Five year hiatus..list of what to do

[az79spider]

Just bought a 1979 spider 2000 thats been sitting for 5 years. I know if I peruse I can find the answers but I would like someone to send me a prioritized list of what to do first. I'm in Phoenix so I will be looking for reliable contacts here too.

[mdrburchette]

First order of business is to change all fluids, including flushing your brake fluid and fuel tank. Second order of business is to replace the timing belt. Might as well wait on replacing the antifreeze until you change the timing belt. A tune up would also be nice, including checking your pickup in the distributor. Then you'll want to make sure the rubber donut at the back of the tranny is in good shape. Are the tires in good shape and still in date? This should get you started!

[wikkid]

Does the car start? Have you tried?

With an air hose, clean out any debris around the spark plug holes, then clean and dry all around the plugs. Take the plugs out, and put in a tsp. or so of Marvel Mystery oil, to lubricate the cylinder wall/piston/ring interface, so things slide nicely without damage. How do the plugs look?

Is the air filter really dirty? Might as well put in a new one.

Is the battery new, or at least holding a strong charge? Be sure about that, because all sorts of "problems" disappear once you have a strong battery hooked up.

So there you go: do basic stuff to ensure good spark, fuel and air, and you are well on your way to getting the car running and then on into diagnostics, and bigger items like being sure tires, suspension, electrical system and all the rest are solid.

[az79spider]

just got it home today via flatbed trailer. She sits in my driveway now. No, havent attempted to start, battery is dead. I'm going to remove fuel tank and lines all the way to carb. Then the marvel oil job and general cleanup. Timing belt, from what your saying would be next, an area I'm not to comfortable in. Any input on that subject would be appreciated. I will change all rubber, but what is the rubber ball behind the tranny ?

[JerryH]

I was in the same boat with my 1976. It sat for about 5 years before I purchased it. The advice given above is good. Before you remove the fuel tank, pull the sender off the top and have a look inside. I was worried mine was rusty, but it turned out to be pretty clean.

The rubber donut behind the transmission is called a guibo. It's a flexible link between the tranny and the drive shaft. They're only about $22. Not the easiest thing to replace, but straightforward.

For the replacement of the timing belt, my advice is to simply use the search feature on this forum and search for 'timing belt'. You'll need to wade through about 100 pages of posts, but in the end you'll be an expert on the subject.

Good Luck!

-J

[az79spider]

Thanks. I will officially start this project tommorow. Today was organizing tools and garage and of course, running to Jared and getting a little something for the misses for letting me take this spider home. Figure if I'm smart enough for that I gotta be able to handle the timing belt !

[wikkid]

az79, "You've Got Mail." Check your email

[theProdikalSon]

Hey how did your project go? Did you get it started?

My FI fiat has been sitting for 5 months. I think I am going to run with the advise given to you and inspect/change these items on my ride. Now to find the spark plugs!

[az79spider]

project started. car not started. rad in shop, was only utilizing 70 percent of cooling capacity, gas tank at shop as well. ordered all rubber for front of engine, awaiting arrival. rebuilt carb already. holidays slowing me down a bit, but thats ok. took thanksgiving pics with my nephews yesterday and little Jack snapped my ignition key. got piece outta ignition but now I head down to see if they can make new key outta two pieces. Yay.