[alfa] Berlina spring info (was springs, coolant, comments...)

[Jon Pike <jhpike@xxxxxxx>]

> D- one problem, its impossible to get rear springs for anything other than 
> a Spider.  Tried for my GTV and failed...  But, don't despair.  You can get 
> spring spacers that are the correct diameter that should get the rear to 
> the perfect height that you want.  Does your car have the spring "hats" on 
> the top?  If not, that will be a good start.  The other option is to go 
> with a non Alfa spring, which may not be that easy- who out there knows 
> what the correct: diameter, rate, resting length of the Berlina's rear 
> springs?  If they are the correct diamter (like the front ones are) you 
> could get virtually any length and rate from a stock car race shot...
Berlina spring info...  happen to have an original 2000 Technical 
Characteristics and Inspection Specifiations
book that came with the second engine..  Note that it was written in 
8-71,  and is probably for Euro spec cars.

The springs show up as three different free lengths, as well as three 
different weights, for the three models at compression. Compressed 
lengths are all the same.   Strangely,  there are two slightly different 
lengths and weights
for left hand and right hand drive Spiders.  Also strangely, only the 
Berlina has different front springs on different sides.

Berlina Springs:

Rear:
Free length:        467mm
Length at load:    252mm
Test load:            ranges from 349 to 371 Kg,  in four ranges of 
about 5 kilo's wide.

Front:                  "Off Side"  (passenger?)
Free length:        345mm
Length at load:    214mm
Test load:            ranges from  to 902 to 958 Kg,  in five ranges of 
about 10 kilo's wide.

Front:                  "Near Side"  (driver??)
Free length:        355mm
Length at load:    214mm
Test load:            ranges from  to 970 to 1030 Kg,  in five ranges of 
about 10 kilo's wide.

Compare this with a Spider,

Rear:                  '71                                             
           '80's
Free length:        437mm                                                
  457mm
Length at load:    252mm                                               
  252mm
Test load:            ranges from 269 to 285 Kg                   335 to 
355 Kg

Front:                 
Free length:        318mm                                                
  318mm
Length at load:    214mm                                               
  214mm
Test load:            ranges from  to 730 to 775 Kg              730 to 
775 kg

Interesting..  looks like the Spider fronts didn't change,  but the 
rears did with the heavier 80's cars.  And, assuming the diameters 
didn't change,   the rear 80's Spider springs are a little shorter,  and 
only a bit lighter than the early 2000 Berlina's...  might be a workable 
replacement with some shimming.   Wonder if anyone has this manual for 
the 1750 cars, or earlier?

If anyone is interested,  I have more info in the 80's book,  
diameters,  spring rates, etc.. My fingers are tired now..

Jon
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