Long distance in a Berlina, prep and planning.

[damoj]

Here's the situation so far. I had a head gasket go, so I sent the head off to a local shop to be rebuilt and figured then would be a good time to upgrade to the Euro Spec weber cams (10548?). While the head was being rebuilt, I came into possession of a Megasquirt computer setup. Some searching around the net suggested that the best setup would be some GSXR throttle bodies since they are pretty damn close to weber carb mounts. Well to make a long story short, I figured since I was going to "hotten" up the engine a bit, I should probably address the suspension and brakes. And since I have always wanted to have a dual use trackable car, I started work in that direction. So new springs and sway-bars from Alfa Recombi, and new poly bushings from Performatec and new bilstien shocks all around, the berlina has taken on a decidedly lower, meaner look. I bolted on some Cromoadora's I had laying from a spider I used to have with a new set of Falken ZE-512's mounted on them. I replaced all the brake lines, and disks. Rebuilt the rear calipers and mounted 4 piston calipers up front, from a BMW. I wouldn't have gone poly had I not planned on making it so trackable, but I don't have time to replace all the poly bits with rubber, so I am going to have to drive it as is.

After all that work was done and after the head was put back on, I began work on the Megasquirt setup. I got the Megasquirt setup on the car all the wiring done and ready to begin testing and programing, when I got the call that I would be moving to Portland. so.. the project took a back seat to packing up all our stuff and moving. That was in August of last year. I have been down since to work on the car some more, but never quite go the Megasquirt setup to the point where I was ready to hit the road. I have been recently informed that the space in which I currently store my berlina in Ventura will be needed for other things, and so it is time to get it back up to it's new home in Portland. So my plan is to rebuild the webers and put them back on. Check the fluids, load up the car with my tools and head north.

So my current plan is to drive my berlina the 1000 or so miles north from Ventura, CA to Portland, Or. Do you guys have any suggestions on what I should make sure and check before I leave, and any parts I should carry with me on my way up? I am going to retorque the head before I take off, but is there anything else I should do? And is there anything I should know about talking the berlina out on an extended trip?

My current plan is to leave on or around the 12th of August, and go up 101 until I hit the bay area, then go over to the 5 and continue from there.


Thanks!

[Andrew]

I'd get as many miles as possible on it to troubleshoot and let problems reveal themselves before undertaking the drive. But if it's all done right there shouldn't be any problem really.

Retorquing first is a good idea.

Cell phone, water, oil, jack, a few normal tools, good spare, points, plugs, some fuel hose, duct tape, fan belt, some extra wire, etc. If the head work is OK, I wouldn't worry more than normal.

Andrew

[Andrew]

PS: Damian made the trip from my house in Berkeley to his place in Portland in one day in his TI with minimal tools and basically no prep. No problem.

Andrew

[acurtiss]

I made the trip from Oakland to Seattle (and back) in my Giulia Super earlier this month, and made a much longer trip (4000 miles) in my Berlina last year. I had only two problems along the way, both of which I was able to fix in situ with the stuff I had with me.

The Berlina blew a heater hose at the water pump, spraying water on the distributor and causing the engine to die immediately. Luckily this happened on a side road and not on the freeway.

The other problem was an oddity: the fuel filter assembly on my Giulia Super started leaking at the seal between the two halves of the metal part. In that instance I used some spare fuel line to temporarily bypass the filter.

So in addition to the things Andrew mentioned, I would bring a length of heater hose, hose clamps, etc., and for obvious reasons given the two problems I had, you might want to bring some gloves and handy wipes.

And a AAA card.

Aaron

[magista]

Andrew is right. I've not only made the trip in my '64 TI with zero prep and only the clothes on my back but I've also made the trip in my old 1750 Berlina from Albany CA to Seattle WA (via PCH, 101 and I-5) with zero problems. In fact that Berlina also made a couple runs from Seattle to Sacramento and back with ease.

Bring a tool kit, water, hoses, a belt, make sure your spare is good and hit the road.

Remember that these cars were built for long range driving. It's always funny to me when people seem shocked that I will, without hesitation, do an 800+ mile run in 'em. As long as they are pretty much sorted out you will have a nice uneventful drive.

[Andrew]

A previous owner of Damian's hotrod 1750 Berlina and I drove it from San Diego to Berkeley at high speed with nary a whimper. We had a couple tools, but didn't need any of them.

Andrew

[Giulia Bianca]

I take my 65 Super to Rome the next week, all together that is going to be 5000 km in abouth 2 weeks, the car is sorted out very well so I don not expect any problem but you never know !

[damoj]

Thanks for the advice and words of encouragment! I feel more confidant about the distance now. I think I will proabably go ahead and remove the megasquirt system, and put the webers back on for this trip.

[damoj]

Well, I made it, and with minimal loss. 1000 miles, 18 hours, 37 year old car. Lost 2 bolts from the connection of the exhaust header and the rest of the exhaust system. Speedo died at about the 600mile mark. Other than that, I got to Portland reasonably unscathed. I didn't realize how loud it would be tho, cruzing at 75mph with the engine spinning at 4000 RPM makes a lot of noise. Is that normal for a berlina?

[rogerspeed]

Quote:

Originally Posted by damoj Well, I made it, and with minimal loss. 1000 miles, 18 hours, 37 year old car. Lost 2 bolts from the connection of the exhaust header and the rest of the exhaust system. Speedo died at about the 600mile mark. Other than that, I got to Portland reasonably unscathed. I didn't realize how loud it would be tho, cruzing at 75mph with the engine spinning at 4000 RPM makes a lot of noise. Is that normal for a berlina?

[acurtiss]

Do you have 37 year old door seals? A Berlina is never going to be as somniferous as a Lexus, but make the same trip in a Duetto and your ears will be ringing for weeks.

Just curious, what kind of mileage did you get?

[magista]

Yeah, that lovely noise is normal for a Berlina at cruising speed. My Berlina didn't have a radio/cd player on my trips. I just rolled down the windows and enjoyed the symphony. Same with my TI.

I would love to check out your Berlina. Maybe there should be a PDX Sedan meeting soon (I haven't met most of you yet anyway).

[Giulia Bianca]

Just came back from Rome with the Super, 4000 km, did not missed a beat, oil consumtion abouth 1/4 of a litre on the whole trip, fuel consumption abouth 9 litres on 100 km

[damoj]

I got between 24mpg and 22mpg depending on the terrain, and that was while my speedo was working. I will keep a look out for a 4.10 rear. I do love the sound of an alfa engine, but spending a day at 4000RPM can become a bit wearing.

[magista]

New door and window seals generally help with the noise. A 4.10 will definately help. You might go as far as something like DynaMat under the hood or whatever it's called.

I'm going to be at the Hedge House on SE Division and 34th for some $2 pints at around 5:30 - 6 pm if any of you sedan owners want to show. My TI will be parked out front. Just yell up into the patio, "Hey, whose Volvo/FIAT/Datsun is that?" You'll know who I am because you'll see me chuck a pint at ya.