bringing it back to life

[bassman562]

Hi all, I have owned a 1974 fiat 1800 since way back in the early 80's. I dove it for a while and parked it in a barn in 1990 when I started getting oil consumption problems. Twenty years later and a son wanting a good project to do with dad and it's out of the barn and coming back from the dead. I have gotten a great deal on a low mileage engine and pulled the old one out. I have the brakes apart and have started rebuilding them. A couple of questions. Is it worth buying drilled rotors? Or should I stay with stock? If I go with Fiat 14" rims off of a pininfarina 2000 will it cause and problems? Thanks for your help!

[baltobernie]

Hello Bassman, and welcome! (You don't happen to play a Fender jazz bass, do you?) Another father/son project ... great!

Getting your car back on the road will be a great thrill, won't it? Wouldn't it be neat to have photos of your son and you side-by-side in the same pose years apart? I wonder if all the vices and virtues of the car will be as you remembered?

The stock brakes are more than adequate for even spirited driving, particularly with the advancements in pad material and tire technology. The OEM rotors are a lot less expensive, too, and you're probably going to have lots of other things to buy with the engine swap. All rubber parts, of course, and you might as well do the clutch assembly while the thing's apart. Good luck! and keep us posted.

[bassman562]

Hi! Yes you are right a 50th anniversary 5 string Jazz Bass. I played professionally for years. I could go on and on about the axes I have owned. Thanks for the advise. Yes we are replacing all of the rubber and I have already received all the drive train parts to make it back to factory specs including the clutch, pressure plate and throw out bearing. I have pressure washed the tranny and will also replace the rubber seal which the actuator goes through. I am not looking to get this to the concourse level. I just want it to be a reliable safe, good looking and fun driver for my son. On a side note, the Fiat community is something else. A guy just gave me for free a 1978 2000. It is all there except for the tranny, rear end and drivers door. Go figure.

[htchevyii]

Unless you're going for "the look", I'd skip the drilled rotors. I've heard of them cracking although I haven't had a problem yet. I have noticed a somewhat annoying sound when braking, which I believe is due to the slotting, (kind of a whoosh whoosh whoosh noise). Good luck with your project!

[rlux4]

Hello Bassman, welcome to the forum. More father and son projects would go a long way to solving a lot of today's problems with young people I think. Congratulations on a good choice. BTW the 2000 designation (with 1995 cc engine) came out in 1979. Is it a 79 with a late 78 build date?
Ron

[mdrburchette]

Welcome Bassman. Your stock rotors are just fine and if you want to slap 14" Pinin wheels on it, there should be no issue whatsoever. I run the 14" Turbo wheels on my 72 for autocrossing.

[Zmatt]

Thank you for your advise! I will go with it. The 13" tire choices are getting so slim.

[Zmatt]

Sorry mdrburchette I was inadvertently signed under my sons sign on.