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Category: Fiat X1/9

  • How to Thin Valve Shims

    Okay, so you need to thin down your shims—it’s not too hard, but it’s a skoshy bit time consuming to do it correctly. The first thing you’re going to need is a grinder to which you can attach a mildly abrasive disc. I had the best luck using the Walter Quick-Step polishing system, which is […]

  • How to Repair the Headlight Motors

    To test if the diode is bad, disconnect the headlight motor connector. Take a multimeter and set it to resistance testing, and place the black lead on the black wire, and the red lead on either the grey/black wire or the green/black (I think). This is off the top of my head, so you might […]

  • How the Headlight Motors Work

    Here’s how the headlight mechanisms work (this is off the top of my head, so there might be some omissions or screw-ups): The headlight motors have two breakers on the crank that rotate with the motor. These two breakers switch whether current from the up/down control wires get to ground. These control wires have a […]

  • Interchangeable parts between 1300s and 1500s

    Interchangeable parts between 1300s and 1500s

    The following is a list of parts that I know are interchangeable between a 1500 and 1300 X1/9. The columns indicate the part type, whether they go with or without modification, and any comments.

    Modification column designations:

    • 0 = Not interchangeable.
    • N = None (no modification required),
    • L = Light (minor work such as changing screws or adding new wiring connectors),
    • M = Medium (medium work such as light welding, cutting, adding new parts), and
    • H = Heavy (major modifications such as altering body panels, fabrication, etc.)

    Part
    Mod.
    Req.
    		 Comments
    Engine
    1500 engine into 1300 M May require change to rear chassis members. Complete 1500 drivetrain recommended (see transaxle below). Modification of engine cover not required (i.e., can keep the lower profile cover).
    1300 DMTR carb. to any engine using DATRA L Good perf. upgrade. Install manual choke cable. Possible re-jet.
    1300 cylinder head onto 1500 N I haven’t done this, but supposedly it provides increased compression
    Cambox N All camboxes are the same.
    Camshaft cover plate N All camshaft cover plates are the same. Though, FI might be different.
    Distributor L Points dizzy works on 1500, and electronic works on 1300.
    Transaxle M 5-speed tranny fits in 1300 body, but may require slight modification of chassis members. 4-speed more robust and mates to 1500 engine. Both require using the lower control arms and half-shafts from the donor car.
    ’74 Exhaust headers L Works great on 1500 engine. Planing is difficult. Requires different muffler.
    1300 Intake Manifold L 1300 up to installation of EGR (year unknown) manifold is superior to EGR manifold. Bolts right up. May require modification of emissions.

    Part
    Mod.
    Req.
    		 Comments
    Suspension/Brakes
    Front suspension components (minus springs) N All front suspension components are interchangeable.
    Rear suspension (minus springs) M The rear suspension is interchangeable, but must be done so with the respective transaxle. In other words, if you want to put in the 5-speed suspension, you also have to put in a 5-speed transaxle. Aside from the drivetrain replacement the suspension work is easy to do.
    Springs (all) ? I imagine that the springs are totally interchangeable. Does anyone know if there is an advantage to swapping them?
    Brake Calipers—Front N These are the same, or only mildly different.
    Brake Calipers—Rear ? Do not recall at the time of writing. I believe that they are not interchangeable.
    Emergency brake lever M The e-brake lever is interchangeable, but it may require modification of the thing that connects to the cables.

    Part
    Mod.
    Req.
    		 Comments
    Electrics
    Headlamp motors L The motors are basically the same, but the connectors are different. Tip: If installing used motors, replace the diodes beforehand. Check diodes on dead motor, for that matter.
    Alternator L A 1500 alternator works in a 1300, but requires bypassing the external voltage regulator.
    Side marker lights N These are the same. Might require modification of connectors.
    Rear light clusters N These are the same.
    Wiring harness M It is possible to use the same year harness as your engine regardless of body. But, there may be a lot of modifications required. However, this should be considered not interchangeable if the engine is staying the same.
    Dashboard cluster L The dashboard cluster is interchangeable. On 1500 in a 1300, use oil pressure sender wire (yellow/grey) on oil pressure switch. Replacement of speedometer cable is also required, unless you take out the one from the 1300 dash.
    Light switches 0 These are not interchangeable, unless you also replace the interior.
    Door jamb light switches N

