Cheap dirty fix for Spica

Ianc · #1 (**permalink**) 10-26-2004, 07:17 PM

I know the true Alfisti here will hate this, but (as Mehitbel would say) Wotthehell? It might help someone. When I bought my Spider, it was running so rich that it totally fouled brand new plugs in 20 Km. Braden's book helped me determine that the TA was NG; when cold the piston was flush with the cylinder. In boiling water the piston advanced (let's say) 20 cm instead of whatever it should be. The critical measurement is .019 between side lever and datum point. I made up a bolt/nut/washer gizmo which, when pushed into the TA hole, allowed the lever/datum clearance to be correct. (The clearance should be 27 mm, but with a no-good TA has to be longer.) I measured the length of this gizmo, subtracted the actual length of my piston when hot, and bought a longer machine screw to replace the one that lives in the TA hole. When hot, my faulty TA now closes the lever down to .019 off the datum point. When cold, the engine idles at 2500 RPM, but that doesn't last long. Not perfect, and I'm going to build a Shankle to replace it, but for an emergency fix it works just fine.

genericwood · #2 (**permalink**) 10-26-2004, 07:55 PM

Actually Ian, the true Alfisti will very much approve of your fix. After all, everyone knows that we are really cheap! But really, have rebuilt thermostatic actuators gotten so expensive that it wouldn't just be easier to call Wes and get one in the mail in a couple days?

Erik Wood

**Roadtrip** · #3 (**permalink**) 10-26-2004, 10:20 PM

As a temp fix, a spacer will work fine. You can get a TA rebuilt for about $120 if you don't need a new metal tube. See the vendor list.

As a temp fix you can just install your dummy T/A if it's not too cold out. May just take a few more turns of the starter motor to get a start.

Ianc · #4 (**permalink**) 10-27-2004, 01:25 PM

Right you are, Erik. This is the result of buying a car for $900. I'm determined to see how cheaply I can get it on the road. John, thanks for that. I didn't realize the engine would stay lit without some sort of choke assist. Would it work in the winter as well? Out temps typically vary from 3 C. to 15C in winter - usually around 8 -10 during the day.