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I’m still tweaking the position of the Euro-style front bumpers that Ricardo re-produced, to get it just right (while leaving room for adjustment) before finalizing. They are a great fit with the revised brackets Ricardo made. Ricardo made the Euro-style side markers for me as well. I sourced the spoiler from Henk.

I’m checking the timing because when it failed the last smog check, the tech said the timing was off. First, I checked my timing marks:

According to the Timing Guide, I think I’m off the mark from the start?

This is where I’m at with the motor running, timing light advance on 10 degrees. The tach reads 1200 at idle, which is too high (if it’s reading correctly).

The “bumpers” and spoiler are all reproductions in fiberglass and are very tricky to work with but I’m sure the end result will be well worth the fuss. My goal today was to get them fitted on the car. I’ll need to find more time later on to do all the adjustments to make it look right.

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I let the car run for a good 20 minutes. Was really rough at first and lots of white smoke cleared out of the exhaust. Tested everything, lights, fan switch, interior accessories – everything working ok. Took it for a spin around the block and it’s still pulling with a lot of power, though running a little rough and shifting is crunchy. Brakes need to be overhauled – barely have a pedal but it does stop.

As of now, it starts up very easily and idles fine. Doesn’t leak anything. Going to give it a full tune-up before attempting smog – temporary plate is good through August so there’s plenty of time.  I’m going to apply the vision I had for the 85 car to this one instead so I de-bumpered it. The nose is tweaked pretty bad as is the driver door. Front right corner got hit as well, but minor. Unfortunately, I’m afraid this means the end of the 85 project. I’ve invested so much into the mechanicals of that car and I’m going to transplant them into the 86.

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I have a lot of clean-up to do but glad to be doing it. This was a great car and will be great again soon.

Through a stroke of luck and quick action, “Bluetooth” is home again

We had a show to go to in Hollywood last night so I needed to dispatch JJ to meet the transport company at our house to take delivery. Funny that he passed it along the way there.

High-level assessment: The car needs some loving again. Looks like it has been sitting for quite a while. Also had the spoiler and right bumper cover ripped off/broken. Nose is pushed in on a couple of places – someone’s attempt at removing it to repair was unsuccessful. Nothing currently works, even with a new battery put into place. Coolant tank is less than half empty. Oil is old. Interior is a mess, reupholstered seat on the driver side got pretty worn – center armrest broken, probably from trying to push oneself up and out of the car. Newer tires on it, not the size I had running before, but they look good – slightly taller so not sure if they rub or not. Front left wheel has a narly-looking chunk missing – still holds air. Signature “Bucking Jackass” badges gone, replaced with strange FIAT ones. Door ding on driver side extends to fender and rubs when opened. Interior door handle broken – new one in the trunk. Tweeters removed and replaced with more FIAT emblems to serve as a reminder of what is being driven.

Don’t know what’s really wrong with it yet – it was a no-questions asked deal just to bring it home. It probably won’t take much at all to get it going again but I will take my time with it.

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Next up: new tires. A fellow X-Webber had posted about a new supply of 185/60/13 tires on the Tire Easy website so I ordered 4. These tires are become more and more hard to find (at least here in the U.S.) so I thought I would jump on these. I had them delivered to Tire Sales and Service on the corner of MacArthur and Market for $50, the guys mounted, balanced and installed them. He later informed me that he could easily get the same size tires, next-day and for $60/ea installed. I’ll have to keep him in mind for the next time.

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Except that as my wife and I started the trek back to the Bay, as we began to exit off the 405 in Seal Beach to grab some coffee, we heard a funny noise in the engine bay. As I pull into Starbucks, the red light comes on for the voltage meter – battery is not charging. Look in the back and sure enough, the alternator belt had snapped. Not a problem – JJ to the rescue! We hook up a battery charger and drive about 5 miles south to the nearest auto parts store where they have the belts in-stock…grab part #7300 head out to the parking lot to change….but wait, there is a mechanic shop across the street…I am feeling lazy and not wanting to get real dirty (ya, I know…) so I run across and talk to them…they would like $50 to do the job. Sounds like money well spent, so I drive the car in and after an inspection, they would like to replace both belts (car has A/C) – price is now $60; sounds reasonable to me….hand the car off and sit back in a chair.

Uh oh, the alternator belt is too short…so I run back across the street and pull part #7325…..run back across, nope, too long, run back, pull part #7312…run back, nope still too short….run back, pull part #’s 7300 (again), 7310, 7315, 7320 and run back (anyone remember Frogger?)…7315 is the best fit..mind you, the computer says 7300 is the proper belt (ya, I know)…So after 2 hours of this, it’s all buttoned up and ready to go….enough of that!

Rest of the drive was smooth as butter…took 405 to 101, then up 880. I swear the car ran better and better as we cruised. I’ve missed being this “connected” to the road, hearing every sound, monitoring battery and temperature gauges and of course, that backwards tach was a much welcomed familiar friend I haven’t seen in over 2 years. The car stayed pegged at 190 degrees, except for rising a little uncomfortably high going up the Cuesta Grade, but returned to normal after. Handles terribly – new struts waiting to go on. No leaks.

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Blah blah….ok, I admit, I miss these little cars.

So another adventure has ensued; my wife and I having flown down from SF to OC to pick up the 85 Bertone JJ was selling. After catching up with Mary and Emma over a scrumptious dinner, we did the deal and settled in for a rest before heading back north tomorrow. We are planning on taking the 101 route back after a pit stop at the DMV to take care of the paperwork.

So far, it’s a nice ride…I’ll be working on a plan for how the rolling restoration will proceed in the coming days after seeing what happens between the drive from OC to SF…..

Thanks JJ!

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