tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-71688252009-11-29T14:32:13.525-08:00The ongoing saga of my <a href=http://www.mybrainhurts.com/projects/fiat>1972 Fiat Spider restoration project</a>. <br> <a href="http://translate.google.com/translate?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.mybrainhurts.com%2Fprojects/%2Ffiat%2Fjournal%2F&langpair=en%7Cit&hl=en&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&prev=%2Flanguage_tools">Read this page in Italian</a>Nathanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03714591529204612877noreply@blogger.comBlogger65125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7168825.post-28252966281003168372009-11-29T01:40:00.000-08:002009-11-29T03:41:17.210-08:00

After 7 years owning the Fiat, I put it on the market this past spring. A while back, I realized I had grown tired of working on it. I had met a few of the goals I had with the car but really never got it where I wanted it to be. In those 7 years, I've also picked up a few new items...a house, motorcycles, side-businesses, a wife, photography, etc. Time, energy and funds for the Fiat have all

Nathanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03714591529204612877noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7168825.post-1125909159633126262005-09-04T23:30:00.000-07:002005-09-05T01:32:39.640-07:00

Today I did more suspension work. Work on the passenger side was vastly faster and easier with the experience gained from the driver side. At one point I realized a mistake I had made on the driver side suspension (bad install on the shocks) so I quickly re-did that. My one folly of the day was to completely strip the living s**t out of a bolt that attached the brake caliper bracket to the

Nathanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03714591529204612877noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7168825.post-1125781797990622872005-09-03T14:06:00.000-07:002005-09-03T14:52:23.626-07:00

So, again, I haven't updated lately. But summer plans have not been as ideal as I'd like. Lots of family visiting. Vacations. More family. Monterey (no Fiat, sniff). House stuff. The Fiat has definatly taken a back seat to the rest of it. Unfortunately for the Fiat.But we've had a couple cool club meetings. Check out the new club website for pics and news. Brimming with Mambo goodness.

Nathanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03714591529204612877noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7168825.post-1118443660515615462005-06-10T13:31:00.000-07:002005-06-10T16:27:10.603-07:00

New parts on the way! Basicly, it's koni yellow shocks, performance springs, drilled & slotted rotors up front, stock new in back, ferrodo pads all round, new brake hoses and caliper rebuild kits. Also a console cap for the lower console. My car should handle real well and stop great. 1 FERODO FRNT FIAT 1 FERODO REAR FIAT 1 FIAT PERF ROTOR SET 2 FIAT BRAKE ROTOR ALL TO 84 1 FIAT SPI ALL & X-

Nathanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03714591529204612877noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7168825.post-1112779773655961642005-04-05T23:17:00.000-07:002005-04-06T02:36:07.543-07:00

Tonight, since I am still lacking the 4th bolt for the water pump, I went to work on the heater core. I pulled it out last night and today/tonight, I cleaned out the vanes, flushed it out, sanded down the outside and gave it a light coat of rust-o-leum. Looks pretty nice. Re-installed and waiting for 2 gaskets I ordered today. Those should get here Friday, I hope. Also cleaned and

Nathanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03714591529204612877noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7168825.post-1112764119448379642005-04-04T23:58:00.000-07:002005-04-06T02:41:00.030-07:00

Tonight, I spent the night pulling out the old heater valve for replacement. After I got into it, I discovered a stuck heater control. So, looking into that I removed the heater box. And decided for good measure, to remove the heater core and examine/flush it out. And I got a little suprize. In addition to a lot of green coolant that I managed to collect in a tin can, I got a huge pile of leaves,

Nathanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03714591529204612877noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7168825.post-1112225095812852582005-03-29T23:56:00.000-08:002005-03-30T15:26:21.846-08:00

Got those screws on last night. But they're not tight yet. I need much smaller hands. And tools. More work tonight. Installed a new water pump. Pulled out a screw that I thought I'd have to drill. Yes, there is a great use for locking pliers. Check the pics of my success here.Now I need to get replacement bolts, more 8mm washers and a few hoses. Also need to do the messy replacement of

Nathanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03714591529204612877noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7168825.post-1112764665776904342005-03-28T22:14:00.000-08:002005-04-05T22:18:47.373-07:00

I was a little worred that the carbs wouldn't fit with the hood closed. So after getting everything together tonight, I cleaned off the hood and closed it. It fits! But just barely! Probably 5-10mm of room between the hood and the carb cleaners. Been a while since I have seen the car with the hood cleaned off too. Pretty nice lines, I had almost forgotten what it looked like.

Nathanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03714591529204612877noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7168825.post-1112124247680600862005-03-27T23:22:00.000-08:002005-04-03T00:24:12.896-08:00

So I spent all day putting the car back together. Throttle + linkage + carbs + fuel all done. I have some minor repair on the cooling system and I have to find a few hoses and washers and I'm good to go. Maybe next weekend?One slight issue. I have 2 bolts that I have discovered I cannot reach. At all. They are 2 bolts that hold the carbs on the intake manifold. It's the back two below that

Nathanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03714591529204612877noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7168825.post-1107152364066914352005-01-30T22:17:00.000-08:002005-01-31T13:45:35.020-08:00

So, I made the throttle stop. Yay. Pics here. It's strong and adjustable. I need to trim the bolt a bit, but other than that it's good. Home depot racing league, here I come. I also fashioned a nut on the end of the throttle cable so I could make my own length and not worry about using one with ends on it. I also figure out that if you dab the end of the cable in super glue, it won't

Nathanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03714591529204612877noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7168825.post-1105999882056981122005-01-16T23:06:00.000-08:002005-01-17T14:12:26.390-08:00

So, I test fit the bracket a little better this time and it didn't fit. So I set to work on another one. I also cut the cables to the right length and test fit the whole thing. It works. I mash throttle, carbs open up. Yay. But there are 2 things left to do on this before I can re-assemble it all. I need to make a throttle stop and a return spring for the carb. Don't want the carb

Nathanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03714591529204612877noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7168825.post-1104735982399776002005-01-02T23:04:00.000-08:002005-01-02T23:06:22.400-08:00

So, after cleaning up from the holidays and the damage from the storm, I had some time today to make the bracket for my Fiat. I used a 2 inch long bit of aluminum L rail from home depot. It fits great so far, but I haven't put everything back together. We'll see. Tracy is out of town for a few days so I should have plenty of time to myself to work on the car.

Nathanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03714591529204612877noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7168825.post-1102718452444779162004-12-10T14:37:00.000-08:002005-01-17T14:06:14.880-08:00

No, I don't have winter tires. But I have been tired this "winter". Feels like it's been raining for 2 months straight. Work has been rough, I've been sick, out of town on business and pleasure, working on the house, being a computer and radio geek, etc. And it's been friggin cold in my garage and I hate working on cars when it's cold. I've spend a few Saturday's banging on bits of metal

Nathanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03714591529204612877noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7168825.post-1095240095234478962004-09-15T02:20:00.000-07:002004-12-10T14:50:51.966-08:00

So, I figured it out. The "A" and "S" mean nothing, it's the *holes* that are the timing marks. And, either the distributor is 180 degrees off, or the labels on the distributor cap are backwards. I finally sat down and read the entire 'ignition' secion of both my manuals. It gave indications to where the cam lobes should be when everything is lined up perfectly...and it's 180 off from the

Nathanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03714591529204612877noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7168825.post-1094958399909225582004-09-11T20:06:00.000-07:002004-12-03T22:44:41.010-08:00

Well now. Many good things have happened lately. I finally ordered a bunch of parts ($250 worth) and they arrived this Thursday. Yay. More on those later. But the big thing is, Friday, my Ebay e-mail auction alerts paid off big time. I saw this auction for a nearly brand new set of 15" Panasports AND tires that fit the Fiat bolt pattern (4x98mm). And the price was right. And the seller was

Nathanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03714591529204612877noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7168825.post-1094330189999409742004-09-03T23:16:00.000-07:002004-12-10T14:56:03.183-08:00

So, I finally sat down and made the call to IAP to order more parts. Look what I have on the way: 1 FIAT 71-78 TIMING BELT 1 FIAT ALT BELT 1 FIAT DOHC 71> T-BELT BEARING 1 FIAT LANCIA EXTERNAL THERMOSTAT 1 FIAT COOLING SYSTEM TECH BUL 1 GASK FIAT DOHC WATER TEE 1 71-72 124 1608CC WATERPUMP 1 FIAT RADIATOR FAN SWITCH EARLY 1 FIAT SPI & X-1/9 HEATER VALVE 1 TECH BUL FIAT HEATR VALVE 2

Nathanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03714591529204612877noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7168825.post-1093948919526103762004-08-30T23:40:00.000-07:002004-12-10T14:56:26.886-08:00

Tonight, I managed to pull off a few more things and figure out a few good things. I pulled off the water pump, it needs replacing. One of the bolts (4 total) has been broken off inside the block. Not sure how I'm gonna get it out. Drill maybe?? It was held on by just the three fine I suppose. When it came off, it leaked a LOT of coolant from the block. Glad I have that tub below the car. I

Nathanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03714591529204612877noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7168825.post-1093770576155043982004-08-28T23:02:00.000-07:002004-12-10T14:56:44.926-08:00

Today I managed to pull the radiator and most of the rest of the cooling equipment. I need to get the heater stuff done, but I'll attack that tomorrow. I also pulled off the belt sheild and removed the belts. They're old and cracked and need replacing. Of course, I moved one of the gears so I'll have to set everything back to TDC before I stick it on. That probably needs to be done anyhow. I

Nathanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03714591529204612877noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7168825.post-1093641616931411562004-08-27T23:56:00.000-07:002004-12-10T14:57:48.263-08:00

So, I'm all moved in. The car has a new home. I haven't had a lot of time to work on her since I have so much house stuff to do, but tonight I made some progress. Last time I wrote, I was waiting on bolts to arrive and about to move. Well, I test-fit the bolts last night with the new wheels. They fit. Yessssss! And they look cool too! I still lust after the Panasports and wonder if these were

Nathanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03714591529204612877noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7168825.post-1093951298382882832004-08-17T16:19:00.000-07:002004-08-31T04:21:38.383-07:00

So Monterey came and went and I didn't get to take my car yet again. Even if I could have somehow installed the new carbs, wheels and brakes in 2 weeks, I wouldn't have felt safe in a non-sorted out car. Well, now I can take my time and try to get it done in the *proper* fashion....that is, when the house doesn't take priority.

Nathanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03714591529204612877noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7168825.post-1091061860876569092004-07-28T19:43:00.000-07:002004-07-28T17:44:20.876-07:00

The fiat now sits at it's new home in my house. But I only have 2 weeks till Monterey. Damn! -N

Nathanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03714591529204612877noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7168825.post-1088414404713718192004-06-27T23:12:00.000-07:002005-09-11T13:44:11.246-07:00

Well, after looking around on eBay for replacement glass for the clock, I decided to head out to home depot to do-it-myself. $15 plus shipping plus a week wait is too much, I need it now and I can do it myself for cheaper. Try $2.75. Bought a small square of Lexan XR-20, a bitchin material that is not glass, but super clear and very pretty. It's also nearly indestrucible, has a low refractive

Nathanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03714591529204612877noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7168825.post-1088413821331635012004-06-26T13:57:00.000-07:002004-06-28T02:31:14.363-07:00

My carbs arrived! They're so pretty! But, Bruce forgot to put a gasket in the order (or I forgot to ask) so I can't install them until I get one. Oh well, I don't have time to do it this week anyhow. It will be easier to do once I get the car over to my new, bigger, garage. Yay! But because I also recieved the dash cap, I decided to put it on as well. First, I did a test fit. You can

Nathanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03714591529204612877noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7168825.post-1088500720649900442004-06-24T16:17:00.000-07:002004-06-29T02:21:23.600-07:00

Just got a call from Joel at Carnutz. He has 20 65mm 12x1.25 bolts in his hands and is shipping them out today. Sweet!

Nathanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03714591529204612877noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7168825.post-1087547682249757962004-06-17T23:26:00.000-07:002004-06-18T01:39:22.396-07:00

So the radiator arrived. Damn, it's nice to have new parts. I was so excited after talking to Tyler today to hear that a package had arrived at his house. But it was just the radiator and a note that says the carbs would be in next week. Bummer, I really wanted to install those this weekend. I also ordered a dash cap. $80 or so isn't bad compared to like $260 for a new dash. Sounds like I

Nathanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03714591529204612877noreply@blogger.com0