Lancia Beta Forum

Hello, boys ... My Beta 1600 Coupe (S2FL/1980) is finally back from the mechanic. I got it on last friday, so i could drive the first 50 or 70 kilometers with her in the past few days. Beta is fully serviced (new belts, spark plugs, all filters and all liquids (brake fluid, cooling fluid and motor and transmission oil)), the valves timing is well too. The mechanic thinks that the car is 'crazy good' (allmost no rust at all ...), the brakes and underpinnings (bushes) are good too. But we had to change the Gear Linkage Bushes, that was the real problem when i drove the car for the first time. We made a new bushes from metal, now the transmission problems are gone (i even got a '50 years' warranty from my mechanic, hehe).

i like the sound and the torque of the 1.6 litre engine (134 nm, 13,7 kgm/ 3000 rpm), becuse i didn't know my 1.6 litre engine before, but i must confess that the engine sound of my first 1.3 litre (60 kW) Beta coupe was sweeter and more appealing. The only problem are weird sounds (some kind combination of whistling and soaking after 6000 rpm till allowed 6400 rpm), my friends Beta Spider 2000 with carbs (S2, 88 kW) makes the some noise after reving beyond 6000 rpm. Is that normal? Do i forgett that my car is 42-years old? So i have decided that the 6000 rpm will be my limit for all times ... I use a EQTM certified 95 octane unleaded fuel with added lead additive. Shoud i try the 100 octane fuel? That is the ony strange noise from the engine. It runs on the spot with 650 rpm (cold) and about 750 rpm (hot). The automatic choke works but it starts to run with 1500 rpm and than slowly raises till 2000 rpm. Is that normal?

The problem i have is linked with suspension, because the Beta bounces vertically like a goat (on the bad roads and on speed bumps), but without any strange or bad noises, driving on the good roads is far better. I suppose that i should change or renew the dampers, but the car stops well and without problems. And it also runs straight without pulling to any side. Currently all four tyres are inflated with air (1,8 bar / 26 psi), should i use the 1.7 bar (24 psi) arrangement (factory settings when cold and empty, i only weight 70 kg/156 pounds), the tyres are 2 years old (4 season Nexen 175/70 R14)?

All the electrics and all the gauges works, otherwise the car is very pleasant to drive with no strange noises ...

Have a nice evening, Betaboyz ...

Marko

Hi Marko

Bouncing up and down?

Definitely sounds like shock absorbers are not good. The car should handle really well without any drama.

Auto choke sounds like mine, so I would not worry.

Peter

Good morning peteracs ...

Thanks for your opinion. I think that the dampers are worn because of their age. The first beta did also bounce a little on the bad tarmac, but not so much as my 'new beta'. The only good news is that bouncing (up & down) is not accompanied with any metal sounds, it's just annoying ... I will check the dampers ...

Have a nice day ...

Marko

Hi

The only bad news is the later struts were sealed units so either have to modify them with add on collars to allow new inserts or buy new struts. Betaboyz have the inserts and collars and often the complete struts. Either way not a cheap option. I suggest bounce testing each corner to see which are the bad ones!

Peter

Hello, Beta lovers ...

I finally managed to buy and replace the tired shock absorbers. it wasn't cheap (1200 euros), but it was worth it, because now Beta doesn't jump like a goat on the road. At the same time, I bought a new IMASAF rear muffler (165 euros), but I haven't replaced it yet, because we repaired the old one. After a year and a half of ownership and about 2,000 driven kilometers, I had no major problems with the car, only a few problems with the contacts (lights and the handbrake warning light), but WD40 solved all the problems. I am very satisfied with the car, as well as with the sound of the 1.6 liter engine. According to the odometer, the car now has almost 20,000 kilometers ...

https://www.bielstein.com/Stossdaempfer-Federbein-Satz-Hinterachse-Coupe-Spyder (https://www.bielstein.com/Stossdaempfer-Federbein-Satz-Hinterachse-Coupe-Spyder)

https://www.bielstein.com/Stossdaempfer-Federbein-Satz-Vorderachse (https://www.bielstein.com/Stossdaempfer-Federbein-Satz-Vorderachse)

Have a nice day with your Betas ...

Marko

A Beautiful Beta and sorted out as they all should be. Well done!

WestonE, good morning ...

Thank you very much for your kind opinion ... have a nice day ...

Marko

Looks really smart Marko.

Enjoy.

Mark

Hi Marko,
This car makes me smile.
My first beta (35 years ago) was a series II 1585cc coupe. I’ve never been without one since.

You have a lovely car,
Enjoy
Ian

Hi Marko

Nice car and glad you sorted the bouncing…

Peter

Good morning boys, thank you very much for your kind words about my car. I think that my Beta is currently in top condition, she is already known in the Slovenian media. Last year, when I attended the annual Slovenian rally of youngtimer vehicles, where there were about 300 vehicles, the journalists called it the most beautiful car at the rally. But I didn't receive the prize because I ran away from the rally early with my 'fratello' Tommy (red beta 2000 spider & white beta HPE VX) because of the rain and a possible storm ...

https://siol.net/avtomoto/novice/youngtimerji-napolnili-ljubljano-srecanje-polno-nostalgije-video-586183

Have a nice day ...

Marko