Hello.

I have had my Fiat 124 Spyder (1978) in the barn for about 3 years and am taking it out and will dress it up a bit. The upper hose from the block to the thermostat collapsed. While I had the thermostat out I wanted to 'check' it and tried to put it in hot water but never saw any movement as the water got hot. Before I order a new one and a few other tidbits is that an OK method to check it out? I have used that for 'normal' thermostats but never for one on a Fiat.

I will have the car re-sprayed and will put on a new top and interior. Any recommendations for top installation is appreciated. I expect I'll get one of those canvas tops. See you have moved locations. I am still in Morgan Hill so will pop across the hill for the parts I think I need. The heater core or valve blew out when it got hot. Is that an awful item to replace? I'll want to have the rubbers replaced once it is driveable and am presuming you are still 'wrenching' on them and are not totally focusing on providing parts. If not let me know. Thanks,
Chuck Kantmann

Chuck,
We must have lost touch for awhile because we've been here on Delaware Avenue for 4-1/2 years! Anyway, we'd be happy to have you come visit us (Check out our map).

Putting your thermostat into boiling water should make it open wide, so yes that test works for Fiats. As for the top installation, you can find it online in our Fiatplus.com Tech Tips, or in Ciao!NEWS Vol.3-No.1.(back issues cost $3 each). The heater core replacement isn't a bad job. I only work on customers' cars now in my spare time. I work more than full-time selling and sourcing parts, so I am usually booked six months in advance for repairs. It seems when folks finally get their car to me, they decide to have a lot more work done than they originally anticipated. For example, the current car here was scheduled for an ignition switch replacement, and turned into a complete restoration. So I'd be happy to schedule your car in, but only if you're not in a hurry!