Help Me Oppo.....

"Vince-The Roadside Mechanic" (vincent-becker) 05/09/2014 at 19:51 • Filed to: None

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Oppo I need your help I am looking at a 1983 Fiat X1/9. It does not run and needs to be towed. So this is my problem as you probably know it has the mid-engine rear wheel drive layout and I don't know how to properly tow a car like that without destroying it. So I was hoping you could tell me how to properly tow this fantastic Fiat. Please help me Oppo you are my only hope.....

Brian Silvestro > Vince-The Roadside Mechanic 05/09/2014 at 19:54

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Pay someone to transport it via flatbed!

Vince-The Roadside Mechanic > Brian Silvestro 05/09/2014 at 19:56

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I am not rich if so I would not be trying to get a $500 Fiat that doesn't run. I wish I could afford that way to transport it.

webmonkees > Vince-The Roadside Mechanic 05/09/2014 at 19:57

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Out of gear, ignition key in to avoid steering lock. Double check with the Google.

Vince-The Roadside Mechanic > webmonkees 05/09/2014 at 19:58

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Would that be with a tow rope?

Brian Silvestro > Vince-The Roadside Mechanic 05/09/2014 at 19:59

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Cut hole in tire and put towing hook in that way!

Vince-The Roadside Mechanic > Brian Silvestro 05/09/2014 at 20:02

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I live in Wisconsin but I am not a hillbilly and not that poor.

Brian Silvestro > Vince-The Roadside Mechanic 05/09/2014 at 20:06

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Drill hole in glass, put tow hook in glass.

Vince-The Roadside Mechanic > Brian Silvestro 05/09/2014 at 20:09

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NOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!! Any other suggestions that will work and are legal?

Brian Silvestro > Vince-The Roadside Mechanic 05/09/2014 at 20:12

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Buy flatbed truck. Use.

Buy trailer. Use.

Fix car on site. Use.

Vince-The Roadside Mechanic > Brian Silvestro 05/09/2014 at 20:14

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The last one is the most likely but anything else?

Brian Silvestro > Vince-The Roadside Mechanic 05/09/2014 at 20:16

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No.

Vince-The Roadside Mechanic > Brian Silvestro 05/09/2014 at 20:17

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Ok then I will have to fix a ornery Fiat in 15 minutes at a guy's house a guy who I don't know...........................this seems Roadkillish.

Squid > Vince-The Roadside Mechanic 05/09/2014 at 20:27

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See if anyone you know has a trailer they'd be willing to let you use for some beer and laughs at you fighting an old Fiat. . . That's your best option. Aside from paying a huge towing fee, or see if you have a buddy with AAA gold status with tows up to 100 miles.

BaconSandwich is tasty. > Vince-The Roadside Mechanic 05/09/2014 at 20:53

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If somehow you do end up towing it, you'd need someone in it to steer and brake.

Louros > Vince-The Roadside Mechanic 05/09/2014 at 21:08

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So, you're buying a 31 year old not-running car and don't even know how to get it home? I look forward to the post a week from now "hey guys how much do you think I can sell this non-running fiat for, I don't know how to fix it?"

evil2win > Vince-The Roadside Mechanic 05/09/2014 at 23:29

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bolt up a tow bar, put it in neutral put the key in and unlock the steering.

Get a AAA card or a friend with AAA card and have them tow it on a flat bed.

Towing a mid engine car is like towing any other car.

webmonkees > webmonkees 05/10/2014 at 05:37

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*wants to clarify that my personal towing adventures involved learning why certain configurations are not ideal or safe for towage. But with two people, the driver being a rational sort, can get you and the vehicle on a thrill-ride that will bond you.

The most rational one is the two-wheel dolly but chains or rated tow-ropes.. only because this case is a light car. I've moved a few that way. Works better with somebody driving the tow vehicle, I've found. The dolly, though, yeah, you can stay in the truck instead of contemplating escape routes.

Vince-The Roadside Mechanic > Squid 05/10/2014 at 07:40

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I know no one like that but that $500 fiat will be quite a fight.

Vince-The Roadside Mechanic > BaconSandwich is tasty. 05/10/2014 at 07:41

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Thanks.

Vince-The Roadside Mechanic > Louros 05/10/2014 at 07:42

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I CAN FIX ANYTHING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! It is $500 and I have about a grand to get it running so I can daily drive it.

Vince-The Roadside Mechanic > evil2win 05/10/2014 at 07:44

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Thanks do you think I could put it on backwards in a U-Haul tow dolly?

evil2win > Vince-The Roadside Mechanic 05/10/2014 at 10:33

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Just put it in neutral facing forward. it will be fine.

What kind of shape is this X1/9 in? Have you owned one before? Why isn't it drivable?

Vince-The Roadside Mechanic > evil2win 05/10/2014 at 15:16

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it is in ok shape it is $500, I haven't owned one before, needs valves, water pump and something else. I am looking to get it as my first car.

evil2win > Vince-The Roadside Mechanic 05/11/2014 at 01:25

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it sounds like quite a project. Getting the heads off these engines can be a challenge, especially if they haven't been removed since they let the factory. They used studs instead of bolts and they tend to corrode and bind. There are some good videos on YouTube that show how to fab a puller. To remove the engine you drop it out the bottom. A good resource for X1/9 parts is Midwest bayless. If you have limited mechanical skills now you will learn a lot with a project like this. At least everything is small and relatively light.

Vince-The Roadside Mechanic > evil2win 05/11/2014 at 10:13

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I am pretty good at working on cars but I want a project like this so I will learn a lot more fast. Thanks for the tips.