Club126UK

Fiat 126 Chat => Your Restorations => Topic started by: wsmitwil on December 03, 2012, 05:07:34 PM

Title: my bis restoration
Post by: wsmitwil on December 03, 2012, 05:07:34 PM
hi again thought it was time to post some photos of my bis resoration

im not big on photos of everthing possible but heres two

first one is of the car from the scrap yard when it had an indoor pool in the back

new carpets i think

it is now in the garage whilst its being undersealed

ill get more photos when its back out again 
Title: Re: my bis restoration
Post by: Bar Vitelli on December 03, 2012, 06:28:49 PM
Looking good, Will, great to see the pics!

Are you sticking with the original colour or going for something more fancy?
Title: Re: my bis restoration
Post by: wsmitwil on December 03, 2012, 07:15:53 PM
Thanks I think I'm going to keep it white, because the dvla don't like it when you change the colour

The front wheel arch was a pain, someone had brought an air cooled front wheel arch for it which doesn't fit the bis as the bis has bigger wheel arches

 ;D
Title: Re: my bis restoration
Post by: wsmitwil on January 04, 2013, 07:51:21 PM

I think I've found all the rust I can hooray  :P

Undersealed and new brake pipes are on time to look at the electronics  :-X

Some **** towed this behind a motor home and has messed around with the fiats electronics

Now time to play sort the spaghetti  :o
Title: Re: my bis restoration
Post by: Amateb8 on January 05, 2013, 09:15:30 PM
The car is coming together quite nicely. My red Bis restoration is going at a snail's pace, but it is moving. Keep up the good work and keep us posted re your progress.
Title: Re: my bis restoration
Post by: wsmitwil on January 06, 2013, 03:36:09 PM
here are some more photos  ;D

the first two pics are of the hatch repair as this was very rusty

only a couple of photos but the last one is a pic i just like


The windows and back lights are back in to stop mice or any other thing getting in over the winter

 
Title: Re: my bis restoration
Post by: wsmitwil on January 15, 2013, 07:05:47 PM

here are some photos of what my blue car [bluey] before restoration whilst the BIS is still in the garage
Title: Re: my bis restoration
Post by: wsmitwil on January 19, 2013, 01:10:45 PM

I think my garage is the only one where it snows inside
Title: Re: my bis restoration
Post by: wsmitwil on February 02, 2013, 06:49:03 PM

New doors now fitted and are nearly the same colour as the car, did fiat do two different whites on the bis or is it just the car has been sitting in the sun
Title: Re: my bis restoration
Post by: Pete126 on February 02, 2013, 07:31:29 PM
Don't think so, Have you tried T-cut or rubbing compound to bring the colour back,
With all old cars we don't know the history or if they have been repainted at sometime ::)
Title: Re: my bis restoration
Post by: wsmitwil on February 02, 2013, 08:20:32 PM

Haven't thought of that really, only noticed when they were hung on the car today, all I can see of the car being painted is that someone had put house paint all over the back for some reason  ::)

The car will have to be resprayed but ill try and match it to the colour of the doors because i think that's the true colour

Thanks
Title: Re: my bis restoration
Post by: wsmitwil on February 21, 2013, 06:38:34 PM
Hello again

After trying my best to try and repair the rear hatch on the BIS, in the first picture in the post

I have now brought a 2nd hand rear hatch in a lot better condition to go with my new doors from bakewell, the car will now look a lot better

BIG THANKS to robfiat for supplying me with the much needed parts, if you need anything bis contact him

Title: Re: my bis restoration
Post by: wsmitwil on March 16, 2013, 05:30:49 PM

Hello all

All suspension done and rust sorted out now (hopefully)  ;D

Wiring still causing trouble but it's a fiat  >:(

Grinding to a halt as filler and paint just doesn't dry in these conditions, British weather

Think I'm going to clean the Engine, and change the starter motor because it keeps sticking

Still lots of work to do :P




Title: Re: my bis restoration
Post by: robfiat on March 28, 2013, 07:37:16 PM
Glad to hear the hatch was ok  :)
Title: Re: my bis restoration
Post by: wsmitwil on April 04, 2013, 05:51:53 PM
Glad to hear the hatch was ok  :)

cheers

 ;D ;D ;D
Title: Re: my bis restoration
Post by: wsmitwil on May 07, 2013, 07:26:39 PM

