Finally got the parts I needed for replacing my in-tank pump yesterday. Got it installed tonight....unfortunately the fuel sender thing that everything mounts to is indeed leaking, and seems to be worse now. Fortunately, to get the bracket I needed for the pump, I ended up just grabbing an entire, complete sending unit out of a parts car, so I'll clean up the top piece and use that instead of mine. I'm fairly certain that's the part that's leaking on mine, looks like the hose and its attachment are OK. Otherwise, the pump replacement went well, I just hope it fixes the dying-when-hot problem I was having (ran great for about 25 minutes in the scorching AZ sun, then it would get fuel-starved....this was with no in-tank pump).
Tonight on the short test drive, it struck me just how great this car is running. It's very gratifying after having the car in pieces in my dad's garage for about 6 months as I checked sensors, fixed wiring, replaced old cracked lines, cleaned electrical connections, pulled the injectors for cleaning, replaced the intake runners, etc....when I first got it, it ran fairly well at speed, but was hard to start, idle was lousy, and it quickly reached a point where I couldn't go more than a few miles before it would start coughing and sputtering, then die. Now it fires right up and purrrrs like a kitten.
And pulls hard! I've been working on my old 280ZX and a new '82 280ZX that I just bought, trying to get the '82 up to par but it still seems to lack power. My old Z is a little better.....then tonight I get in the Alfa again, and it's like, wooohooo!!! LOL.....I know these cars aren't drag racers, but maaaan, it sure is nice to get strong, smooth power throughout the RPM range, with good positive throttle response. I'm guessing the aftermarket headers help out a little here, but AFAIK that's the only engine mod this thing has. I must say I'm quite impressed with what that little 4-banger can do.
It looks like the initial stage of fixing this baby up was a great success! Next, servicing the driveline (new U-joints, donut, and the bearing where the two pieces connect is SHOT), then....suspension rebuild! I'm thinking some autocross fun is in the future.
I do have a quickie question on the in-tank pump.....on the "donor" unit I got, I noticed there was a piece of plastic between the bottom of the pump and the end of the bracket. I also noticed some kind of rubber piece around the bottom of the pump, sort of a buffer between the pump and the bracket. Are either of these important? I don't recall my car having either, plus it looks to me like installing them would move the bracket too far down to clamp onto the sending unit. Other than that, I just lack the filter sock for the pump, so I probably won't drive much until I get that replaced (IAP here I come...again, LOL).
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