Jeremy128
True Classic
Get serious about my 128. While it only has 51,000 original miles on it, it has some issues from age, and sitting for what looks like a couple decades.
I got home from work tonight and decided to take advantage of the fact that the family was asleep and I had some free time. So I started to remove the old front O.E. struts that I have been using with the x rear springs. I recently got the rebuildable rear X struts back from Matt and planned on getting started on replacing them. Well, in typical FIat fashion, I ran into a problem. The bolt on top of the X strut is a larger diameter than on the 128 strut. The only problem this causes is (sorry I dont know the name of the part) the round metal bell shaped peice that slides over the top of the strut. The diameter of the hole is too small to slide the x strut top bolt through it. No biggie, I will just have to drill it out to fit (I guess).
So, as I sat there thinking, and just looking around the inside of the left front wheel well, I started noticing things..... bad things. I noticed that the inner and out cv boots are split. Again, no biggie. I noticed some rust (DUH!) and some other issues that made the car look like it was in need of some help before things got worse. I noticed a small bubble in the metal beneath the battery tray (inside the wheel well and inside the wheel well). I poked on it, and went right through the metal. Disgusted, I started looking around in diffenrt places and not liking what I saw. Nothing horrible, but things that need attention. Then it dawned on me. I think it's time to start planning the restoration of the 128!
I've always said I'll get to it eventually, then we had the adoption of our son. Then I started a new job, then this, then that, then moving. Now that I am gettign pretty settled, I am very slowly gettign some down time here and there. One issue I had was space in my last garage. Now that I've moved, I have an a 3 1/2 (more or less) car garage with 10 foot ceilings.
So, who here has restored a 128? Where should I start? I knwo I need a plan before doing anything. SO what should the plan be? I will need to start by building ALOT of shelves to store the parts while disassembled. THat's not a problem.
Here's kinda what I have in mind. Strip it down inside and out. Yank motor and tranny. Take it down to just the body. THen take that down to metal. This way, I will see where ALL of the rust is. Then, where the rust is only surface rust, clean it up, treat accordingly. Where the rust is worse, cut out and replace. Once this is done, address ALL body issues. Fix small dents and such. Opinion and question time. Should I install the front and rear fender flares on a 4 door? Also, will the flares from a 2 door work on a four door. Afterall, the 4 door is 3 inches longer than the 2 door. Anyone have experience with this issue?
My overall goal of my car has always been to take it back to its "roots" of rally/road racing. So when it's finished, I will be a very fun, spirited daily driver. You know, fun and fast, but tame enough to commute in.
I think it would look cool with a unique but not obnoxious color (maybe a lighter blue color like that of the 2010 ford mustang, or the cool mini color, something along the lines of smurf blue, but with a bit of gray in it). Sport seats with shoulder and lap belts in front and rear. tweeked engine with free flow 4-2-1 exhaust. Over the last year or so, I have assembled some parts for this restoration liek a 1500 motor, and the exaust parts.
This will not be a balls to the wall resto. I have competing interest with both time and $. By the time it is all said and done, I think it will end up taking a couple yers realistically.
So, anyone have resto ideas for a yellow 79 128 4 door with a mostly bone stock 1300 4 spd?
I got home from work tonight and decided to take advantage of the fact that the family was asleep and I had some free time. So I started to remove the old front O.E. struts that I have been using with the x rear springs. I recently got the rebuildable rear X struts back from Matt and planned on getting started on replacing them. Well, in typical FIat fashion, I ran into a problem. The bolt on top of the X strut is a larger diameter than on the 128 strut. The only problem this causes is (sorry I dont know the name of the part) the round metal bell shaped peice that slides over the top of the strut. The diameter of the hole is too small to slide the x strut top bolt through it. No biggie, I will just have to drill it out to fit (I guess).
So, as I sat there thinking, and just looking around the inside of the left front wheel well, I started noticing things..... bad things. I noticed that the inner and out cv boots are split. Again, no biggie. I noticed some rust (DUH!) and some other issues that made the car look like it was in need of some help before things got worse. I noticed a small bubble in the metal beneath the battery tray (inside the wheel well and inside the wheel well). I poked on it, and went right through the metal. Disgusted, I started looking around in diffenrt places and not liking what I saw. Nothing horrible, but things that need attention. Then it dawned on me. I think it's time to start planning the restoration of the 128!
I've always said I'll get to it eventually, then we had the adoption of our son. Then I started a new job, then this, then that, then moving. Now that I am gettign pretty settled, I am very slowly gettign some down time here and there. One issue I had was space in my last garage. Now that I've moved, I have an a 3 1/2 (more or less) car garage with 10 foot ceilings.
So, who here has restored a 128? Where should I start? I knwo I need a plan before doing anything. SO what should the plan be? I will need to start by building ALOT of shelves to store the parts while disassembled. THat's not a problem.
Here's kinda what I have in mind. Strip it down inside and out. Yank motor and tranny. Take it down to just the body. THen take that down to metal. This way, I will see where ALL of the rust is. Then, where the rust is only surface rust, clean it up, treat accordingly. Where the rust is worse, cut out and replace. Once this is done, address ALL body issues. Fix small dents and such. Opinion and question time. Should I install the front and rear fender flares on a 4 door? Also, will the flares from a 2 door work on a four door. Afterall, the 4 door is 3 inches longer than the 2 door. Anyone have experience with this issue?
My overall goal of my car has always been to take it back to its "roots" of rally/road racing. So when it's finished, I will be a very fun, spirited daily driver. You know, fun and fast, but tame enough to commute in.
I think it would look cool with a unique but not obnoxious color (maybe a lighter blue color like that of the 2010 ford mustang, or the cool mini color, something along the lines of smurf blue, but with a bit of gray in it). Sport seats with shoulder and lap belts in front and rear. tweeked engine with free flow 4-2-1 exhaust. Over the last year or so, I have assembled some parts for this restoration liek a 1500 motor, and the exaust parts.
This will not be a balls to the wall resto. I have competing interest with both time and $. By the time it is all said and done, I think it will end up taking a couple yers realistically.
So, anyone have resto ideas for a yellow 79 128 4 door with a mostly bone stock 1300 4 spd?