Hi all,
As I mentioned in my Introduction thread I've copied and pasted my build thread from RetroRides so apologies as most of my comments are aimed at a universal multiple car forum, not a forum based solely for the 126. I'll be looking for as much help as possible as I'm totally new to the 126.
So I got the opportunity to go and look at this little Fiat. I travelled up to Norfolk to see this car and fell in love with it immediately. It has an original 14k miles on it, with armfuls of history to back it up. The car had been sitting in a garage for the last 9 years.
Here are the pictures from the EBay advert.
So some money was very quickly exchanged and the little Fiat was loaded straight on to the trailer.
Once I got home I had the chance to look through all the paperwork and I was very happy with just how much history came with it.
So back at the workshop and it was time to start recommissioning the little Fiat. Off came the rear panel to make work on the engine a lot easier.
Jacked it up to axle stands and removed all the wheels and drums, yes drums all round! To inspect the brakes. The news is good, the shoes and drums are good and also the wheel cylinders aren't weeping so I'm happy with them.
Then it was a case of looking at the rear clip which is in great order. It has the original dealer stamps in the plates.
Spark plugs removed, air cleaner out and sump plug removed.
The sump plug is so massive it makes up 25% of the engine.
Then it was a matter of cleaning out the oil filter which is part of the front pulley. It's a centrifugal oil filter set up. It didn't look like it had been cleaned for a long time!
Here you can see it all nicely cleaned out from crap and carbon crud!
Then I decided to drag out the interior, literally took about 10 mins!
As you can see the interior needs a really good clean and tidy. However I will see how it goes as to whether I do a nice retrim.
Hope you like it as much as I do. It's a really cute little motor and surprisingly nippy for two cylinders and 700cc lol!
Anyway, quick update time. I decided to go a bit deeper on the interior. So out came the carpet!
So out it came with like 6 screws and the seatbelt anchors removed. It needs a good cleaning to bring it back up. So I got the Hoover out and gave the floor a good old clean underneath the carpet.
The centre console still needs to come out for the last bit of carpet but it's getting there. So next was on to the wheels and tyres, the original Michelins would be a beautiful touch to keep. However they are cracked and perished. So check out these widea55 low profile rubbers. Boom!!!
Well it's update time for my little BIS but unfortunately it's bad news this time. We've gone two steps forward but taken three backwards. Firstly I looked closely at the sill on the offside rear as it appeared a bit crusty.
So with a bit of poking around revealed a nasty little surprise. However it's not that bad in reality and should be an easy repair.
Then I found a slight problem with the offside track rod end which the rubber boot was split. Which is a massive shame as I know that is now an MOT fail.
Then it was on to the cooling system which needed addressing. This was the water outlet on the top of the lump complete with crusty build up around all the outlets. A theme to be continued.
Then it was time to look at the thermostat and housing as so many people were warning me of the problems they can cause. So I removed the housing from the water pump.
To all those that gave me the warning, I say to you 'THANK YOU' as look at the below pictures which will show you all the crud and crap build up.
So I'm left with a growing list of work on the old BIS but I'd rather get it right first time than have to go back at a later date.
So another update and unfortunately I've found some more problems!
I cleaned up all the limescale crud and anti freeze from around the housings. However this left me with some further problems as you can see below. Thermostat housing.
It's pourus and the aluminium has corroded through all over it.
More rott and corrosion on the temperature sender housing.
So unfortunately they are fit for the scrap pile, I've managed to find the thermostat housing online but not the temperature sender housing.
Next it was on to the air filter housing. I rubbed them all down to clean them up. Then it was on with a layer of high build primer.
I also did the undertray too.
Then it was back to the car itself. I wanted to tackle the fuel lines as they needed some tidying and replacing. So firstly I removed the feed and return lines from the fuel pump.
Next it was time to replace this line from the pump to the carb. It's far too long anyway so it will be good to replace it.
Then I took off the top radiator hose for inspection and I am very glad I did! Here it is on the bench and I found some damage.
Here is a close up view of the hose, it's been rubbing on the ancillary and was almost rubbed clean through the hose.
So that's all going to have to be replaced to do the job properly.