repair things or "modify". Drives me nuts.

[SLOSpider]

If your just joining us you may want to start a few pages back as today was a killer

[narfire]

swap the FI over to the 1800 head?

I've had a 1800 head on my FI and noticed a bit of an improvement. (went back to a massaged 2L FI head now with Marks cams))
Did the same to a 81 I bought and flipped several years ago. Same thing, I noticed a tiny improvment as well.
A bolt on improvement..
Chris

[BEEK]

yes that is a 2000 efi head, if you plan to rebuild a 2.0 bottom end in the future. save the 1800 head rebuild that and put it on the 2.0 bottom end.

you can just put that head back on the 1800 with no issues. i would use the 2.0 head set as the rest of the gaskets will suit your application better.

those are stock cams

[SLOSpider]

those are stock cams

By stock you mean grind profile? Otherwise unless the 2.0 FI had used a different intake pulley the dowel is no in the correct stock Fiat location for it to be setup properly. New gasket should be here in a few days. I hope the rain blows over by then. Suppose to get lots of rain Tuesday and Wednesday.

[SLOSpider]

Well was sick for awhile but some updates. After first wrong head gasket I got another that was right but had been creased so ordered another entire upper gasket set. This time all was good and I reinstalled the head. I used the old intake pulley that was redrilled and remarked to where the intake was pointing in the correct position this time. It started and seem to be running fine so far. Still up on jack stands I tried to shift through gears and see about the 4th popping out and it does right away. Checked the charging system and its not charging. Someone installed a Delco unit on it that I believe is an internal regulator as the stock voltage regulator is gone. They have a wire from the post of the alternator to the starter. The plug on the alternator has one wire going from #2 spade on alt to an orange wire in harness. The #1 spade on alt is connected to a yellow with red stripe ( not found in wiring diagram for 73 models?) And I have a gray wire that is not connected to anything on the left fender well.



It does not sound too good when I spin it and has a rattle so its toast Im sure. Ill take it in and see if there is one the same with a higher amperage. I think this one said 55 amps. I have a Bosh looking unit of spare engine but then I have to figure the wiring on that.

So now I dont know if I want to get it off the stands and take it for a spin or go ahead and re remove the drive shaft and take the trans out and change it out for another I have (to which I dont know its condition). And there is still the need to switch out or tear down the rear axle due to some metal bits that was found when changing its oil......Im tired.

[dmwhiteoak]

We're all tired, man up and get back out there Hey, just kidding. Glad to see ya back working on it. Take your time. You know it's worth it in the long run.

[SLOSpider]

Ok update for this tired thread. Got a new alt 65 amp I think it was, gm 12 series. Charges great. Took it for a drive around the block. Order new heater core, which lead to the creep of refinishing the dash, remove old insulation, ordering new dash, installing STP sound deading and new sound deading foam and Jute pad to firewall. restoring heater box, cables, foam, ducts, fixing wipers to work smooth and refinishing under cowl area. ! SOME day I can really take it for a spin. Oh and got on the kick to restore all the gauages and add LED lights to the illumination. Pics!





Broken defroster duct reason dash came out!




pop rivet door to body cause heater box broken. REALLY!?



Some time getting stuff on the garage walls. Could'nt force myself to throw the steering wheel away, Fiat ones to join it soon.



Made a new clock face out of a tire pressure plastic cover, Wood refinished 1.0





No more leaves



LED's running off my motorcycle battery tender





Redoing fire wall and lower inside cowl:

[RRoller123]

Nice!

[SLOSpider]

Well itching to get home and work on the Fiat some psychopath had other plans. Speeding the slowing down. not turning on green and getting out of car, blaring his horn, swerving all over the road so a call and follow was in order. He say me start to follow him off the highway and then darted back on as I followed him he slammed on the brakes and came to a stop then looked back at me. Whole time on phone with dispatch to give description and heading. He bolted off towards town where I lost him for a moment then caught back up. Again sitting at the left lane light turns green and Im several cars behind. City police turn going oppistie way then spot him and turn around. He gets out his car in opposing traffic and lays on the ground. lucky for him the light was red and no one was turning. He goes back to car and officer approaches and he seems cooperative then lays on ground and wont get up although handcuffed at this point. help officer load him in the back of a squad car and we got off the road where my statement was given and ambulance took him away. Think someone forgot to take their Meds this morning.

Anyways I hope the next owner understands just what a pain it is to do all this work. I dont think Ill even hear the wiper motor after Im done. I finally got the new heater core in and that is what started this whole mess.












Even the defroster duct couldnt avoid my sound deading!