Rebuilding Sofia - 1971 Spider in Oz

[Martin124]

I'm loving the idea of a convoy of spiders! Although the wedding is going to be up in Newcastle so it might be a bit of a trek...(!)

Have just come in from an evening of grinding down my crappy welds in the wheel arch - I'm not prepared to post another pic until the welds look good. I smell of singed hair.

A day off in December might have worked... a few days off in December? Sorry, but I can't be a part of the convoy

[Sambo42]

Can anyone give me advice on air compressors? I borrowed my old man's el cheap 2.5hp (from bunnings originally) and bought myself and air grinder and a mini sand blaster. The output seems to be a bit on the wimpy side - it's rated at 120l/min with an output of 90 psi - am I right in thinking it's just not up to the job of air grinders/air chisels/sanders etc and I would need something that can produce more like 200 l/min?

[djape1977]

it's not just the capacity, but also the way it does it. get yourself a twin piston compressor. there are cheap (chinese?) ones out there that do the job

[Sambo42]

Have been pottering around in the garage making up a rotisserie - using the engine stand approach. I don't trust the bumper mounts currently so have made up a frame that attaches to the front frame.

[Sambo42]

Just a very quick update - the rotisserie is done!! At least the first iteration - I might need to lift the front end slightly, depending on how much extra clearance I get with the front suspension out. So now the next job is to get the suspension and brake parts off to the powdercoater...

[weekend warrior]

Hey Sambo, good progress but December isn't that far, if your heart is set on a spider for the big day you can use mine as your plan B I'm only 30 mins from Newcastle, we could probably round up some Sydney based spiders for a convoy as well.

[Sambo42]

Weekend warrior I'm touched - that is a brilliant offer. I may well take you up on the offer depending on how progress goes (or not)

[Sambo42]

Some more pics - the rotisserie and my latest conundrum. Given that it's the home made version the axis of rotation is a little on the low side. I can almost get the car to the vertical position but the front suspension is fouling on the engine stand. Which brings me to my problem. I know there are several other threads on compressing the front springs but does anyone have any advice on how to to this for a car that's up in the air? The shop-bought (stanley) external compressors that I have don't fit as various people have pointed out (the long bolt that runs up the middle fouls engine mount). I can't use the weight of the car on a jack to compress the spring because a) it's up in the air, and b) the engine is out so not enough weight. Thoughts?

[narfire]

I don't suppose you have one in the back yard, but I used my fork lift (tilted forks forward) to compress the springs and then tied them in the compressed position with aircraft lock-wire. Installed and then cut the wire. This has worked a couple of times so far.
Good luck
Chris

[azruss]

i've always used and internal spring compression. they are awkward but do the job.

[djape1977]

just done that last week on a spider i'm restoring



internal compressors won't work since there's nothing to hold the spring once you remove the cempresor.

i used external spring compressors which i had to modify to fit (cut and weld) and then tied each spring on three sides with tie-down straps. used plenty grease on spring holder cups. when shock absorber was in place, i released tie-down straps. pulling them out while spring is pressing them is a major pain in the a***

[vandor]

I have always used internal spring compressors. What holds the spring when you remove the compressor is the floor jack under the balljoint
Actually even if the jack was not there eventually the upper arm would come to rest on the spring and that stops any more downward movement.

[Sambo42]

That's some beautiful work there. I pulled into my garage friend yesterday (he's restored a beautiful '69 alfa spider) and he chuckled when I told him the story of the external compressors.....before pulling out a little miniature pair that he's fabricated himself just for fiat and alfa spiders. So I've borrowed those.

Another question though - do I need to remove the disc from the wheel hub to dismantle everything? In which how do I do that? My manual just says to remove the 2 locating studs, then 'take off' the disc and hub. Really? don't I need a puller?

[djape1977]

like this one i'm working on?
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid ... 053&type=1

yup, you need to remove the brake caliper, two locating studs and maybe a little gentle persuasion with a hammer. unlike alfa, where you need to remove the hub and bearing first

[Sambo42]

Just like that one - it's a really nice duetto which is rare for Australia. Nice work!!