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'78 fiat 124 spider missing dipstick
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Firepudding
New User
Jul 18, 2015, 9:48 PM
Post #1 of 2
(1227 views)
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'78 fiat 124 spider missing dipstick
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1978 Fiat 124 Sport Spider 1800 1.8l
Car was given to me by a friend, its been sitting in his shop for about 6 years. The shop is climate controlled. My friend and his dad bought it from the previous owner with a bad starter; they jump started it and drove it back to the shop where they dismantled the carb and intake side of the engine bay to install a new starter. installing the starter is as far as they went with it and it sat like that for about 6 years. I jumped in on it recently this month and rebuilt the intake side and carb. The only thing missing is the dipstick and seal. no auto parts stores seem to carry a specific dipstick for any old cars so im more curious as to how i can go about making one or figuring out the correct length to buy
(This post was edited by Firepudding on Jul 18, 2015, 9:49 PM)
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Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Jul 18, 2015, 11:38 PM
Post #2 of 2
(1210 views)
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Re: '78 fiat 124 spider missing dipstick
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They make "universal" dipsticks if you have a clue on size and if sealed inside or outside tube. Assorted types for assorted things you just need to change oil and filter the exact known correct level one qt. low, run engine and wait. Set the stick to that as the low mark then add the qt. and wait again. Set that as the FULL mark.
If anyone is mechanically inclined this is not hard to do. Use a punch or bend stick for markings.
If you know the size I.D. and O.D. of the handle end of the stick try pull your own junk yards and make one that is known longer OR get the right correct handle and seal end and use a stick from another that's known too long braze it or weld it on.
You aren't looking hard enough. You can find the correct dipstick for this with a hunt. Someone found a starter for it so stuff is out there no surprise.
If you want to keep this car find the right techs for help. IMO these were difficult and lousy designs all over the place from new and the right techs would deal with it to a point and be dealing with them (what few are left) and people with them would travel mega miles to find the right place that works on them. These were NOT well adapted cars for outside of Euro use and quit selling all of them here (US) for quite a while.
Just checked, NAPA doesn't list one on web site but will find one if you go in person.
Note: It was "given" to you for a reason. I wouldn't take on these either as too time consuming just for stupid stuff all over them unless you are really into this car I'd get it running and find the right new buyer who probably has a few spares for parts already on hand,
T
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