What did you do to your X1/9 today ?
- Thread starter Eastep
- Start date
Dr.Jeff
True Classic
That could certainly work, unlike the blowtorch method in the video.
I'd like to see someone try the torch method on a head made with magnesium alloy.
Jonohhh
True Classic
Man y'all have been busy, lots of cool updates in the past while.
I haven't done much of anything in a while, except scramble to cover the car up to protect it from this tropical storm bearing down on the gulf coast. It got very wet unfortunately.... scared of rust. Can these cars get rained on or is it a death sentence for it? Only one rust hole that I know of, and am getting it fixed soon.
Not really X1/9, but I did manage to order a new engine for my 13' 500 Abarth. Excited to get that dependable again. Of course it's getting a few performance goodies while it's apart .
Also, for anyone in the path of the storm: stay safe!
I haven't done much of anything in a while, except scramble to cover the car up to protect it from this tropical storm bearing down on the gulf coast. It got very wet unfortunately.... scared of rust. Can these cars get rained on or is it a death sentence for it? Only one rust hole that I know of, and am getting it fixed soon.
Not really X1/9, but I did manage to order a new engine for my 13' 500 Abarth. Excited to get that dependable again. Of course it's getting a few performance goodies while it's apart
. Also, for anyone in the path of the storm: stay safe!
Dr.Jeff
True Classic
So they haven't improved in quality/reliability in 40 years.
Jonohhh
True Classic
Thankfully the need for replacement isn't on FPT. The engines are very very stout. They don't mind 29lb of boost on the stock turbo, and can make over 270ftlb without issue. It's the C510 trans that seems to give way first.So they haven't improved in quality/reliability in 40 years.
Ultimately it got hydrolocked in a flash flood, but for a combination of reasons. I had a fenderwell intake on the car- which wasn't too much of an issue under flood conditions. I'd always press the clutch and let it idle through big puddles. Unfortunately my mom was driving and didn't realize that...got caught in a flash flood when there was *no* rain forecasted and after some reviving, it drives, but the oil was sparkly and it makes a loud tap or knock.
Can't trust it to drive the 4h to college so it's just been sitting and the cars condition has really declined in the past few months. Thankfully it's on track to be all shiny again.
Ron Avery
True Classic
I finally got all of my lights working, on my 1976.
The left front high beam was out. So what did I do first? After cleaning and replacing the fuses.
I replaced the headlamp, the light rocker switch, checked the ground.
And still it did not work, I then talked to Chris at Fiat parts here in California.
He asked if I had pinched the fuse contacts, for a better connection. Oops, no I had not.
And that was it, now all the lights work inside and out. And I have the high beam indicator light on on the dash for the first time. Now if I could just get the horn to work.
The left front high beam was out. So what did I do first? After cleaning and replacing the fuses.
I replaced the headlamp, the light rocker switch, checked the ground.
And still it did not work, I then talked to Chris at Fiat parts here in California.
He asked if I had pinched the fuse contacts, for a better connection. Oops, no I had not.
And that was it, now all the lights work inside and out. And I have the high beam indicator light on on the dash for the first time. Now if I could just get the horn to work.
tigeravg
True Classic
Nuh-uh. There is another "fiat" parked right beside you!
kmead
Old enough to know better
This would be why the Lada fuse box modification should be done. It is a good investment of time for extended reliability.
tvmaster
True Classic
It’s insane how cheap those are - under $10. My 2022 list…
RoyS
True Classic
I did mine the other week. Maybe a half hour job to swap over.
Made the filler plate. The Lada unit is shorter than the Fiat.
Started swapping connections. I did the hot side first. Then the fused side. Hot side connections have plastic covers. Fused side needed heat shrink.
Added the hot side jumpers. This finishes the connections.
And installed.
The angle of the wires out of the fuse panel is different on the Lada unit which comes straight out the back. The Fiat panel is angled downward. So I had to move that relay that is right behind the panel. You can see it dangling at the bottom of that last photo.
Roy
kmead
Old enough to know better
Dr.Jeff
True Classic
Nicely done.
Just for the sake of other readers, this is true for the early X's. But not so much for the later X's with the Euro ceramic fuses, but located on the passenger side in a large tray with all the relays and a ton of wiring. There it is not so simple; for one thing it has more fuses than any of the Lada units offer. So you would need to put two of them and that makes for a rather tight squeeze in a already congested space. Secondly the fuse panel has several "bussed" positions - more than a couple of jumper wires can do. Third the wiring is a real mess in the later fuse box, crammed in with a lot of relay wires, and not so easy to transfer to a new fuse holder. I'm not saying the newer style fuses wouldn't be nice to have, just saying it isn't the same project for all years.
Bjorn Nilson
True Classic
Very true. I won't touch it until problems occur.
Shiat_X19
Low Mileage
kmead
Old enough to know better
Red or Blue. The gray would be classy but its the wrong year
I,am kind of looking at the blue , with small grey strip , decisions !