MG MGB and MGB GT Tech Talk
Don't worry guys, I'm not leaving you, but thought I'd get the most responses here. I'm starting on my moms 1980 Fiat Spider 2000 in few months. I noticed there is a few of you that own Fiat spiders and figured they were pretty similar to B's. I will be posting progress here just cuz'.Anyway, does anyone know of a good forum and parts source for them. Can't find anything like Moss or VB, just small shop stuff. So any help would be appreciated, thanks
Olin
try
www.fiatforum.com
but don't expect it to be like here.
Prepare thy self Olin.
124 Spyders are NOT similar to MGs.
Not that they are bad cars, they are most certainly not, but you are about to enter several worlds all at once.
Behind the first door is the typical Italian attitude toward automobiles. If it can be made lighter at any cost, so be it. Sheet metal life is an afterthought, but beautiful engine and transmission design is a religion. All things electric can wait until tomorrow, and when you are done with her you can always go home.
The second door will require nearly a complete new set of tools. They are graduated in the metric idiom.
The third door, in your case, is hiding two more doors. Door A opens into a whole new world of difficult to manage electrics. Door B opens into a room full of Bosch fuel injection wonders. Prepare to learn a LOT really FAST.
Door four will reveal a much more free revving engine that has much less grunt from down low than what you are use to with your MG.
Door five will introduce you to double overhead cams, lots of big aluminum bits and really nice transmissions that cost a great deal to fix.
Door six will bring out roomy interiors made out of inexpensive stuff that has a tendency to deteriorate when exposed to sunlight.
Door seven will hook you. When a 124/2000/Pininfarina/Pinion Farina (the guy's real name) or what ever you want to call them is running right and hasn't been attacked by the tin worm, it will charm you with its ride, handling, perky engine, nice looks and, did I say perky engine?
Jack
Olin - google International Car Parts in Va., DiFatta Bros. Fiat-Alfa in Baltimore, and Bayless Fiat -Lancia in Atlanta - I think they're the main men these days.
Jack - hehe he was Sergio Farina. The Italian prefix "pinin" means "little" He was short LOL. I had couple of his perky hi revving strung-out rust buckets. Bertone rust buckets too - see pic
I knew that but you are the only other person on earth that does too.:I3:;)
His stature must have dictated the driving position in most of his cars. Really short legs and really long arms.:D
Jack
I owned a 1971 Fiat 124 Spider from new. It was Positano Yellow, an Italian color very much like bracken or a kind of slightly orangey yellow I really liked. It drove fabulously well, had a spectacularly easy to operate top (Look Ma, one hand!), a five speed transmission when all other cars had four speeds, a roomy interior, and great looks. Like an Italian woman you fall in love iwth at first sight. But as to longevity, not so much. It rusted which is redundant for Italian cars from the 1970s since they all rusted (cheap Eastern European steel, I was told, with almost no rustproofing on it). The exhaust system rusted through in the first year, I remember. That seemed a bit fast. It also tended to mix water and oil. Not good. But, when it drove, what a joy to drive. I'd buy another if there were any that survived in decent shape at a decent price. But I'd also budget some money for fixing it again, Tony.
No,no,no,no,no Michael!
I saw him first!;)
On second thought, you can have it. There is a guy around here that has three or four of them, and I figure that if I wait long enough and time it right with my winning the lottery I'll be able to get one.B-)
Jack
About the only thing the 124 and the MGB have in common is that they look similar from 500'.
In defense of Fiat, they did do some things right. In the late 80s they went to a larger engine with fuel injection, and a nicer bumper setup (than "some" cars ;) ).
I have bought a lot of Alfa parts from these guys, they also sell Fiat parts:
http://www.international-auto.com/index.cfm/sc/58588?gclid=CL_HzZq4ka4CFUcQNAodLgGJRQ
I had a 124 Sport Coupe many moon ago and I agree with Jack's assessment. It had wonderful "features" such as DOHC, nice handling, revy engine, etc, but build quality wise it was a POS. I used to tell people that if a part on my MG was held on with 10 sturdy bolts, the same part on my Fiat would be attached with 4 plastic clips, 2 of which were already broken. Oh, and that driving position! I thought I could get used to it but I'm not a gorilla and it eventually became completely unbearable. Also, I don't know if this is still true, but back then those flimsy Fiat parts commanded Ferrari prices.
Fix It Again Tony. These were beautiful cars, but I just hated working on them. Parts? Mind waiting for six months just to get a minor switch? And the rust is legendary. I just loved the shift lever, sticking out from under the dash. RAY
Thank you guys SO MUCH! My dad had a '74 124 back in the day, said it was the biggest pain in the @$$ ever, but when it drove he loved it. Jack, this thing has a Weber carb!!! It has a hard top, auto tranny, fake wire wheels, no rust, a screwed up dash that doesn't allow the glove box to close, and all the papers from the dealership, including the window sticker.
I knew I'd have to brace myself for the wiring and engine, but hey, it's a beautiful car. Although, if the engine is a problem, were gonna drop a 350 in it :devil:
Olin
i too had a 75 124 spider and when i got it the only electrical things that worked were headlights and horn. i pretty much rewired everything else and drove it as my main car for 3 years without a hitch. i actually loved it and am keeping an eye out for another. the rust issue i had as mentioned especially in the rear quarter panels. those crazy italians did have some odd electrics like dual point distributor for warming up the engine and the wiper delay module is comical. but all in all i did love it just as much as my MGB.
The best in the county is Danny owner of Fun Imported in Vernon CT, for advice, new and used parts (860 871 1990).
I had a 79 model with earlier carb setup. Was lots of fun, fairly easy to work on, parts available at a reasonable price, top up/down while sitting in the seat. Lost it in a house fire :(
Seems like www.fiatspider.com was THE site back in the day:
Thanks guys again, just joined www.fiatspider.com You guys sound just like my dad when I was buying the MG's. He said they were unreliable, rust prone, and I would be working on them 24/7. Glad I didn't listen to him! But I think he just wanted them for himself :) I know it won't be like here, just need some help with it.
Olin
Bayless it seems is Moss of Fiats. I've owned a couple, an X/19 and a 128 Ralley. Both 1300 cc single overhead cams. But most of the comments about 124 Spyders are applicable. Yes I do want another X/19 if I can find one.
......those flimsy Fiat parts commanded Ferrari prices. Actually it was more like "Those flimsy Ferrari parts commanded FIAT prices"