Time to start another thread for “Norma”, my second 1979 Spider, which I believe may be the 5th CS2 off the assembly line! Norma has a much nicer body than “Mark” which has a thread in Restorations. (having two blue 1979 Fiats I had to name them, so I used the previous owners names),
Anyhow, Norma has had some significant work done over the last few years by the PO, including engine work, a fancy rad and starter, headers and complete upholstery and body painting. Nevertheless there has been a litany of upgrades, rehabilitations and maintenance work completed since March. The initial emphasis has been on the engine and electrical systems.
The engine related work has included:
- install new spark plugs and wires
check timing and check vacuum advance (dead)
install single plane intake manifold (why the PO’s mechanic rebuilt the engine +1 and left the original intake manifold eludes me)
rebuild & install a 32 adf carb with a new idle solenoid
install new heater pipe with tee for water choke on 32 adf
install new air cleaner assembly for 32 adf carb
install new Olio oil pressure gauge sender & tee
Electrically the car was a disaster, lights didn’t work, random wires everywhere, remnants of an anti theft system, it was horrible. I must have removed 10 lbs of useless wires and non original components from the car.
The electrical work, so far, has included:
- clean grounds on fenders, under dash and in trunk
clean taillight assemblies
replace cracked headlight lens
Sort out headlight/parking light issues & clean contacts
install aqua coolant gauge
install benzina fuel gauge
install olio oil pressure gauge (in place of the clock)
install new LED gauge lights (same as I did on Mark)
clean all contacts on fuse panel and install the correct fuses in the correct places.
install new handbrake switch
repair/rebuild ignition switch contacts
build & install Ignition switch relays
remove mystery wiring under dash, restore to stock
restore seatbelt light wiring
sort out radio wiring
The suspension and brakes are in need of maintenance. To date I have lubricated all the brake caliper wedges and adjusted the handbrake. That has eliminated the pulling. I was pleased to see that all the pads and rotors have lots of meat remaining.
The suspension is the current focus. I note the car is about an inch lower than Mark, and the front springs are yellow, so my suspicion is that they were replaced at some point. Given the huge difference new bushings made in Mark, I am just starting that process on Norma. I am planning new ball joints, but not new tie rod ends. I did check and made sure the idler is full of oil.
I have been temporarily sidetracked because the heater control valve started leaking on Sunday. It is the original valve and has now been removed. I will be curious to see how much “bending” of the pipe is actually required to adapt the original inlet pipe to the new style heater valve. This happened after I replaced the broken actuator cable for the floor/defrost deflector.
There is currently a fan/heater trying to dry out the carpet and felt underneath, sigh.
Cosmetically the car is pretty good, the body was repainted, I have not found any rust around the rear wheels (I suspect one or both rear fenders have been replaced), but I have made a few minor refurbishments including
- install new door blocks
install new Spider 2000 trunk lock bezel (carb version)
install new hood bumper blocks
install replacement jack handle (it had a jack but no handle as I found out then I had a flat)
lubricate drivers window mechanisms
repair driver door lock linkage which was bent with a broken connecting rod between exterior door handle and the latch.
Planned work included replacement of the badly faded badges on the hoods and fabrication of a new trunk floor.
So all in all the car is in good shape.
Dinghyguy, in the too small garage
