67 Fiat Dino Spider restoration

All your information is helpful and I thank you so much!

I have the dark brown interior.

Do you have the Dino coupe colors?
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This is what I'm trying to do.
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I'm really sorry I haven't posted much about this car in the last month. Some of you know I was overseas and then in the hospital for a couple of weeks. I'm getting close to 100% again. Also O'gara's shop is going through McLaren training in Dallas to become an official Mac authorized warranty repair facility. People have been shuffling between Vegas and Dallas for a week at a time.

But I plan to visit next week.

Here's a bit of a recap

My understanding is that the engine is running. I haven't seen it yet but that's what I've heard
We've reconditioned the fuel tank, replaced the fuel pump and sending unit.
We've fixed the leaking valve covers while sending them out for cleaning and polishing
We've installed the air cleaner from an aftermarket set up after finding many missing parts, including vent hoses
We've rebuilt the carbs
We've gotten the electric fan to work
We've installed a new electronic ignition system, cap, wires, and new plugs
We've R and R's the gearbox and replaced the flywheel, clutch and master cylinders as well as repaired the linkages.
We've replaced all water hoses and the thermostat
We've installed the seats after purchasing the missing seat rail bolts
We've replaced the steering column switch unit with new (but still unsure of electrical issues)
The Steering wheel is out for reconditioning. Expect it in a week or 2.
I've bought a new front grill and the missing side badges
Changed out the engine oil and filter, as well as the trans and rear end lubes. Replaced the missing trans filler plug.
I've gotten the title transferred into my name, insured it, and have the license plates for it after passing the VIN inspection.

Some things still unknown:

The starter is acting up and most likely needs to be rebuilt.
We haven't driven the car yet so there's still plenty that could be wrong
We're unsure of various electrical issues
The Windshield wiper motor doesn't appear to work. We need to figure this out before sending to the body shop
The Windshield is badly scratched and it might have to be replaced. I have new wipers for it.
Still need to install seat belts and the sunvisors
No idea if the heater works or the fan motor.

 

Went over today to see the car and talk about the next steps.

There's a problem with the air cleaner. I think I need to have some metal fab done. Looks like someone modified it and now it doesn't fit or screw together. Not sure why they did this. Most likely lost the nuts on the air cleaner and tried to mickey mouse a replacement. Then gave up and then went to an aftermarket system.

We think the starter problem is the Bendix. We need to remove it and its a bit of a PITA. One threaded hole has stripped so we need to helicoil it.

The original distributor is back in the car. Seems to be OK. Right now we'd rather not debug another system until its running properly.

We don't know if the new steering column switches helped with the electrical issues. The battery was disconnected so I couldn't see it start or run.

Hoping O'gara can get back on it later this week. They are pretty busy getting new Macs out the door. I'm disappointed I could not see it start up today but it needs the starter problem addressed first as it hangs up after starting. Got to fix that first.

 

Dammit.... starter is shot. Needs to be rebuilt. The gearbox had to come out again to remove the starter. Not sure where to get it rebuilt. 20 years ago it was pretty easy to rebuild these locally. Today, not so much.

 

These guys?

https://www.rite-wayelectric.com/

 

WOW I used to use these guys in the 80's for rebuilding Marelli starters and alternators. They weren't far from my shop. I wonder if they can do it? I'll call tomorrow. Thanks!

 

I'm heading over the shop this morning to discuss with the mechanic.

 

The mechanic and I made a decision today about the starter. I ordered a new high torque replacement. A little more expensive but certainly superior. Less weight, less current draw, faster spinning. And I found one in stock which could save us probably a month. Now we just wait for the starter to arrive.

Good news though. We figured out an easy solution for the aircleaner. This issue should be put to bed.