Project Bert

[Rusty's Uncle]

Now look here Blondie , is that all you have got to say about your inaugral run 
As for the clutch. The car will feel different from any driving school car that might have got you through your test but if you think that the clutch is too stiff it might be worth checking that the short section of outer cable between the rear bulkhead and the location bracket on the gearbox is properly located and has a free run , ie not crimped .
Happy motoring 

[Blonde126]

Haha Bert is fantastic to drive, but at the moment I'm just nervous, it feels like I'm learning to drive all over again it's been that long 

I will have a look sometime probably tomorrow I'll see if I can get my dad to look at it, especially since today when I was parking it I felt like I had loads of force on the clutch but the gear still made a grinding noise 

[1973/126]

 Does it make grinding noise on all the gears, or just first?
 

[Blonde126]

Today when I was parking it was first and reverse, and the car wasn't moving when I engaged first as I know first isn't syncro-meshed 

[Amateb8]

Correct me if I am wrong, the Bis first and reverse gears are synchromeshed. So there should not be any grinding/crunching/grating noises when shifting into these gears. As for the clutch, it should feel no different to a normal car, certainly that is the case with my Bis. Check out the clutch cable as Rusty suggested. The clutch cable may also need some adjusting.

[jokke]

Correct me if I am wrong, the Bis first and reverse gears are synchromeshed. So there should not be any grinding/crunching/grating noises when shifting into these gears.

Not on mine 1991 Bis..

[Blonde126]

Well the clutch has most definitely eased up! I think it's because the poor car has been out of regular action for well over a year, as when we bought him last April his MOT had ran out, and the tax was just about gone too, and the bloke we bought it off said it hadn't been started up properly for  a while if I recall correctly that is, my memory is known to be poor... 

I took him out for a spin tonight, and apart from one of my P plates flying off (I'm putting them on even though I've been passed 6 months because it's the first time I've drove since, and with it being a world away from the car I passed my test in I'm bound to make mistakes), and I think managing to spray a bit of petrol everywhere when filling up, Bert is a joy to drive

[fightingtorque]

Looks great.  I don't think the BIS has synchro on first - mine doesnt either.  But the clutch action is nice and light.  In my opinion from owning a 126 and a Cinquecento I would say fiat really know how to set the basic controls of the car really nicely - steering, pedals, gearchange.  After that.......

[Blonde126]

Hey everyone,

thought I'd let everyone know, that I've taken the difficult decision to remove poor Bert from the road. Unfortunately, he developed a hole in the floor, which upon closer inspection after returning home for the summer for uni it turned out the floor was nearly falling out :S

HOWEVER

I am keeping him of course! The plan is, is to restore him. I've already got several body panels, and basically me and my dad will work on him whenever we can. I know you may be thinking there's another Fiat 126 which will never get restored and will be sold as a project or whatever, but seriously, that's not going to happen. I'm extremely lucky to have a building in which to keep my car without any cost, and I start a part time job soon, of which although is a Christmas temp, I'm hoping to be kept on so that I can earn money to put towards Bert

Also I have now got a Fiat Grande Punto which I bought last month, but won't have it on the road til January, as this is when the insurance on Bert runs out (might as well wait a couple of more months to earn a guaranteed 2 years no claims bonus!). So yeah, there's the latest update!

[markymarc]

Stick with it, I got my 126 in 2009 & only just got it back on the road!! If it is just time & space & you have both then it is well worth all the hastle & swearing!! 

Marc

[Bar Vitelli]

I agree, check out ChrisDeVille's thread as he has similar floor issues to yourself on his red car so will be able to help you understand what might be involved...

[Bar Vitelli]

http://club126uk.co.uk/smf/index.php?topic=8457.0

[Kent126]

Don't worry, my resto is taking forever too. It all comes down to cash, space and time at the end of the day!

Tom

[Rusty's Uncle]

Not a Fiat but I bought a car in 1976 that had been off the road for over 10 years and was in bits. I stripped it to a bare chassis then on & off over a period of over 20 years I got it back up to a running chassis but the ash framed coachbuilt body was a bit beyond me and I finaly sold it on to a guy who wanted a retirement / millenium project. Work did not go as he planned but it finaly came together after about 40 years of being off the road. The car was a subject of a 4 page article in The Automobile magazine a year or two back so I am sure that Bert will get back to good health. Just hang on in there and keep the faith 

[DeVilleChris]

Yeah pm me if you need to know anything