pabblo
Part of things
Posts: 435
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So I thought a little update was in order, as it been a few months and the Tipo has had a few problems to keep me entertained. Well it wouldn't be Italian otherwise!! my dad had been keen on getting it for my grandparents as it turned out. But they've since bought a Rover, and the Tipo is back to being mine again so thought I'd best get on with tacking some jobs!! I apologise on the lack of photos at the early stage, I was too keen on fixing it than taking pictures so that's my excuse anyway. But stay with me there's pictures further down. I fixed the broken/ bodged roof aerial with a the main base from one off a Renault 19, and the mast off a Punto. Both were in the garage at my dad's so fixed for £0. Which was nice, if a slightly awkward job. The first major problem I encountered was the car revving up of it's own will, and the appalling fuel economy which made me wish I'd kept the Alfa V6 I once owned. After a bit of trial and a lot of error/swearing... delete as appropriate!! It turned out the small engine temperature switch was the fault, my brother replaced the stepper motor as it's a known fault and although the car didn't need it I like to think it's made some difference!! Anyway the other problem to cause me sleepless night's was the wipers... never have I known such a daft concept in my life!! The wipers arms don't take the full wipers blades like any similar modernish car, far too easy. No Fiat had the bright or appalling idea of wiper refill's, and these slide into plastic tabs which naturally get old, go brittle and break. Which mine have, so I went to Fiat to buy new wiper arms.. slight problem there not available anymore which was slightly annoying!! I've had to use some off a Punto mk2 for now that my brother got, least I can fit proper wiper blades. They fit ok, but really need to find something better as there not quite right so I'm on the lookout unless anyone can suggest some off another model/ make that'll work well? Then there was the wiper linkage itself, there was so much slack in the linkages that I couldn't not replace it. Unfortunately it took me three attempts to get a wiper motor/ linkage assembly that was any good!! Anyway moaning over, I've modified the car a little!! I bought some bits from a bloke breaking a Tipo sedicivalvole and happened to spot the rear lights, which are tinted red all over unlike my smoked/red originals! Before.. After... I wasn't sure at first, but there growing on me and they do make the light's brighter at the rear The cars had a good clean, and I put some new wheel trims on and some new number plates to brighten it up a bit for now. So that's how the car has been for a while, the indicator did fall off somewhere the other week so I've had to order a new one off eBay. Was quite funny, I guess the Tipo has in built weight saving measures for hight speed driving. This was the amazing "Ghetto" repair I fashioned, pretty awful I admit but amazing what you can find in the kitchen Meanwhile I got some alloys at a bargain price, I spotted them on a car that was breaking near my work so thought id ask! A rather nice set of "16" Speedline alloys originally off a Alfa 155, in gunmetal grey. Anyway turns out the guy had 5 of them, one does have a slight flat on the rear of the rim. But it can be repaired at a later date, I will have to buy two tyres before I put them on. Oh and find some centre caps and a wheel bolt as there missing, like it was going to be easy? I leant them against the car, to see how they look and I can't wait to get them on! And a closer pic of one of the wheels. Hopefully by the next update I'll have the wheel's fitted!!
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Last Edit: Jan 5, 2014 22:31:36 GMT by pabblo
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That is looking great... I do like Tipo's and there really cannot be that many left now, especially ones as clean/solid as this one!
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***GARAGE CURRENTLY EMPTY***
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pabblo
Part of things
Posts: 435
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That is looking great... I do like Tipo's and there really cannot be that many left now, especially ones as clean/solid as this one! Cheers it's getting there :-) the pictures do flatter it a bit! But to be fair it's solid in all the right places, though id like to get some paint/bodywork sorted at some stage. You just don't see them now, let alone any modified ones but they are good I can't fault it. Hopefully I'll find all the bits I need, and start fitting them up!
