Engine Maintenance and Modification Bradley Artigue

FIAT 124 Spider
Engine Maintenance + Modification
(typically on the bottom, refer to your carburetor diagram). It can be removed and
cleaned with carburetor cleaner.
10.2 Tuning Procedure
Here are the steps to get your engine tuned to the factory specification. Note that the
three steps really just refer you back to the proper section. What is important here is to
not go beyond the factory setting. Don’t “tune by ear” (yet) or “dial in” anything. The
factory spec may not be perfect, but it is neutral.
10.2.1 Basic Engine Timing
Set your crankshaft to top dead center. Check that your camshaft wheels are lined up
with the markers cast into the camshaft boxes or the pointers in front of the camshaft
wheels. See the ignition section for diagrams and details.
10.2.2 Basic Ignition Timing
Using a timing light, set your ignition timing to the specification for your Spider:
0 degrees Spiders prior to 1978
10 degrees Spiders after 1978
See the ignition section for diagrams and details.
10.2.3 Idle Speed Settings
Set the idle speed according to the instructions in the carburetion or fuel injection
settings in this guide.
79