It's working so well...

[Godfrey DiGiorgi <ramarren@domain.elided>]

Not been too active on the list, too much work plus a bit of cold/flu has 
eaten into my A-D reading and responding time. Yesterday I managed to nip 
into the ARA Autocross just as things were closing up for a quick visit, 
saying hi to Henrik and Scott and the other Alfa loons. Good to see 
y'all! 

FrankenSpider has been through another one of those expensive upgrading 
visits to the shop. A new transmission was built up on the original '79 
transmission by Tom Sahines with new synchros, '82 bell housing (for the 
Bosch pickups) and speedo gearing (for the 4.10 rear), and lightened 
gears. When I had it installed, I had a few details fixed and improved at 
the same time - new front and rear engine seals, new water pump, new 
clutch slave and connecting hydraulic pipe, replaced the cracking 
driveline donut, etc etc. Altogether a mite bit expensive but ...

Wow! Shifting is exceptionally good! Since I've never owned a new Alfa 
Romeo Spider, I was a little uncertain of the feel of the shifter: it 
seemed a bit notchier than I expected. That sensation has slowly passed. 
The great thing is that I can now flick it into the correct gear for a 
corner very easily and quickly, 4th to 3rd, 3rd to 2nd, even 2nd to 1st 
and up the gears too, with neither grinding nor balking. Even engaging 
first at a standstill from the neutral gate is easy as can be without 
grinding. 

So far, FrankenSpider has turned about 5500 miles since I put it on the 
road. It continues to improve with each step along the way. It's proving 
to be reliable, economical on gas and oil, and a blast to drive. Yes, 
it's been an expensive project ... and I haven't refurbished the interior 
yet either. But I'm pleased with the results. 

Next things to think about coming up are wheels/tires and possibly a 
cylinder head porting job with hotter camshafts... 

It never ends, does it? :)

Godfrey
 - I pay FrankenSpider's bills.

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