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thooms
Part of things
Posts: 96
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Will look sharp on those wheels, can't remember when I last saw one of these! We used to have one when I was a young'un. Nice work
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1991 Saab 900S Aero 1992 Fiat Panda 1000CLX 1981 Fiat 238 / Laika MP6
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pabblo
Part of things
Posts: 435
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Will look sharp on those wheels, can't remember when I last saw one of these! We used to have one when I was a young'un. Nice work Thanks! they were a good family car. I remember that my dad wanted a Tipo, to replace the trusty Strada they had way back when. But my mum wasn't keen at the time, so they bought an Uno instead! The reg on that was M184SWJ randomly my Tipo is M188SWJ. Definitely the Alfa alloys will make the car :-)
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pabblo
Part of things
Posts: 435
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This month I've made a little more progress on the Tipo, the first one was to actually fix some things which is nice Last time the indicator was missing.. somewhere on the A5 bypass!!! So I bought and new indicator and some other bits whilst I was at it, and decided I may well buy a pair of indicators since the other side was cracked anyway. Plus a new petrol cap, as the original was fiddly to say the least. Oh and some pointless Italian flag decal and new boot badge which I'll fit at some point or another! and I bought a new wiper stalk as the old one was a bit tempermental and didn't light up very well at night!! Here's my hoard... Replacing the indicator was simple, once you remove the plastic retaining rod which Fiat has hidden at the back of the headlight!! Which slots at the back, as shown in this picture below. Not very clear but anyway you get the idea.. The tailgate has a habit of not staying up, and despite being glass fibre is extremely heavy so no way I want that coming down on me!! I'd bought some boot struts a while ago second hand off a Tipo that was being broken, there the easiest I've ever done as well. Clips just pop out with a flat blade screw driver, and then pull the old one off whilst my brother holds up the tailgate!! Then just push the new ones onto the pins, and the clips snap back into place easy peasy. So easy in fact I forgot to take some pictures... but never mind :/ Anyway the boot lock has a plastic trim covering it on the inside, which was smashed so I thought I'd do that as well since I was on a roll. New ( used trim ) Clip/s And the finished part below, all ready to go back on!! The whole lock mechanism and catch attach to the plastic, and despite how flimsy it looks it all it went back together and I didn't loose the clips which was a relief. With that done I was feeling rather please with the result as it shuts a lot easier, and the boot stays open so another thing off my list! I'd bought the Alfa alloys last time and was all set to fit them, but the cost of the tyres plus getting them painted was a lot more than budget has got at the minute So I started looking for tyres for my steelies as the fronts were perilously close to legal limit, then I spotted a set of "15" alloy wheels and tyres on eBay not a million miles away and about the same price as what two tyres for my steel rims were going to cost. Which involved a trip to sunny Stoke On Trent... So for a bargain price I got 4 alloys, wrapped in Yokohama AVS sport tyres Winner!! I've also got a set of shiney new wheel bolts which will make fitting a lot easier. I'll put some pictures up soon of the car now the wheels are on, so far it has made a big difference to the handling and also making it a bit more mine
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Last Edit: Feb 11, 2014 0:14:41 GMT by pabblo
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Feb 11, 2014 11:26:53 GMT
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New wheels fitted but with no pictures...?! ARREST THIS MAN...!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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***GARAGE CURRENTLY EMPTY***
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pabblo
Part of things
Posts: 435
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Feb 12, 2014 22:03:48 GMT
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New wheels fitted but with no pictures...?! ARREST THIS MAN...!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I have no defence.... so if the court would allow me to plea my case slightly later than planned here are some moody car park shots!! Front... And from the back... I changed the centre caps for some off a Punto mk1 that had the older style FIAT logo like on my car, as the newer red FIAT logos didn't really match mine! Admittedly the photos aren't the best but you get the idea but it's amazing how good it looks after a wash and polish. With the outside looking the part I was in my local Halfords and spotted something the Tipo needed inside.... and reminds me of my childhood... Does smell quite nice, and add's something to the ambiance of the Tipo's interior!! So there we are up to date, once this crappy weather goes away I can start on some more things... If the Uno doesn't get in first
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duncancento
Part of things
Posts: 117
Club RR Member Number: 20
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Feb 13, 2014 12:55:03 GMT
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Nice work, the colour of the wheels suits the car perfectly. Love the Alfa Speedlines as well, I have a set I bought new from the dealer a few years ago
Please tell me you are going lower though?!
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Feb 13, 2014 13:03:44 GMT
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Perfection...!
