1982 Fiat 126 - "FUT"

[skoda_norman]

Hello boys & girls.

I am just starting out on the restoration of my 1983 Fiat 126 so I intend to log progress here and I hope to find answers to my many questions!

The car is relatively well known, we purchased it 2 years ago and put it in a storage unit. Now it has seen day light again for the first time in 2 years and I fully intend to get it road legal; hopefully before summer.

Here it is, in need of a wash but on the drive.


Untitled by Rob'll Pics, on Flickr

Now the car came without an engine fitted so I have taken the following photos of the engine bay in the hope that you friendly people could take a peep and see if you note anything untoward.


Untitled by Rob'll Pics, on Flickr


Untitled by Rob'll Pics, on Flickr
^I think this is an aftermarket alarm?


Untitled by Rob'll Pics, on Flickr

The following photo is the worst of the rot on the bodywork... but I think I have a NOS wing in the garage.


Untitled by Rob'll Pics, on Flickr

And this is a quick shot of the underside... it looks a bit rusty, but again nothing too bad?


Untitled by Rob'll Pics, on Flickr



The thing is, I don't know where to start. The car came with the original engine, but this engine has problems with the studs that hold the exhaust manifold in place. Having had a look at them today they're a complete mismash of nuts and bolts of various sizes. The other engine that came with it is supposedly a good runner but I, nor the previous owner, have heard it running. I don't know which engine to try and use but I am tempted to go with the "spare" engine as this has all the correct nuts and bolts and doesn't look to have been messed around with. What would you suggest? And where should I start, I don't really want to rebuild the engine if not required so was thinking to just service the engine (after fitting it) and then seeing how/if it runs?
Before fitting the engine is there any special consideration I need to show towards the clutch assembly? And how do I get the engine into the engine bay - I think someone told me the rear scuttle can be removed?
And my other questions are... is it a 12v system? How does the ignition system work? I am used to working on Skoda engines which feature distributors and points/condensor.

I apologise for all the questions, I hope you can bear with me and we can see this car through and onto the road.

[Rusty's Uncle]

It all looks pretty normal to me apart from the alarm. I would suggest looking back at the forum threads on problem solving , get a Haynes manual and start tinkering 

[skoda_norman]

Haynes manual is ordered. 

I'm dying to get started but also a bit apprehensive because I've only really worked on rear engined Skoda's... that said these are simpler so...

[Kent126]

Go for it. Im not a mechanic, and I knew nothing about cars until I started tinkering years ago, but the 126 is a great and easy little car to start learning on. 

Just like my house also, I knew nothing about DIY and now I have done all my own plumbing, wiring and decorating, and im still alive! You can learn anything if your prepared to give something a go.

Good luck with it, they are really good fun!

Tom

[1973/126]

 As the guys said, these cars are so simple and easy to work on and you don`t have to worry about any water either.
 I would use the spare engine and give it a check over(new gaskets, seals, etc) all very cheap. And don`t forget to clean out the centrifugal oil filter, as they normally full of crud.
 Looks like you might need a new throttle cable too.

 If you check this thread, it will give you a better idea of how to fit the engine, but you do need to remove the back panel.
 http://club126uk.co.uk/smf/index.php?topic=4392.15

 Could the black box be a reversing beeper?

 Good luck with it and hope you get it on the road soon.

 

[Hazey-n-Marc]

It is an alarm, just found this. http://abacuscaralarms.co.uk/members/forums/index.php?showtopic=3163

[skoda_norman]

  I shall do my utmost to remove it in its entirety - more trouble than its worth; and having a quick look yesterday it seems to have been installed mainly using poor quality connectors etc.

[skoda_norman]

Engine is now fitted but two exhaust manifold studs have snapped. I understand this is quite common? What is considered the best remedy?
Also does anyone have a diagram of how the rear engine mount should go together?

Sent from my GT-I9300 using Tapatalk 2

[skoda_norman]

Spent the last couple of days with the in-law's getting some more progress on Fut.

First of all, off with the head so the broken studs could be drilled out. This was the first time I've worked on a 126 and nothing seemed too complicated.







This was duly drilled out and retapped and I put the engine back together - but didn't take a picture. Rather than replace the studs I have bolted the exhaust manifolds in place. I have used normal bolts for the time being, but intend to replace with brass items - a good idea?

So I got exhaust back on and left it with the car looking like this,





Along the way I have fitted new gaskets, a new fuel filter and a new air filter.

Now for some questions!

1/ I dropped a small M8 washer into the bottom of the fan housing. Will this be okay or do I need to retrieve it?
2/ I have two starter motors with the car but the ends are different - well they are the same but 180deg different. Which is the correct one and can someone explain how the cable operated starter works and which of the two levers between the seats is for the starter?




3/ What is this?




4/ Where should this blue wire go?



5/ The carb appears to have two fuel inlets - why is this?


I hope you are all as happy as I am to see some progress with this car and I thank you in advance for any answers to my questions.

[midvillesb]

Can't help on the alternator wiring as I'm not at home to look my car and I have no idea what that thin cranking handle is for, but:-

1. Don't think that the dropped washer will give any problems other than an interesting rattle if/when it gets sucked though the tinware.

2. The starter is very simple - the cable pull is operated by the driver's side lever in the cabin, this pulls the arm on the starter onto the rubber sheathed push switch which closes the circuit (heavy duty 12V feed direct from the battery attaches under the nut on the other side of the switch - there should be a rubber boot to cover the nut to insulate it).  I'm pretty sure that the cover the end of my starter is as per the top one in your picture (and I see that one of the mounting holes has broken off the casing on the lower one anyway).

5. One is the inlet pipe and one is the return pipe.

Hope that helps,

Mike

[Rusty's Uncle]

Looks like you are having fun and look forward to hearing how it goes.
I would definitely not use brass bolts as they will be too weak. I always use studs with stainless nuts but if you do use bolts go for stainless.
1) I have found spark plugs down inside the tin ware before so I would not worry about a washer.
2) The one in the foreground is defo 126 but I can not get a good view on the other one but may be Fiat 500
3) Very early map of the London underground 
4) the big brown wire goes on that stud that emerges from the top of that green plastic cover and the other wire goes on a spade connector which is out of sight right under that double connector that comes up from the rectifier module.
5) the return to tank connection is the one at the back.
Good luck and one other thing , be careful about product placement images for Yorkshire bitter, it may make Bar Vitteli dribble into his lap top 

[Bar Vitelli]

Ooh!  I like your car (I think it used to belong to a forum membe) even more so now I see it is powered by the strong stuff!  Cracking progress, so keep posting the pictures and shout out if you need any parts...especially parts that most other beers cannot reach (!!) 

[skoda_norman]

Yeah, the car has been on this forum before. I am dying to get it going - unfortunately I'm now back home and the car remains 250 miles away at the in-law's.

Thanks for all the answers. I hadn't noticed the broken stud hole on the starter motor - that should making choosing which one to use much easier!

Product placement purely unintentional, but obviously you can all now see my excellent taste in beverages (& cars for that matter)!

[futfutfiat]

Only just seen this thread , wow its my old car always had good memories of Fut hence my username, great to see its still going cant wait to see more on this, keep up the good work.

[Pete126]

Great Job, Maybe we'll see you and Fut at RetroRides