FNG(FIAT NEW GUY)

[emosfiat]

Hi, guys. My first time. I am a proud owner of my own 1980 Fiat 124 Spider 2000. I have been assisting my best friend in restoring and repairing a 1978. (flyingthere@earthlink.com) I got the bug. I will keep all up to date on my challenges as they come up. I hope to use your expertise to overcome any of those challenges. Thanks for letting me be a part of this family. Emo.

[mbouse]

Emo! Congratulations and welcome.

of course, you realize that pictures are an abolute must.

what fuel delivery system do you have on that '80 ? is it the older engine with the carburetor, or the Calif or newer engine with the fuel injection system?

Good to know that you have some close assistance and comraderie with a fellow owner as a nearby friend. wish i could have said that when i got started on my collection of Fiats. My 1980 is still my favorite.

[emosfiat]

Thanks. The project is fuel injected. It has been sitting for 5 years. First step was to see if the engine was free. Pulled the plugs and dropped some Marvel Mystery oil down the cylinders, let it soak in and then applied the necessary force--battery. Turned over just fine. Next step will be fuel. Got to start with the tank and fuel supply. Requres a new fuel pump and some supply line from the tank. The tank still has old gasssssss. Sure does stink. Got to clean it out. That is where I am at this point. Oh ya, started on the brakes too. Big pain in the tush. Up dates to follow. Emo.

[So Cal Mark]

welcome, we'll be anxious to hear how the resurrection goes

[kristoj]

Welcome to the forum! You may need to pull the fuel injectors and send them out for cleaning/testing as well (I have had very good luck with these guys: http://www.witchhunter.com) I am also a big proponent of changing out the fuel hoses in the engine bay too as they can split and cause a fire -- look here to see what I mean: http://www.fiatspider.com:16080/f08/vie ... =10&t=4530. It is relatively easy to do and inexpensive. Where are you located? Keep us posted as you sort through the mechanicals. We have all been there at one point or another.

[rlux4]

Hello, and welcome Emo. My '82 sat for 5 years prior to my buying it. In my case there were no adverse consequences after I'd cleaned up the fuel tank and lines. As Mike prompted, we are waiting for pictures of your new obsession.
Ron

[emosfiat]

Thanks for the welcomes. The car is in League City Texas. Sounds like real good advice on the FI's. The fuel lines were my thought also. They are somewhat dry rotted. I do not trust them. Can someone give me best way to post pics?

[ROOK1]

Thanks for the welcomes. The car is in League City Texas. Sounds like real good advice on the FI's. The fuel lines were my thought also. They are somewhat dry rotted. I do not trust them. Can someone give me best way to post pics?

Upload you pictures to a photo hosting site such as imageshack.us or photobucket.com, they will provide you with a link to the picture. When you post a message here you will click the "Img" button and paste the link provided by your photo hosting site between img] [/img When you hit submit you are done.

[mbouse]

always a good idea to be wary of an engine bay fire, especially when working with questionable fuel systems. Thanks for that reminder John.

My question to you fuelie guys.... does the fuel delivery line run INSIDE the passenger compartment like it does for us carb'd guys? or is it completely outside the cockpit?

one of the first tasks i remember undertaking on my '80 was a complete fuel line delivery replacement. had to do the same thing on FrankenStein (my first ressurection project). Steel lines rot and so does rubber. Engine bay fires are nothing to trifle about.

[pope]

Mike,
the fuel lines still run through the inside compartment on FI fiats.

[baltobernie]

Just curious; when and why did Fiat change from external (like my '73) to internal fuel lines? They seem to be tucked up well out of harm's way, or maybe I don't want to know

[mbouse]

Bernie.... WHERE did they run outside?

down the drive shaft tunnel, or along the inner edge of the rocker panel?

later models have fuel return lines running down the drive shaft tunnel. Does yours?

[pope]

Mike, dont quote me on this, but I think the late models have a third vapor return line from charcoal filter that is underneath trans area. The gas lines still go paired up through the cabin.

[emosfiat]

[baltobernie]

Mike,

Supply, return and vapour are bunched together with wiring-loom-like separator and run up the driveshaft tunnel. Check in the mail to you today for shifter. I plan on using it and the original for the Fiat Rat Fink look.