Fiat 124 Spider 2000, #4 TDC after belt, Ignition timing on #1, remove and replace distributor

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[@vernonboley1035]

Vac-advance will usually burn up real quick, I learned the hard way how hot it gets above the exhaust manifold. Wish Fiat had kept the Dizzy where the early spiders had it, on top of the oil pump gear. No you cant move it there, different size gears or shaft ot depth. I installed a heat shield over the exhaust manifold using the three studs made for this on the header. I made one from motorcycle expanded aluminum heat shielding that I got from Summit, comes in a roll; used to be bout $25, or you might get lucky and find the original part on ebay, earlier models have a connection for hot air to carb. You can buy the vac advance seperate for not a whole lot of dough, actually all the parts to rebuild the dizzy. Question: does the car have the original Marelli coil? originals were very good and will likely still check out and run fine - its not your ordinary coil off the shelf. I used a stubby on that 17mm hold down nut!

[@ELDESTBuilds]

Thanks buddy, coil checks fine, somebody put it bass-ackwards so I can't see the brand right now. Don't want to mess with it till I get everything else sorted because, well, if the gremlin is asleep, don't wake it up.

[@andresbecker3276]

So I did the same on my ‘79…and the damn 17mm nut gave hell…no “normal” length wrench fits in there…well, they do but it only allows you to move very little…Then, the light bulb went on my head!…the Fiat tool box comes with a 17mm wrench! And wouldn’t you know, shorter, make in it much easier to tighten that 17mm nut :-))

[@ELDESTBuilds]

Didn't think to look there. I have a short one from a moto tool bag .

[@johnpark8582]

How do you know if the motor is top dead center?

[@ELDESTBuilds]

On the 79, there is a slot on the crank pulley that lines up with the first triangle on the timing indicator. Lower left side of the crank has three triangle points sticking out. The other way is to use a dial indicator touching the top of the piston. 78 and older the timing marks are on the cover

[@johnpark8582]

What octagon fuel do you run in your fiat??

[@ELDESTBuilds]

91-93 most of the time

[@walterorr4040]

How do I remove the engine oil pan with the engine still in the car? TIA.

[@ELDESTBuilds]

Probably not gonna happen. I've heard take the motor mounts loose, lift the engine till it touches the body and it will slide out.

[@walterorr4040]

@@ELDESTBuilds Thanks for the reply and encouragement😥 The manual says it can be done, I'm going to give it a shot and let you know what happens, wish me luck.

[@walterorr4040]

@@ELDESTBuilds it makes sense if it gives enough clearance, I'll let you know if it works. Maybe I should do a youtube video huh.

[@ELDESTBuilds]

Always good to have another how to