Bodywork done, just onto the paint now

My blue one was painted with cellulose and its abit dull

So I have to decide to go with cellulose again or 2pack

Found a white which looks original but it's not the paint code of 224/F under the lid

I found halfords 210 is a lot closer to original
Title: Re: my bis restoration
Post by: wsmitwil on May 29, 2013, 09:22:06 PM

Been offerd an old fiat panda today  :)

Other news getting the paint tommorow ;D

Title: Re: my bis restoration
Post by: wsmitwil on June 04, 2013, 10:45:49 PM

1st cote of top coat paint gone on today, was looking good until I noticed it had reacted with the primer in the same place on both sides around the rear windows  :cry:

 more sandpaper needed I think

But everywhere else is good and a BLINDING white  :P
Title: Re: my bis restoration
Post by: wsmitwil on June 09, 2013, 08:26:46 PM

Fully painted now  ;D

Took it out of the garage today in the sun it was BLINDING white  8)

Starting to re-fit plastic

Do those gutter trim strips shrink or something they fitted when I took them off  ???
Title: Re: my bis restoration
Post by: wsmitwil on June 30, 2013, 06:18:18 PM
 
Fitted the disc brake conversion today, actually a lot easier than I thought,

got to get some flexable brake hoses any help on those is great, or ill get some made from pirtek

Fitted new exhaust gaskets, that's FUN !!! >:(

Starting to look better
Title: Re: my bis restoration
Post by: wsmitwil on July 18, 2013, 09:12:52 PM
as you can see from my new profile picture the bis is getting back to how it should look

as ive lost my photo shop software i cant upload any photos

The profile picture is so bad quality, but because its small so you don't notice
Title: Re: my bis restoration
Post by: wsmitwil on July 29, 2013, 08:31:16 PM
Hello all

Just a note on what happened today,

Ill begin with just a few days ago when i fitted new discs and pads to the disc conversion,

Once the new stuff was on , it ment the steel wheels dident fit without spacers, i got spacers but they were running too close to the calipers for my liking so, long story short I saw some nice wheels in my favorite scrap yard a month ago on a cinquacento and decided i would go back and see if they were still there

Luckily they were and decided to get them, they are 6 spoke oz racing wheels, so the car won't look standard

Here is what they look like, http://www.suzuki4u.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?p=38563

But I got mine cheaper than that and they are fitted with new tyres so I'm pretty happy today

 ;D

Title: Re: my bis restoration
Post by: wsmitwil on August 30, 2013, 08:41:51 PM

Real happy today as all lights are working, wipers indicators washers all seam to be working engine turns over on the key

I have hopefully got it all working, feels good when a car comes back from the dead





Title: Re: my bis restoration
Post by: wsmitwil on September 04, 2013, 10:48:43 AM
 
Some pictures  ;D

Enjoy  ;D
Title: Re: my bis restoration
Post by: kev126 on September 04, 2013, 11:08:49 AM
They look so much better without the side trips. But those holes :(
Title: Re: my bis restoration
Post by: wsmitwil on September 04, 2013, 11:37:13 AM

I think they look better too but it protects the car

This is more recent  ;D ;D ;D

Title: Re: my bis restoration
Post by: wsmitwil on September 14, 2013, 09:22:57 AM

Got it out of the garage yesterday

Found out the handbrake really doesn't work, some adjustment needed I think

 ;D  ;D  ;D

Will
Title: Re: my bis restoration
Post by: kev126 on September 14, 2013, 10:43:47 AM

Got it out of the garage yesterday

Found out the handbrake really doesn't work, some adjustment needed I think

 ;D  ;D  ;D

Will
Mine sucks as well! Apparently adjusting is a right pain but I've not had a look yet
Title: Re: my bis restoration
Post by: wsmitwil on October 20, 2013, 06:38:45 PM

