Tell me I should keep this car

[TommyClocks]

I really like this 124 Spider. It is fun to drive, looks great and I don't spend a fortune on gas. Maybe I should learn to speak Italian because I don't understand this car..... It runs so well sometimes..... and then there are times I can't get it to idle or it bogs down on the freeway when I try to accelerate. Hard right turns usually makes the car appear to starve for fuel. The gas tank builds pressure because when I remove the gas cap I hear air hissing out pretty quickly. One time I removed the cap too fast and I got sprayed with gasoline.

I replaced the fuel pump two months ago with a Beck-Arnley unit. The old pump was very noisy. The new pump seemed to improve performance and the freeway bog went away for a while. I installed a filter before the pump and before the carburetor. The car ran fine for the last two months. Last week I had trouble again. I checked the fuel pressure and it reads between 2.5 and 3 psi. I checked the fuel pressure before the regulator. Thats got to be too low but I can't find any specs. Could it be that the fuel pump went bad in two months?

Any helpful, encouraging words will be appreciated. In the meantime I'll work on learning to speak Italian....

Thanks,
Tom

[baltobernie]

Hello and welcome to the forum. They sure are fun cars, aren't they? Lots of folks here willing to help, or at least guess

I've found the best way to get good advice is to post questions in the relevant category, one topic per post, and tell everyone in the first posting where you and the car are located and the model year. Keep in mind that in the 25+ years since your car arrived here, many POs have tinkered with it; in some cases swapped engines or engine accessories, so photos are especially helpful.

For example, there were at least three distinct types of fuel pumps used during the 19 years Spiders were produced, so the guys need a little more info to begin helping you with your problem.

The reason for your location is that there might be a Fiat-specific garage nearby that can get you going with a minimum of fuss. Part of the car's fun is the affordability of parts as well as the car itself, but many folks get in over their head quickly by replacing parts without an accurate diagnosis. It's easy to get frustrated when you're spending hundreds of dollars at a clip on a car you've only spent a few thousand to begin with.

[Danno]

Step 1. Post some pictures.
Step 2. Visit this website: http://www.gambino.com/curse.htm (disclaimer: that stuff is not workplace or family appropriate)


remember...all it takes is one good day of driving in a Fiat to make you forget all your woes in life. Even these bad days of driving in a Fiat will melt away with one spirited jaunt on a crisp fall day through changing leaves on a winding road.

[pooldoctorstl]

1. Keep the car. By the way, what year is it?
2. Clear the fuel tank vent tube.

[TommyClocks]

Thanks for your replies. I should not have written that post after working on the car unsuccessfully. Nothing worse than having a new member who is a whiner.....That is a great suggestion to post questions to specific problems one at a time.

I have a 1975 Fiat 124 Spider, nice car and very much fun to drive. It has been challenging to get the car to run right but when it runs, it is a joy to drive....very rewarding when I can work out a few bugs here and there. You are right, with a 35 year old car, there is no telling what kind "fixes" this car has seen....If these cars could talk, huh?

Since I bought it, I have tuned it. Plugs, wires, cap, rotor, Pertronix ignition and Flame Thrower coil. After I rebuilt the Weber carb and set the float properly this car ran sweet. No problems after that. I have since rebuilt the front suspension, bushings, ball joints and tie rod ends. New tires, wheels, all 4 calipers, rotors, and all five brake hoses.

I live in Southern California about 50 miles from Los Angeles airport. We have a lot of twisty roads and almost everyday is perfect for a convertible. I think I will keep this car, there is something about it that I really like....not sure what it is though...... I'll upload some pictures. Let me know what you think.

Tom

[TommyClocks]

I promised to share some pictures, unfortunately I can't find a link to upload them. Please let me now how this is done.

