1982 Fiat 126

I've had a couple of small issues with the 126 lately, it's taken ages to start and also when releasing the clutch in 1st gear it shudders like crazy then jumps out of first gear. Also the brass hose connection on the carb return has come loose and likes to wriggle itself free.

I took the starter motor out and replaced the brushes, very pleased with how easy that was, half hour job to get the starter out and then back in with fresh brushes. They definitely needed changing! When the car managed to fire up I got the timing gun out and adjusted that, turns out the timing was well out! Now it starts great and runs nice and smooth!
I also took the carb apart and got some jb weld onto the brass fitting, that will be going back on hopefully tomorrow, and hopefully fixed!

I havent managed to look at the clutch judder issue yet, from reading on a few forums it sounds to me like it could be something as simple as moving the engine back a touch or even making sure the gearbox mounts are properly straight. Once the rain decides to stop I'll pop under the car and have a butchers at it.

Didnt take a picture today, here's an old one from 2 years ago with the roof rack still on.

Hello all, 
it's been a fair while since I've given an update on Vinny. 
After getting fed up of taking the engine apart in the cold and wet of mid winter, due to a catastrophic oil leak I gave the car to an 'Italian specialist' in Leicester. 
It was presumed that from where the oil was coming from, it was the push rod tube seals that were failing. These were changed 3 times, including swapping them from silicon to rubber.
4 months later (and extremely slow progress) I got the car back, drove 0.4 miles and it broke down with a worse oil leak than when it went in! 
I got recovered home and then contemplated selling him. 

Eventually I decided to have a go myself again (as the weather was starting to get decent) 
I swapped out the spring push rod tubes for original, these sit alot better and slot into the cylinder head and block, rather than the spring tubes that just sit on the block. 
Also I had a look at the aluminium rocker cover and it seemed to be resting on the thurmostat housing at the rear (another possible cause to my oil leak) 

So with new push rod tubes, I shaved down the edges of the rocker cover, a new rocker gasket. It seems that I have finally sorted the oil leak! 😁

I then had a go at sorting the wiring and cleaning up the engine bay a little, so some fresh yellow HT leads, black conduit and relocating the ignition coil I'm really happy with it now! 

Been out today to road test and it runs and drives faultless! I cant believe I considered selling it when I got it back from the garage! 

My Mum got a new DeVille in 1977, white with blue corduroy seats and grey carpet. Five years later it was scrap due to (no surprise) rust. It was a bonnie wee car and I’d love to have a clone of it. Here in the US they are very rare. I did see a rather grotty one a couple of years back on Long Island (NY); obviously I hit my brakes hard to stop and have a shufty. It was a Polski version, lots of mud/bog in the sills, repainted a pale yellow with a dull, grey interior. But I sent a pic to my Mum to remind her of what was like her favorite car.

More 126 content, please!

John

I haven't uploaded on here in months! Not alot has changed really, just a couple of minor bits. I finally (after nearly 4 years) go some centre caps. I wasn't too sure on these abarth ones at first upon ordering but really pleased with how they suit the wheels and they're not in your face at all. Also I hated the standard fog light and its positioning as it was hiding the ABARTH sump, so I grabbed a chrome universal one and slapping it on the other side and now I'm chuffed with that! Also being smaller and not so boxy it suits the car alot better. 

Now it's just a case of getting it out and using it alot more 😁 

Alex.

I'm with Alex although not called Alex..
I like little cars and your Fiat is one I like :-)
Nice one.