Washed the car today, found out that the door seals don't work, now I have to clean the interior  :(
Title: Re: my bis restoration
Post by: wsmitwil on November 10, 2013, 06:26:39 PM

New carpet fitted today, nice dark blue carpet from ricambio they don't tell you that it had to be cut

Cut around accelerator pedal and steering column but looks great will have to get one for the blue car as we'll

 ;D
Title: Re: my bis restoration
Post by: wsmitwil on November 17, 2013, 05:34:25 PM

Just got back from buying another set of wheels,

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/221316987847?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2648

Unfortunately not going on either of the 126s but the family's fiat panda but maybe one day  :P
Title: Re: my bis restoration
Post by: Wagoneer on November 18, 2013, 07:33:30 PM
Nice! Are you going to paint them or go for the polish?
Title: Re: my bis restoration
Post by: wsmitwil on November 18, 2013, 08:41:53 PM

Cheers, there in pretty bad shape as they where outside For years so will need to be refurbished, so will look new in the original colour

Will have to see what they look like On the panda  :P
Title: Re: my bis restoration
Post by: Pete126 on November 18, 2013, 08:59:19 PM
would look great in white Wil :D
Title: Re: my bis restoration
Post by: wsmitwil on December 20, 2013, 08:40:37 PM

The wheels are all done but they make a knocking noise on the panda for some reason  ::)

so now can be fitted on the 126 if I want to  :P
Title: Re: my bis restoration
Post by: wsmitwil on December 28, 2013, 08:31:40 PM

Heres some pics

Title: Re: my bis restoration
Post by: markymarc on December 30, 2013, 12:14:34 PM
is that a new carpet set or just a good vax?
Tidy lil 126.
Title: Re: my bis restoration
Post by: wsmitwil on March 30, 2014, 11:19:22 AM

Cheers Marc, new carpet from ricambio doesn't really fit but it'll do

Tried the engine out, and it'll run for a couple of seconds then dies tried the timing and checked all the normal things, there seems to be fuel but it just won't tick over  :(

allot more noisier than I thought it would be to being water cooled, so means will probably be in the air cooled for retro rides, 

The good news is that the air cooled started first time after not being started for 8 months  :P
Title: Re: my bis restoration
Post by: Bar Vitelli on March 30, 2014, 01:39:21 PM
That carpet looks posher than the one I've got in the house, Will, very nice!  ;D
Title: Re: my bis restoration
Post by: Gadge on March 30, 2014, 09:50:02 PM
I love the carpet  :D I was thinking of doing the same thing with mine. Which part of it doesn't fit well though?
Title: Re: my bis restoration
Post by: wsmitwil on March 30, 2014, 10:23:08 PM

Cheers Gary and Gadge, it's a really nice carpet allot better than the original,

It doesn't really fit around the pedals and the seatbelt mount I think it's moulded really for the 500 not the 126 it needs a few modifications, the only holes are for the handbrake and gear lever so seat belts, pedals have to be cut through the tough carpet backing, I don't know if it depends where you buy the carpet from but I image  they are all the same
Title: Re: my bis restoration
Post by: Gadge on March 31, 2014, 07:09:13 AM
Ahh ok that's not too bad then I think I could handle that. My one it not in great shape and I think the navy blue one you have will look pretty smart  :D
Title: Re: my bis restoration
Post by: wsmitwil on September 20, 2014, 07:46:10 AM

Haven't  posted on this topic for a while, here's some pics

(http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f72/wsmitwil/imagejpg1_zps4646a497.jpg)

(http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f72/wsmitwil/imagejpg1_zps45bc085d.jpg)

Starting to find some little problems with the bis, one of them is that annoying float switch in the header tank is broken and as we all know they can cost stupid amounts so if anyone can shine a light on where I can get one a little cheaper this would be great, and does anyone know what the temperature is when the fan is supposed to kick in, left it running for while and the fan didn't come on

Cheers

Will
Title: Re: my bis restoration
Post by: andyzeetec on September 20, 2014, 09:09:27 AM
Looks very nice, lovely clean white  :good:

Coolant tank float switches are hard to find, take a look at this thread....http://club126uk.co.uk/smf/index.php?topic=8930.0

The rad fan should kick in when the dash temp gauge needle is at half way. Mine comes on for short bursts. Worth checking fuse, thermostat is opening, then temp switch on back of rad.


