Don't throw away Spica actuators!

[Andrew]

I was just talking to Wes Ingram, who mentioned the need to save Spica thermostatic actuators for rebuilding. There is of course a finite supply of them, and the number of good ones without broken tubes is dwindling. The tube replacement process is not a simple one, something Wes's shop I believe does not currently do, though a guy in LA does, but may not forever.

The point being, don't throw away any actuators, regardless of condition. Wes's shop pays for rebuildable cores, and will also take ones that seem sub-rebuildable, but might be worth fixing as the supply gets lower.

Wes mentioned there is currently no viable alternative to a TA on a Spica car, though I know some folks have tried to come up with digital replacements.

Andrew

[jarrington]

I just turned in a bunch to IAP for store credit, which I imagine will eventually make their way back to Wes or one of the other rebuilders.

-Jason

[ossodiseppia]

What's the going rate for rebuildable cores?

[Andrew]

$10-15 from Wes.
Andrew

[jarrington]

Quote:

Originally Posted by ossodiseppia What's the going rate for rebuildable cores?

[lowmileage]

IAP gets $245 for a replacement with a rebuildable core. Yikes

[alfafan61]

I still send mine back to WES. Avoid the middle man

[lowmileage]

Quote:

Originally Posted by jarrington $40 store credit from IAP. Selling Cores to IAP -Jason

[usatrade]

To Andrew
Who is the guy in LA that rebultys those TA's ?
thanks
Claude
P.S. Do any one knows if we can test a TA in hot water like we do with engine/water thermostats ?

[Andrew]

Yes, I test my TAs on the stove with a meat thermometer to check the water temp. Boiling is too hot, so you need to stay a bit below it.

I believe it's Robin Hoeven (sp) in Long Beach, who does/did advertize in the Alfa Owner.

Andrew

[Roadtrip]

Quote:

Originally Posted by usatrade To Andrew Who is the guy in LA that rebultys those TA's ? thanks Claude P.S. Do any one knows if we can test a TA in hot water like we do with engine/water thermostats ?

[usatrade]

Thanks guys,

I am going to soft boil my morning egg in my water TA testing (testing the TA before it boils THEN cook my egg - hopefully not the other way)

Thanks again

Have a fabulous day

Claude

P.S. Who is the BB website manager/master ?

[green 69 gtv]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Andrew Yes, I test my TAs on the stove with a meat thermometer to check the water temp. Boiling is too hot, so you need to stay a bit below it. I believe it's Robin Hoeven (sp) in Long Beach, who does/did advertize in the Alfa Owner. Andrew

[Roadtrip]

A serviceable TA will NOT retract all the way. Retracting all the way into the brass base is one indication that the TA is shot.

The older versions (27mm extension, years 69-76, [T260 Calif]) are very scarce now, but the specs on them are 19mm at room temp and 27mm at 175F (+/-1mm).

The newer versions are 29mm and 31mm extension (+/-1mm) (at 175F, years 76 [T261] -81) with room temp extensions of about 23mm (+/-1mm). When testing, if the hot extension is correct, the cold extension will almost certainly be within spec.

[green 69 gtv]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Roadtrip A serviceable TA will NOT retract all the way. Retracting all the way into the brass base is one indication that the TA is shot. The older versions (27mm extension, years 69-76, [T260 Calif]) are very scarce now, but the specs on them are 19mm at room temp and 27mm at 175F (+/-1mm). The newer versions are 29mm and 31mm extension (+/-1mm) (at 175F, years 76 [T261] -81) with room temp extensions of about 23mm (+/-1mm). When testing, if the hot extension is correct, the cold extension will almost certainly be within spec.