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***GARAGE CURRENTLY EMPTY***
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pabblo
Part of things
Posts: 435
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Feb 15, 2014 18:01:52 GMT
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Nice work, the colour of the wheels suits the car perfectly. Love the Alfa Speedlines as well, I have a set I bought new from the dealer a few years ago
Please tell me you are going lower though?! Well I don't know about lowering it at the minute, I think with the state of the roads around here I need to jack up the height and get some off road wheels and tyres!! But never say never I'll be looking into it soon and see what the options are. Nice find with the new Speedlines are they going on anything particular? They are a nice wheel, so I'm sure my set may make an appearance on the Tipo yet!! But thanks, really happy with how it's turned out so far as you say the colour of the wheels suit the car well than if they'd been just silver.
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pabblo
Part of things
Posts: 435
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Feb 15, 2014 18:02:34 GMT
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Not bad is it
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Feb 15, 2014 22:41:45 GMT
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Monochrome awesomeness! The anthracite wheels look ace. Can't remember the last time I saw a Tipo on the road, these and Unos used to be everywhere.
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Sierra - here we go again! He has an illness, it's not his fault.
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duncancento
Part of things
Posts: 117
Club RR Member Number: 20
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Feb 16, 2014 20:36:17 GMT
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Nice find with the new Speedlines are they going on anything particular? They are a nice wheel, so I'm sure my set may make an appearance on the Tipo yet!!
But thanks, really happy with how it's turned out so far as you say the colour of the wheels suit the car well than if they'd been just silver.
I found the part number on eper and just gave local dealer a ring, they ordered them in for me. Not bad price either, about £460 a set I think. I originally had them on my 146Ti but then they went on various 155s and 145s that I've had. No way they are going on my Cinq so they're just stashed in the garage for future projects.....I'd love a slammed Tipo, maybe a Tempra estate.
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pabblo
Part of things
Posts: 435
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Feb 16, 2014 23:31:28 GMT
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Monochrome awesomeness! The anthracite wheels look ace. Can't remember the last time I saw a Tipo on the road, these and Unos used to be everywhere. Cheers!! like you say these and Uno's where everywhere but my two are the only ones I see regular!! On the upside I never loose my car in car park
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pabblo
Part of things
Posts: 435
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Feb 16, 2014 23:40:30 GMT
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I found the part number on eper and just gave local dealer a ring, they ordered them in for me. Not bad price either, about £460 a set I think. I originally had them on my 146Ti but then they went on various 155s and 145s that I've had. No way they are going on my Cinq so they're just stashed in the garage for future projects.....I'd love a slammed Tipo, maybe a Tempra estate. Used to drive a turbo diesel Tempra S/W as a pool car at the Fiat dealer I worked at years ago, really good it'd be nice to see one modified The Speedlines would be a tight fit on a Cinq anyway!! not too bad for new ones considering how much new sets of after market alloys are. I quite like the 155/145/146's, hopefully an Alfa will be my next motor!! Mind you I've got enough to do with the cars I've got.. still I like a challenge
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pabblo
Part of things
Posts: 435
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Jun 10, 2014 20:44:19 GMT
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pabblo
Part of things
Posts: 435
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Jun 10, 2014 21:00:56 GMT
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Unfortunately through no fault of my own, progress with the Tipo has now come to an abrupt end A car pulled across me onto the road, I swerved to avoid them as best I could but in doing so collided with a rather large road sign!! The culprit then took off before I could get out of the car, utter cowards!! I'm obviously very angry and upset, but thankfully the passenger side of the car took the impact and I could walk away unscathed. The consequences if I'd hit the sign side on doesn't bare thinking about, so now I have a massive recovery bill and a scrap Fiat Tipo. Not my best month, but I'm hoping to replace the Tipo soon with something else probably another one or maybe a sportier model!! For the meantime I'm going to pull out all the stops to get my Uno's bodywork done, and get cracking on with the Punto & Fiorino van.
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TS
Part of things
Posts: 558
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Jun 10, 2014 21:11:03 GMT
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Oh man that sucks.
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pabblo
Part of things
Posts: 435
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Jun 10, 2014 23:16:16 GMT
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Majorly! the remains of the Tipo will be dismantled and the parts used to keep others on the road. So at least nothing will go to waste, which is something!
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