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Seicento Finally got my Seicento Sporting.

Introduction

I owned a Seicento SX 0.9 for just over a year and loved it, but was bored with the lack of performance. Scoured the web for ages for a nice standard Sei bargain and then yesterday I found this little beauty.
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It's completely standard, owned previously by a lady who was scared of 50mph.
62K. Couple of little nicks on the body and alloys. But overall very tidy.
Needs a new clutch which is ordered and on the way. Has an oil leak, possibly head gasket, will get it checked in the next couple of days. I think the rear wiper motor has gone. But everything else is just sweet, as Fiat intended.
All I'm going to do to it is hopefully squeeze a little bit more power with some as yet unknown mods, exhaust, decat maybe. Beef the brakes up. I'm tempted to a set of Schumacher alloys from the later models but not desperate. There was an advisory for a corroded spring so a better set may come in the near future, but it feels tip top to be honest, and I don't want to lower it too far and ruin the ride. 12 months MOT, taxed til November. I'm not telling how much, but lets just say it was a freakin steal.
This is my old Seicento SX.
Got almost all the bits ready now, have to pick up the rocker cover gasket on Monday then it's just a case of waiting until my friend has a couple of days off work to make a start on it all in his garage (cos I don't have one, and I've barely any tools, and I'm pretty useless, I need him there to at least watch over me :(). I am going to look at the clutch release arm and bushes once we get the clutch off, and order if it needs it.
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Also, looking at this picture just made me realise I haven't got any coolant and flush, or core plugs.
I know I've got an unopened bottle of oil I got for my old Sei.
Please do shout out if you think I'm missing anything vital here...
 
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Really not sure about the core plugs at this stage. All these little things are adding up and the budget is getting tighter. What is the main thing to look for, clues as to whether I'll need to replace them? Can I see anything without having to take anything off?
 
To be honest, someone I can't remember mentioned to do it while everything was in bits, but I don't think there is any water leaks at all. Just an oil leak which is the rocker cover, but apart from that, it starts sweet and runs beautifully. Only thing is it's due a service and the clutch is far from ideal.
It was to be more of a precaution, but if I can get away without doing it that would be better. Same with the release arm and bushes, I don't know if I'm actually going to need to replace them, will a clutch kit not just do the job even if they are a bit worn? What's the worst that can happen?
 
Well the worse that can happen is that you have to drop the box again. As I said before, if the lever is stiff, try spray grease. If that doesn't do it or you can feel side play replace the bearings. If you can see obvious and uneven wear in the fingers, you'll need new fingers, bearings and shaft.

If there is evidence of oil contamination (rather than just dryish muck) replace the input bearing and oil seal.

But the only damaged arms I've seen are the result of accident damage.

Only the clutch kit is a routine service item.
 
I'm going to gamble it and fit what I've got, test for a few days and if it feels good, I'll leave it til something inevitably goes.
The gearbox itself feels fine, but the clutch is rubbish, so I guess I'll have to see when I get in there. You'll probably see a lot on here from me on that day!
Could even just be the clutch cable after all this! But hey ho, the way I drive I'd rather start with a fresh clutch. And brakes too.

I can see it going one of two ways...

1. We fit all the parts I've bought, need nothing else and it runs beautifully.
2. Something else is faulty and I have to wait to get hold of it for a day or two.

Fingers crossed, I want to drive into the garage in the morning and drive out of it in the evening/night and test it. With no more money spent.
 
I'm going to gamble it and fit what I've got, test for a few days and if it feels good, I'll leave it til something inevitably goes.


Fingers crossed, I want to drive into the garage in the morning and drive out of it in the evening/night and test it. With no more money spent.

We akk want that, and chances are it'll be just fine. But it's best to check stuff as you go, and not to bolt back stuff you find faulty.
 
We akk want that, and chances are it'll be just fine. But it's best to check stuff as you go, and not to bolt back stuff you find faulty.

You're absolutely right mate, the gamble is having to wait for the bits if something's wrong. So it's not a big risk really, just a time waster...
I've just been having a poke around in preparation and I noticed an air feed pipe that is just kind of hanging off the box (MAS?) just on the right of the engine that has all the tubes that go to airbox, manifold etc, and a plastic plate over the grills in the front bumper right near it. I was wondering if it would be ok to chop a hole in it to feed that pipe through for a forced induction type deal?
 
Cool. I just won't bother then! 140mph! Not a chance mate!

Saves a job, but it'd have been worth it for even a tiny difference.
This is the pipe, the other end you can't see is just hanging.
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OK Guys, so today is the day. I've had the call from my friend and his garage is free today.
List of jobs to do today (maybe)....
clutch replacement
engine flush, oil change
coolant flush and change
air, oil, fuel filter change
rocker cover gasket change
spark plugs and HT leads replace
degrease and clean engine
top up windscreen washers

That last one I'm worried about, the rest should be a doddle ;) Starting around 2pm, need to be finished same day ideally. Can it be done? Am I being optimistic?
Wish us luck please!

EDIT: Forgot front brakes too
 
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