Finally picked up my Fiat!

[bugnout247]

Hey fellas, I finally picked up my Fiat this weekend. Bought a 1978 from some guy in Philly, it looks great...but am having a few problems already...maybe you guys can help out? On the way home to NJ at about 70mph on the turnpike I was steady at about 4k rpm's. The car started to feel like it was getting jerky, almost as though it wasn't getting an even flow of gas or something. When I get back home and onto lower speed streets I try revving it up a bit to see how it accelerates and at around 5k rpms the car studders hard and then after that the car won't rev above 2500 rpms. The car will drive fine if I shift before 2500 rpm's but once I try to go above that the engine falters. Any of you guys have experience with this kind of problem?

Also, the speedometer jumps around like crazy..is there any easy fix to that?

Anyone know a good Fiat mechanic in the Cranford or Hoboken area, in case I can't figure out the above problems?

[grittracing]

I am sure there are more fixes for this but here are the quick and easy fixes. Tune up, plug, wires, cap, and rotor thingy under the distributor cap, air filter. if it is a Fuel injected, have the injectors cleaned or buy new, the cheapest price i have seen new is through mark alison I think they where $68 each, there is a place in big rapids Michigan that cleans them for around $17 each.if it has a carburetor do a really good cleaning off the car. they sell Gunk in a paint can big enough to put most of the parts in. (do not put plastic or rubber part in cleaner) as for the speed-O try taking the dash off and tightening the cable to the dash or at the trans. if that doesn't work the cable may be broke. or the speed-O. if it is the speed-o 80mph are easy to find about $25 to $35 140mph little harder to find but they are out there and a little more money but I have seen them for $40 all the way up to $120 for used. good luck.

[NJFIAT1981]

Hi Bugnout,
Looks nice. Did the previous owner give you any maintainance records? Do you know the last time the timing belt was changed? When I purchased my Spiders I replaced all the hoses,fluids and the timing belt. Just recently had my timing belt changed by Lanciaf. It's a quick job. Mine turned into a long drawn out affair. Engine oil seals, head, trans seals, etc, etc, etc. You should come to our next breakfast. NJFIATS.ORG
The nice thing about our meets is that you get to place a face with a name you see on the computer. Plenty of people willing to help you out. Lots of info from knowledgeable members. Price for all this? Free. Hope to see you there. PM me for more info. George

[mdrburchette]

Might also want to check the fuel filter or fuel pump. Great looking car!

[bugnout247]

Thanks for the info guys. The guy I bought it from said that the plugs and wires are new, not sure about the distributor cap though. I was thinking of getting the 32/36 DFEV carb for the car so don't want to go overboard with the current carb, but would like to get this problem sorted out before slapping a new carb on it (which I read may need different jets for a 1978 car). The timing belt hasn't been changed in over 8 years as the previous owner said he never changed it, but then he only put about 1500 miles on the car. Wouldn't the timing belt work fine unless broken though? The car has a crane ignition box, does that mean it doesn't use points? Would help alot if I could pinpoint whether the problem is electical or fuel related. Oh, and prior owner changed the fuel filter in the engine bay just a few weeks ago.

Google doesn't help at all with finding a Fiat mechanic in Central NJ, everybody do their own work on these cars? I was planning to do my own work but would like to get it running first, it's uninspectible right now. : (

I'm definitely going to come to some of your NJFiat gatherings, just now is not good timing with my exams and the holidays etc. I should have more time in the spring, would love to do one of those covered bridge tours with you guys too...it looks fabulous.

[grittracing]

well if the wires are new make sure they are routed correctly I know its a 4 cylinder but people get distracted or in a hurry. the belt may only have 1500miles on it but the self life of a tire is only 6 years it may work fine but before I went on any long tripsi would think about a new one.

[wikkid]

Change the belt. 1500 miles is nothing, but the PO doesn't know when it was changed before he got it, so it is at least 8 years old, been sitting and drying out a fair bit, and no clue as to how many miles it saw before the PO got it. The urgency is that if it does break, you can wreak expensive havoc with your engine. A belt is less than $20.

[bugnout247]

OK, I will have the timing belt changed soon..but that won't fix my acceleration problem I wouldn't think. Some ideas from other threads is that it could be fuel pump, fuel pressure, inlet valve?, vacuum leak? The engine studders erratically above 2500 rpms, but drives fine below that.

[grittracing]

when i bought my 66 ford i drove fine till I got on the express way than anything over 60 it did the same thing I replaced the plugs and all was good.than I did a full tune up. and it was a smooth running machine

[TX82FIAT]

There is a good Fiat mechanic in Paramus. I lived in North Jersey about 10 years ago and he did great work. Found him using the intranet at that time. He was a Fiat mechanic prior to them leaving the US and works on imports. Sorry I don't have a name. The records went with the car when I sold it in 2004. I'll give a quick look and see if I can dig anything up.

Change the timing belt... Change the timing belt... Change the timing belt.

As far as the loss of power/acceleration above 2500 RPM that could be a lot of things as you mentioned above. Could be a hose, fuel mixture not right from carb, advance is off....

Do you have a maintenance book? I'm on my third spider living in South Texas now and can only say that unless I've experienced the issue first hand it takes me some time to figure out what is wrong and often even more time to fix it. Once fixed it is kinda cool that as an owner you can do it. Enjoy the car.

[wikkid]

Yeah, you may just have to "take real ownership" of this thing. Give it a tune, show it some love.

[TX82FIAT]

Sorry, you mentioned the speedo jumps around. First place to check would be the speedometer cable. I can't recall if yours is a screw on or snap on to the back of the speedometer. Figure out what type of speedometer cable you have and go ahead and order a new one. I think it is $13-$15 and this usually solves the issue. The gauges come out above the steering wheel and the cable runs just above the master cylinder around to the transmission. Not huge job but takes a little patience. Have done this on two of three spiders when speedometer jumped around. fixed both times.

[TulsaSpider]

These cars are quite simple and easy to work on for the most part. We are here to help you. Yes I think most of us do our own work. If you start farming out jobs you will quickly run into a pile of $$$ being spent on things you can do yourself. For example, concerning the timing belt, change it as soon as you can. The belt is very cheap. You should also be prepared to change out the tensioner, also cheap. When I got mine I called around and the best quote I got was $500. I did it myself for $50 max. It's not too hard just need some time and patience. On the stuttering issue. Sounds like ignition to me but could be many things, but that's where I would start. Working on the car yourself will give you confidence and great pride of ownership. It will also give you the ability to swear in Italian ^_^ Welcome and good luck!