Rebuilt Spica T/A life expectancy

**paulsle** · #1 (**permalink**) 02-02-2004, 05:51 PM

Question: How many years might a rebuilt thermostatic actuator be fully serviceable for?

I looked through the archives here on the BB and at the Alfa Digest, but couldn't find a discussion on this.

Judging by the invoices passed along with my car from previous owners, it looks as though mine was purchased from Alfa Ricambi 16 years ago. I've read that 5 years is the typical service life, but I think that's usually in reference to the original equipment T/A's.

I did the pot 'o hot water test 2 years ago and measured +29mm at 175 f. Did it again tonight and got the same result; right on spec at +29mm.

What's driving this question is I'm about to send my Spica pump in to Wes I. for a high performance rebuild. I don't want to compromise the results by skimping with a T/A that's on borrowed time. On the other hand I'd rather not spend the $$$ if a T/A rebuild simply isn't called for.

Opinions and advice welcome...

**Roadtrip** · #2 (**permalink**) 02-02-2004, 06:12 PM

The T/A checks good, so don't replace it. That would be a pure waste of money. It may last another 5 years or 5 minutes. T/As should not be replaced as a matter of preventative maintenance.

Your new Ingram pump will work just fine with the old T/A. Even if the existing T/A goes bad in the future, it certainly won't damage the pump . . . . the engine will just start to run rich and the idle may be high.

If you haven't been using Marvel Mystery Oil in your fuel, start doing so with your new pump. Also, be sure to add fresh oil to the logic section and a new injection pump oil filter when you install the new pump. I don't know if Ingram send re-installation instructions with his rebuilt pumps.

How's your engine configured with cams and pistons in order to take advantage of the hi-perf pump?

Farace · #3 (**permalink**) 02-02-2004, 07:58 PM

I asked Robin Hoeven, who does the rebuilds for IAP, Ereminas, and others, how long a life one might reasonably expect, with the understanding that it's warranted for two years. He said it wouldn't be unreasonable to think it could last ten years. Hoeven uses stainless steel springs and replaces the stock copper-coated steel tubing with stainless. (Cores sent to him can have broken tubing with no penalty on the core charge.)

**paulsle** · #4 (**permalink**) 02-03-2004, 06:25 PM

Quote:

T/As should not be replaced as a matter of preventative maintenance. If you haven't been using Marvel Mystery Oil in your fuel, start doing so with your new pump. Also, be sure to add fresh oil to the logic section and a new injection pump oil filter when you install the new pump.

**Roadtrip** · #5 (**permalink**) 02-03-2004, 08:02 PM

Sounds like a great setup for a HP pump. Let us know how it turns out. What kind of horsepower do you expect to get with that setup . . . . I'm guessin' about 160 on the upper end?

**paulsle** · #6 (**permalink**) 02-04-2004, 04:04 PM

Sounds like a great setup for a HP pump. Let us know how it turns out.

Will do. More than likely that I'll be back here with a question or 2 before I'm done.

What kind of horsepower do you expect to get with that setup . . . . I'm guessin' about 160 on the upper end?

I never really thought about it in terms of how many horsepower.
160 seems optimistic, but then I really don't know. Even that seems like such a wimpy H.P. rating compared to many of today's engines. I do know that even with a worn Spica pump, the engine pulled very strong. I've surprised myself a few times punching it coming off a highway on-ramp, more intent on watching the tach for red line instead of the speedo, and then realizing that we were quickly approaching, or at, 95 mph.

I hope the H.P. Spica pump will round out the package, we'll see.

Good night,