azzurro Posted September 18, 2016 Author Share Posted September 18, 2016 Bit more progress, only fiddly stuff now that takes ages and looks like not much Installed the front seat, its very comfy and I did make brum brum noises. Id been putting it off to make it easier to move around inside etc, but all that stuff is pretty much done. Its not perfect but the sprung base and sliders are in much better nick than the brown one, but the brown cover is probably better. I will use the brown one for a pattern eventually, meanwhile i have a Mexican blanket ready to go. Also found some more treasure in the bottom of the junk in the front footwell of the parts car when i tidied it out to remove the seat, the red tunnel carpet i used had the wee hole for the flap already so it must be from a deluxe too. My tunnel also had the screw holes already, but i cant imagine why someone would have remove it and then put the brown carpet back in over the top? the red tunnel carpet i used had the wee hole for the flap already so it must be from a deluxe too. My tunnel also had the screw holes already, but i cant imagine why someone would have remove it and then put the brown carpet back in over the top? Deluxe level ACHIEVED! Other than the bloody windscreen all i really need to sort out now is electrics, and only thing giving me gyp still is the headlights. The PO had undertaken some hackery to work around the broken column switches (3 position switch in the dash for the indicators AND a foot switch for the lights), and my replacement column switch colours (that i also broke the switches out of) dont line up with the car, nor does the car quite line up with the wiring diagrams i have. On the upside im really good at playing pick-a-path/mazes now. This is from (as far as i can tell) 1961 version of the FSM Titled "1800 with 1800 and 2100 engine, 1800B -2300" , i have seen other (?later) versions with '2300 Special' on the cover that might have the diagram im looking for - any one got one, and happy to send me a high res version There is one on trademe at the mo ($96, lol), also there is one in a Takaka Op Shop for $15, apparently ex-this very vehicle! CASH MONEY PAID FOR THAT BOOK! 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post azzurro Posted October 2, 2016 Author Popular Post Share Posted October 2, 2016 wee bit more done, lots of fiddly jobs as i find, fix and bodge bits to reattach. After the oil in air filter drama of last time i tried to turn this around, I installed a catch can on the pcv valve to catch the oil before the carb and managed to get it backed into position. Squinting out in the light of day. I was having some real trouble with the wiring/column switch, i just couldnt figure out what was going on, but i have now figured it out after a eureka moment. It turns out - my car has a high beam relay which is not in any of the diagrams (my '69 125 didn't have one)- all 4 headlights had blown,- the column switch wiring only matches the loom about 1:3 colours! Also, i was using this particular brand of headlights (from the parts car), they bench tested good and looks good, and i was chasing all sorts of theories, because surely all 4 would not just work and then not work without warning or changing anything? Yep. Truly prince of darkness. Managed to get some Cibie semi sealed high beams + the Airport lenses for $30 from trademe,I paid more each for two no name hi/low sealed beams from Repco. Lights are all a gogo, just waiting on some H1 bulbs for the (inner) high beams and some orange bulbs for the indicators. Number plate back on, including the 'jewels' from the parts car - i need a couple of red ones so i can have them as port and starb'rd running lights. Dash all back in and working (except the clock), my aux illary guages are all go too, including a ratty Star Tacho that was bolted to the dash of my blue 125 when i first got it. Interior is all back in too: and stereo all wired up (a switch and headphone jack in the centre console (for ipod or phone) goes to an amp under the passenger seat that powers some boxed 6x9s in the boot), amp is powered off an auxillary fuse box/relays for electric fan and main beams, spotlight etc. 17 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
azzurro Posted October 16, 2016 Author Share Posted October 16, 2016 Few more little annoying and fiddly things done, list is getting very small now, pretty much - sort out windscreen,- get keys made for the external locks- wet sand/buff/polish the paint- start test driving not necessarily in that order Borrowed my neighbours compression tester again, 1, 2 and 6 are really good, 3, 4, and 5, ahh not so much. 3 is definitely the worst - 0-30psi cold even with extra oil in the cylinder, and it idles like its on 5 and removing #3 lead the least difference at idle but the engine does smooth out with some revs. This showed up as 3 4 and 5 that had much better pressure when the engine revved a bit - Hope i wasn't just measuring crank case pressure Will just try for a few longer runs soon and just maybe a bit of actual driving might sort it out I lapped the valves when I had the head off, a couple looked like they could have been replaced, but lapped up ok. I should have pulled the pistons out in retrospect, but all the bores looked good and I dint have bearings (also looked good - oil pressure is fine) or rings at the time. Best case, valve timing improves the compression, and a bit more hot running loosens the rings . Worst case I get to pull it out, strip it down again and install the NOS rings I now have + new valve guides (with proper seals) and new bearings and...and .... