Hello from Kentucky again

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Lex
Posts: 38
Joined: Thu Jun 25, 2009 2:37 pm
Your car is a: 1980 spider 2000 Pininfarina FI
Location: Carlisle, Ky

Hello from Kentucky again

Post by Lex »

I'm from Carlilse Ky just a little north of lexington

I'm a college student in my senior year and after totaling my last car I got my hands on a '80 Spider w/FI about 2 and a quarter months ago for $1,400 and 2 weeks ago finally got it running.

These are old pictures from when the car first arrived, It cleaned up rather nicely, he left it set under a maple tree for a few years without a cover and without a car, he did have seat covers on the seats which after a Saturday night of saddle souping are by far the most comfortable seats ever.

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Those are the original miles based on the cars history reports.

as you can see it's still in ruff shape.

The Car wouldn't start at first the starter coil and the fuel pump would not get power when turning the key. I still have yet to pen point that problem exactly however with a few wiring maneuvers involving the power windows this problem was quickly and cheaply dealt with for the time being. If you guys have any clues to what would cause this I'd appreciate the help.

After a few times having the car run, I noticed an over heating problem with the car, as it turns out the previous owner had the same issue and installed a manual switch for the fan, that's taken care of for now, but still rather cheaply.

I purchased a new top and replaced it. As you can see from the picture having a rubber floor mat as the back window doesnt work out to well, I have no idea what the last owner was thinking

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The last owner had left me a complete set of KYB shocks in the trunk, and I quickly replaced the none working original ones.

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Yeah I know look at how shining!

I've replaced the "none working" after market radio that was in the car from the previous owner with a low budget CD player for starters. I'm a sorta "shop hand" for Carlisle Acoustics a group of MECA competitors who have achieved World Champion Titles in SPL and Drive-By competitions in previous years. The Car will have a much better system put in once the car is in a well functionally safe operating level... so not anytime soon.


I've been patrolling this forum for the past two weeks looking reading and learning, and I've have to say the first thing I did after pulling myself away form the computer was to drop the front bumper, and man are these cars even sexier. I have yet to replace the turn signals but that just because of the 4th of July weekend, this is my Monday morning task. though out this week I'm going to get a few bids on paint. Its hard to tell from the pictures but the clear coat on the top of the car is completely gone, and spot on the hood where leaves gathered has left in in spots and not in others so paint is a must. And wheels, the current ones have aged rather poorly and from earlier pictures don't have the beauty rings. I've also calculated that the 13's with 60's run about 5 miles slower then the speedo, so i've been looking for 14's or 15's to help cure that. I'll take some newer pictures to show whats changed and how well it cleaned up this week once I get those signals and maybe tuck the rear bumper in.
rlux4
Patron 2022
Patron 2022
Posts: 4211
Joined: Thu Jan 10, 2008 8:32 pm
Your car is a: 1982 2000 Spider
Location: Granite Falls, Wa

Re: Hello from Kentucky again

Post by rlux4 »

You got a keeper Lex! Let us know when you want to get the wiring for the coil and fuel pump back to original and we should be able to help you there.
Ron
Ron Luxmore
rlux2n2@gmail.com
'82 2000 Spider: after 26 years between Spiders.
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kmead
Posts: 1069
Joined: Sat Aug 02, 2008 9:24 pm
Your car is a: 1969 850 SC 1970 124 SC 85 X19
Location: Grand Rapids, MI

Re: Hello from Kentucky again

Post by kmead »

Welcome. Congrats on getting a pretty nice example. Looks like for the most part you have a complete relatively unmolested example of the marque.

Keep up the good work on resurrecting it.

You may want to look at larger or more properly sized tires, going to 15/16 is not a real cure. Keep in mind that all cars speedos are optimistic (some are more optimistic than others, usually 3-5%). You will want to use a tire size calculator to ensure you end up with the right circumference, this one is easy to use:

http://www.miata.net/garage/tirecalc.html

The correct original size for a 124 Spider is a 165 75 13 which equates to a 185 60 14 or 195 50 15 to end up with the same size. Be careful about going with too much tire, it can effect ride quality and exacerbate any suspension issues that may exist (worn ball joints, bushings, tie rods etc).

Nice ride.

Karl
Karl

1969 Fiat 850 Sports Coupe
1970 Fiat 124 Sports Coupe
1985 Bertone X1/9
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ga.spyder
Posts: 3478
Joined: Tue Nov 06, 2007 7:19 pm
Your car is a: 1982 Spider 2000
Location: Blairsville ,Ga.

Re: Hello from Kentucky again

Post by ga.spyder »

Hey Lex, welcome and congrats on a good deal and posting photos on your first try :lol: Here is a link to a great troubleshoot guide for F.I. system,
http://www.mirafiori.com/faq/fiatFI_may2002.pdf

oops ..wrong one although that guide is fantastic.

http://www.mirafiori.com/~thad/fi/
good luck,Craig
Craig Nelson

1982 Spider 2000...pride and joy
1981 Fiat X1/9..gone but not forgotten
1976 124 Spider..the self-healer
2001 BMW 328ci daily driver and track car
Fling It Around Turns !
User avatar
Lex
Posts: 38
Joined: Thu Jun 25, 2009 2:37 pm
Your car is a: 1980 spider 2000 Pininfarina FI
Location: Carlisle, Ky

Re: Hello from Kentucky again

Post by Lex »

Hey thanks for the warm welcome, and I'm a computer science major so forum use is way below my level Craig j/k.

Thanks for the links I'm sure they will come in handy this week.

In regards to the wiring going back to original, it seems as if the problem is in the computer mechanism under the glove box or in the small terminal that feeds it, I'll pull it out and make a new tread, posting some pic's to help explain what Is going on tomorrow night...I hope.
rlux4
Patron 2022
Patron 2022
Posts: 4211
Joined: Thu Jan 10, 2008 8:32 pm
Your car is a: 1982 2000 Spider
Location: Granite Falls, Wa

Re: Hello from Kentucky again

Post by rlux4 »

A common source of problems with the fuel pump not coming on is the dual relay just ahead of the ECU. It or the power line that feeds it. See if you're getting a good dependable 12V going to the dual relay through the brown wire with a white stripe that comes from an inline fuse behind the main fuse panel to it. Two things need to happen for the pump to run: key "on" powers the 12V line to the dual relay from the inline fuse, and the flap in the air flow meter opens by intake air when the engine cranks, sending 12V to the other side of the dual relay.
Ron
Ron Luxmore
rlux2n2@gmail.com
'82 2000 Spider: after 26 years between Spiders.
mbouse

Re: Hello from Kentucky again

Post by mbouse »

hey lex,

welcome and thanks for the pictures in the first post. love to see what car we are talking about. also, look forward to helping in what ever way i can.

previous owners being what they are (unsuccessful Fiat owners) we are not surprised at the things you are finding. bringing her back to glory is your job and ours.

looking forward to the journey with you.
mptreb
Posts: 17
Joined: Wed Jul 01, 2009 11:38 am
Your car is a: 1976 124 Spider

Re: Hello from Kentucky again

Post by mptreb »

Hey there LEX -- car looks great.

Hope to see you on the street one of these days.
Matt
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