131mirafiori forum

The last 6 to 8 weeks has been extremely busy for me - and my 131s have been causing a few headaches - so it was with a great deal of relief that on Tuesday I was informed that the Abarth had passed it's MoT! 8)

Some weeks ago the Super was delivered back to me with a full MoT and at the same time the yellow Special was taken back to Mark's at IRS (yes, yes, I know - I should have learnt my lesson by now, but I don't know anyone else who I can 'trust' with my old cars without them trying to rip me off! ::)). The Special had almost thrown me and the family into the central iron work on the A31 late last summer and I suspected trailing arm bushes - which turned out to be a correct diagnosis - but trying to find poly replacements proved a little less easy than I had hoped  :-\. Anyway, all sorted now - fitted with poly bushes listed for the 124. ;D

So, collected the yellow S and dropped the Abarth for MoT - fearing the worst.  :-\ It was running like a dog when I left it - now sorted with after market electronic ignition and a spot of re-timing. So, oil and filter changed and being delivered back to me on Tuesday next week - so will hopefully be fit and well for Brooklands as well as the intercontinental trip to Germany soon after.

More updates when I have it back. ;)

The Abarth was returned safe and sound (but horrendously dirty! ::)) on Tuesday, so after a wash it was pressed into service for a 120 mile round trip down the M3 and A303 for work on Wednesday. All appears to be working well so its all systems go for Saturday at Brooklands - then onwards to Germany on Monday morning. ;D

The real surprise however was how thirsty the car seems. :-\ Averaging about 23 mpg. Compared with the modern diesel that I usually drive it came as quite a shock.  :o

Having seen the "workshop" No wonder it was dirty ;D
Glad it back on the road and economical as ever ???

Mmmmmm - there's a bit more to add to this now. I've been using the Abarth regularly since Tuesday and today the clutch started to make a nasty squealing noise. The bearing has "chirped" for ages but now it's a more serious 'listen to me!' sort of sound!  :'( I've been trying to ignore the stiffening pedal too, but it's time to do something now. :(

So, looks like the Abarth could well be staying in England next week, as I can't risk the clutch letting me down whilst I'm away  :'( :'(

Gutted........... :'( :(

stick to just the a single choke about 3500 rpm , once the second choke opens up even i get 23 mpg ..... >:(
     ??? squealing clutch , i know i ignored it for to long then just pulling off the drive to go to brooklands 4 years ago and
 ekkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkk  thrust bearing worn through the clutch disc fingers  ::) ::) ::) ::)

Take the Super Simon, cheaper on petrol and very nice cruising in Germany!

Had my calculator out
 approx :
766m x 2 = 1532
 days out    +600
                  2132
       divde    32 mpg  at 74mph
                    66 gl = 302ltr
                           x ?1.30ltr
                               ?392       6+ tanks
 :o :o :o :o :o :o ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D
 better  than 23mpg   = ?547    8.5 tanks    ;D ;D ;D

Simon sounds like you need a tame mechanic and a lot of sweet talking or as Albert says take the super.

Mechanic is not the problem. Finding a clutch for a Stradale is  :-\ Until we strip it down we won't know what size clutch fits as Fiat didn't have a 2000 TC until a couple of years after 1976.

I'll take both the Abarth and Super to Brooklands tomorrow but its looking highly likely that the latter will be my ride to Germany next week.

At least I had a fall back option  ;D

run down to mr clutch  :'( they rebuild your clutch just stand there and watch over them for 4 hours  or kwik  fit