New to Alfas and car repair

[texas_spider]

Hello All!
I've recently purchased a 1986 spider in pretty good condition. The car is great and a lot of fun! There is a very experienced Italian car mechanic in town who has gone over it and made some repairs (new catalytic converter). He also told me it needs new engine mounts, apparently the original rubber mounts are worn away. Is this something a newbie should attempt with the appropriate manuals and cardisc?

And thanks for participating in Alfabb, you all have made owning a 17-year-old Italian convertible seem less daunting!

[Keven]

Tex,

This is probably not a good first repair to do. Especially being new to car repair. It involves lifting the motor with a hoist.
I would recommend starting with oil changes, tune ups, and possible replacing brake pads.

First get yourself a some good repair books. I hate Chilton books, they lack detail. Haynes books are ok. You can get some factory repair books at:

www.books4cars.com

They have a pretty good Alfa selection.
Also join a local Alfa club, and wrench with some of the guys that have been doing it for a while, lots of good tips and tricks.

[Roadtrip]

Have you read the "Advice to new owners" thread?

Before you attempt any maintenance, you need to get a library of technical material, parts catalogs and repair manuals. There are available from Alfa internet parts vendors and also on Ebay . . . do a search for "Alfa Romeo" and you'll see lots of parts and manuals for sale.

Changing motor mounts is very easy, IF the nuts aren't rusted onto the studs and the studs aren't corroded to the point they might snap. The easy way to change them is to remove the two bolts that hold the bottom of one of the motor mounts to the frame, then jack the car slightly, then put some 2x4s under oil pan, then gently lower the car so it elevated the mount SLIGHTLY. Then remove the three nuts holding the motor mount onto the engine studs. In actuality, the innermost frame bolt can just be loosened since the motor mount just has a slot and not a hole for it. Just do one side at a time. Be sure to throughly clean the engine studs, nuts, and bolts before reinstalling.

[Bill]

Welcome to the Alfa BB Texas Spider!

You are in rare company, with knowledge and experience transending many decades. Contribute when you can and don't be afraid to ask questions...these folks know their stuff, when it comes to Alfa's.

What part of this great state are you located, and hasn't the weather been just fine for driving our wonderful Spiders?!! (dig to those less fortunate).

Good to have another Spider driver acknowledged in the Lone Star!!

[texas_spider]

thanks for the advice...I'm in the process of purchasing the books et. al. now. I'll go through them before I embark on the engine mount adventure....

I'm just north of Dallas, where we are having 75-80 degree days and 50-60 degree nights - PERFECT conv. weather!

The only problem in TX is that many have never heard of Alfa...the young woman at the county tax office asked me what type of vehicle an Alfa is "Is this a car? Or some kind of trailer?" Obviously she's more used to seeing horse trailers up here than Italian convertibles!

[PSk]

Replacing the actual engine mount is not that difficult BUT getting access to the inlet side one is ... thanks to carbs or injection equipment being in the way.

Yes you do need to lift, or something to take the weight of, the engine but a piece of soft wood on top of a jack under the sump will suffice. Just becareful that everything is safe so that you do not end up with your fingers in the way, etc.

With the right manual and some paitence I'm sure you can do it

Pete