Author Topic: And So It Begins.... (Read 49241 times)

Neil-yaj396 · « **Reply #400 on:** January 29, 2025, 09:01:59 AM »

A brand new Beta....!

peteracs · « **Reply #401 on:** January 29, 2025, 04:24:57 PM »

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 · « **Reply #402 on:** January 29, 2025, 04:58:54 PM »

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 · « **Reply #403 on:** January 29, 2025, 05:23:40 PM »

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 · « **Reply #404 on:** January 29, 2025, 07:24:31 PM »

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 · « **Reply #405 on:** January 29, 2025, 09:17:58 PM »

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 · « **Reply #406 on:** January 30, 2025, 07:38:44 AM »

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 · « **Reply #407 on:** January 30, 2025, 12:44:21 PM »

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 · « **Reply #408 on:** January 30, 2025, 01:00:08 PM »

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 · « **Reply #409 on:** February 05, 2025, 07:46:21 PM »

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!

SanRemo78 · « **Reply #410 on:** February 11, 2025, 03:00:19 PM »

Life gets in the way as usual and not as much done as I'd hoped! Still, it's a start and the parts I need to carry on are all here now so it's just a matter of finding time to carry on. Boot floor was cleaned with a tack rag to get rid of what little dust was left and then wiped down with a surface cleaner to ensure no residues were left. A pattern was cut, laid over the first piece of Dynamat and the shape cut out. I'm not cutting out every hole in the sound proofing but enough to allow access into box sections for the Dynax rustproof stage to come. If the hole is not into a box section then it's not covered obviously! It was pretty cold in the garage when the first two pieces went down and I didn't use a heat gun to soften them (thanks for the suggestion Tim Heath) but they stuck down pretty well and even adhered to the dips nicely.

Before:

SanRemo78 · « **Reply #411 on:** February 11, 2025, 03:03:10 PM »

And after! I did manage to finish off installing the stainless trims, the boot lock and latch and the badges need a second coat of paint (and maybe a better 2000 badge) but here is the result:

SanRemo78 · « **Reply #412 on:** February 11, 2025, 03:05:32 PM »

I also fitted the paint code sticker I'd bought from Italy a while back. The second one arrived today which prompted that! The second one is destined for the bespoilered boot lid.

SanRemo78 · « **Reply #413 on:** February 11, 2025, 03:23:28 PM »

Lighting.... The back end has been finished for a while with repainted reflectors and LED bulbs fitted. I really must try and connect some up to see how they look.... I need to get a couple of bulbs for the side repeaters but I've been struggling with the headlights for a while. None of the ones I've got are right or really serviceable. I bought a couple of H1 units at the NEC last year, price was good, Carellos, but likely for the early Saloon and not Coupe. So the search continues.

I'm spoilt by the quality of light the Alfa 159 had (BiXenons) and the quantity on the Stratos (sheer weight of numbers & wattage) but the little Panda is pathetic in comparison. The lights on the Skoda are probably the best of the lot. And I suspect the Panda is a step up from the Beta...

So, I've started looking at alternatives but there is so much crap out there that just doesn't look right. The only thing I've found so far is from an Australian company called Banging' Headlights who have a couple of products that may well do the job. The lights use an LED bulb so are just going to be brighter, the lenses are glass instead of plastic, have a fluted design and are E marked and legal in the UK plus they do RHD and LHD options. That's good to know! There are two basic types available in 5.75 inches and should build into the Beta headlight bowls very easily. The first is the "Traditional" one with a replaceable H4 bulb and the second is the "Restomod" where the bulb isn't replaceable but also comes with a circular Halo light for daytime running that also colour changes to Amber for indicators. And a bigger price tag.

Both types provide dipped and main beam headlights but I think I'd just use the dipped plus main on the outer lamp and main on the inners.

I'm leaning towards the Restomod version at the moment... Change my mind. Go on, I dare you!

https://www.banginheadlights.com/collections/5-75-headlights

WestonE · « **Reply #414 on:** February 19, 2025, 08:27:34 AM »

Hi Guy

Interesting find on the headlights. For me BMW style angle eyes is wrong for the Beta and I am not shy of some modifications. My lights are hoarded NOS SIEMS with just enough extras for my spare set which is not for sale because they are now impossible to replace as far as I know. Some Main Beam units pop up in Italy as do LHD Dipped that might be converted with extreme care.

Eric

SanRemo78 · « **Reply #415 on:** February 25, 2025, 04:30:17 PM »

Well the boot soundproofing is done so I thought it's time to start fitting the fuel tank and systems and get some big bits off the shelf and onto the car where they belong. I spent an hour or two cleaning up the green Cavis piping and working out (from photographs) where it all went. Luckily I had 2 sets as the Y piece on the car had broken when dismantling it and some of it was covered in overspray. A donor car filler neck and seal was in better condition than the original so that got used. I looked at the state of the cloth braided hoses and decided nope, not good enough so they're on the shopping list.

Pulled the tank off the shelf with it's new fasteners and slung it up under the boot and tightened it up. So, there are three pipes on the tank. On the right side of the tank I've got the braided rubber hose breather to the spigot on the top of the inlet pipe and the Cavis pipe, via a roll over valve, to the Y piece (the other sides of that connect the filler area drain and the drain out the bottom of the car. Simples. Then there's the return pipe from the engine bay, that's another braided rubber hose. Also simples.

Except there's a feed pipe to the carburettor. And that's in the sender unit. And mine doesn't have the pick up pipe. It's a new old stock sender. For a VX/Ie car with an electric fuel pump and a different pick up. And it was fracking expensive. But not as expensive as the one I've just ordered from France.

Hey ho. Does anyone need a sender unit for a VX/Ie? Sadly it's NOS box went in the bin a few months ago...

Nigel · « **Reply #416 on:** February 25, 2025, 09:06:57 PM »

Guy,
Nice progress there,
I'm sure you know, but use R9 or better fuel hose everywhere.
I didn't know this 4 years ago, and found an R6 hose split at the tank end and just
about to shed fuel.

Nigel

SanRemo78 · « **Reply #417 on:** March 02, 2025, 03:36:42 PM »

Boot, sides and turrets now sound deadened and I've moved into the cabin. It's taking way longer than expected, I just seem to keep getting interrupted every time I go into the garage this week. I think I'm even going to give the footy a miss this afternoon. Unless I get frustrated with it...

Moved into the cabin this weekend, the main footwells on the drivers side are now covered, hopefully the passenger side will go quicker over the next couple of days leaving only the front bulkhead, rear seat floorpan, front of the rear suspension towers, door inners, rear quarters and roof to line before I can move on to the messy (?) job of spraying Dynax into all the box sections. After I've cleaned up all the rubber bungs I need to stop it seeping out! There's a day involved in that alone.

SanRemo78 · « **Reply #418 on:** March 02, 2025, 03:50:06 PM »

And since nobody dissuaded me from buying some sodding expensive headlights I have mugged the credit card and now await a bill from HMRC and a delivery from Australia.

WestonE · « **Reply #419 on:** March 02, 2025, 06:47:18 PM »

Good luck with the Headlights and I really sympathize on installing Dynamat. I thought it would never end and it is worse with cheap knock off alternative. The difference it made on the Monte is amazing so worth it in the end.

Eric

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Author Topic: And So It Begins.... (Read 49241 times)