Alfa Pages

RBL · Posted: Wed May 14, 2003 9:21 pm Post subject: a few questions

After rebuilding my 1.7 8v engine from an '89 Sprint, I'm just about to buy all the last bits to finish it, but I'm not sure about a few items.

Does it matter what fuel filter is used or is a standard clear in-line one ok?
Also same with the oil filter - it seems from doing a search than an Alfa one is best?
I'm keeping the standard air filter box for the 40 IDFs, is there a free flow filter worth getting or is a standard one ok?
The distributor is a Bosch ECU - are any disibutor caps better than others?
From the searches I've done here, Golden Lodge plugs seem to be the best which I'll combine with Bosche leads.

Lastly I'm getting the gearbox bead blasted before painting the sump plate and renewing the seal / gaskets - is there anything else worth going to it at this stage? I've never seen it working but assume it's ok (100k miles)

(I have tried to get these items from Justsuds but without any luck. Has Phil stopped supplying or is he just too busy?)

Any advice would be really helpful - thought I'd get all my questions out in one go! I'm sure there'll be more questions before I start it up for the first time Very Happy

Thanks

(ps. I have tried to get these items from Justsuds but without any luck. Has Phil stopped supplying or is he just too busy?)

Admin · Posted: Wed May 14, 2003 10:45 pm Post subject:

Hi

On a carbed car a normal inline filter is fine. I have had one block up in 4000 miles once though, with some fine grit

Keep to the Alfa oil filters. I am sure there are other good ones available but the trouble is knowing which ones

You can get a K&N element for the standard box. I wouldnt expect any increase in power, but at least you can wash them

With the gearbox I would be careful about bead blasting it. There must be a breater somewhere and you dont want grit getting into the box. Also if the box is out now it might be worth getting 2nd gear synchro done.

All the best

Keith

RBL · Posted: Wed May 14, 2003 11:23 pm Post subject:

Thanks Keith, thats a great help. The gearbox is at the blasters now and I've been really careful to cover/block any vunerable areas but hadn't thought about a breather - I'll check first. (It's going into a mid engined porsche spyder replica so needs to look good.) I'll look into the 2nd gear synchro replacement too.

Thanks Richard

Admin · Posted: Wed May 14, 2003 11:46 pm Post subject:

Hi

Well, I would also worry about the seals on the box.

Mind you it could be tempting to try alloy wheel cleaner. Not sure what effect that would have on the seals. Vapour blasting seems to give a good finish without being too abrasive

All the best

Keith

RBL · Posted: Thu May 15, 2003 9:56 am Post subject:

Do you have any idea where / what this breather might look like? I've checked the manual, and from what I remember when I prepared the box for blasting, there isn't anything. Though I'd hate to be wrong - the idea of a seized box a few miles down the road isn't fun! Anyone any ideas?

I tried alloy wheel cleaner on something else and the result wasn't as good as the glass bead blasting - I've had all the alloy parts on the engine done, as well as many of the steel parts, and it looks like new. (I'll have to post up a pic when it's done)

Also, on the top of the box at the back, what is the small plasic disc with the metal strip over it? (this isn't the breather is it? it looks more electrical)

Thanks, Richard

Admin · Posted: Thu May 15, 2003 10:42 am Post subject:

Hi

Not certain where the breather is, but I would think there must be one

Think the bit you have described it the connector for the speedo drive (33 uses an electronic speedo)

All the best

Keith

BILL · Posted: Thu May 15, 2003 11:02 am Post subject:

Hi
I think the breather is at the top of the gearbox next to the shift stick.
It has a plastick seal with a metal grip on it as not to get off easy.
If you turn the gearbox upside down there should be a leak from the breather.Not know if this is helpfull for you.

RBL · Posted: Thu May 15, 2003 11:42 am Post subject:

Thanks Bill

That sounds like it could be it! I wondered what that was, because I'm sure the speedo drive is mechanical on this gearbox (there's a hole to take the cable drive).

Thanks for your help guys!
Richard

RBL · Posted: Sat May 24, 2003 6:35 pm Post subject:

I've got the 'box back from the blasters and it looks like new. Very Happy

There was no damage or bead grit in any seals etc so I got away with it - and replaced all the bolts etc so they don't now rust.

Unfortunately after taking off the sump plate to paint it and renew the gasket I found that one tooth has broken off the 2nd gear cog and 7 consecutive teeth have broken off the 4th gear! Sad

I assume this needs to be repaired? - is it a big job? Anyone any idea how much this might cost?

Thanks, Richard

Admin · Posted: Sun May 25, 2003 2:41 pm Post subject:

Hi

Sounds like gearbox rebuild time. It isnt going to be that cheap unfortunatly. Ring round a few Alfa specialists and get a few quotes is the best idea.

All the best

Keith

RBL · Posted: Mon May 26, 2003 1:10 pm Post subject:

Thanks Keith. I noticed from another post that you were quoted £220 just for the 2nd synchro repair - ouch! I guess it has to be done.

The car it's going into only weighs about 600kg so if the engineer knows what he's doing I may play around with the ratios - any idea on this?

Richard

ricardo · Posted: Tue May 27, 2003 4:58 am Post subject: don't use golden lodge

sounds interesting richard, though bin the golden lodge spark plugs and use any thing else , they are a very old design that wears quickly, and, sometimes literaly fall apart , leaving the electrode in your bore , not nice
i use a simple ngk bp6es and have a great record with em , you can also get long life multi pin ngk as well ,,
you can do the gearboxes yourself and if only replacing syncros etc , don't need to set the diff just do pay lots of attention to how it comes to bits
the only secial tool needed if the big socket for the pinion nut
cheer ricardo
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RBL · Posted: Tue May 27, 2003 7:56 am Post subject:

Thanks for the feedback Ricardo. I'd be happy to do the gearbox myself but it's a 5 speed and I understand from the manual a DIY job on this should never be attempted as it needs up to 35 special tools to do the job and is really difficult!? (I rebuilt the engine but I know nothing about gearboxes)

Cheers, Richard

Admin · Posted: Wed May 28, 2003 11:46 pm Post subject:

Hi

A large part of the cost of fixing the synchros is the labour to drop then gearbox out and put it back in, something that is going to cost you in the region of £0

I have never pulled a 33 gearbox to pieces I am afraid

All the best

Keith

RBL · Posted: Thu May 29, 2003 8:21 am Post subject:

Hi Keith

I took the gearbox to an alfa specialist earlier in the week and they quoted £180 to strip and rebuild it, plus any parts needed on top of that. They've got an easier job, cos as you say it's already out of the car and drained with all external bits removed. They said they'd call me after they looked inside if they find it is too far gone and not worth the expense.

It's probably worth doing as I would like this car to drive like new when it's finally built. If it is too expensive, I'll probably be putting up a post here - "wanted - good second hand 5 speed box "!

Cheers, Richard

Gary UK · Posted: Thu May 29, 2003 2:42 pm Post subject:

"wanted - good second hand 5 speed box "!

This is a contradiction in terms. That would be like asking for hen's teeth.
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