Thanks,
Tom

[Foster48x]

Tom,
Here's a link on how to post pics.
viewtopic.php?f=13&t=5074&hilit=how+to+post+photos

Rick

[rlux4]

Hi Tom, welcome to the forum. I'm right up the road from you! I moved down from Washington state in 1980, and the first house we built was in Acton, on Aliso Canyon road. I may be passing through later today on the way to Ventura to help Ventura Ace work on his car. Maybe I can stop by and take a look at your car? I'm guessing that pooldoctorstl is right, the vent is plugged.
Ron

[TommyClocks]

Hi Ron,
Nice to hear from you, glad you live close by. I looked at a red 1975 Spider in Lancaster before I bought the one I have. I would still like to buy it but it needs a fair amount of work, not to mention a lot of DMV fees.

I've got good news, my girl and I took the Spider to Ventura today also. Sorry I didn't read your post earlier, could have met you guys. It was a great ride, Danno was right. (thanks Danno) After a good ride in a Spider, your troubles seem to melt away. It was a hot day but as we got closer to Ventura the temperature dropped fast. What a great ride! We received some nice compliments when we parked on Main St. and a guy in a '66 Corvette Roadster gave a big "thumbs up". The best part was that the car ran great, 150+ mile round trip. Pretty cool huh?

I think I corrected the stalling problem by replacing the "faston" connectors on the ignition switch, it has been running very well since then. I also rebuilt the original fuel pump and the see-through fuel filter is full again. I will get a used ignition switch from a friend and try the rebuild procedure, I prefer to practice on a spare. Has anyone tried adding grease to the contact points on the ignition switch to prevent corrosion? Just a thought. I took yours and pooldoctor's advice and bypassed the fuel tank vent check valve, I will know if this was the problem the next time I fill the car with gas. Thanks again for those tips. I have some more work to do to make the Spider run a little better, I'll let you know how it goes. As soon as I join "Flicker" I'll post some photos. Thanks again to all who wrote those ecouraging posts.

Tom

[azygoustoyou]

Hey Tommy,
Welcome. These are great little cars that have their quirks at times. What makes them even more fun is when you meet a few of the guys that own them and get together doing things or going on runs. I would have to say it makes the enjoyment ten fold. They can also help you get it running right. I know this from experience except the part about getting it to run right. My car is on a rotisserie. I hope to get it on the road by next year. Still I have such a great time hanging out with my buddies here in New Jersey. They help keep me motivated while my car isn't running. Good luck fixing the quirks. I'm sure you'll find the same quality type of people there who own Fiats that will make working the quirks out a lot less stressful.

[rlux4]

Dang! I left at about 8:30 yesterday, (got home at midnight) it's a shame we didn't get together, it would have been fun to make the drive together. You're right, the weather was great over there. I really enjoyed spending the day with Ace, working on his car. I'll let him post what took place there. (Don't want to let the cat out of the bag.)
That's all right though, we'll hook up later. Give me a call to exchange information. 618-3468
Ron

[TommyClocks]

I finally opened a Flicker account and I wanted to share some photos of my '75 Spider. Let me know what you think.

Tom
http://www.flickr.com/photos/tommyclock ... hotostream
http://www.flickr.com/photos/tommyclock ... otostream/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/tommyclock ... otostream/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/tommyclock ... otostream/

[ventura ace]

Nice pics. Your car seems to be in very nice shape! Sorry that we missed you last wekend in Ventura. Give me a call the next time you're in the neighborhood.

Alvon
805-338-1767

[TommyClocks]

Thanks Alvon, I really like the way these Spiders look, classic Italian. I think I have a good one, but I'm having some issues. I know the car can run well, but lately I'm not having any luck. I will open a new post and you can read my tale of woe.

Tom

[TommyClocks]

Alvon, I'll be in Ventura tomorrow, I took the day off to drive up the coast. I won't be driving the Fiat, but an old noisy roadster instead. Ron mentioned that he works in Ventura, maybe we all could meet for some "mangiari". That's Italian for food..........I'm learning, maybe if I can speak Italian it may help me fix the Spider.....My cell number is 818-612-8559

Tom