Haven't  posted on this topic for a while, here's some pics

(http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f72/wsmitwil/imagejpg1_zps4646a497.jpg)

(http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f72/wsmitwil/imagejpg1_zps45bc085d.jpg)

Starting to find some little problems with the bis, one of them is that annoying float switch in the header tank is broken and as we all know they can cost stupid amounts so if anyone can shine a light on where I can get one a little cheaper this would be great, and does anyone know what the temperature is when the fan is supposed to kick in, left it running for while and the fan didn't come on

Cheers

Will
Title: Re: my bis restoration
Post by: Gadge on September 20, 2014, 10:26:00 AM
Yes I'll go along with andy and say the fan should come in about halfway. Mine actually comes in just after half and switches off when it reaches halfway. If it's comming in around three quarters up the gauge (just before the red) then it may be just that the system needs a bleed. Mine used to come in at around 3/4 up and would go on and off every 60 seconds which I thought was normal until I gave it a coolant change and spent ages bleeding it out and now it sits at half and stays there suggesting that this is perhaps the norm.

The float switches are abit pricey but they are quite a simple device. The chances are that the little float weight has came off and is swimming around in your expansion tank. If you can get it out it wouldn't be too challenging to repair it :)
Title: Re: my bis restoration
Post by: wsmitwil on September 20, 2014, 12:19:19 PM

Cheers Andy and Gadge your information is much appreciated, I think I'll have to take it for a run to get it hot enough to get it to the right temp to see if the fan comes on

And I've taken the switch out and the white bit is missing, I'll take the tank off today and I'll try to find it

Cheers again

Will  :P
Title: Re: my bis restoration
Post by: poxxxy on September 23, 2014, 11:59:58 PM
My bis fan kicks in at half way on the gauge... pretty much as soon as the thermostat actually opens (keep feeling the bottom rad hose... stays cold for quite a while at idle, holding rpm up higher helps but load on the engine will increase the temperatures quicker. There should be two speeds Gadge, so i'm wondering if yours is only operating on the "high speed", you can check the fan by bridging the pins on the coolant switch (which is on the far side of the rad) or applying 12v direct to it... the connector had snapped off on mine from corrosion... managed to come up with a solution as it was the ground pin that had broken off and the rivet that holds it all together inside was also ground... Had a spare connector from an aircooled condensor so managed to screw that into the rivet with a crimped "o" connector on the end and could plug the ground of the main power feed back in no problem!

Hope things with your float switch are getting better now!?

The bodywork on that lovely white bis looks great and that new carpet looks great too!

Only just stumbled upon this thread, been refurbishing the steels I bought from you the past few days! Going to get some paint on them tomorrow if the weather allows!
Title: Re: my bis restoration
Post by: wsmitwil on September 26, 2014, 06:49:30 AM
My bis fan kicks in at half way on the gauge... pretty much as soon as the thermostat actually opens (keep feeling the bottom rad hose... stays cold for quite a while at idle, holding rpm up higher helps but load on the engine will increase the temperatures quicker. There should be two speeds Gadge, so i'm wondering if yours is only operating on the "high speed", you can check the fan by bridging the pins on the coolant switch (which is on the far side of the rad) or applying 12v direct to it... the connector had snapped off on mine from corrosion... managed to come up with a solution as it was the ground pin that had broken off and the rivet that holds it all together inside was also ground... Had a spare connector from an aircooled condensor so managed to screw that into the rivet with a crimped "o" connector on the end and could plug the ground of the main power feed back in no problem!

Hope things with your float switch are getting better now!?

The bodywork on that lovely white bis looks great and that new carpet looks great too!

Only just stumbled upon this thread, been refurbishing the steels I bought from you the past few days! Going to get some paint on them tomorrow if the weather allows!

