First Car: 79 spider

[Catlover]

i will be creating a frankenfiat, as i heard people call it. the car has a leak in the engine. i find oil in the side of the engine and around the spark plugs. my father and i have decided to install a different engine that will be more reliable as a daily rider such as a miata or a 2.0 vw diesel engine.Is that do-able? i also ordered bullet side mirrors and have yet to install the top ( i am missing a part that connects the top to the sides of the car)
the car is in great condition. has absolute no under body rust and was given a new paint job by the previous owner.

Any advice?? This is my first car

[Catlover]

anyone from the Chicago area?

[TulsaSpider]

Nice start! yup you do need a top! You have come to the right place! As far as other engines your only limit is your budget and facilities. These little cars are very reliable when properly maintained, leaks can be remedied!

[Danno]

anyone from the Chicago area?

http://www.meetup.com/chicagolandfiatandlancia

also, has it been modified to NOT have a top? It kinda looks cool like that, I'd like more pics if you get a chance. Join that Chi-FLU site and meet the other Chicago-land owners (includes people from IA, IL, WI and more). There might be a parts car or two with at least the frame for the top and then you could get a new top from a vendor.

I think that swapping the motor will be more work than any maintenance you'd put into keeping the stock one running. There are plenty of parts available and plenty of performance modifications (if that's your thing) that you can do.

[Catlover]

wow thats great info! yea as soon as i get the car in top shape i will join the club. im putting all my money into it and cant afford the membership. i have decided to keep the fiat engine

[Danno]

wow thats great info! yea as soon as i get the car in top shape i will join the club. im putting all my money into it and cant afford the membership. i have decided to keep the fiat engine

You don't have to pay the membership to hang out with these guys, only to participate in any driving events or business meetings. I'm not currently a member, but I chit-chat online regularly with the bunch and they've helped me source parts and encouraged me to spend more money on Fiats, too (just like any good group of car people would do).

[NJFIAT1981]

Welcome to the site. Plenty of helpfull folks here. You should have no problem accessing not only information but probably all the parts you will need. I have parts for your top if you need them. Good luck, George

[Catlover]

You don't have to pay the membership to hang out with these guys, only to participate in any driving events or business meetings. I'm not currently a member, but I chit-chat online regularly with the bunch and they've helped me source parts and encouraged me to spend more money on Fiats, too (just like any good group of car people would do).

thanks a lot, ill definitely join. i am currently looking for the metal latch that grabs on the metal bar in the convertible top mechanism and connects to the car. do you know any misc parts vendors or people who just have too many parts lying around in chicago?