'71 850 Convertible Soon to be ELECTRIC!

[ZenDaddy]

Hello all!

Michael from Salt Lake City Utah

Me and my cohorts are converting a 71 850 spider to all electric drive. Thought I'd introduce myself and say hi.

This forum looks very useful, however, I don't see much about the 850 Spider! How come? Do you guys hate it? (chuckle)

Or is this site primarily dedicated to the 124?



Does anyone have experience with the 850's tranny/transaxle? This is my first Fiat and I need some guidance!
I can't seem to get the adjustment of the linkage right to put the darn thing in reverse and have it stay there. It pops out as soon as I apply drive power. Is this a common problem?


Thanks in advance and thanks for being here. These forums are GOLD!!!

ZD

[rlux4]

Hello ZD, welcome aboard. You have a very interesting project going on. Please keep us posted on your progress. As far as I know, no one here hates the 850, I thinks it's viewed as a "little brother", and Italian families are close. This site is skewed more to the 124 but anyone is a welcome addition. I'm sure a lot of members own or have owned 850s, so you should find plenty of knowledge here to tap into.
Ron

[So Cal Mark]

why not just reverse the polarity if you want to back up? Seriously, welcome to the site. This forum is focused on the 124 model rather than the 850, but as Ron wrote, many have owned or still own 850s. It sounds like you have a worn reverse gear in the tranny, or at the very least a worn fork and slider.
Keep us posted on the electric conversion, it should be interesting

[SpiderHead]

What a cool project!

and welcome to our forums!

You probably want to give that transaxle a full rebuild before putting the kind of torque through it that is possible with an electric motor.

I wish you were closer! I'd love to see it!

-Ryan

[rlantz]

Hi Michael, I can't recall popping out of reverse being a common problem. Sounds to me like it's not in the transaxle but more with the adjustment and/or worn mounts. Once you get your adjustment correct for the other gears and you're still having an issue then start looking at the mounting. Rick

[ROOK1]

Cool project, I have been wondering how it is going. I saw one of your listings a while back on KSL, I believe you were selling the motor. If you need a hand I am just a few miles north of you so let let me know, I wont be much help in the technical department but I can do mnual labor. Also check out the link in my signature. I am trying to get a few of us locals to be known.

Good luck.

Chris

[davidwhitt]

I too will be following your progress. Are you posting your plans anywhere? What kind of batteries are you using and what kind of motor. Are you using a kit or designing it yourself? I have thought about attempting this with my 124 spider, but the cost and the batteries have kept me on the sidelines. Welcome and keep us posted.

David