Cheers, I took the header tank to find allot of gunk and not one but two of those white floats, reconnected and the light has now gone off, not had a chance to take the car out yet just got to hope the fan comes on

Hope the wheels went ok

Cheers

Will  :)
Title: Re: my bis restoration
Post by: wsmitwil on March 06, 2015, 06:17:09 PM
Hello everyone haven't been on here for a while

Here's an update not much been going on, got a new 500 to go in the collection of 126s

On another note decided to take the engine out because it was annoying me as ive spent too much time on it, will take a proer look inside to see if there is anything badly wrong, on that, see the Pics of the gearbox below what on earth has happened here looks pretty bent

(http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f72/wsmitwil/Mobile%20Uploads/image_zpspvjatece.jpg) (http://s45.photobucket.com/user/wsmitwil/media/Mobile%20Uploads/image_zpspvjatece.jpg.html)

(http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f72/wsmitwil/Mobile%20Uploads/image_zpsdfoyf1ff.jpg) (http://s45.photobucket.com/user/wsmitwil/media/Mobile%20Uploads/image_zpsdfoyf1ff.jpg.html)
Title: Re: my bis restoration
Post by: poxxxy on March 06, 2015, 06:47:30 PM
Oh my that looks serious! Is your rear crank bearing shagged to? lol. I'd love a 500 myself still here! :). Pics required!
Title: Re: my bis restoration
Post by: wsmitwil on March 06, 2015, 07:23:35 PM
Hello, have had a small look at the fly wheel and it doesn't look too bad, the shaft is compleatly bent it moves from side to side when spinning,  :( the release bearing has been ripped apart so has the friction plate and the input shaft bearing is also compleatly gone, oil everywhere  :(

The drive is getting fuller  :P

(http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f72/wsmitwil/image.jpg3_zpstpclevl6.jpg) (http://s45.photobucket.com/user/wsmitwil/media/image.jpg3_zpstpclevl6.jpg.html)

(http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f72/wsmitwil/image.jpg1_zpsyxnq0wm7.jpg) (http://s45.photobucket.com/user/wsmitwil/media/image.jpg1_zpsyxnq0wm7.jpg.html)

(http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f72/wsmitwil/image.jpg2_zps9wiacimd.jpg) (http://s45.photobucket.com/user/wsmitwil/media/image.jpg2_zps9wiacimd.jpg.html)
Title: Re: my bis restoration
Post by: poxxxy on March 06, 2015, 08:06:02 PM
Oh they all look so clean and tidy, what engine is in that 500? twinair? :). I was imagining a classic but new isn't too bad either, other than those microsoft windows buttons I've seen on a few of the steering wheels for windows phones, urgh lol.
Title: Re: my bis restoration
Post by: wsmitwil on March 07, 2015, 06:53:40 AM
Oh they all look so clean and tidy, what engine is in that 500? twinair? :). I was imagining a classic but new isn't too bad either, other than those microsoft windows buttons I've seen on a few of the steering wheels for windows phones, urgh lol.

Cheers the only prob is I'm starting to wash the paint away  :P, I couldent get a twin air so I got a 1.2 it was cheaper lol  ;D, still can't get my head around the steering wheel .. Not literally  :lol:
Title: Re: my bis restoration
Post by: Gadge on March 07, 2015, 09:53:12 AM
That photo of the input shaft is shocking  :o it look on closer inspection that it has been re welded onto the spline?
Title: Re: my bis restoration
Post by: wsmitwil on March 29, 2015, 01:05:33 PM
That photo of the input shaft is shocking  :o it look on closer inspection that it has been re welded onto the spline?

It was shocking gadge thankfully I had a spare shaft, engine is now in bits all over the place and it's in a state, bearings, seals, pilot bearing, clutch, the list is getting bigger I've found everything apart from one thing

(http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f72/wsmitwil/image.jpg1_zpsqix9fn85.jpg) (http://s45.photobucket.com/user/wsmitwil/media/image.jpg1_zpsqix9fn85.jpg.html)

Piston ring shaped thing is in many pieces and I can't find anything like it
Title: Re: my bis restoration
Post by: dadandlad on March 29, 2015, 01:19:48 PM
Have a look at this website or maybe try your local bearing supplier
http://www.morrissprings.co.uk/circlips.html
http://www.morrissprings.co.uk/Circlips.pdf