Technical All nostalgic - Arrival of my 1996 Uno Start

[core]

Took possession of my Fiat Uno Start 1.0 i.e today, I am super excited and feeling very nostalgic. You see, this is my 5th Uno. I have had a long relationship with this model over the years having covered many km's as a field engineer in South Africa. Since moving to the UK however I haven't seen many. An opportunity came up for me to nab another and I just couldn't refuse.

Here she is:












Inside and out she is in great condition especially when considering she's 22 years old. She does have a problem though. I've been told she needs a new clutch. Having looked under the hood a few bits are missing and the gearbox is loose.

 

[puntofan01]

Took possession of my Fiat Uno Start 1.0 i.e today, I am super excited and feeling very nostalgic. You see, this is my 5th Uno. I have had a long relationship with this model over the years having covered many km's as a field engineer in South Africa. Since moving to the UK however I haven't seen many. An opportunity came up for me to nab another and I just couldn't refuse.

Here she is:
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Inside and out she is in great condition especially when considering she's 22 years old. She does have a problem though. I've been told she needs a new clutch. Having looked under the hood a few bits are missing and the gearbox is loose.

Liking it!

 

[core]

Now I have some mechanical knowledge so I got stuck right in. I've been pulling her apart all day . It was always my intention to give her a good overhaul anyway.

Oil is filthy it'll need a change

Going to have to clean this up




Engine is flithy and there is a drive shaft boot split haemorrhaging oil everywhere. eeew.

What the hell is this orange ball? haha

 

[core]

Everything is out, time to clean the engine bay and assess the engine and gearbox.


So much for there only being a problem with the clutch. The gearbox housing has a freaking hole in it with bits of bearings and metal bits all over the place

 

[core]

Gutted....Decided to take a break. Will carry on tomorrow.

She's eyeballing me...

 

[puntofan01]

Best of luck with your repairs! When it's fixed, are you going to modify it, or leave it standard?

 

[core]

Best of luck with your repairs! When it's fixed, are you going to modify it, or leave it standard?

Hi mate, thanks for the interest.

This is a question I have been asking myself. I suppose it will depend on how easily I can source a replacement gearbox. I have already started looking into using the 1.2 Punto engine and gearbox as from what I can see they should fit right in with existing engine mountings etc. Uno spares are difficult to source in the UK and are expensive.

I am in two minds about modifying her as well. Having had 5 Uno's now, all 1.0 L engines, I have always been envious of the Uno Turbo owners. This would be the perfect opportunity to get in to something meaty. Although saying that, I always enjoyed the fuel economy of the 1.0L engines even though the performance was lacking.

I have perused the forums with regards to what engines I would be able to fit in easily enough and there seems to be a wide variety.

I would prefer something that would fit right in with as little modifications as possible at this stage.

Any ideas? I would also prefer a 16v engine.

 

[core]

Anyone have a C514 gearbox to sell or know where I can get one?

 

[puntofan01]

Hi mate, thanks for the interest.

This is a question I have been asking myself. I suppose it will depend on how easily I can source a replacement gearbox. I have already started looking into using the 1.2 Punto engine and gearbox as from what I can see they should fit right in with existing engine mountings etc. Uno spares are difficult to source in the UK and are expensive.

I am in two minds about modifying her as well. Having had 5 Uno's now, all 1.0 L engines, I have always been envious of the Uno Turbo owners. This would be the perfect opportunity to get in to something meaty. Although saying that, I always enjoyed the fuel economy of the 1.0L engines even though the performance was lacking.

I have perused the forums with regards to what engines I would be able to fit in easily enough and there seems to be a wide variety.

I would prefer something that would fit right in with as little modifications as possible at this stage.

Any ideas? I would also prefer a 16v engine.

Personally, I'd leave it standard, and stockpile spares. I'd consider that Uno to be a classic, so I'd just restore it, and leave it the way it's meant to be.

 

[core]

Personally, I'd leave it standard, and stockpile spares. I'd consider that Uno to be a classic, so I'd just restore it, and leave it the way it's meant to be.

I'm inclined to agree with you. Now if only I can find a gearbox:bang:

 

[puntofan01]

I'm inclined to agree with you. Now if only I can find a gearbox:bang:

Someone who doesn't think I'm weird, lol! I'm an absolute sucker for originality. Have you tried scrapyards for a gearbox?

 

[core]

Someone who doesn't think I'm weird, lol! I'm an absolute sucker for originality. Have you tried scrapyards for a gearbox?

I only started looking yesterday but I have registered my interest on junkyard search engines etc. Been looking through eBay as well. Hopefully something will pop up.

 

[puntofan01]

I only started looking yesterday but I have registered my interest on junkyard search engines etc. Been looking through eBay as well. Hopefully something will pop up.

Fingers crossed for you.

 

[core]

So after a month and a half finally an update.
To say getting to this point was difficult is a major understatement :bang:

I finally managed to source a replacement C514 box taken out of a Cinquecento from a seller on eBay. Seems this gearbox is fairly popular when you know what you are looking for The boxes were identical all I needed to do was swap the gear selector mechanism across as there were minor differences.

]

Sourcing a clutch kit proved to be problematic as well since for some unknown reason my flywheel required a 180mm clutch and not a 170mm as is standard with Uno's apparently? I provided my registration to three different suppliers and all of them came back with the same incorrect 170mm clutch kit. As you can see from the pic below, it ain't gonna fit Even the thrust bearing was completely wrong.




Finally got the correct one (had to order a Punto clutch kit) and everything fit perfectly :slayer:



Mated the engine and gearbox together and put it back into the engine bay. Attached starter and alternator and connected up some wiring.



Got in the car and went through the gears....gear lever getting stuck....

Something was obviously wrong...stay tuned

 

[core]

Really struggled with the gear selector problem. I removed the mechanism double checked everything even tried changing the gear selector lever and links but nothing helped. Got frustrated and left it for a day.

Came back the next day took the selector mechanism off again and found the problem :idea:



I had a bent selector pin.

Stole the selector pin from the donor box and success! gears started to change properly.

 

[core]

The project started progressing fairly quickly from this point on. Manifold is on with throttle body, new battery in and install radiator.

 

[core]

Then finally time to turn the key and.....nothing lol...just the starter spinning.

Was going to strip it off but decided to tap the start gently with a rubber mallet. Surprisingly that did the job and she started to crank. Started but barely, timing is out :bang:

Took belt off and aligned everything properly this time and....

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B7GolDmv271YVHkyWC1qMGxuczA/view?usp=sharing

Still need to get a strobe light and make adjustments. I also need to install the alternator which in this video I hadn't done yet. Engine has quietened down since this video as the engine oil has had a chance to circulate.

I was so relieved when I turned the key and she started...:slayer:

 

[a73uk]

Congratulations! You`ve certainly worked for this moment!

 

[puntofan01]

Good times! It'll be on the road soon then?

 

[core]

Good times! It'll be on the road soon then?

Yes hopefully she'll be road ready by the end of this week. Just waiting on a few bits to complete the job.

Then I'd like to start on discs, brakes, suspension, exhaust etc as they're old and rusty. Some minor exterior nicks and scratches need tending to as well still.

One issue I have only just noticed is that the heater doesn't work. Not sure why yet though, haven't investigated.

Overall very pleased I've managed to get this far. Thanks for the interest.