Hello everyone
I have an 81 Spider 5 Speed and was wondering if any year Spider transmission will bolt in. I'm pretty sure they are all the same, but just want your professional input before I waste my hard earned money. Thanks!
Will any year transmission fit any year Spider?
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azruss
- Posts: 3659
- Joined: Sun May 30, 2010 12:24 pm
- Your car is a: 80 Fiat 2000 FI
Re: Will any year transmission fit any year Spider?
early trannies have a smaller bellhousing. from the 1608 and newer, you should be ok. The early trannies have some electrical goodies that arent used with the fuel injected cars. I currently have a 71 trannie in an 80 FI. so far, so good.
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Ernie
- Posts: 113
- Joined: Wed Mar 19, 2008 2:07 pm
- Your car is a: 1978 Fiat Spider
- Location: Huntsville, AL
Re: Will any year transmission fit any year Spider?
Burbank,
Your 81 transmission should have a blue dot painted on the speedometer drive housing, due to the 3.9 axle ratio.
The 124 series spiders used 4.3 and 4.1 axle ratios. 4.3 should be a red dot and 4.1 should be green.
I've seen folks mention on various forums they just changed the speedo drive and it seemed to work OK. Others say it won't work or won't work properly. Taking no chances, I changed the drive gear so I could use my original speedo drive.
From what I've read, the number of teeth on the drive gears are: 3.9 = 7, 4.3 = 6, 4.1 = 4
Another minor difference is some transmissions are push down for reverse, some are pull up. I have 5 transmissions. 2 are pull up and the others are push down. I have no idea if that's a vintage thing or something's out of whack on a couple of transmissions. No matter to me as long as they keep working.
Ernie
Your 81 transmission should have a blue dot painted on the speedometer drive housing, due to the 3.9 axle ratio.
The 124 series spiders used 4.3 and 4.1 axle ratios. 4.3 should be a red dot and 4.1 should be green.
I've seen folks mention on various forums they just changed the speedo drive and it seemed to work OK. Others say it won't work or won't work properly. Taking no chances, I changed the drive gear so I could use my original speedo drive.
From what I've read, the number of teeth on the drive gears are: 3.9 = 7, 4.3 = 6, 4.1 = 4
Another minor difference is some transmissions are push down for reverse, some are pull up. I have 5 transmissions. 2 are pull up and the others are push down. I have no idea if that's a vintage thing or something's out of whack on a couple of transmissions. No matter to me as long as they keep working.
Ernie
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ventura ace
Re: Will any year transmission fit any year Spider?
The early transmissiong (1438cc) were pull up to shift into Reverse.
Alvon
Alvon
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azruss
- Posts: 3659
- Joined: Sun May 30, 2010 12:24 pm
- Your car is a: 80 Fiat 2000 FI
Re: Will any year transmission fit any year Spider?
caution with switching the speedo drive gear. they require an internal change in the tranny for the gears to match.
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Ernie
- Posts: 113
- Joined: Wed Mar 19, 2008 2:07 pm
- Your car is a: 1978 Fiat Spider
- Location: Huntsville, AL
Re: Will any year transmission fit any year Spider?
yeah...that's what I was trying to say. Reading back over it, I realize I could have been been more precise.
The gear that needs to be changed is in the tail end of the transmission. You need a set of snap ring pliers and I think it's a 32mm socket. I haven't been able to break one loose yet without a lot of hits from an impact wrench.
Also, it's a good idea to have a new rear seal in hand for the gear swap. Even if you manage to get the old one out without buggering it up, the new one is cheap. Having one makes getting the old one out a lot easier, if you get my meaning.
Thanks, Alvon. I had an idea that was the case.
Ernie
The gear that needs to be changed is in the tail end of the transmission. You need a set of snap ring pliers and I think it's a 32mm socket. I haven't been able to break one loose yet without a lot of hits from an impact wrench.
Also, it's a good idea to have a new rear seal in hand for the gear swap. Even if you manage to get the old one out without buggering it up, the new one is cheap. Having one makes getting the old one out a lot easier, if you get my meaning.
Thanks, Alvon. I had an idea that was the case.
Ernie