1978 Fiat Spider 1800. HELP!

[bubba]

I recently received this car from my uncle when he passed. It has been sitting for several years collecting dust. I removed the fuel tank and cleaned it. I rebuilt the carb and put in new plugs and wires. The car is turning over but not firing up. What else do I need to check? I know absolutely nothing about these cars.

Also, I believe the wires may have been backwards when I got the car. They had as cyl #4 next to radiator and cyl #1 next to firewall. I was not sure if this was correct being a European car (didn't know if they did things different)

Any help would be MUCH appreciated!

[calvinconrad]

#1 is up front next to radiator.

[bubba]

That's what I figured. I switch the plugs to their correct spot and still nothing. I pulled the plugs to make they weren't wet but no go. I took the dizzy cap off to see if it was spinning which it was.

Does anybody know what size socket I need to manually turn the engine. I think the timing is off. That's the only thing I can think of as to why it won't start

[narfire]

In my opinion, next step is to make sure all the timing marks are lined up properly.
The mark on the crank is at TDC at the same time the holes on the cam wheels are on their marks. If you have the cover on then on the front of the cam towers are raised "bars" that the holes should line up to.
Ok got all that done...If the mark and hole is one tooth out, the car will run but won't have the power compared to when all is lined up properly.
If you use a timing light put the lead on #4 (back)
Now how is the dist? The rotor should be just about to contact #4 pin in the cap. Note the pins inside do not correspond to where the leads come out...
On some dist's there is a small nick/cut in the aluminum body and the rear of the rotor should line up with that.
If you have the dist out I'm guessing if you are using the points dist, all the points and condenser are working as they should?
The dist goes in with a bit of a twist as it drops into the gear on the cam so drop cap and body the same.
Snug the 17 mm up so it does not rotate with vibration but you can still turn it and give er a go...
Chris

[So Cal Mark]

I'd make sure the points are set correctly. With the timing off 180 you should have gotten some popping when trying to start

[bubba]

Thanks for the input guys! I'm going to check all of this in the morning.

What size is the nut to turn the motor? I felt it with my hand and it felt pretty big. I might have to get a socket for it so the size would be great so I can find out if any of the stores have it in stock

[81SPIDERMATT]

ON MY 81 2000 IT IS A 38 MM OR 1 1/2 INCH ..... DONT KNOW IF THE 1800 IS THE SAME

[narfire]

I found if you have all the plugs out, the engine turns easily with a 19mm on the cam bolts, pulling on the alt belt at the same time helps as well.
problem I have is the rad is too close to the big 38mm socket and the reducer to 1/2" so I will pull the plugs.

[garion]

On my 78, I use a 1 1/2" socket. Its a 1/2" drive, and with my 1/2" wrench, I can clear the radiator ok. To get it in on the nut, I have to turn the socket 90 degree to slide in the cavity on the pulley.

As Mark suggested, check the timing marks. I would also check to see that when the cam timing marks are lined up, that the distributor is pointing at the pole on the distributor cap that goes to cylinder #4.