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post azzurro Posted October 16, 2016 Author Popular Post Share Posted October 16, 2016 Soaked Cylinder #3 with some kero and 2 stroke oil (no ATF to hand) for a couple of days and got it warm enough for the fan to kick in for the first time (yay, it works!) when i rolled it outside for a wash and some wet sanding. Still 30-90 PSI depending on RPM, (other 5 are 130+) unsurprisingly engine runs better with it disconnected from the air filter. Most of that is steam/condensation not oil, but it is fair flying out! Also fitted Jed's old visor up, needed a bit of aggressive bending and the making of one clamp, but no trimming. It fits like it was made for it! Underside from inside Outside getting a very lazy wet sanding to 1500 grit. I have an electric buffer for the polishing stage. Used this in anger for the first time today, found it in the inorganics up the road a few months ago 11 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
azzurro Posted October 31, 2016 Author Share Posted October 31, 2016 Bit more polishing/sanding runs and putting the last of the bling on, looks nice out in the sun for a change The short drive and out of the shed confirms the engine has to come out, it starts and revs ok, idles away, quiet tappets, but blowby is silly, just steamy/smoking out the engine bay and a good coaster sized blob of oil under the bell housing (that only leaks when engine is running). Lesson learned - i should have pulled it completely apart to check and clean properly when i had the sump of the first time, i checked the bores and a couple of bearings and just assumed . So good timing for the main parts needed turned up from Mr Fiat ,Headgaskets x2, rear main seal (x2) and some random coolant hoses to buff out the shipping. I already have a set of std NOS rings i found cheap on ebay. IN winscreend news, AALAWS put me onto a chap who can get Screens made new (custom tinted) from a place in the UK for ~$500-650 which seems fair, BUT + ~$2200 for custom crate, insurance, shipping, GST and etc. Chucking even one additional screen in would halve the landed per unit cost, but even then its still $1800 bucks and a 12 week wait Fingers crossed for a NOS or second hand one a bit closer to home. I will try an actual phone call to the big windscreen warehouse places as their 'contact us' forms dont seem to generate any responses, but i have sent a rough template off too a guy who knows a guy with a shed full of old FIAT screens (amongst other stuff). I need to do some work on the 125 for drag day/wof , and have a big tidy out the lockup for a shuffle around( get the parts wagon in and parts 125 out stripped and off to the scrappers), so i dont think i will make too much more substantive progress on this for a while as im waiting to find a screen anyway and at least its complete, looks cool, and can move itself around. 9 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
azzurro Posted November 27, 2016 Author Share Posted November 27, 2016 This week I've been disconnecting stuff and finally got the box and engine out today. Pulled the head off complete and got into the bottom end to see whats up with low compression on 3. Err, that'll do it! An average of slightly greater than one broken ring per piston... (piston 6->1) Anyway, other than a broken ring on almost every cylinder (and all 3 on 3!), the bottom end seems good, if a bit grubby. - all original STD sized bearings, big ends look like new, mains have some slight wear (engine had excellent oil pressure) - all original pistons, on piston 6 the first compression ring groove is a bit splayed, i guess from the broken ring, other pistons seem ok. - cylinders all look really good with no lipping, apart from some horizontal lines halfway down most cylinders but esp cylinder 4 (probably from water sitting on the ring when it was parked up), and the odd vertical score that i can just feel with my fingernail. Ideally it needs a rebore and upsized pistons, decked block etc , but I have been looking for new pistons (in any size) since i got the car and no luck to date. As i have a couple of sets of std piston rings 'in stock' I will probably just give the cylinders a quick wazz with a flexi-hone, give it a good clean and put it back together with new rings, maybe main bearings and big ends if i can find them, but i might just keep collecting bits as i find them for a proper rebuild 