131mirafiori forum

Whilst out playing in my Sport today one "pedal to the metal" moment too many and this spring gave up and disappeared - Quite a recurring theme with 131s with both Marty and Eugene suffering this problem on past 3MAs.? ?:(

My question is where can these be sourced? Are the Fiat versions still available or is it a question of trying my luck with the nearest match from an engineering firm or auto factors?

(http://i98.photobucket.com/albums/l250/kev131/BonnetCatch001.jpg)

Whem doing sprints in my 131 years ago , it was part of the regs to have an extra throttle  return spring.
 it made the throttle fairly stiff though on mine
(http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2028/1522905479_b284d325a6_b.jpg)
 jason

I have plenty of non-original but suitable springs so let me know if you get stuck and I'll stick a couple in the post for you. In fact I think I left Eugene with a spare so if he is not too far away from you it might be the quickest way of getting your Sport sorted.

Theo,your spring is working perfect(thanks again).Yes it's a little strong,but beggers cannot be choosers ;D.I would maybe recomend  a lighter spring as over time it may wear the linkages,however one should carry a supply of these springs in case one runs into trouble.When my one snaped,it was in traffic in the streets of Turin(excellent :-[ :-[).Eugene

Eugene, I can't remember if I left you with a spare spring but if I did you might get Kev out of trouble. I don't think the springs will wear the linkage as while stronger than the original ones they are not too strong. Don't forget your old spring (just before it snapped) would have been weaker than when new so you are comparing an old spring with a new one.

Kev, I don't remember what the standard linkage looks like (my car is fitted with twin 45s) but I am fairly sure your spring fitting in the photo is wrong; there shouldn't be a nut and bolt holding the spring but it should be a simple hook through a hole fitting like the other end of the spring. I suspect the spring snapped before and someone repaired it by fitting a small nut and bolt to hold the spring at one end.  Anyone else with a photo of the spring in a Sport? 

Theo,the Lada have a similar spring.I will get one off to Kev in tom evenings post.When i go to Ukraine,i will buy plenty of these springs,so in future no one gets stuck with this problem ;D.Eugene

Could this not be fatal putting more Russian metal in a 131  ::) ::)

Ha ha! Well as Eugene says beggars can't be choosers.  :)

Dave - Do you know if the original part is still available..?

Thanks guys.

Kevin part number for the spring is 4365513

Dont think it is anymore Kev but any of the spring suppliers or old school motor factors would probably sell you a fist full of them  :o

a wee bit of engineering would replace the standard set up no worries & would be probably better to drive.

What ive found with these is the spring wearing through the bracket,  I expect you all know this but that standard linkage if turned upside down fits twin 40s & 45s etc. You could convert to a mk3 super type which is just a cable with built in spring and will fit straight on.

David tell me more please as the twin carbie linkage is like ?80.

I found this out years ago, just unbolt it & it will fit twin side draught 40 & 45 weber and dellorto carbs and I think solex as well but as I remember you need the small short linkage bar to connect between the two carbs as normal and a small straight bracket as normal but it is definately made for that reason, im guessing that fiat thought some owners would change to twin carbs,  It is the same try it nick your be impressed

I see David i will be trying this way first, thank you.

I think if one could source a spring made of stainless steel it probably wouldnt break

The problem with these springs is that they hook into a small hole in the metal linkage and there's constant metal to metal friction and wear so the spring hook eventually snaps. I say "problem" loosely here as even though we've had a few springs go on us at 3ma meetings (and more recently Kev's) I wouldn't refer to this as a major problem. These are all cars that are well over 20 years old and probably never had these springs replaced in the past. I am sure that stainless steel springs will eliminate the problem and so will Teflon grommets in the mounting holes of the linkage but is there a real need for anything like this? I am sure the occasional application (every service) of a bit of grease in the  right place will double the life of the springs. I still maintain that Kev's problem is more likely due to a previous bodged repair.  I think the spring hook snapped and instead of changing the spring someone drilled out the mounting hole and added a bolt and nut to hold onto the remainder of the spring. With vibration (let's face it, these twin cams are not the smoothest engines!) the nut and bolt probably loosened enough to let go of the spring.

Two new springs arrived from an Ebay suplier called fastroadcars who claims to be an authorised weber dealer.

They seem long enough at 90mm and well made with the hooks at each end moving around within their mountings - This feels like it will reduce wear. These are much less stiff than what was there before and seem to make the engine more responsive to throttle inputs. I'm not sure if the throttle is slightly more open at idle than before though - I'll need to watch the idle speed.

I thought that these were good value for two delivered to Ireland for ?8.00.  :)

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=200307452357

A rip off Kev.I got four of them last saturday Lada ones for 50cent for the four of them.They are the same as the 131 springs ;D ;D ;D ;D :D :D :D ;).Eugene

..which keep breaking..... ;)

I like the engineering feel of the ones I have although I don't know what the longevity is yet...

The Lada ones do not break,as i have owned a Lada Niva since 1993 and to date never a spring has broken in any of my Nivas :D.The Lada springs are the same as the 131 except they a  bit stronger ;D ;D.Eugene

Well if they dont break why did you buy 4 of them are the Ladas starting to show signs of problems  ;D ;D ;D

I bought the extra springs in case you or others may need them in the future ;),unless you want to pay rip off prices like Kev had to :o :o :o.Eugene

who says cork people are not thoughtful  ;D ;D scarcasim from the reddish fellow again eugene :'( :'( :'(