Hi Andrew here....
I have joined this morning because i'm about to undertake another of my crazy mini adventures.
I have owned many classics but the 500 has been an itch I've now decided needs scratching.
True to form haven't chosen an easy path into 500 ownership - oh no.
I'm due to fly out one way with my wife (leaving 6 children behind with the granparents) to collect a 1970 500L from mid Italy and drive it back to Canterbury UK.
Vendor is preparing car - but i bet its gonna be a bumpy ride.........(read slow bumpy ride)
I would love constructive advice in regards getting my beauty home - essential spares (hand tools that can fit in a rucksack) and some knowledge of essential checks like oil level checking and filling...and any advice that would be helpful.
Upon my return to the UK we will be active members and turning out to meets etc and i will no doubt dismantle my 500 and use your knowledge on making it fit for purpose.

Best Regards

Andrew

Good luck Andrew!
I've done that journey in a new 500 and that was bad enough. If you think it might take you 4 days, reckon on it actually taking 6.
Spare parts I can think of off the top of my head are:
Spark plugs
Points
Condensors (take a few)
Oil
Inner tube
Generator belt
Fuses
Spark plug socket
13mm spanner
10mm spanner
Wire brush
Feeler gauges
Screwdriver
Pliers

I'm sure other members will have an input

Damian

Read this Andrew. Good luck. https://www.fiatforum.com/showthread.php?t=355169
The only thing that ever completely stopped me was worn rubber on the drive coupling.
I would take gaffer tape, bits of electrical wire and some twisty tie wire. Also make sure you have a spare can of fuel once you set off and check the car has a jack, wheelbrace and and functional spare wheel.

Another top tip that someone came up with some electrical choc block. The plastic stuff that comes in a long strip that you can cut down for the number of terminals you need. It has the little metal screw terminal inside that you use to join wires together.

As the 500 is so reliant on cables for everything you can use the choc block as a temporary fix to join the ends of the cable together if you ever suffer a broken cable.

Tony

Right - service kit from Middle Barton ordered - will i really need more than 1 condensor - are they a known weakness?
in reference to oil levels....check when leaving each day.....is there any realistic need to stop and check during each day.....is there potentially a large oil consumption on theses engines?
I take it checking oil level is easy on these???
I had an aircooled 911 and checking the level was a nightmare.

What range does a tank of fuel get you in these micro-beauties?

AndrewHarvey said:

Right - service kit from Middle Barton ordered - will i really need more than 1 condensor - are they a known weakness?
in reference to oil levels....check when leaving each day.....is there any realistic need to stop and check during each day.....is there potentially a large oil consumption on theses engines?
I take it checking oil level is easy on these???
I had an aircooled 911 and checking the level was a nightmare.

What range does a tank of fuel get you in these micro-beauties?

Click to expand...

Condensors are a weakness but you can pay a bit more for one that is meant to be premium so should last longer.

Oil consumption can be high on a tired engine as they run really hot. Before you set off I would check that the thermostat flap on the engine casing is opening correctly once the engine is warmed up. It is located on the righthandside of the engine when looking from the back of the car. On the engine tinwork below the distributor there is a little flap that starts to open as the engine warms up. You can read about it on the recent thread entitled "Heater".

Really easy to check the oil level, dip stick on the right hand side just in front of the distributor. Considering the miles you are doing I would check it at most stops just to be safe.

You should get 200+ miles from the 4.6 gallon tank.

Tony

Now getting master plan in place...
Parts ordered - flight booked - hotel for first night booked.....arranging European breakdown and insurance - any experiences or recommendations?
I take it that insurers can offer breakdown cover also?

Update for mission.....
I have rebuilt the spare carb that i removed from the spare engine that arrived last week....and bought an racing upgraded condensor to eliminate the issue that you have made me aware of.
Considering taking spare carb, new condensor, feeler guages, points, cap and rotor, fan belt, fuel line and inline filter (thinking its been stored and may have crap in tank.....) plugs fuses and HT lead.

What do you reckon for a 1100 mile drive...

Currently trying to find breakdown cover from a UK provider for a car registered in Italy.....any ideas please??

Ok - update for trip...insurance and breakdown cover sorted.....under £200 for both......ferry booked - car paid for
- OH MY GOD - am I really buying a car I've never seen and driving it 1100 miles home in darkest winter?
Oh and the car is 44 years old?

The adventure is now on.

Let us know how you get on Andrew. Lots of photos please

Damian

You're a good kind of mad Andrew.

Evening Andrew;
First of all, all the best with your collection trip---I think that you are barmy, but to quote Kenny Everitt--' in the best possible way' Whose condenser have you bought?--I did a posting regarding the new high performance condenser being sold be 'Swiftune' (about 9/12/14--condenser problem)--is that the 1 that you have bought? Hope all goes well for tou--keep us all informed please.

Yes I bought the Swiftune condensor - a part from the spare re-built carb I'm taking, i'm picking up the rest of the spares locally in Pescara Italy.
There is a 500 specialist close to the hotel I'm starting from - i will collect service parts from there......Stop those Ryanair types getting shirty with a bag full of engine parts....
I wonder if the Italian 500 specialist will have loads of lovely shiny and un-necessary parts to catch my eye....

Don't look at 11mins 30secs on this attempt

Hey....just watched that entire episode..........can't wait......we may make it home under our own steam.....or not.
Thats the adventure.
Organising transport on a lorry isn't part of my dream......gotta give it a go.
I have plan A, B & C
It will be in my workshop in four weeks....

Looking forward to this soap opera. Could be better than Shortland Street, Neighbours, Corrie...

Life is for living....not watch it drift past eh?
I'm certain there are more sensible methods in bringing it home but fancy the adventure......may end up coming home on a trailer but just imagine that we make it under our own power.....something to remember.
Its bound to be eventful - my life has always been so......Its they way I'm wired up...
Now eyeing up what engine to build.....simple 650 or an exotic 595SS.....mmm

You won't need a trailer Andrew. It sounds great fun. Just a shame it's winter-time. Still, that gives time to sort out the UK legalities in time for summer.

just a tip Andrew---having looked at the picture and the wires attached to the Swiftune condenser, when you get to Italy, and before you set off on your trip, check how you will fit and wire-up the condenser in-case you need any wiring adaptor to be made up--and get it made up!

Many thanks for that advise.
I've bought a standard condensor and the swiftune version and will be modding Swiftune version to suit.....
Now I've found a lovely D'ellorto FZD 32/26 in Italy complete with inlet and trumpet that maybe coming home with me in the boot......any opinions on this carb?