'one day', cause im quite keen to actually drive this bloody thing, and the Kumeu Hot Rod Show is in January. Also 125 got a WoF, so that's summer driving sorted, and OldSchool Drag Day on the 10th December 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post azzurro Posted November 27, 2016 Author Popular Post Share Posted November 27, 2016 This is the worst cylinder, (#4) the horizontal markings are just that, rust marks from where the piston was parked, and I cant feel them. The vertical score that ends just above the marks in the center just catches my fingernail.I think a quick hone and new rings, while not ideal will be fine for now Crank is very good, factory markings Factory stampings on the block, never skimmed I degreased the whole block and gave it a water blast with hot water. OMG the rusty crap that came out of the jackets was next level!After that a Quick clean up with a paint stripping disc on the drill: Ive cleaned up all the components and once i get a hone it will be reassembly time. Cant wait. 12 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post azzurro Posted December 5, 2016 Author Popular Post Share Posted December 5, 2016 Ended up picking up a three legged hone on the way home from work on Friday and spent a sunny weekend putting this back together between surfs. A flex-hone was preferred but they are not existent in NZ on short notice, but are readily avalaible on Ebay, but aint nobody got time fo dat. I honed it just enough to remove the glazing, so a few bits saved for a future proper rebore, "one day" The rust spots in Cylinder 4: Ring wear marks at the top of cyl 6. The flat hone stones makes them look much worse than they are (flex hone would have hidden them), as I can barely see any variation with a straight edge (you can aslo see the hone 'just' scratching them in a couple of spots, so only a couple of thou) but they are there all the same. Just hope they dont 'catch' the new rings too bad. I used the Geotze expander rings of my choice of two sets (the other a more 'normal' set of Grant rings) - i figured with the wear on the cylinders + a hone, that all the expansion i could get would be appreciated. Ring gaps were also slightly above spec meaning the engine is a bit more worn than STD, but the blow by cant be any worse than it was! Made a small dowel from a brass barb from a busted fuel pump to help line up the head on the block and keep the head gasket in place (headless twin cam head bolts I use for the 125 also used in the bigger diameter head bolt holes when dropping the head on) And ended Sunday with the thing back in the hole after resetting the tappets etc. Much easier with the engine out (there is no crank nut to turn on the crank nose due to the centrifugal oil filter) While its out Im also working on a few improvements The 2300 Starter is a bit hit and miss even with a 'new' (ex 125) solenoid - the Delta GTI (might be Croma) starter will 'bolt up' but the pinion has 10 teeth to the 2300s 9, and the teeth will foul on the flywheel without a 5mm spacer, which will also need shaping to fit in the slightly larger diameter hole to help the 2 bolts hold it in place. Alternatively looks like the motor mounting diameter in the aluminium 'nose' is the same, so might be able to swap the bodies over, and maybe the pinions/teeth too? Anyway, something to keep in mind for the future. 13 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
azzurro Posted December 11, 2016 Author Share Posted December 11, 2016 Pulled the starter apart, all seems pretty good, other than the odd-man-out bush which should explain the intermittent issues - hole is slightly different so i think someone put 3 (of 4) new bushes in at some point, or one was busted and they only had an old spare or something Rebuild kit for the DCD turned up so that got a refresh too, not that there was much wrong with it but new bits cant hurt. Ive managed to heft the gear box in too, so will continue to assemble the engine bay this week, excepting the starter, pending a delivery of new bushes and a few other little things (smashed a few senders getting the engine out) which will hopefully arrive before xmas. 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post azzurro Posted January 10, 2017 Author Popular Post Share Posted January 10, 2017 Been away for a few weeks camping, was supposed to take this as the tow vehicle but oh well. Next year maybe. Escort Van trailer went great, really miss having a van tho. Anywho, by the time we got back a few orders had showed up (ie not before xmans ), from LadaPower.com, Fiatparts.co.nz and WuM-Autotiele (ebay), main bits i was waiting on were the Starter bushes. No Shots of that but its all shiney in there new with new bushes and brushes. Still a bit intermittent tho :/ Will try better earthing. (I just realised what the red gear knob and rubber straps appear to be) A few parts are going to have to wait till the next rebuild like this adjustable cam sprocket: Anyway, with the starter installed and timing (finally!) set, it rolled under outside under its own steam for a wash and a drive. After a few more checks and tightening of varois clamps and nuts it was Family wagon outing in the the Familiare time And a bit of brum brum, this is after a few runs up and down my road and a blast up to the top of this hill: As mentioned the car seems to be getting better with some use (despite not having any advance at all) Engine so far has no oil leaks or majorly disturbing sounds, and seems to hold water fine. Ive since fiddled with some shakedown stuff: - ajusted the clutch - adjusted gear shift mechanism - swapped parts between 3 spare dizzies and new parts to heve one good dizzy with advance! just needed * advance weights * not ruined advance springs * not worn out pegs for weights and springs * working vacuum advance thinger * clean and lube, new dissy cap, rotor and points (already done before) - new oil light sender - actually a dud - dash out loose wires on some lights * also adjust choke on and handbrake on switches so they are not on all the time, and water temp guage wire so it works - changed out cheapo run in oil (no metallic flakes/poweder of any note) Tomorrow ill retorque the head bolts and adjust the tappets and take it for another blast. Feels good man! 29 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
azzurro Posted January 12, 2017 Author Share Posted January 12, 2017 More fiddling, while being distracted by this (great for surf checks!): Adjusted Tappets, its significantly quieter, but the video seems to amplify any ticks.: Added another earth between battery/chassis mount and alternator bracket and collected a SS and Points Regulator each from the engine bay of each fiat... This small video is trying the last known 'good' SS one (small black one) from the 125 which also demonstrates how this eventually 'fixed' the voltage creep... Will take it for another drive tomorrow and see what happens 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post azzurro Posted January 14, 2017 Author Popular Post Share Posted January 14, 2017 after some more fiddling, this is from yesterday, bit busy at the beach in summer, so not too many opportunities for giving it some, but goes well enough now that the Mrs loves driving it. ive also had the alternator out (tightened a few things, cleaned paint from a few things, replaced some spade terminals) and back in with another regulator (gold one) and seems ok now, steady between 13.8v at idle and 14.8v when running. (was probably the regulator, but the other things cant have helped). For future reference (when the working for now charging system blows up) this is the difference between the OG big boy alternator (28 Amps!) and a for more common twin cam alternator, in this case a 55A Bosch one (incl internal regulator) from a late Delta, so a new engine mount would be also required. Possibly something like this (apparently from a 125P which runs a fiat 1500 derived engine with lada/twin cam style alternator). Just waiting on windscreen now, which i will hopefully pickup next week 11 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post azzurro Posted March 12, 2017 Author Popular Post Share Posted March 12, 2017 I picked up this a bout a month ago from Penrose (not Wanganui!) Ended up getting it sent from Ralph Moore Autoglass in Sydney who had one in stock, and they shipped it with an MG one for some other bloke to halve our shipping. This week i finally got it installed. Cracking the parts cats screen has not only been a very expensive fuckup but also meant ive pretty much missed cruising this summer. I reused the old rubbers, i cleaned them pretty good but they are a bit cracked and stretched in the corners so i hope they dont leak Sorting out the best surrounds, and had just enough unbroken clips, less 2 And on Pretty happy about the close fit to the opening given all the work i did around the screen top and bottom (not so much about the runs, but thats what accessories to hide them are for!) And paint run hider back on Too much or? Nothing like a pending >1200km road trip to procrastinate on sorting the list of wee jobs to sort and a few miles to put on, before hopefully a WoF Next weekend! If not then id better get the brakes on the 125 sorted! Here is a pic to remind me why I aught to pull finger: 30 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post azzurro Posted March 18, 2017 Author Popular Post Share Posted March 18, 2017 Booked this in for a WoF today. Didnt quite make it all the way. (run out of gas) Lucky i had someone who thought it was flippin hilarious driving the support vehicle Looks pretty cool even busted on the side of the road, but "get the fuel sender working" is now at the top of the list! Ive put about 30l of gas in it since i put the tank back in, and ive driven it maybe 3km, so not sure where it all went! Cruising in traffic. Goes pretty good, but i think i will get the radiator swapped out for a newer one that doesnt leak and maybe a couple of pusher fans. Dash guage reads near the top of normal when its sitting, but the mechanical one reads normal (~90degC), but thats in the lower hose. Up on the hoist. Nice to see the underside from more than a foot away! Guys were pretty happy with it. !!!WOF AQUIRED!!! After that popped around to Mr and Mrs Grants to show off, and went to Burger Fuel for lunch in it, gets lots of looks and thumbs up, and 'what is its?' Swung by the beach for a surf check on the way home No surf, so then made a start on the post-WoF list of things to sort! - Fuel sender - wheel alignment - radiator + fans - door & boot locks (no key for any of them) - more driving! 35 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
