Re: GTV returns

[Ian Lomax <sfalfisto@domain.elided>]

Hey Bruce,

Congrats on getting the GTV back.  It sounds like you
need to go through the complete SPICA tuneup, to make
sure that everything is set properly, before you start
adjusting the mixture with the cold start solenoid. 
Check the AROO website www.alfaclub.org for a great
tutorial by Wes, or pick up his book which is
excellent.

Cheers,
Ian Lomax
71 Spider (bare engine bay, needs cleaning and paint)
94 164LS (new Q seats, woo hoo!)

--- "Giller,Bruce C." <bgiller@domain.elided> wrote:
> 	The GTV returned to the fold on Friday evening
> looking quite good after
> it's Jan. accident.  Of course, the shop lost a few
> items, like the knob
> headed screw that holds the fuse box cover on (how
> they lost THAT, I
> don't know), and a metal strap that bolts to the
> front section that hold
> a tray that is just in front of the radiator.  I'm
> going to make a list
> of what I need for I'm sure it might be a bit
> longer.  Spent some time
> on Sunday between the rain storms to hose out the
> engine compartment
> because of all heaps of bondo particles.  And the
> new front bumper
> really makes the rear one look bad....probably end
> up getting it replaced.
> 
> 	Of course, true to form, the car died about 3
> blocks from the body shop
> and had to be towed home - I was reminded why I
> don't go to McDonalds to
> buy anything edible whilst waiting for the tow-man
> or someone like him. 
> At least the weather was warm and dry, and my wife
> was excellent company
> to spend 1.5 hours on a Friday evening.
> 
> 	So I tried to get the car running on Sunday and
> could only get it to
> run reasonably well by disconnecting the short SPICA
> arm and allowing
> more air into the cylinders AND have the timing
> quite advanced.  The
> plugs were all black and my wife had mentioned that,
> when following me
> for the brief time the car was running, lots of
> black smoke was being
> emitted.  If I returned the timing to near what it
> should be, the engine
> would die.
> 
> 	Wes I. sez that at idle, all the air to the
> cylinders should be coming
> thru the idle circuit and not the butterfly valves. 
> Since the pump was
> rebuilt by Wes, the pump is not suspect.  I'm
> athinkn' that the cut-off
> solenoid is set to "way toooooo" rich which accounts
> for the need for
> more air and (I'm hoping this is true) the advanced
> timing.  I think
> that in the AROC SPICA manual, there is a cut-off
> solenoid preliminary
> setting (something like 7 turns in) just to get the
> car running.
> 
> 	And those faithful readers who remember that I had
> mentioned previously
> that I had only one brake circuit and blamed it on
> blowing out a seal in
> the brake MC, I must say that I was wrong in that
> diagnosis.  Turns out
> that a brake hard line to the rear right caliper
> blew out (the one on
> the tranny).  I removed the brake line and the
> connector at the brake
> line distributor on the tranny was rusted solid to
> the line and I just
> twisted the connector off the brake line.
> 
> 	Now I'm thinking that I should replace all the
> brake hard lines in the
> car for they are probably of the same vintage - old.
>  IAP has a kit that
> requires bending but neither Centerline nor Alfa
> Parts mention any brake
> hard lines.  Is this where I I buy several lengths
> of brake line tubing
> (I think it is 3/16" - does anyone know the size?),
> a tube flaring tool,
> tube bender, and just make my own?
> 
> 	Bruce 
> 
> 	PS and last week the fuel pump on the Spider went
> south and had to be
> replaced.  This makes 2 tows for two different cars
> in one week!  I'm
> upgrading my AAA membership to Plus as soon as
> possible!
> 
> 	'86 Spider
> 	'73 GTV - recovering in the driveway
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