Hi everyone just wanted to introduce myself, my name is Daniel I'm from Adelaide, South Australia, and I'm getting my fathers fiat 500f 1968 back on the road shortly. It's been sitting for five years under covers in a warehouse and although it has had a restoration about 10 years ago it's developed a rust spot at the bottom of the drivers side front wing near the door seal side. My aim at the moment is to get it running and the body up to scratch then a possible 650 plus synchro gearbox change over. So once I'm up and going I'll be asking for a lot advice on sourcing parts and hope to get to know you guys well. In the mean time does anyone have any advice on what I should be doing to the motor before I start it? Thanks Daniel

Hi Daniel

Welcome to the forum. I'm no expert, but if it was me starting an engine that had been sitting there a long time, I would change out oil and clean the filter; remove spark plugs and clean/replace; check over distributor clean & service; clean and service the carburettor; drain tank and refill with fresh petrol; fit a new battery and check connections especially earth. I'd the crank it over on the starter a couple of times with the fuel pump outlet pipe off, HT leads off and the oil pressure switch out. This will flush any old fuel out of the pump, and circulate your new oil through some of the lower passage ways.

I'd then put everything back on, ignition on and crank away.

As above, this is advice based on personal experience only. Hopefully some of the people on here with more experience will post too.

cheers, Steve

Welcome to the Forum---there are a surprising number of Aussies on the forum., so you may find 1 not too far from you. I agree completely with Steve's advice, but with 1 or 2 provisos. Don't crank the engine over until you have the fresh oil in (a good 20/50)--leave the spark-plugs out when you do eventually crank it over, until the oil pressure light goes out (ignition on, but with the king lead disconnected)--take the top of the carb off and mop out the old fuel; do the same with the fuel pump (small filter in top of pump)put some fresh fuel into the carb before you refit the top, this will give the engine something to start on otherwise it can be a fairly long crank--remove the centrifugal oil-filter front and clean out all the old solidified muck (it can be quite 'rubbery', but this is as it works)--when you drain the tank (which can be done by removing the fuel feed-pipe to the pump) put in about a gallon on fresh fuel when the tank gets close to empty so that ALL the old fuel is flushed out.
Finally, put everything back together, start the car and go and have some fun

Thanks for the advice guys! Silly question but how many litres of oil do these 500 engines hold?

Has anyone install either of the 50 hp or 62 hp Abarth motors with the 5 speed synchro gearboxes available from mr fiat? If so what kind of top speeds do these combos achieve?

If it has the standard black sump, IIRC its 2.5 litres. If it has a cast aluminium sump it will be more, so best to put in about 2.5, check oil level and then fill to when you are close to the full mark.

cheers, Steve

the hobbler said:

I agree completely with Steve's advice, but with 1 or 2 provisos. Don't crank the engine over until you have the fresh oil in (a good 20/50)

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I did say change out oil as my first point.

You did indeed Steve, no argument---I was just suggesting that he changes the oil before he does any engine cranking. Apologies if it sounded that I was belittling your advice--I wasn't, I was in total agreement.

Hate to disagree with you guys but if the car was in my yard, fresh fuel yes but if the oil is up to level I would run the engine gently up to temperature then drain the oil and clean out the centrifugal oil filter before adding the fresh oil.

the hobbler said:

You did indeed Steve, no argument---I was just suggesting that he changes the oil before he does any engine cranking. Apologies if it sounded that I was belittling your advice--I wasn't, I was in total agreement.

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No problem, I didn't have an issue, just pointing out. I added the winks to imply there was nothing meant, but sorry this didn't come across clearly.

cheers, Steve

Toshi 975 said:

Hate to disagree with you guys but if the car was in my yard, fresh fuel yes but if the oil is up to level I would run the engine gently up to temperature then drain the oil and clean out the centrifugal oil filter before adding the fresh oil.

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Yes, but we have all the time in the world to fart arse around!

Ok guys I get the idea some good advice here! I'm wondering about these 700cc Abarth motors and if I'm better off building one myself cost wise? Remember I'm in Australia so the euro and pound exchange hurt! Also what are my best avenues with the 5 speed box? Find an old 126 one and just get the 5 speed upgrade? Cheers

Morning Daniel;
With regard to a bigger engine in your 500, I personally would go for doing it yourself. The '126' was sold as the 'Nicki' in Australia and has a 652cc engine to start with. The crankcase on this engine can be machined to allow for bigger barrels (79.5mm bore will give you 695cc). If you can find a 'scrapper' Nicki, buy the whole car as the engine, gear-box (which have to go together as the 500 and Nicki bellhouses are different)and brakes (which will give you 98pcd wheel bolt spacing) will all fit the 500. Troll through the Forum and you will see a lot of your questions answered in 1 way or another. For high performance rods and pistons for the 695 conversion, look at 'Pure Performance Motorsport'. They are an Australian company who specialise in rods and pistons, including the parts needed to convert your engine to a 695--they even supply them to the Italian racing scene!
With regard to a 5 speed gearbox conversion, look at '5 Speed' on the forum (11/6/2015)--it will answer most of your questions. it would seem that some of the kits come with instructions (in Italian) and some don't! Again, my advice would be to contact some of the other restorers in Australia---the members of this forum seem to be some of the most helpful in the whole forum system. Whichever way you go, all the best, just keep us all 'in the loop'

There is a lot of information that I have recently researched in order to build exactly what power train you describe. My tread is canterbury 695

I wrote you a full explanation on the "quick reply" tab and its disappeared.......I only have tablet access as I'm holidaying until the weekend.
Next week I can write my full response

Thanks guys! I've spoken with a scrapper guy interstate today who has 7 Niki's/126's and he wanted $1300 aud for the engine and $1200 aud for the gearbox both have about 80,000kms on them. I can get my hands on a running later model complete Niki for $2000 aud. Any of the Aussie guys got an idea what I should be paying for a parts car or just the parts on there own?

Daniel, I personally would go for the latest complete runner that you can lay your hands on--(a) you get a set of hubs that will take 98pcd wheels, (b) the brakes, even though they are still drum, are better, (c) the front uprights (with the king-pins) have 2 grease nipples which gives better lubrication, and (d) there is a chance that it will come with the electronic ignition. A 500 crank-case can't be machined to take more than 77mm barrels (652cc)--any more and you loose the sealing 'lip', whereas the Nicki engine crank-case still has plenty of seal 'lip' when bored out to tale 79.5mm (695cc) barrels. The crankshaft and all the bits will be younger and are therefore probably stronger. You will however, still need to fit 25mm 500 half-shafts to the gearbox (the Nicki shafts are too long). I personally reckon that 695/700cc is as big as you need to go engine-size wise--any bigger and they start to get 'delicate'--sensibly driven, a 695 is a strong, almost unburstable engine. All the best whichever way you go.

Daniel;
The company that can supply rods and 79.5mm pistons for a '695' engine are:- Pure Performance Motorsport--a pair of 79.5mm pistons is 500AUS.D, and a pair of rods (a variety of lengths) are also 500 AUS.D. They are in Dandedong South, Victoria.

Hi guys went to see my fiat last night and took a photo of my vin. So far I have determined that it's a 500f but a 1970 model not a 1968 as I first thought. Does anyone know how to decipher the rest of the numbers on the plate?

Hi guys got the 500 started today! (After a three year slumber) A big thanks to stevenhg, the hobbler, and Toshi 975 for your advise. The old girl started fist time without any smoke and run like a Swiss watch! Now for a little body work tidy up! I'll post some pic's soon as I can workout how! Thanks again