Lancia Beta Forum

Sorry i havent been a very active forum member lately guys but i been too busy sorting out the beta to get her back on the road! So shes gone through an mot (not easily) taxed and insured! Because of my age havent managed to get classic insurance so paying ridiculous amount but its worth it!

Things needed before MOT:
>Replace coil spring
>2 new headlights and sorting out of earths
>Heater matrix (sourced from a chap on here  ;D so cheers!)
>Sort rear lights (bad connections)
>Both rear wheel bearings (front ones going but it passed!)
>And last but not least RUST!!!

So not much really!  ::) lol

But i am absolutely amazed at the handling, speed and most of all FUN the car has! I cant go out in it without grinning ear to ear! Without a doubt one of the funnest things ive driven for a while even when just puttering round back roads!

Shes created a few other little faults for example getting low voltage at wipers and lights so dim and slow :/ but good enough for now. Also when i put the heater on the battery MASSIVELY drops voltage and BATT light comes on so possible short. Oh and the fact on my first outting through the town smoke started to pour out a vent on the dash...... I pulled over, extinguisher at hand, but couldnt find anything. Drove home fine and has never happened again  ??? .

But for now my biggest concern (other than possible fires  ::) ) is trying to get the missis into it!  ;D

So cheers for all the help you have given on here! Its really helped and if anyone is ever down the bridport dorset area then look me up!

Cheers, Shep

Well done Shep.
Glad to see another close by.

Mark

Great news Shep, I'm glad you are making progress. If you are still looking for headlights give me a call as I have some INNER Carrellos that are good, along with their matching brackets, and a pair of different style OUTER Carrellos that are more than serviceable. Send me a PM or ring me if you still have my number. The front lights are a bit of a nightmare sometimes as Lancia seemed to change manufacturer to SIEM at some stage, and Carrello seemed to have changed the mounting bracket arrangement along the way as well. So best to see what you have and start from there. If I haven't got the right thing then I know someone who might!
Well done thus far,
best,
Chas and Anne :)
(VXdeMAYO).

Nice to hear it Shep, they are great drivers cars. I think the battery warning light is a common complaint on beta's, some people live with having it on all the time. Cant remember if anyone ever had the explanation for it. If I start mine it'll be on until I blip the throttle from idle and it'll go out. I wouldn't say the gauges are that accurate, I prefer to rely on what a multimeter tells me.
I'd be wary of your alternator, these can start to fail by burning out, and can start smoking, I had it on mine.
I can get her in luckily, with 5 point harnesses to keep her there and no interior, the only thing I and she can listen to is the car :D
I've got my MOT monday just hope it's not a long list :-\

The smoke was probably some old oil burning off the exhaust manifold. Worth checking for a leak on the cam box.

Cheers guys! Took her along a nice road today and she was perfect. I been using her whenever the sun comes out and she hasn't played up at all (touch wood!!!) lol
Thanks chas but I managed to secure 2 universal morrette headlights and held them in with triumph dolomite chrome rings. Little hint for anyone thinking the same- dont! Just get replacements ha
The car seems to be running in nicely tho and no more smoke! As for the missis I now just give her a choice either the beta or on foot  ;D lol
Good luck with the mot mate.... If mine can pass sure yours will be fine ha.
I been checking regularly the leaks and levels but all seems fine so maybe a wet joint or something  ???

Cheers, Shep