Dutch 2.4 Spider

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Scalino
Posts: 179
Joined: Mon Jul 24, 2017 7:22 pm
Dino: Fiat Dino 2.4 Spider
Location: The Netherlands

Re: Dutch 2.4 Spider

Post by Scalino »

Well, finally got the new wheels on! It turned out to be quite a saga.

First we got some substandard quality ones, before receiving some very nice ones from Dinoparts. The real fun started when we found out two of the five holes (and original wheel) on the right rear were drilled out to a bigger size. Drilling out the brand new wheel to a bigger size was off course a definite no go, as you can imagine! So I got a wheel bearing carrier with hub with stock treads. See if you can spot the difference from the attached picture. I didn’t notice until I tried mounting the brake caliper!
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Turns out it’s for a Fiat 130, promptly received the right one from the seller and managed to put everything back together this morning.
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As you can see, it’s quite a difference, but it also meant the hub caps would look out of place… So, I got to work, not perfect, but using a cordless drill I wasn’t going to do any better.

Before and during:
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Result:
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Also made the grills and emblems look a bit better (yes, some idiot drilled holes through the emblems!).
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Still one the list is a strange electrical problem, which I thought was the ignition switch, then I didn’t and now I do once more think it’s the culprit. I’ll look into that, but I hate electrics! I also decided to do a complete suspension refresh over winter, all bushes are completely shot (apart from the rear right now).
HugoHarris
Posts: 230
Joined: Wed Mar 12, 2014 4:07 pm
Dino: Fiat Dino 2.4 Spider
Location: UK
Contact:

Re: Dutch 2.4 Spider

Post by HugoHarris »

Awesome to see your car coming together Tim. My restoration is close to complete (I was saying that 3 years ago! :lol: ) but I am shamefully not doing the work myself. I'll post a photo blog soon. Keep the pictures coming - you are a major source of inspiration!
2400 Spider #1364
Scalino
Posts: 179
Joined: Mon Jul 24, 2017 7:22 pm
Dino: Fiat Dino 2.4 Spider
Location: The Netherlands

Re: Dutch 2.4 Spider

Post by Scalino »

Thanks Hugo, always nice to know people actually read this stuff ;) . I’m really looking forward to seeing pictures of your Spider when completed!

Maybe “coming together” aren’t the right words, it’s more like “prevent stuff from falling off” :lol:
Scalino
Posts: 179
Joined: Mon Jul 24, 2017 7:22 pm
Dino: Fiat Dino 2.4 Spider
Location: The Netherlands

Re: Dutch 2.4 Spider

Post by Scalino »

Got some minor stuff done over de last few months.

The passenger side vent window had been missing half of its hinge since we got the car.
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I bought a 124 Spider vent window thinking it used the same hinge, it's not... So I made a small spacer from some spare sheet metal I had laying around which happend to be the exact thickness needed 8-) .
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Yes, I know the last picture barely shows the actual 'new' part of the hinge :lol: .

Furthermore I changed the coil and spark plug wires (made my own), both were looking a bit tired!
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The last job was to change the water temperature sensor and hose I used last year to block of the heater system. At the time I didn't have an appropriate bend so I used a long hose, which took up quite a bit of space in the engine bay.
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It turns out the heater hose for an - I think - Iveco of some sorts has the perfect 180 degree bent needed.
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I was hoping the replacement coil and spark plug wires would remedy an annoying intermittent starting issue I've been experiencing, but alas. The problem is as follows: turn the key, starter turns over the engine, it catches and immediately dies afterwards. Turn the key again and the same happens time and time again, until after some tries (sometimes 30+) it just runs normally.

It seems like an ignition issue to me as it catches, but immediately (and very decisively) dies. I'll try to remember to get it one video the next time it happens.
Stefan2000
Posts: 167
Joined: Sat Feb 21, 2015 8:42 am
Dino: Fiat Dino 2.0 Coupe
Location: The Netherlands
Contact:

Re: Dutch 2.4 Spider

Post by Stefan2000 »

Still using the 123?
Somehow i've read and seen so many problems with the 123 in a Dino... Don't know if it has something to do with the conversion or the marriage between a Dino engine and a 123 ignition but somehow it just does not work right.
I hope your using the MSD coil with a ballast resistor on your 123 setup?

