Alfa cherry popped
06-24-2018, 10:11 AM
#12
yep, agree about the weight/position although as one naturally inclined toward large capacity engines I sometimes struggle with the less is more concept
cambelt is on the garage's to-do list
I didn't know about the valve clearances but that be done when the cambelt is done as I understand the cover has to come off to do that job
am also quite interested in the twin spark arrangement - eight plugs for a four doth not compute in gadworld
funny electrics definitely to be expected but as the cars are simple (by today's standards) then issues should not be insurmountable or inaccessible even if they are sometimes illogical
what is surprising is that the buggers were galvanised and how many of the panels are plastic/composite
cambelt is on the garage's to-do list
I didn't know about the valve clearances but that be done when the cambelt is done as I understand the cover has to come off to do that job
am also quite interested in the twin spark arrangement - eight plugs for a four doth not compute in gadworld
funny electrics definitely to be expected but as the cars are simple (by today's standards) then issues should not be insurmountable or inaccessible even if they are sometimes illogical
what is surprising is that the buggers were galvanised and how many of the panels are plastic/composite
The twin plugs allow the flame front to progress more rapidly, resulting in a cleaner,faster, more thorough burn. They used to be common in earlier times. Borgward even had an F2 engine (used by Cooper) with four valves, twin spark AND direct injection. Needless to say, the chief engineer wasn't entirely happy with the combustion chamber shape he'd compromised upon...
That clamshell bonnet with the spider-eyes was quite a marvel of production in the 916's day. The car was more innovative than many gave it credit for. Amazing what you can do with a FIAT Teapot plank and some lateral thinking.
06-25-2018, 10:53 AM
#13
Banned
Thread Starter
Rather worryingly I haven't heard anything from the garage for about four days so maybe they are as frazzled as the electrics!
I have the spares car arriving tomorrow.
Who knows, it may end up being saved and the original becoming spare.
I have the spares car arriving tomorrow.
Who knows, it may end up being saved and the original becoming spare.
07-01-2018, 01:39 AM
#15
Banned
Thread Starter
The plan is (becoming was) to make one goody out of two but the more I look at this spares car the more I think I might save it. Higher mileage than the other one but it has a good history and lots of new bits.
It is pretty in pink...
11-29-2018, 11:03 PM
#17
Banned
Thread Starter
Update
It has only taken six months but the garage have finally sorted out the electrics on my first spider
Had a bizarre fault where the ignition warning light wouldn't go out once the car was running (MOT fail) even though emissions were fine
This has coincided with my Jag needing a couple of bumper off jobs - most importantly an offside headlight - so I will pootle around in the newly MOT'd spider for a bit
We'll see how far I get but I must say it's quite shocking how few older cars I see being used as dailys round here
Meanwhile the V6 sits on blocks and the pink one pictured sleeps in a lockup until spring/summer when its fate will be decided
It has only taken six months but the garage have finally sorted out the electrics on my first spider
Had a bizarre fault where the ignition warning light wouldn't go out once the car was running (MOT fail) even though emissions were fine
This has coincided with my Jag needing a couple of bumper off jobs - most importantly an offside headlight - so I will pootle around in the newly MOT'd spider for a bit
We'll see how far I get but I must say it's quite shocking how few older cars I see being used as dailys round here
Meanwhile the V6 sits on blocks and the pink one pictured sleeps in a lockup until spring/summer when its fate will be decided
11-29-2018, 11:16 PM
#18
Registered User
Update
It has only taken six months but the garage have finally sorted out the electrics on my first spider
Had a bizarre fault where the ignition warning light wouldn't go out once the car was running (MOT fail) even though emissions were fine
This has coincided with my Jag needing a couple of bumper off jobs - most importantly an offside headlight - so I will pootle around in the newly MOT'd spider for a bit
We'll see how far I get but I must say it's quite shocking how few older cars I see being used as dailys round here
Meanwhile the V6 sits on blocks and the pink one pictured sleeps in a lockup until spring/summer when its fate will be decided
It has only taken six months but the garage have finally sorted out the electrics on my first spider
Had a bizarre fault where the ignition warning light wouldn't go out once the car was running (MOT fail) even though emissions were fine
This has coincided with my Jag needing a couple of bumper off jobs - most importantly an offside headlight - so I will pootle around in the newly MOT'd spider for a bit
We'll see how far I get but I must say it's quite shocking how few older cars I see being used as dailys round here
Meanwhile the V6 sits on blocks and the pink one pictured sleeps in a lockup until spring/summer when its fate will be decided
11-30-2018, 03:08 AM
#20
Banned
Thread Starter
Yes, R prefix
Anyway, fail list has gone from mahoosive to three advisories - front tyres getting low and some start of brake pipe corrosion
I will drive it about until it misbehaves or my Jag is fixed, whichever is soonest, then decide whether to move it on or stick to the original plan
Soft top is bit knackered so may have to bodge with silicone for now
The cars aren't worth much but many parts prices (from breakers) are stupid so I can see why some owners would stick to bodged repairs or live with broken components
Anyway, fail list has gone from mahoosive to three advisories - front tyres getting low and some start of brake pipe corrosion
I will drive it about until it misbehaves or my Jag is fixed, whichever is soonest, then decide whether to move it on or stick to the original plan
Soft top is bit knackered so may have to bodge with silicone for now
The cars aren't worth much but many parts prices (from breakers) are stupid so I can see why some owners would stick to bodged repairs or live with broken components