And So It Begins....

[Neil-yaj396]

A brand new Beta....!

[peteracs]

And you did not think you would be on the road before me….. I think you will be way ahead of me!

Looking really smart I have to say!

Peter

[SanRemo78]

Haven't touched the engine or box yet.
Some brake parts to be done.
New loom to be designed/made.
No exhaust yet.
Headlights too.
Headlining to sort out.

The list just goes on and one. But it is getting shorter and the big bills are behind me now. I hope.

Guy

[peteracs]

I have one big bill left to do the paint, then as you down to me, before we go for the tuning etc.

What is your thoughts on the engine/box? Full or partial or no strip down of the engine? Is the box a known one or will you just give it a go and see how it performs? Are you going to replace the clutch while it is out of the car?

On the wiring loom, can you reuse what you have or was it past its use by date?

Peter

[SanRemo78]

The engine is a Guy Croft motor that's sat for a few years. Maybe 15 (well stored) in a garage so it'd be mechanical suicide not to strip it down, clean it, check it and paint it before reassembly with new gaskets and a few shiny bits. I have a NOS distributor and oil pump and the connecting gear (that's been in stock since I had a 124 Spider). If there is any doubt about the parts they'll be replaced. Full gasket set supplied by Mark.

The gearbox is a VX one, I'll check that over and change the oil as a matter of course. I've also got a spare gearbox (non VX) and I'm contemplating butchering that in an attempt to see if I can get an Alfa Q2 differential to fit. The bloke who bought the Alfa 159 Q4 from me recently has offered to have a look into that with me - it may be a small business opportunity for him?

I'll assess the existing clutch on the engine but the chances are that the plate will be replaced and work done on the flywheel if needed.

On the loom I think it's probably toast. To future proof the car I'm considering another big bill in the form of a Simtek loom and do away with all the fuses and relays and end up with an electronic loom with a lot less connections. If that happens then the original loom is likely to supply little more than special connectors like the ones on the instrument panel and switchgear.

Lots still to do before I get to these jobs. Once it's home I want to sort out some external trim, door handles, latches etc so that the body is better protected in the garage environment. Then a bit of soundproofing. Or a lot. And then a few days on cavity waxing! There are a few parts hanging around the garage that will either be cleaned and re-used or used as pattern parts. That's the fuel and brake lines plus the fuel tank and carpets. Once they're in I'm creating a lot of space on the shelves which means they can go to create even more space to work around the car.

Well, that's the plan, let's see how it pans out!

[peteracs]

Hi

Interesting on the loom, I did consider using a PDM setup, but balked at the cost it would likely be (I have spent enough to date and know I still have a fair way to go).

On the engine gasket set, what head gasket are you aiming to use?

Peter

[SanRemo78]

Probably the one supplied in the kit by Mark, it's a decent make, I think it's Payen but it's too cold to go look right now!

[SanRemo78]

And it's safely home, tucked up in the garage next to the Stratos replica where it'll be for a while to come!

Where to start?

[WestonE]

For reliable use a Cometic MLS Head Gasket with new bolts or better the ARP Studs. There is plenty to read on here about it. Also beware cheap spec cam box base gaskets that leak even from name brands. And finally oil seals should be late Fiat spec not raw metal outer cheapies. On valve stem oils seals the turbo spec type are made of a better material to last longer.

Your clutch will be 228 8V Integrale pattern.

Enjoy

Eric 

[SanRemo78]

Started at the back today, had two days of nightmares trying to sort out a failed (15 month old) Salamander shower pump, we're washing in the kitchen sink at the moment, no bath!
The idea is to put as many bulky parts on the car to clear shelving space and to add stuff that might take a knock in preference to the paint. Bumpers were fitted before it came home but the rear lights went in (very easy 2 minute job) followed by the trim on the boot lip, full set of clips, no issues, just needed to give the stainless strip a quick polish inside and out. Bolted up perfectly.
Lower strip retrieved from storage. Not having been near the car for about 18 months I wasn't sure if I had enough little X clips for this bit. I was one short and only two with a full complement of pins and body protection tabs but enough broken ones that I could repair the outer X clips by drilling a 3mm hole through the centre and then countersink it with a 6.5mm drill. Got a pair of 3mm stainless bolts and put the threaded end in a Dremel and a rough file to put a countersink on the underside and then file down the remainder of the head so it was flush with the plastic clip. A bit of epoxy glue to stop them moving and then slip them into place and nail it to the car. End trim pieces were a doddle but the captive bolts have been replaced with stainless ones. Looks great!
Tomorrow I hope to complete the boot lid lock and it's mechanism and fit the catch and helper springs. Badges have been dug out of storage and I'll give them a quick clean and repaint the black bits and they should be on at the weekend. Just need to remember where I put the paint code sticker for the underside of the boot. I bought a second one this week for the spare boot lid.
A couple of boxes of Dynamat arrived on Monday - ordered on Sunday afternoon from JustKampers.com it took less than 24 hours to arrive along with a roller, tape and a roll of Dynaliner for the front bulkhead. I'm seriously impressed with that service! It's all been laid flat to get rid of some fold creases and I've got some brown parcel paper to make templates to aid fitting.
i want to put the door sill stainless trims on before getting into the cabin. Floor first and then the carpet can go down and I should be able to think about headlining next week and sort out a couple of gallons of Dynax and treat all the box sections.
Busy times ahead!