Driving southern BC in my new roadster!

[Gammage]

Hi all. I purchased my Spider this past spring and enjoyed driving it most of the summer. I was looking for a late life crisis sports car and being on a budget and fixed income, the Fiat fit the bill. I was considering a British car but always liked the Fiats and they seemed to offer lots of features at a bargain price (plus, I always loved the looks). Mine is a 1979 2000. It's in great shape although I had to take the bad with the good (as is always the case with used cars). The good is that it's a California car with literally no rust (an important feature up here in the Great White North) and almost everything in it and on it is new. The down side is that the PO painted it a colour I really don't like and there's about a $500 dent in the LF fender. It is also equipped with the side spear and luggage rack (dealer options, I believe) which I don't care for, but being on a budget I'll have to live with. I replaced the steering box and idler (seized) before I put it on the road and it's operation so far has been flawless. I'm looking forward to reading about everyone's Fiat experiences and getting all your priceless advice on future upgrades.

Thanks for having me!

[dinghyguy]

Gammage,

where are you, there are 5 spiders in North van that i know of and a bunch more in greater Van.
Dinghyguy

ps I hope you are not anywhere near the sumas flooding

[Gammage]

Thankfully I live in the interior just north of Grand Forks. We had our flood in 2018 which wiped out my wife's retail business in town. We live up on a mountainside though, so are immune to flooding - forest fires are our big fear. Enough with the weather, it's good to hear there are other Spider owners in BC. When I bought this one there were two available at the time in the Kelowna area and I picked the one with the ugly paint job but the excellent body and mechanicals. After replacing the steering it's been absolutely trouble free. I'm still not happy with the steering and am looking at ways to address that - are they all this stiff at low speeds (great on the highway - rock steady)?

[davidbruce]

are they all this stiff at low speeds

When you worked on the steering did you check the idler? They can stiffen up from lack of or old thick lubrication. Did you check the steering box for lubrication? They can also be stiff if adjusted too tight. Several threads on the forum on how to service both. Welcome to the forum and you live in a beautiful part of the world.

[Gammage]

I replaced the idler (totally seized) and the steering box (out of oil - seals shot). The entire front end is new (no joke here, the PO replaced everything) and when I was done there was a marked improvement. When the wheels are in the air it works beautifully. Just a note, I had to cut the pitman arm shaft on the old gearbox and drill it out to get the arm off and yes, I do have a hydraulic press, etc. - never encountered one this difficult before. It's great on the highway, as I said but parallel parking is a challenge (just a note, I only have one fully functional shoulder). The car was the PO's wife's baby and I suspect they sold it because she couldn't steer it. I also suspect he replaced the entire front suspension and neglected to look at the steering apparatus. My gain. I have a slow leak in one front tire and it lets me know when it needs air by the steering effort - what about tire size? It's got reasonably nice after market rims with 185-70R-13's on it. Being a '79 it's jacked up in the back and I do plan on lowering it and levelling the ride - this might help a bit. My current prime suspect, however is the steering wheel. What size diameter is stock? Mine has this funky wooden Momo wheel, which I love the looks of but it's only about 12" diameter. Thanks for your advice and I know I should be posting this on another thread and I have been through all the steering apparatus details on the other big Fiat forum. Lots of good help out there.

[davidbruce]

The stock wheel on my 80 is 15" od and I believe the 79 is the same. I think you have nailed it. 12" is pretty small. I have actually been thinking about going an inch or so larger in diameter and a little more dish to bring it a little close to my liking.

[dinghyguy]

Gammage
Bent wrenches in mission may be able to supply you a stock 79 steering wheel and yes 12" is too small to be comfortable with stock steering

Of course there is an electric power steering kit you coukd buy......in fact please do and report howwell it works.

Cheers
Dinghyguy

[Gammage]

Sorry, but I measured my wheel yesterday and it's actually 13.75" OD, but still really small (it LOOKS small). I'm intrigued by this electric power steering unit - is there a link? What's Bent Wrenches all about? Are they a breakers or a garage that specializes in weird cars (Fiats)? Again, thanks for all the advice.

[dinghyguy]

Bernie runs a garrage specializing in old italien cars. He has a bunch of salvaged parts in a couple of containers as well. He will do custom stuff like fancy headers etc

Look online for the electric power steering kits one of them is avail forva fiat as i recall

[Gammage]

Hmmm...the electric PS system seems kinda sketchy AND spendy. I'll let somebody else try that out. It appears to be one of those cases where once you commit it's too late to turn back. Plus, I'd hate to ruin the car's wonderful road manners on the highway. Couldn't find a Fiat specific unit, but then I didn't look too hard.

[seawood]

Hi there.
Hwy 33 clear of winter gravel yet for the Fiat? The drive to Christina lake in a Fiat is a good one as well. Being in Naramata, it was a pretty good pull up the Anarchist to get over there.
Some car shows going to be in Penticton this year. Beach cruise is on again. June 24th. I've only ever seen one fiat over the years ( not mine)
Maybe see you out on the road this summer if it's not too smoky..
Chris