azzurro Posted April 5, 2017 Author Share Posted April 5, 2017 Catch Up post: Shake Down Run to Oldschool.co.nz burgers meet in town last night, where it was pretty well received Car went great, feeling pretty confident about the tip to Featherston next week (JINX!) Photo Credit to: Dorian (DCG Photography)https://www.facebook.com/pg/DCGPhotographyNZ/photos/?tab=album&album_id=505248416265912 Guy With Aviatorshttps://www.flickr.com/photos/45457939@N08/sets/72157678363759483/with/33428289802 7 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post azzurro Posted April 5, 2017 Author Popular Post Share Posted April 5, 2017 Super mission to OldSchool Nats over the last weekend plus a couple of days either side. Over 1500km (Auckland to Featherston a lot of driving around then return) including grass skids and only lost the rear muffler (easy fix), used ~15l/100km until getting a wheel alignment on the way back in Taupo which dropped it to ~12l/100km. Used about 500ml of oil and no water. Came back with a couple of very unexpected trophies, and only a small list of minor tweaks, so very very happy with how it went. Anyway, pics or it didnt happen! CONVOY! Cruising though the Central Plateau Sillouette Split off from the convoy at Vinegar Hill, had some errands in Palmhole and took the Pahiatua Track Finally arrived at the camp around 7.30, so, to the pub! 11 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post azzurro Posted April 5, 2017 Author Popular Post Share Posted April 5, 2017 Day 2 - Grasskhana Low Life Only mechanical failure of the trip. Thanks to Goat and Mr Goat for the use of his Jag House welder and bolts bin to sort it out. Super Leggera + sounded way faster! My most Favourite Photo Thanks Tumeke 10 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post azzurro Posted April 5, 2017 Author Popular Post Share Posted April 5, 2017 Day 3 - Scavenger Hunt etc Austin Farina Traveller, a brother from another mother. To the beach! Beach! Prize Giving + Fancy Dress Party was later that night, the first Photo i took after prize giving :drunk: , Best Wagon and People Choice 11 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post azzurro Posted April 5, 2017 Author Popular Post Share Posted April 5, 2017 Day 4 & 5 The long Drive Home Passing though the Mrs hometown. Stopped off at the FILs place in the 'Ding for the night on the way back. The Mrs put her name on the next project, its been in the FILs shed for 20 years, runs the engine with 4 on the floor and buckets from the Torana her brother rolled when he was 16 . Jim Currie Reserve just out of Tokoroa (reccomended!) Waikato River south of Huntly 23 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
azzurro Posted April 25, 2017 Author Share Posted April 25, 2017 Since getting back from nats Ive been poking away at the inevitable list of (small) jobs on this. When we got home, this was sitting on the step. I love a bargain, I got this lot for $20 + shipping (which was only another $22!) in typical fashion I could have used a few of these bits (starter pinion, alternator end cap with bushes, diff seals, radiator hoses, tie rod ends, exhaust hanger, brake hoses) a while ago, but ho hum, spares are good. WINDSCREEN LEAK Windscreen has a pretty bad leak. It is worse when its sitting. (meaning its not coming up off the wheels) Bit gutted i didnt check it and poo it up properly before i put the surrounds on as the trim clips are a serious pain to get off and i did not what to crack the screen again. 3/4 of a tube of windcreeen sealer in and around it havnt quite got it drip free, but good enough now on the inside. However, the outside now looks gak KEYS Car also only came with a (replacement) ignition key so the doors and boot (from another car, also no key) couldnt be fully locked (or unlocked!). Door handles were also a bit loose and it all needed a clean up. I did find that my trusty old Club lock fitted into the key way, so removed the locked and rearranged the lock pins till this happened: Yay! Can actually lock the bugger. And best of all FREE! Also tidied and lubed up all the mechanisms and reinstalled the handles including the boot with some sealant behind the gaskets, and adjusted all the doors and they are way better. 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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