Technical Spare wheel ?

[chance]

OK so I have just bought a 1973 RHD Fiat 500 as a project, is it supposed to have a spare wheel ? and if so where would it be kept, I promise not to ask too many silly questions once I find my way around the car.

 

[jjacob]

Spare is stored in the front luggage compartment, vertically, just like a Volkswagen Beetle. There is a rubber strap that holds it down.
You need to get yourself a repair manual, parts manual, and owners manual.
John

 

[chance]

OK so I obviously don't have one, given the small wheel / tyre probably just need ( as well as the handbooks) a can of the gas with the green slime to inject if I get a puncture.

 

[dunnah01]

Most 500's will have an inner tubes so a can of tyre weld won't be any good unfortunately - A full size spare is the only solution.

You could always fit a space saver wheel -

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[vascrats]

May I suggest one of these? Would be easier to slip under the bum tire in a pinch ; ) Not rated at speeds over 2mph though!

 

[vascrats]

On a serious note....

That tire looks a bit big..but that's the general idea...minus the strap.

 

[Bambino]

Here is mine with the strap. The old, bald tyre has now been replaced.

Also attached is a pdf of the Workshop Manual.

Chris

 

[Toshi 975]

I keep a motorcycle puncture repiar kit in the car just in case

 

[vascrats]

Thanks for the Workshop Manual PDF Chris! ... of course I just got my paperback copy of the Haynes manual with pictures you can actually use .

 

[chance]

OK so I need a spare wheel, Any good sources of a cheap spare wheel ? do the wheels and tyres of any other Fiat or other cars fit the 500 Classic ? someone must be scrapping a 500 somewhere! I think a couple of sites advertise new wheels.

 

[the hobbler]

Morning Chance;
The early Fiat 126s (600cc) used the same wheel-bolt pattern (190pcd) as the 500s, so that gives you a wider choice of donor vehicles for your spare. Be careful and give any 2nd hand wheels a good inspection--it might be better to buy new, and there are plenty of UK suppliers who can supply you with a new wheel; remember the spare needs to be in as good a condition as your normal wheels, it may have to end up doing the same job

 

[chance]

OK the advise is the the emergency puncture repair gas cans with the slime sealer only work on tubeless tyres, my tyres are marked tubeless does that mean normally they don't have tubes and my can of aerosol repairer will work ? it will save the weight and space and cost of a spare wheel.

 

[the hobbler]

Hi Chance;
I would suggest that you take a visit (with your car) to your local tyre shop and get the tyres checked---if I remember correctly, the wheels for 500s and (early) 126s were not designed to have tubeless tyres fitted. It may be that as tubed tyres have become difficult to obtain, tubeless were fitted and the tubes retained. Inspection of the valves will tell whether tubes are fitted or not. It is not reccomended that tubes are fitted into tubed tyres.:bang:

 

[dunnah01]

AFAIK Tubeless tyres must be fitted on 'special' wheels with a bead safety retention lip, although all cars since the mid 70's have had this type of wheel. If a tubeless tyre is fitted to a std 500 rim which doesn't have the safety lip it could become completely detached if punctured which is a safety issue so be careful. Also in extremes that a 500 is unlikely to get anywhere near the temperature of the inner tube if fitted to a tubeless tyre could become excessive.
I'd suggest getting them looked at a.s.a.p. to see what combination of tyre/rim you have

 

[chance]

Ok thank you gentlemen I will get my wheels and tyres checked.