Why don't you just send your original distributor over to me and i will check it for you. Than just go back to original dinoplex setup.
Scalino
Posts: 179
Joined: Mon Jul 24, 2017 7:22 pm
Dino: Fiat Dino 2.4 Spider
Location: The Netherlands

Re: Dutch 2.4 Spider

Post by Scalino »

Thanks Stefan, I’ll probably take you up on that offer after I dig it out of the garage. I’ll also send the supplier an email whether they have heard of this problem before. It’s really strange as it happens both with a hot and cold engine.

And yes, I’m using an appropriate ballast resistor!
Scalino
Posts: 179
Joined: Mon Jul 24, 2017 7:22 pm
Dino: Fiat Dino 2.4 Spider
Location: The Netherlands

Re: Dutch 2.4 Spider

Post by Scalino »

Well, not solved the starting issues yet, but I am now 99,9% sure it is the 123. The issue was getting worse and after thoroughly cleaning the rotor and cap, the frequency has declined (not fully gone though). I am in contact will Stefan and will soon have him check over the original system before we revert back to original.

In the meantime I changed the rear (brake) lights to LED's and while I was at it, polished the lenses. It all cleaned up quite well and visibility is massively improved without being overly bright.
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I hope you can tell on which side I already installed the LED...
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In case anyone is interested, used these: https://www.classiccarleds.co.uk/collec ... tive-earth
HugoHarris
Posts: 230
Joined: Wed Mar 12, 2014 4:07 pm
Dino: Fiat Dino 2.4 Spider
Location: UK
Contact:

Re: Dutch 2.4 Spider

Post by HugoHarris »

My favourite thread on this forum!
2400 Spider #1364
Scalino
Posts: 179
Joined: Mon Jul 24, 2017 7:22 pm
Dino: Fiat Dino 2.4 Spider
Location: The Netherlands

Re: Dutch 2.4 Spider

Post by Scalino »

Thank you Hugo! I always like to read stuff like this, so I may as well do the same for others. This is also the advantage of a driver, there is lots to improve with relatively small effort :)
Scalino
Posts: 179
Joined: Mon Jul 24, 2017 7:22 pm
Dino: Fiat Dino 2.4 Spider
Location: The Netherlands

Re: Dutch 2.4 Spider

Post by Scalino »

Quite some progress once more. First some general maintenance; changed the gearbox oil and was planning to change the engine oil as well, but I could't get the sump plug loose... In fear of stripping the bolt I decided to have a go again when I get it up on a lift, instead of on axle stands. While I had it one the axle stands I changed the exhaust clamps, as they were starting to rust. No terribly so, but I would like to keep the stainless exhaust from rusting. It was not like the € 0,84 a piece were going to break the bank (for once, cheap parts :lol: )!
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Also changed the clutch spring, massive improvement in pedal feel. The spring that was on it didn't even do anything and was not original I suspect. I think you can tell which one is new...
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Also started on a suspension refresh. Man maths made me buy a shop press :D
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I only did the rear, as I came to the conclusion I can't do one of the bushes on the front upper wishbone. Fortunately I have spares so I can have them done elsewhere and just swap them in once that is done. I thought I also had spares of the lower front wishbones, but it turns out they are not the same as the fiat 1300/1500 ones even though it looks the same, the diameter of the bush is 5mm wider...

Also got this stuff back on:
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Big thanks to Stefan for checking everything! Fortunately the distributor is in fine shape (not 100%, but pretty good), which Stefan was very surprised by, apparently they are always of by quite a bit or just plain shot. I did have to source a bracket and resistor as the "specialist" who installed the 123 Ignition lost (?) it. Fortunately these were also used on Alfa's of the era, so that made it not stupidly expensive for once :)
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And the result? SUCCES! :D No starting problems any more 8-) I do need to have a look at the rev counter, as I suspect that might have taken a hit. It really sounded and felt like the engine was running near 8.000 rpm when it indicated 6.000 rpm! Will check this tomorrow with a timing light with rev counter function.
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