|
TRIVETTE REPAIR SECTION
GENERAL NOTES
All 27 of the TriVettes built in the 1970's were the same with 2 notable exceptions:
1) Fiat 850 engines were used in 25 TriVettes, VW engines were used in the other 2
2) 26 were factory built, 1 was kit built! (Later sent to factory to finish building it)
Unless otherwise stated, this section will assume a factory built TriVette with a Fiat engine
There was no "Owners Manual" for the vehicle. Instead it is suggested that you follow the
maintenance schedule for the car that the engine was originally from. You can find service manuals
from used book stores; I got mine on E-bay.
TUNE-UP
oil change
change air filter
condenser
points
WHEN YOU FIRST GET YOUR CAR
Remember that these vehicles are now 30 years old. As with any vehicle of this age, you should go through it completely
before driving it. What I'm primarily talking about is doing a safety inspection - brakes, steering, wheels etc. Also check
the frame for excessive rust. If a section is rusted thru it could give way. Check all screws, bolts etc. these can vibrate
loose with time. Check the battery for a charge and for leakage. Batteries can go bad quickly if not maintained properly.
Check that the lights (headlight, brakes, signals, and running lights), gauges, and indicators work. Rubber goes
bad with age and should be replaced. Check the tires for cracks in the sidewalls, flat spots, uneven wearing, etc. I
automatically change the fuel and oil tubing as well as the hose clamps (if the tubing is rubber and not metal).
ELECTRICAL NOTES
* All of the dashboard gauges, indicators, the steering wheel and its controls are from the Fiat 850
* The external lights are from various sources (See "parts list").
* Instead of a fuse panel, there is a single circuit breaker in the vehicle. It is located in the front of the vehicle behind
the dashboard attached to the left hand side frame. This type of circuit breaker breaks the circuit if the current draw
is too high, it then resets itself and if the current draw is still too high it breaks the circuit again. It repeats
this over and over again until the fault is cleared. The reason Bob designed it this way is that if there is a fault
in the circuitry is was better to have lights etc. intermittently than not at all. If a fuse blows the circuit is out
until the fuse gets replaced.
* The electrical cables going from the front of the vehicle to the rear are run along the side frame tubing on the left hand side.
PARTS LIST - PARTIAL
I have loads of information that will be added as time permits
PART SOURCE
---- ------
LATCHES (HOOD AND DOOR) VW
BATTERY 12V GROUP 53?
HEADLIGHTS ???? ONLY USE MOTORCYCLE BULBS
FRONT RUNNING LIGHTS SUZUKI MOTORCYCLE
REAR TURN SIGNALS SUZUKI MOTORCYCLE
BRAKE, CLUTCH, GAS CONTROLS NEAL (DUNE BUGGIES/OFFROAD)
SIDE WINDOWS CUSTOM MADE FROM MOLDS (NOT AVAILABLE)
WINDSHIELD SAFETY GLASS - CUSTOM MADE
FRAME CUSTOM MADE
BODY PANELS CUSTOM MADE
STEERING WHEEL ??? GATES
STEERING COLUMN, IGN & GEARBOX FROM ORIGINAL FIAT DONOR
WIPER MOTOR ?? MARINE - MODIFIED
WIPER BLADE ????
FRONT TIRE ????
REAR TIRE ????
FRONT AXLE & ASSEMBLY CUSTOM MADE
REAR AXLE 1/2 SHAFT FROM ORIGINAL FIAT DONOR
GAUGES FROM ORIGINAL FIAT DONOR
CONTROLS FROM ORIGINAL FIAT DONOR
FRONT SEAT & SEAT BRACKET FROM ORIGINAL FIAT DONOR
RADIO ????
GAS TANK CUSTOM BUILT FOR THE TRIVETTES
HEATER (UNDER SEAT) FIAT HEATER CORE/CONTROL VALVE
WINDOW & WINDSHIELD GASKET ?? CR RUBBER
|
