500 (Classic) Dexter the 1962 Fiat 500D

[Franko500]

Hit a slight problem.
When I connect the gear linkage up the gearstick will not go forward as it hits the front tunnel section.
It would appear the gearbox is now about 15-20 mm closer to the middle of the car and the linkage bar is being pushed too far forward.
I didn’t have this issue when I fitted a 126 engine and box in the L.
I cant move the engine back or forward so there must be a difference in length between the F/L flywheel housing and a 126 housing?
The only thing I can think of is to shorten the flexi joint between the box and linkage.
Anyone else come across this issue?

 

[Franko500]

All sorted.
I had an old flexi joint so I shortened it and drilled a new hole.
Gearstick now sits in the middle when in neutral and engages all gears.[emoji3]

 

[Bigvtwin996]

View attachment 209684View attachment 209685View attachment 209686View attachment 209687

All sorted.
I had an old flexi joint so I shortened it and drilled a new hole.
Gearstick now sits in the middle when in neutral and engages all gears.[emoji3]

I am so glad we were all able to assist with the issue...

Feel free to pop back with the next problem I'm sure we will have a solution

 

[Franko500]

New D Carello headlamps with side lights. They are identical to original ones.
Sadly the small bulb holders don’t fit, they are slightly too long and prevent the lamps from sitting in their frames.
A little fettling and they sit further in.
Aluminium rims were quite dull. I have buffed the left one up although it looks darker in the photo it’s a lot shinier than the other one.
Just need to get some bulbs and then try and fit those stupid clips.
Steering wheel back from the paint shop looking like new.
More to come over the next week or so as I had a big delivery of parts

 

[Bigvtwin996]

re reading your thread... and the other issues encountered by Andy (Spike ) and Chase (ChiapC) I think we really need to compile a list of differences between Early and Late cars that can cause significant issues..

I know a few, and tongue in cheek always say that N's are different....
but not only the differences but also possible solutions....
N parts are hard to find and the price of NOS parts is gong up and availability reducing and not too many are being remade....

I have recently spoken with Sean about the swapping of parts between N/D Gearboxes and later gearboxes....

I know not many people have early cars, but if people have gone through something then better to compile everything in a single document....

Are there work arrounds..
From my lotus days... steel cranks were very expensive, but n Australia a guy worked out how to regrind a Datsun Crank to fit a Ford Block, may sound extreme but it was much cheaper....

So would it be possible to fit a later crank to an N/D block and make other changes to get around the cam pulley issue?

I will time permitting try to pull some of the threads together and copy the information in to a word/pdf document... or it may be worth creating a Sticky

So if anyone can remember some issue point me in the right direction....

Or if anyone is really bored.. I could let them have spare N and D engines and Gearbox and they can compare them to a Later F/L/126

 

[Franko500]

Great day today
Dexter is back on his wheels after a very long time

 

[Vitesse]

View attachment 211769View attachment 211770View attachment 211771

Great day today
Dexter is back on his wheels after a very long time

Crikey you crept quietly along there Sean. Looking good!

 

[Bigvtwin996]

View attachment 211769View attachment 211770View attachment 211771

Great day today
Dexter is back on his wheels after a very long time

mmmmm those are nice Bianchina wheels
but it does of course as we all expect look very nice
don't worry the centers will be covered by hub caps

 

[Franko500]

mmmmm those are nice Bianchina wheels
but it does of course as we all expect look very nice
don't worry the centers will be covered by hub caps

interesting subject that.
What should be on a 1964 D?


I have found quite a few D's with my wheels on. Including the original photos of my car when it was in Italy.
Saying that I have also found images of the other type.
I also found autobianchi with both my wheels and the ones you suggest are D's.


So what is right and what is wrong?

Were there different types depending on where they were made?
Personally I think my ones look better than the other type.

 

[Bigvtwin996]

interesting subject that.
What should be on a 1964 ...........................

I asked the question a long time ago when i found a "domed" wheel as a spare, was told the domed wheels were Bianchna as they were not really made by Fiat but Autobianchi and designed to be "more upmarket" so different..

the Normal Early wheel there are still two types (or more) the difference being the curvature of the outer rim... that may be due to a change in manufacturer, the very lip of the rims more "turned over" on some wheels...
I can find no reference to any change over...
My replacement D Parts book only contains one wheel type which is a representation of the "Normal" early wheel.

 

[Franko500]

Front and rear lights and bumpers all fitted.
Just found out the D rear view mirror has a different light bulb so need to find another replacement.
Can anyone tell me if there is a part missing where the wires come in at the back?
It appears that there should be some kind of plug that the wires fit in and then fits the contacts.
For now I can bend the contacts to fit the wires.

