New to me '78 spider

[Butlerdidit607]

I have a new to me '78 124 spider. It's my first classic and it's been kicking my butt. She drove great the first day now she spits and over heats but man is she pretty lol. I'm running down the usual suspects any suggestions are welcome and appreciated. Remember I am a novice especially with carburetors. Anyways thanks for the add and look forward to learning everything I can about what makes my new baby tick.

[aj81spider]

Welcome aboard. Once you get it running you will love the car. Getting it running will make you love this forum!

[18Fiatsandcounting]

Welcome! You might want to post your question about overheating in one of the technical forums for better response.

Meanwhile, in addition to the usual causes of overheating such as low on coolant, clogged radiator, stuck thermostat, electric fan not coming on, and so forth, some other potential causes are the engine is running too lean (carburetor or intake manifold issue), the ignition timing is not set right, or one of the emission control systems is acting up. If the engine is running way too hot, then it's probably a cooling system issue. If the engine is running just slightly hot, and given the "spitting" you noted, my first guess would a timing, fuel, or emission control issue.

-Bryan

[Akspider]

Very good article here: https://www.mirafiori.com/124/cooling.html . Most problems with overheating I've had has been an airlock due to not getting all the air out of the cooling system after a drain. Adding a "T" at the high point of a heater line helps in filling system up. Enjoy your spider - hope to have mine back on the road soon - bit of interior work to go and could still get snow yet!

Roger

[18Fiatsandcounting]

Yes, good point about making sure that the cooling system is totally filled by adding a "T" connection at the top of the heater hose. I've also had some luck with filling the expansion tank to the "max" level with coolant, running the engine until fully warmed up, and then letting it cool back down. If the radiator cap and expansion tank and line are doing their job, coolant is pulled back from the expansion tank into the now-cool radiator and its resulting vacuum, thus filling it up. Sometimes it takes a few heat/cool cycles to fully fill the system. However, this doesn't always work as it should, and the "T" connection is a good option at that point.

-Bryan

[narfire]

Coolant T helps in filling.
I run the car up on some blocks so the front is higher, take the rad cap off and let the car idle. Before long air is burping out the cap. Have a look in the fill and you should see the fluid moving nicely when all the air is out and thermostat is open. Oh, and make sure your heater controls are all open. Heater core may have air in it as well and you'll be at square one if neglected.