General I need a mechanic for 1967 Fiat 500 near Albany NY

[67 Fiat Berlina]

I need a mechanic for 1967 Fiat 500 Autobianchi Bianchini Berlina. I need to fine tune the timing and carb. I had to set the timing to 23 degrees BTDC to run the best. It bogs down when it gets to a high idle so I have to shift quicker. More important it is overheating when climbing a hill and exhaust coming in when heat is used. It also makes a loud bass type sound when pushing it and I wonder if that is normal. Any help would be appreciated and an experienced mechanic near Albany NY

 

[bugsymike]

Many older aircooled cars used an exhaust heat exchanger to warm the inside of the car, however as they age they can allow exhaust inside the car which is obviously a killer. Coupled with the sound you mention I would disconnect the heater from the occupants until resolved.
VW Beetles, Citroen 2CVs, GS 1220 Clubs etc. all suffered. I believe in the past there were some strange car crashes where drivers fell asleep related to this so be aware!!!
Hopefully you can find a good local mechanic.

 

[Shmohawk]

I need a mechanic for 1967 Fiat 500 Autobianchi Bianchini Berlina. I need to fine tune the timing and carb. I had to set the timing to 23 degrees BTDC to run the best. It bogs down when it gets to a high idle so I have to shift quicker. More important it is overheating when climbing a hill and exhaust coming in when heat is used. It also makes a loud bass type sound when pushing it and I wonder if that is normal. Any help would be appreciated and an experienced mechanic near Albany NY

Hi, did you end up finding a good mechanic? I just bought a 1981 Spider and want to change the timing belt, which seems fairly simple but it’s an automatic transmission

 

[the hobbler]

Hi, did you end up finding a good mechanic? I just bought a 1981 Spider and want to change the timing belt, which seems fairly simple but it’s an automatic transmission

It is amazing what one can find when spending just a few minutes "finger-walking" on one's lap-top.The best mechanic you could find, possibly by word of mouth, is an old Italian who has his own little workshop---they do exist, even in America. I found 3 "classic" garages in the NY area---"Cooper Classic Cars" (+1-212-929-3909)---"Motocar Classics" (+1-631-779-6200) and "Great Lakes" who are in Hilton (+1-800-510-3797). There are also a number of garages who specialise in classic MG and other British cars in the NY area. Even if none of them can actually help you themselves, there is a fair chance that they will know "somebody who can".
With regard to the 1981 (124?) Spyder,I can'tseewhat difference the transmission willmake to changing the timing-belt. That twin-cam engine was the first to use a belt to drive the cam, as against the norm up to that time when a chain was always used. As a result, take the cam-cover off the front of the engine and everything is exposed.
With regard to the 500 Autobianchi---at what speed was the 23 deg BTDC? At idle (about 900rpm) the timing should be 10 deg BTDC. Your car will most probably have a dynamo on it, so 900rpm is when the ignition light starts to flicker OFF. If you still have 'points'ignition' it is very easy to set the timing statically with a 12 volt test-lamp