 

[Spike64]

re reading your thread... and the other issues encountered by Andy (Spike ) and Chase (ChiapC) I think we really need to compile a list of differences between Early and Late cars that can cause significant issues..

I know a few, and tongue in cheek always say that N's are different....
but not only the differences but also possible solutions....
N parts are hard to find and the price of NOS parts is gong up and availability reducing and not too many are being remade....

I have recently spoken with Sean about the swapping of parts between N/D Gearboxes and later gearboxes....

I know not many people have early cars, but if people have gone through something then better to compile everything in a single document....

Are there work arrounds..
From my lotus days... steel cranks were very expensive, but n Australia a guy worked out how to regrind a Datsun Crank to fit a Ford Block, may sound extreme but it was much cheaper....

So would it be possible to fit a later crank to an N/D block and make other changes to get around the cam pulley issue?

I will time permitting try to pull some of the threads together and copy the information in to a word/pdf document... or it may be worth creating a Sticky

So if anyone can remember some issue point me in the right direction....

Or if anyone is really bored.. I could let them have spare N and D engines and Gearbox and they can compare them to a Later F/L/126

Unless you have an N I don’t think anybody really appreciates how tough it is restoring one.
I know I bought a rusty wreck but it did have most of the correct parts and it’s still been a nightmare but hopefully I’m on the homeward straight now. I must say Sean’s Thread has been a great help and yourself . But unless we can see one straight off the production line I don’t really think we will know what is correct .

 

[Bigvtwin996]

Unless you have an N I don’t think anybody really appreciates how tough it is restoring one.
I know I bought a rusty wreck but it did have most of the correct parts and it’s still been a nightmare but hopefully I’m on the homeward straight now. I must say Sean’s Thread has been a great help and yourself . But unless we can see one straight off the production line I don’t really think we will know what is correct .

If it were not for personal circumstances I am sure I'd be there with Sean Andy and Chase amusing everyone else with our problems of early cars...
There are people who really know these early cars, Andrea at Passione 500 and a few others also in Italy.... the problem is too many people have taken advantage and profited from their knowledge and good nature so are now a little reluctant to help.... so would always urge anyone who buys an early car not to seek out the cheapest suppler of the easy parts...


There used to be a Lotus Specialist called Mick miller (he unfortunately passed away some years ago) one of his favourite stories was when someone one would call him and ask about some ultra rare part.. they had searched high and low for and it was all they needed to complete their restoration.... He would answer "yeahh I have a few of them... where did you get everything else for your restoration?" They would answer that they purchased them from one of the Usual (Cheapest suppliers)...
Mick would reply "well go and FFFFFFFF ask them to sell you one, don't come to me for the stuff you can't get"..

 

[Franko500]

Original number plate lamp and badge polished and fitted.
Not too much difference from when I bought it apart from a lot shinier

 

[Spike64]

Looks great won’t it scratch the paint without the gasket and what clips hold the badge on ?

 

[Franko500]

I believe they didn’t originally have the rubber gasket.
It fits really well and has a fair amount of surface area to spread the load.
The badge is held on by 2 spier clips I think they are called.
One of my lugs broke off the badge but after 3 attempts I manage to glue it back on.
I’m not sure how they originally fastened the brass lugs to the allow badge. Some kind of fusion

 

[Bigvtwin996]

I believe they didn’t originally have the rubber gasket.
It fits really well and has a fair amount of surface area to spread the load.
The badge is held on by 2 spier clips I think they are called.
One of my lugs broke off the badge but after 3 attempts I manage to glue it back on.
I’m not sure how they originally fastened the brass lugs to the allow badge. Some kind of fusion

Gasket or not to Gasket that is the question...
I guess if the car is not a daily driver you would get away without gaskets, like originals....
but it would be such a shame to damage the pant through vibrations or expansion/contraction etc ...
Whilst Number Plate light gaskets are easy to buy, the N/D door handle gaskets are virtually unobtainable

 

[Spike64]

Gasket or not to Gasket that is the question...
I guess if the car is not a daily driver you would get away without gaskets, like originals....
but it would be such a shame to damage the pant through vibrations or expansion/contraction etc ...
Whilst Number Plate light gaskets are easy to buy, the N/D door handle gaskets are virtually unobtainable

I’ve got door handle gaskets

 

[Franko500]

I have been playing with the doors today. I had to modify the passenger window regulator as it was twisted which I didn’t notice before.
Door rubbers have been glued on. They were supposed to have 5 clips along the top frame but the clips are not deep enough.
Door catches all fitted and also the check straps.
They were originally held on by self tappers but I have fitted 5mm inserts and used screws for a bit more strength.
Once the glue has gone I can finish lining up the doors.

 

[Spike64]

Looking really good mate .I see your check straps don’t have the metal plates each end that grip the strap to the car more evenly .