Abarth Stradale getting ready for 3MA14

[simon131]

At about 2.10pm today I finally pulled my Abarth on to my drive at home after a 160 mile trip back from it's short holiday and MoT. Took the 0816 from Farnborough Main Station, via central London and St Pancras - all rather painless I'm happy to report.

Arbie was burning oil on the exhaust manifold as I drove home, which I have now located to a leak at the bottom of the dizzy (exhaust cam driven). Other than that all was ok until I actually got home when at which point it started to run like a total cow! Not happy. I'm too tired to look this afternoon, but tomorrow I'll investigate further. Hopefully it's nothing too serious.

[simon131]

Right guys,

A couple of issues with the Abarth having got it home - oil leak from bottom of (exhaust cam driven) dizzy, misfire when hot and clutch 'feel' too close to the floor.

The misfire I think is a dodgy spark plug, so I have ordered a set of NGK Iridiums with resistors to replace the set I fitted in November 2006 ( didn't realise it was so long ago!) and I'll replace the leads if that doesn't do it.

The clutch travel I shall sort by adjustment of the cable.

The oil leak I'm a bit nervous about touching, mainly due to the fact that removing the dizzy will throw out the timing. Yes, I've done the job of removing the distributor lots of times in the past, just not recently. Don't want to muck it up. I'm told there's a rubber 'o'-ring which could have been damaged - where is it and how big? Any ideas? Is there no 'gasket' between the dizzy and cam box or is it an 'interference' fit?

All useful comments and suggestions (related to this subject!) gratefully received.

[simon131]

Quick update - its GAME OVER for the Abarth and this years 3MA😩 I'm gutted! 😞The dizzy is allowing oil to pass up its shaft into the body of the unit. It'll need a total strip and rebuild if not full replacement. Incidentally, there is no 'o'-ring to replace.

Anyone got a spare Abarth dizzy they have no use for?

[Phil]

You must be gutted about the Arbarth Simon 

If I had a distributor you be be welcome to it. Is their no way you can get the distributor overhauled before you leave for 3ma 

[Thotos]

There must be an oil seal on the shaft somewhere. Something like this?



http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/FIAT-UNO-TURBO-1400CC-DISTRIBUTOR-OIL-SEAL-/331040553141?pt=UK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM&hash=item4d138df8b5

I'll come round at the weekend if you like and I'm sure we'll be able to do something with it.....

[jasonh131]

Can't u change to  a block disy from one of the other s  
 also found this all 124 spider ones will fit ..

[jasonh131]

http://www.fiatspider.com/f08/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=23544

[simon131]

That's the dizzy Jas, just got to find a refurb kit/metal washer - within two weeks.

[simon131]

Guys

I need your assistance in finding any supplier or repair workshop for Magneti Marelli distributors. In particular I'm after an internal oil seal (looks a bit like a valve stem oil seal only bigger) which sits below the bearing in a Marelli S144P cam drive distributor.

I have found a supplier in Virginia, USA (International Automotive) but they haven't yet confirmed stock. I'd appreciate it if someone had a European contact for such items, better still a UK one.

Thanks guys.

[Thotos]

If you know the inside and outside diameter sizes you can get a seal from Simply Bearings (http://simplybearings.co.uk/shop/Seals-Viton+Rubber/c19_4462/index.html). They?ve supplied me with all kinds of seals for the Gamma engine so shouldn?t have a problem supplying the one you want. If you can go for the read Viton rubber seal as they are much better quality than the black ones and suitable for modern oils.

[finnie]

Try these guys -they normally have a quick turn around


http://www.ignitioncarparts.co.uk

[Thotos]

Euroautoricambi in Australia have them on ebay!
http://www.ebay.com/itm/FIAT-124-CC-SPIDER-131-LANCIA-DISTRIBUTOR-OIL-SEAL-/350478172047



Their "Expedited Int'l Shipping" might get it to the UK in time.

Also probably worth contacting DTR European Sports Cars (http://www.dtrsports.com/ -Tel 020 8645 5050) as they specialise in the 124 Spider and may have the seals in stock.

[kev131]

And Spiderpoint.De might be a useful source...

They speak English and will go to their warehouse and pick up the part and describe it while you're on the phone....

http://www.spider-point.com/?___store=english&___from_store=default

[simon131]

DTR don't stock them, they told me Middle Barton Garage, so I have spoken to Tony C-M and he's going to check the part numbers and get back to me.

If all else fails I can buy the Australian one and hope it arrives in time to be fitted before we leave.

I've checked SpiderPoint and they don't appear to sell the seal on it's own but rather in a dizzy overhaul kit for the Princely sum of 165 Euros plus shipping!!!

[simon131]

Australian seal purchased - fingers crossed 

Unfortunately International Auto Parts in Virginia USA are out of stock of the seal until the end of the month 

I have sent SpiderPoint an enquiry through their website so we'll see if they're able to provide the seal on it's own.