I finally got a GTV !!!!!!

[Bill77]

Nice wheels!

[geh458]

Simon,

Are you going to be able to get the car going and particate at the AROSC School in a month?

[Chatis]

Simon,

Well done. As you suggest get it running and then enjoy.

Restoration is a money pit!

As someone else on the thread said - welcome to hell !

Enjoy,

[smestas]

Life seemed so much simpler before I got this car.

The car has been sitting for over ten years and hadn't been fired up in over four. I changed all the vital fluids and filters and she just wouldn’t start even after many hours of troubleshooting. After finally chasing down a failed rear fuel filter (the one I missed) she fired right up after a few cranks. YAHHH! She seemed to idle and rev just fine but I am hearing some sort of a clanking around the area of the front timing chain. It usually happens when she’s coming down from a rev. Anyone have any thought on this noise? I’m thinking maybe a stuck chain tensioner?

So I decided once she was running I would take her for a victory lap around the neighborhood. Wrong! The cars clutch pedal was all the way to the floor and would only depress about 2 inches before bottoming out? This was not enough to engage the clutch and allow me to shift into gear. I bled the clutch fluid thinking this would have some effect but the results turned out to be nothing. I was able to re-adjust the clutch at the lever before it goes to the clutch master cylinder which gave me enough travel to get the car into gear. Unfortunately during the drive I noticed that the clutch was slipping every time I tried to give it heavy gas. Do you think that the slipping clutch is because I adjusted the clutch pedal out of range?

To make matters worse I got to the gas station to put some fresh fuel in her and decided to fill her up. After trying to figure out how to get the fuel filler in place I tanked her up. On the short ride thru the neighborhood home I noticed the strong scent of fuel. Pulling into my driveway I noticed a trail of fuel leaking down from the bottom of the gas tank. I opened the trunk and the whole area around the tank was FULL of fuel and still leaking from somewhere at a fast pace. It seemed to be coming out of seam where the top of the tank is connected to the bottom half. In a rush to relieve fuel from the tank (siphon) I got a mouthful of gas which had me gagging and seeing stars for quite some time.

Well this is all the excitement I can handle in one day. I’m exhausted and smell like fuel. Who knows what tomorrow will bring.

I can already tell this is going to be a LOVE/HATE relationship.

[jetboy]

wow! damn man, don't be drinking that crap! that can kill you!

lets start with number 1: clacking could be a lot of things, but the chain tensioner probably isnt "stuck" - the chain might be loose though (and shaving off aluminum into your engine...), something you should check anyway. pop off the cam cover off and check it out. (its doubtful that you will be able to save the gasket - even if you are very careful. buy a new one and also the little half moon rubber seals at the back - this will ensure you arent leaking oil all over the place. )

2. clutch - have someone else push the clutch while you are under the car and looking at the slave cylinder where it pushes on the lever going into the transmission. (if you bled the system I am assuming you know where that is) check to make sure it is moving its full distance. sounds like the slave is just about ready to explode. they can get all corroded inside if they sit for a long time-

3. my fuel tank leaks as well. sucks doesnt it? mine is from the bottom.

at least your brakes work right? get this: I hit my brakes and the front calipers grab hold and its all good right? but then they don't unstick until I let some juice out of the system (unscrew the bleed screw and it squirts out) but if I hit the brakes again! bam! stuck! what do people think? new calipers or is it something less obvious?

[jetboy]

btw, you can always tell a net guru, both you and my brother are all still up on a saturday night.... and sadly...( in my case anyway) the beers have all worn off and we are fiddling with our computers. I found a dual pentium 500 mhz with 3 10gb scuzi harddrive array in the trash the other day... and today I found 3 keyboards and a monitor on the side of the street on my way home - woo hoo! cool old-tech kick butt computer!

anyone want to trade for alfa parts?

[GTD]

Simon
"I’m thinking maybe a stuck chain tensioner?" YES, On a car new to you, always pull the cam cover, check the valve clearance, chain tension, examine the cam lobes, set the timing, etc...BEFORE DRIVING!


"Do you think that the slipping clutch is because I adjusted the clutch pedal out of range?" YES, Replace the clutch master, flex hose and slave cylinder and save yourself a lot of grief.

ALFA fuel tank- and many others - leaks develop in idle cars due to moisture absorbed from the air by a partially filled tank. Remove it and repair it or replace it ( Oh, Anthony!!!)

[AlfaNewB]

before cranking it you should of ordered brand new hoses, and replaced them before they crack, your lucky the gas hose to the engine didnt leak around that area. the first thing i did on my milano was to replace the bad hoses at the tank. as for the rest i wouldnt have a clue, the clutch migjht have oil and moist mildew over it from sitting so long . eventually your gonna rebuild the engine and trany, good luck

[italcarguy]

Simon called me a couple times last night to ask how to do certain things on the car. I had a feeling he was up to something! I'll try and shoot over there tonight to check it all out and see what needs to be done next. Don't drive or start it anymore. Keep cleaning it for now

[smestas]

I pulled the valve cover off and noticed right away that there were fresh markings where the chain was slapping the cover. I did a quick search here on the BB and a few phone calls to the Rimicci household and I had the chain tensioner adjusted in no time. All the clanking I heard before is now totally all gone.

Next thing on the list to fix is the Clutch master/slave cylinder.

[Larry G]

Simon, going good. Hang in there, you're right, it's a true love/hate relationship.

Jetboy - Sounds like you have bad front brake hoses. They flake inside and block return of brake fluid to the master cylinder.

Gawd, but Alfas are GREAT fun !! Hee Hee

Larry G

[AlfaNewB]

do you know the history of the car, like any last repairs or rebuild???

[smestas]

Quote:

Originally Posted by AlfaNewB do you know the history of the car, like any last repairs or rebuild???

[AlfaNewB]

sell the porsche

[PSk]

Quote:

Originally Posted by smestas The car was bought from the original owner who purchased it in 1975. Its been parked since 1993. The car only has 52,000 original miles on it and the whole body is straight as an arrow. Although I dont really have the funds for this I knew it was just somthing I couldnt pass on.