New Owner Questions

[parottthead]

I bought my 81 Spider 5 years ago and didn't do anything with it other than drive it around the block occasionally. I've been tinkering with it lately and hope to get it into reliable shape to be a weekend driver.

Questions: The brake pedal is very soft. I have bled them thoroughly, but the pedal remains soft. I believe there is a very slow brake fluid leak, but can't locate it. From the spot under the car it looks to be coming from the area of the reservoir or the booster. Is that a common place for a leak?

I'm posting a pic of my engine. The car had the turbo package originally, but it was either removed or the engine swapped out before I got the car. As you can see there are several vacuum tubes and other hoses sealed off. The car runs OK, but I believe it can run a lot better with some work. Any identification of parts to help me map the engine compartment is greatly appreciated!

I have looked for the engine # without success several times. How small is the number stamp on the block?

From my research it appears I have the worst carb/intake combination, and am considering going to a single plane manifold and different carb. Advice?

Thanks in advance!

Brian

[mbouse]

The brake pedal is very soft. I have bled them thoroughly, but the pedal remains soft. I believe there is a very slow brake fluid leak, but can't locate it. From the spot under the car it looks to be coming from the area of the reservoir or the booster. Is that a common place for a leak?

BTDT - just recently. the master cylinder rear seal will fail and leak onto or into the brake booster. if onto, then down the outside of the booster it will go until it finds the firewall, then to the floor from there. if into the brake booster, good luck ever seeing where the disappearing fluid goes.

either case, you are in for a new master cylinder, or a rebuild. if into the brake booster, consider having that replaced as well.

if you know enough about car brakes to bleed them, this is not technically more difficult job.... just a tad bit more frustrating.

[mbouse]

I bought my 81 Spider 5 years ago
I'm posting a pic of my engine. The car had the turbo package originally, but it was either removed or the engine swapped out before I got the car.
From my research it appears I have the worst carb/intake combination, and am considering going to a single plane manifold and different carb. Advice?

looks to me like you have an '80 engine thrown in that '81 body. kinda like a heart transplant, except not.

since you certainly have no emissions tests to meet, i'd suggest a 32/36 DFEV Weber carburetor and an intake manifold from an 1800 engine. also, gutting the remainder of that emission stuff outa there and plugging the bits left over will help to perk up and spruce up that engine bay considerably.

[parottthead]

Thanks for the input. I will see what a booster/master cylinder will cost. I know it sounds silly, but I have a budget so would like to keep costs down as much as possible.

I am no Tony Goodwrench, but I know my way around cars pretty well, so I think I can do most basic repairs.

Are 1800 manifolds hard to come by used?

brian

[mbouse]

post an ad in parts wanted for a used brake booster. contact mbassler on this forum concerning a new aftermarket...he just installed one of those. like i said, if you can bleed brakes, you should be able to change out a brake booster and master cylinder.

keep your eyes open on Ebay and expect to pay upwards of $100 delivered for an 1800 manifold... or watch when guys are parting out an old car (pre-1979).

[So Cal Mark]

I'd stay away from used brake parts if possible. You can get your booster rebuilt for $130 or so.

[pope]

What your have there is an 81 that use to be a turbo addition. All those cars were originally painted a champaign color, had leather seats and a two tone leather dash and leather consoles.
Maybe the turbo bit the dust and the PO decided to install a carbbed engine.

"Update". My buddy Ron shook my cobwebs clear and reminded me the it was only the anniversary 81's that came in Champagne and that the Legend Turbo editions like yours could be ordered in any color. The were regular cars that were retrofitted here in he U.S.

Wonder if you still have the turbo boost gauge on the dash?

[Daniel]

Hi Parottthead

You don't need to replace the Manifold to fit the older carb it's a direct bolt on upgrade, I did the Carb
Upgrade on my 79 without the manifold which has the same engine as yours and it was a good step up
in power maybe about 10 HP or so .
If it was a highly modified Engine i could see the need for a larger Plenuim along with a bigger Carb
but for a stock Engine its a waste of time and money !!!




Daniel

[adrians]

Brian - PM sent

[parottthead]

Thanks for all the advice!
I am going to try and get a good record of what I have now and see where I need to start. The brakes will be the first order of business, and then I'll go from there. Since the car probably has the original calipers I think it would be a good idea to replace them when I do the booster.

Brian

[mdrburchette]

If you're still looking for the engine number, try looking right above where the oil filter mounts on the block. There should be some raised digits stamped into the block.

[parottthead]

What your have there is an 81 that use to be a turbo addition. All those cars were originally painted a champaign color, had leather seats and a two tone leather dash and leather consoles.
Maybe the turbo bit the dust and the PO decided to install a carbbed engine.

"Update". My buddy Ron shook my cobwebs clear and reminded me the it was only the anniversary 81's that came in Champagne and that the Legend Turbo editions like yours could be ordered in any color. The were regular cars that were retrofitted here in he U.S.

Wonder if you still have the turbo boost gauge on the dash?

The boost gauge is still on the dash. I was under the impression that all of the turbos were installed by a company in NJ after they were shipped over.

Is there anything in the VIN or elsewhere that has the original color code? I owned a 67 Mustang for years and the VIN had a wealth of information in it.

brian

[kilrwail]

The colour code and name should be on a sticker under the trunk lid.

[parottthead]

The colour code and name should be on a sticker under the trunk lid.

Thanks, I'll look there!

[parottthead]

I'm starting to feel like the Elephant Child. Hopefully the crocodiles here are friendly!

I've been exploring so I have more questions.
Did all Fiats have A/C, or was it a dealer add-on? I took the unit out from under the passenger side dash. There is no compressor in the engine compartment so it's not doing anything useful. Would it be best to leave it under the dash for looks, or is it worth selling/trading?

I took some pics of what I assume is the control box for the FI system. I thought I might take all the wiring out since my engine doesn't have FI.

There are a group of white wires going to the panel to the left of the box (ECU?). Is that all FI related? Can I take both the box on the right and panel on the left out without killing the car?

The box (ECU?) on the right has a wiring harness that goes out to the engine compartment. It looks like all of the wires terminate without being connected to anything.

The next two pics are turbo related, I believe.



How hard is it to remove the parts and brackets that are riveted onto the sidewall?

Thanks in advance!

brian