Mechanic in Los Angeles? (Jack's Fiat experiences)

[muzeon]

Hi,

New here. We actually don't own a Spider, but just got our '71 Fiat 500L 5 days ago. We started running into gear shift issues. Need a mechanic as the car only drives in 1 or 2nd gear ONLY!

We brought the car to Imported Car Service (formerly Tony's Imports), and now Jack's Fiat (Speedway Imports). Trying to troubleshoot the problem still. Jack is going to repair the linkages. Hope it's not the transmission as it has been rebuilt 1 or 2 years ago.

So, has anyone have any experiences with Jack's Fiat?

Also, just in case if Jack can't fix the problem, any other mechanics in Los Angeles area that you trust?

Need a mechanic who doesn't fix one thing and breaks 2 more, who takes weeks, or is not honest. I know, tough call... but figured you guys have all the experiences... any thoughts greatly appreciated! Thanks!

[rlux4]

Our moderator, Mark Allison (Allison's Automotive) is a Fiat fixer. He and his 2nd mechanic, Eladio (Fiats2000 on the forum), are Fiat specialists. And Mark is as honest as the day is long. And not just these short winter days either.
Ron

[Ernie]

muzeon,

I don't know much about a Fiat 500, but my first car was a 1958 Fiat 600. It also had shifting problems when I got it, but for $25 in 1964, I couldn't pass up such a chance to own a car.

It turned out that the shifting problems were due to the car being hit in the rear. The rear engine mount on the 600 was part of the panel that goes across the back of the car. All I had to do was tie a rope to the panel and pop the clutch a bit to pull it back into shape enough the car would shift properly.

Ok...I was a kid. That's what I did to fix it. Eventually, I got a new panel and replaced it. Then I painted the new panel and the rest of the car with 13 cans of Shamrock Green spray paint. I was a kid !!

Oh, yeah...my father was not happy about the overspray on the garage floor, the snow tires on rims leaning against the wall, and his golf clubs. Lucky I survived.

Anyway, be sure to check if your car has been spanked in the rear, jamming the gear linkage a bit, before you go off to have the transmission overhauled.

Ernie

[fiasco]

I second the recommendation of Mark Allison - Allison's Automotive in Upland. I just had him bring my Spider into driving condition, and he did great work at a very fair price. If you can get to Upland, he's the guy!

-- se

[muzeon]

Thanks all! Yeah, spoke to Mark this afternoon. Though it's a hike (43miles) to Upland from Los Angeles, we will keep him in mind if Jack can't solve out 500 issue. Problem is, car only drives in 2nd gear, so if we go there, we have to tow!

[pope]

You would think that being in LA, all you would need it 1st and 2nd, with the jam on the freeways.

[So Cal Mark]

just because we have 24/7 gridlock is no reason to bash LA! You should see what happens when it rains

[pope]

LOL! That is funny Mark.

[So Cal Mark]

rain cause destruction derbys on every freeway, if we got an inch or two of snow the Big Three wouldn't need a bailout. Everyone would be out buying cars to replace the totals

[ventura ace]

I can say that I have nothing but positive experience with the help I've received from Jack. Mark is excellent as well, but I provide the feedback about Jack, since that was your origninal question. Actually, neither has done work on my spider (I choose to do most jobs myself), but I have purchased parts and received great advice from both. Mark is an active participant in our Fiat outings, and the Forums, as you well know, so I would go in his direction as first choice. Jack would be a good 2nd.

Alvon

[muzeon]

Thanks all! Yeah, Jack has a long list of little stuff to fix (they add up), but the biggest thing now is to make sure the car runs. So he said Friday around 4pm, he should be done with changing the linkages and missing bushing for the gear shift problems. We hope that should solve it, and not the transmission etc. We don't have the deep pockets to keep paying someone for trail and error... plus the 500 engine is suppose to be as basic as it gets!

We shall see. Otherwise we may have to make a trip to Upland!

Merry X'mas!

[So Cal Mark]

If the trans doesn't shift with the engine off, it could be just the linkage. If it shifts okay without the engine running expect internal trouble (slider, synchro, etc)

[muzeon]

Uh-oh... we think it does shift kinda when engine is not running. The whole gear stick is very loose... lots of give... So much for having a 're-built' transmission, and we paid for that in the car price! Bummer...

[muzeon]

Quick update. Turns out it's the linkages and bushings that needs to be repaired/replaced. Car now shifts! However, due to the holidays, and Jack's hours of work at the shop (3pm to 6pm), it's taking much longer than expected, and we have a long list of small things to be repaired/serviced. But he seems to know what he's doing, and closer to us... crossing my fingers that we'll have the car driving mid-week!

Does anyone have similar (slow) experiences with Jack? Just curious.

[RJ80]

I too am looking for someone to do some front-end suspension work in the near future. I would not reccomend Santo's Italian Car Repair in Northridge. Took my '79 Spider there half a year ago for a non-start issue and was talked into a tune-up, fluid change, and clutch cable replacement on an otherwise well-running car (when it would start). While the car was running when I got it back -- over $300 later -- two days later it failed to start again. The shop told me they were unable to replicate the problem. I later tracked the problem down myself to a loose connection near the coil and have not had a related issue since. While I appreciated the fluid change and clutch cable replacement, my car now backfires on decleration after their "tune-up." I suspect they have set the car to run quite rich -- an issue as I need to smog it soon and it was running just fine beforehand. Friendly, seemingly nice mechanics, but I feel I overpaid for a disappointing service that failed to fix the initial problem and has my car running slightly worse as a result.