Good shop in CO, and HG not bad!

[sgtpeper]

Hey all,

Half asleep here BUT wanted to let you know what has become of my car lately!

So I took my 84 to this shop that was recommended in the CO thread a bit ago - Apple Motors. They specialize in Fiats but do also work on Maseratis, Lancias, and Alfas. In fact they were doing a clutch job on a '69 spider when I walked in. Great guys, great prices, honest.

Turns out my car really is in better shape like I thought! The HG isnt bad! They pressure tested everything and there were no leaks. The oil in the radiator must have been left over from a different time in the car's life.

They did retorque the head and hopefully that should get rid of some of the oil coming out on the back of the engine on the exhaust side between the head and block. He torqued the back down a few extra lbs to 70 to see if thatll stop the light leak.

They also flushed the radiator which turns out didnt have nearly as much oil in it as I originally had thought.

The only bad news was that because of the fan belt that was too big that was installed by the first mechanic in CA when I bought the car, my waterpump is starting to go out. The belt was so tight it put stress on the water pump and made it wear ugh. So there is play in the shaft BUT there arent any leaks yet and its not humming too much. Enrique - that must be what was humming off and on on my drive home from CA .

I have my new/used top/frame on the way from a fellow forum member and Im super excited to get that on the car.

Im really torn about what I should do with the car now! I really love this car ugh.

Also, they didnt find any real vacuum leaks which is good but I know theres something somewhere!

The car now has racing Amsoil 20/50 in it - wish me luck that I dont start to have all sorts of leaks now haha!

OOhh one other funny tidbit for this installment - For the longest time I thought the little knob for rolling back the tripometer was broken off. Instead, the problem was that I was pushing on a screw under the dash instead of finding the actual knob - Problem solved! haha!

Im half asleep but thought I'd post this!

Thanks,
Jeff

[Zunige]

Thant's a bunch of good news! It's a shame about the water pump, but the good thing is that they aren't too expensive to change. Just buy the pump way ahead of when you plan to replace it.

About your new/used top... I just coated a top (for a newbie owner) with the Renovo reviver, and then water proofed it. The reviver stuff made the top look great. Several people thought it was a new top...

I do hope you keep your car and enjoy her, at least for a while.

Best regards,

[Frank S]

Hi Enrique,

Can you tell us more about this top conditioner you used? What does it do and does it work.

How do you apply it? Does it take a long time?

Where can you get it and cost?

Thanks
Frank

[Zunige]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Frank S Hi Enrique, Can you tell us more about this top conditioner you used? What does it do and does it work. How do you apply it? Does it take a long time? Where can you get it and cost? Thanks Frank

[Frank S]

Thanks for th info. I will consider using this product next spring.

[ribs2k]

Concours cars in Colorado Springs is another great resource for Alfas. My 83 Alfa Spider has spent alot of time with them. I am so close to being completely restored and now it's running bad. Checked the ignition system, all seems fine.... Checked and replaced vaccuum hoses all is fine there.... I guess it must be fuel system,(even though that has been almost completely gone through). I have spent alot to get the car this far, and now I am broke and wondering about options... It doesn't run bad all the time, usually in the morning.

[sgtpeper]

Enrique - Thanks. My old top just has too many tears that keep getting worse and worse. SOooooo I bought this entire almost new black top with frame. Then all I have to do is unbolt the old frame and bolt in the new.

Its a hard choice as to whether I should keep the car or not. If I keep it I just need a paintless dent removal guy to come out and fix the couple door ding like spots on the car and the body will be perfect for a driver. I also really need to oil my leather seats before they dry out too much and rip!

It really is a great canvas of an alfa to keep for a long time....

Also out of curiosity, anyone want to chime in with what their compression is up here at altitude?? Seems cars up here read lower than they do at sea level - makes sense to me!

Thanks,
Jeff