need advise on which car to fix up and which to part.

drb · #1 (**permalink**) 01-29-2007, 06:38 PM

Fellow Alfa contrarians: I began following you in Oct. I have 1986 Veloce; black with tan interior. It was inoperable the P.O. telling me he had not seen the car run during his four years of ownership but the guy he bought the car from told him the engine had just been rebuilt and only lacked an in tank fuel pump to be off and running. The car is in the shop of a mechanic unfamiliar with Alfa but he read the several manuals I purchased as advised in this bb so often. I bought a part Alfa, 1986 Graduate from a BB member. It runs, though with trepidation ( crack in exhaust manifold, missing #1 cylend at low rpm, heater motor out, its four different colors, interior needs replacing) but I drive it every day and it runs great at 4000 rpm in 4th on the highway, and the A/C works, top is in good shape, NO RUST, transmission is noisy (high pitch noise coming from under gear shift when clutch is out and disengaged) but works great and no grinding in 2nd. The Veloce is nice and shiny on the outside with few dings, newish top, interior needs replacing. Mechanicaly the engine is all there needs new gas tank and fuel pump to see if it will start, no idea of the transmission...

I asked my mechanic whether I should disassemble a car that runs to fix up a car that does not run, or whether I should use the part car as the fixeruper and the .....

He can't decide. I'm torn between wanting to continue driving the parts car everyday (I've parked my SAAB, with heated seats to drive the no heat, multi colored and and tooling around in the gorgeous Veloce. Any input?

twoliterlover · #2 (**permalink**) 01-29-2007, 10:40 PM

The joy of Alfa cars is not obtained by having one more beautiful than that of another. No, it is in the sheer glee in driving it. So, if one car is running and not beautiful (although right now in Seattle it would be too cold to enjoy running even an Alfa without a heater), drive it until it drops. Let them work on the other enough to get it started too. But do NOT bother to save a parts car. Spider parts are available from too many sources. Part it out once it dies. Get rid of it. Let someone else have a project. But I confess that people who know me will tell you I am the last person from whom to take advice in this regard. The number of cars I have is a source of shame, not of pride. I never seem to get rid of any and they breed in my back yard in the dark.

autoxsteve · #3 (**permalink**) 01-29-2007, 11:18 PM

It sounds to me that you've got two vehicles that are worthy of keeping. Fix them both with help from us and have a good start with building your 'fleet'.

**fetta78** · #4 (**permalink**) 01-30-2007, 06:21 AM

Pull the in tank pump unit from the running car and place it in the non running car and see if it will start................Should take about 15 minutes total.

**Geezer** · #5 (**permalink**) 01-30-2007, 11:12 AM

Where do your skills lie? Do you like body work or do you prefer mechanical work? My choice is see what it will take to get the good looking car running. Painting a car so that the paint will stick can cost a fortune. You say that both need an interior. You might toss a coin. Maybe 3 out of 5 if you don't like the 1st answer.

**Zunige** · #6 (**permalink**) 01-30-2007, 11:44 AM

I'm going to join the opinions that suggest that you find out if the Veloce runs well. If so, it is worth repairing. At that point you could estimate how much money it would cost to improve each one to your desired level, and then you could make a decision on which route to take...

Best regards,

Russ Bellinis · #7 (**permalink**) 01-30-2007, 07:23 PM

The description of your "gearbox noise" sounds more like a clutch throwout bearing to me if I'm reading your post correctly. If it is making the noise with the clutch disengaged, then the gearbox shafts aren't moving, the noise would be a throwout bearing.

drb · #8 (**permalink**) 01-31-2007, 06:00 AM

Russ. I met a BB member yesterday and he told me the same. I think I will fix up and continue to drive the Graduate, using what I can from the Veloce. Once I am comfortable working on the Graduate and I have developed some level of confidence, I'll begin fixing the Veloce. This way I can continue to drive and enjoy the Graduate with the long term goal of restorning the Veloce. Thanks for the comments, all.