Riding around the tiny streets in Italy
CHECK OUT ONE OF THE ORIGINAL FIAT 500 COMMERICALS
My 500L before I made any changes...
I bought this 1972 Fiat 500L in Napoli, Italia. The car has had two owners prior to myself that I know of. It was originally registered in Bologna, Italy and appears to have been repainted since. The original owner put newer Fiat rims on the car and updated the a portion of the steering column. He also attempted to put a cheap antique fuel security system on the car. I am working on putting the car back into as close to original condition as I can inside and out. I am still contemplating whether or not to keep the engine 100% original. Some components have already been replaced with updated equipment. For instance I have a alternator instead of a generator. I also have an inline fuel filter, which from what I understand was not stock, at least not in the engine compartment. I have seen other fuel filters installed just after the fuel tank. Has anyone had any positive or negative feedback on the Abarth upgrades? Does anyone know where to get Abarth parts at a reasonable price? EBay is ridiculous when it comes to these parts. The first two I am thinking about buying are the Aluminum valve cover and oil sump.
06AUG07 I did a valve adjustment today, it seemed to have lessened the tapping noise. I ensured the engine was cold, used the feeler to adjust the valves as specified in the shop manual. Has anyone done this yet? Any tips...
Fabric Sunroof
All 500's were fitted with a fabric sunroof. In such a small car, this feature almost makes it feel like a convertible.
Does anyone know what color code 456 is for a fiat? I think its a shade of blue, if it is I am thinking about changing the color back to its original.
Front Suspension
The front suspension is independent by transverse leaf springs, wishbones and telescopic shock absorbers.
Front Luggage Bay
With the engine at the back, the trunk is situated up front. Because the front compartment holds the spare tire and fuel tank, there isn't much room for anything else.
Rear Suspension
The rear suspension is made up of semi-trailing arms with coil springs and telescopic shock absorbers.
Air-Cooled twin
The rear mounted straight twin engine is all-alloy with detachable cylinder barrels. A steel cowling surrounds the engine and an engine-driven fan circulates air around the finned cylinder barrels and head. It is a pushrod unit, with a single camshaft and two valves per cylinder. The 1972 Fiat 500L has a 499-cc unit producing 18 bhp at 4,600 rpm.
Basic Interior
The 500L is the best equipped of the range and, unlike previous models, has a carpet in place of rubber mats.
Work Done
-New front and rear bumper
-New front and rear nudge bars
-New window cranks
-New hood Fiat emblem
-New Left and Right side mirrors
-New spark plugs
-New head gasket
-New starter cable
-New spark plug wires
-New Ignition coil
-New fuel filter
-New air filter
-Fixed fuel gauge
-Removed and polished chrome headlight rings
-New shift knob
-Cleaned pickup filter in fuel tank
-Replaced rubber metal rear motor mount (right above spring)
-Did a valve adjustent, sounds and runs much better
-Replaced center console(plastic piece that goes around ebrake, shifter, starter and choke.
-Replaced plastic roof latch with metal one
-Replaced transmission mount, the horrible noise which occured every time I reved up my engine or reversed is gone.
-Rebuilt carburateor today, it was sooo easy. It took me like an hour and a half. Very simple and straight forward. I was very happy when I went to start the car and it immediately started up.
-Had entire engine rebuilt..total teardown. All external parts painted as well. Looks and runs great.
-Battery died today, had to swap out alternator.
-Replaced fuel float in gas tank, gas gauge still not reflecting correct fuel level.
-Replaced door switch for interior for light. Now the light in the rearview mirror works and THE GAS GAUGE does too! Must have been a ground problem.
-Replcaed rear view mirror because due to crack.
-Replaced the inside door handles mounts. They were made of cheap diecast and cracked.
-Replaced master cylinder parts and labor 35 Euro!
-Just purchased a 123\FIAT-PLUS electronic ignition. I cant wait to install and see if it changes the performance of the car.
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CURRENT PROBLEMS
-Passenger seat has a problem, rail may be bent on chair I cant slide it back more than halfway or it gets stuck.
BEFORE
AFTER