    Part
    Mod.
    Req.
    		 Comments
    Interior
    Dashboard M The dashboards are completely swapable, but do require using the same switches.
    Seats * This depends. Some use the same seat rails, some don’t. You can take the rails from the donor car and weld them in, though.
    Seatbelts (1500 to 1300) 0 These are considered not interchangeable because the c-pillar on cars without 3-point harnesses is not reinforced for the seatbelt. It would be possible to do it, but would require major work.
    Door cards M The door cards are interchangeable, but the location of the door latch pulls is different. 1500 to 1300 will leave a gap in the door card where the 1500’s door handle was. This can be filled with an ashtray, or a plastic nook, or left open. 1300 to 1500 would be easier, and would only require patching the hole for the original handle.
    Brake and clutch pedals N No problems to my knowledge.
    Throttle Pedal M 1500 and 1300 pedals use different methods of attaching the throttle cable. To put in a 1500 pedal, simply remove the pin, and replace it with an 8mm bolt. Place the throttle cable on the bolt and use a flange nut to hold in place.
    Gear shift 0 This is considered not interchangeable unless you also use the same transaxle. The shift pattern is part of the base of the gear shift. Thus, if you were to use a 4-speed shifter on a 5-speed tranny, you will lose 5th gear—there’s no notch for it.
    Rear panel ? The 1500 rear panel is a bit larger. They both are very difficult to remove.
    Steering wheel N These are swapable. Be certain to use the same horn mechanism.
    Rearview mirror N

    Part
    Mod.
    Req.
    		 Comments
    Body
    ’74 Bumpers H These are, in my opinion, the best looking bumpers. But, you will have to patch all of the empty spots from where the original bumpers were. You will also probably discover a ton of rust gremlins.
    Targa top M The main part of the tops are the same, but the trim and window seals are different.
    Trunk lid N  
    Doors N  
    Windows N Note: Replacement of driver’s sidelight with mirror will require bodywork to patch up old door-mounted mirror.
    Hood (front trunk cover) N  
    Engine bay cover L To swap the engine bay cover you will need to replace all of the engine bay surrounds, and replace the gasket on the filler neck of the gas tank.
    Intakes/vents N  

    – Mike

  • For the Prospective Owner – A Guide To the X1/9

    For the Prospective Owner – A Guide To the X1/9

    A few of the questions that are often asked on the X1/9 mailing list are, "Is the X1/9 a good car," "How are they to work on," and "What’s it like to run one?" This article will attempt to answer these questions and add some insight into why Fiat owners are said to be addicted […]

  • Engine Removal Procedure

    Engine Removal Procedure

    Removing the engine and drivetrain from the X is made relatively easy by being able to drop the whole engine and transaxle assembly from underneath the car. Compared to pulling an engine and transmission up and out of a front-engined RWD it’s super-easy. But there are a few concerns unique to the X, which I […]

  • Fiat X1/9 – A Guide to the Prospective Fiat X1/9 Owner

    A few of the questions that are often asked on the X1/9 mailing list are, “Is the X1/9 a good car,” “How are they to work on,” and “What’s it like to run one?” This article will attempt to answer these questions and add some insight into why Fiat owners are said to be addicted […]

  • Fiat X1/9 – Interchangeable parts between 1300 and 1500 engines

    The following is a list of parts that I know are interchangeable between a 1500 and 1300 X1/9. The columns indicate the part type, whether they go with or without modification, and any comments. 2013 Note: Pardon the messy formatting. I’m porting stuff from my old website to here. I’ll eventually (maybe) update this. Modification […]

  • Fiat X1/9 – How the Headlight Motors Work

    Here’s how the headlight mechanisms work (this is off the top of my head, so there might be some omissions or screw-ups): The headlight motors have two breakers on the crank that rotate with the motor. These two breakers switch whether current from the up/down control wires get to ground. These control wires have a […]

  • Fiat X1/9 – Thinning Valve Shims

    Okay, so you need to thin down your shims—it’s not too hard, but it’s a skoshy bit time consuming to do it correctly. The first thing you’re going to need is a grinder to which you can attach a mildly abrasive disc. I had the best luck using the Walter Quick-Step polishing system, which is […]