Another 750 Spider Restoration

[Hall750DSpider]

Excellent, thanks for that.

So the bolt through the aluminium spacer is just into the body, not the chassis?

[GTD]

"So the bolt through the aluminium spacer is just into the body, not the chassis?"
Correct

[Hall750DSpider]

Cheers GTD,

I'm getting a new spray job done so I want to make all the right holes before hand!

Could you describe the exact location for the side spacers?

Thanks again!

I'll be sure to post pictures of the respray.

[pathung]

Tom,

The aluminum spacers go on the sides of the car, and I'd think that the holes are there and quite obvious, unless your car's P.O. for some strange reason decided to fill up any hole he finds on the car! If I remember correctly, a long-enough 17 mm bolt is inserted through a bracket on the inside of the bodywork, then through the hole on the body, followed by a rubber grommet that seats the aluminum spacer to the body, then the spacer itself, and finally threaded into a captive nut that's welded to the inside of the bumper. It's complicated to explain, but George's (GTD's) drawing shows the process and pieces involved. I'll take a few pictures of these tomorrow and post it here.

Following are photos that I scrounged up on my car that show where the dumb-iron hole goes on the left-hand side of the car, as requested:

[pathung]

Here are a few more, with the dumb-iron in place:

[Hall750DSpider]

Hi Patrick,

You're right about the holes being filled. I can't imagine why it was done! Especially when you can see from the photo (on the previous page) that the right-hand dumb-iron is still there!...madness.

Thanks for the pics. I'm going to cut those holes this weekend, then send her off to the coachworks on Monday. I'm very excited to see the final result. I can only hope it looks half as good as your paintwork!

If you have a close-up pic of the side hole then that would be helpful. If not, then no worries.

Cheers again,
Tom

[pathung]

Tom, be very, very careful to make those holes in the right places; though the dumb irons have bolt slots that allow some lateral adjustment of the bumper, there's a limit. If not done right, the side bumper won't "overlap" well with the center bumper, leaving you with a gap between the two. I have this problem as the P.O. messed up the side hole a bit. I'll get you a picture of it tonight.

[alfabits]

Quote:

Originally Posted by pathung Tom, The aluminum spacers go on the sides of the car, and I'd think that the holes are there and quite obvious, unless your car's P.O. for some strange reason decided to fill up any hole he finds on the car! If I remember correctly, a long-enough 17 mm bolt is inserted through a bracket on the inside of the bodywork, then through the hole on the body, followed by a rubber grommet that seats the aluminum spacer to the body, then the spacer itself, and finally threaded into a captive nut that's welded to the inside of the bumper. It's complicated to explain, but George's (GTD's) drawing shows the process and pieces involved. I'll take a few pictures of these tomorrow and post it here. Following are photos that I scrounged up on my car that show where the dumb-iron hole goes on the left-hand side of the car, as requested:

[pathung]

George, I stand corrected.

[alfabits]

Here is another shot. If you look closely you can see the two holes. The inner one is also oval to allow the bolt to move some. This is so you can line up the left and right end bumpers to the center bumper.

[Hall750DSpider]

You've all been really helpful, thanks!

One last question:

What is the length and width of the holes; inner and outer?

You can buy the rubber grommits and aluminium spacers from Alfa Stop, so I might to that just to ensure I cut the right size holes!

[alfabits]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hall750DSpider You've all been really helpful, thanks! You can buy the rubber grommits and aluminium spacers from Alfa Stop, so I might to that just to ensure I cut the right size holes!

[AlfaDuc]

Tom,
The hole in the body itself was very crudely cut by Alfa (well, it was very crude on both of my '65 Spiders). Maybe a little trial-and-error on the assembly line, but the bottom line is there is no need to be too fussy about the appearance of the holes you cut to locate the aluminum spacer and its grommet. Just don't cut it so large that the spacer / grommet cannot seat against metal.
Jim

[Hall750DSpider]

Thanks chaps,

I've had a better look this weekend and the inner bracket is still there - thankfully!

All I need to do now is find a rear dumb-iron for the left and I'm sorted. It's off to the coachworks on Tuesday. I can't wait to see the final result!

Cheers for your help!

[pathung]

Good luck, Tom, and take lots of pictures.