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Carburetor support rod (won’t fit)

4K views 57 replies 21 participants last post by  hunttheshunt 
#1 ·
I’m trying to install the centerline carburetor support rod as depicted in this picture I found on google images..


But the bushing won’t fit inside the engine mount, should I be forcing it in?





Also..


Does the centerline sticker face me or the engine?

In other words does the flush side face me or the engine?

Anyone have any nice pictures of that?
 
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#6 ·
carburetor stay

Try not to get heat into the rubber mount when you grind it. Keep a pot of water at hand.
Spica guys might not know these stays came from the factory in a few different lengths so don't assume if you obtain a second hand one it will just fit. 105 caster rod bush can be used as a replacement bush.
 
#7 ·
Sorry centerline but what a junk product..


I had to spend over two hours filing both sides hoping I don’t damage the bushing.

When purchasing a custom fit product we should expect it to fit, period. I respect that different engine mounts make that a difficult task but figure it out!!!

In addition, include the necessary hardware!

It’s a 10mm and two 7mm..

How much do bolts cost them?!?!
[emoji3062]

Several trips to the hardware store and busted knuckles for something that should have taken 5 minutes to install.
 
#12 ·
Welcome to the world of, as the Brits call, pattern parts.
Recently tried to install an aftermarket "copy" of a Marelli electronic distributor pickup. I should have known what was ahead as the rubber thru bushing was wrong and required trimming with a razor blade. It went downhill from there. Buy used or original if you can.
Jim
 
#13 ·
Centerline custom built parts are usually good and in the case of the Weber bellcrank better than the original. I am surprised that the support rod did not fit.
My intake manifold is raised compared with a stock one and I "made" a support by cutting and welding a stock one. It is jobs like that that make wrenching my Alfa's more interesting.
OTOH it is sad that a lot of aftermarket parts are of much lower quality than OEM but that is something we have to live with when we drive old cars that were produced in low numbers. The situation is not helped when many Alfa owners buy the cheapest parts that they can find and kill the market for better parts that would be more expensive to produce,
 
#14 ·
Your Picture shows the issue, probably when the bolt for the starter hold down was tightened it slightly tightened the gap at the motor mount. The car would have had a solid spacer that many have been missing there to stop the motor mount from bending there as well. Good luck
 
#20 ·
I would hesitate to throw Centerline under the bus. I just added a support to my Webers and had a similar problem. I used an old Alfa support I had but I had to replace the bushing that attaches to the motor mount and found I had an interference fit. While I can't be sure, I'd bet that bushing is the same bushing that all the vendors sell and is the bushing that Centerline uses in its support rod. I doubt each vendor has its own manufacturer that makes these since the market is so small. I could be wrong. While it didn't take me 2 hours (Dremel vs file) I was pretty happy that I could find what seemed like a semi-obscure part for $6 to fix my old support rod.
 
#21 ·
The bushing is the same from all the sellers. I had to trim down the barrel on the one that came from Classic Alfa.

Welcome to the world of reproduction parts. The round style motor mounts are not correct either.
 
#27 · (Edited)
Y' know.. I started a thread in the wrong forum about poster locations and that resulted in a blizzard of ill-will. Perhaps this new "hobby-ist" should start a thread on the shortcomings and pitfalls of reproduction parts. There is plenty of fodder out there that would benefit the community and he seems to have the passion to correct it... I think more than half of the stuff reproduced now ends up stashed on a shelf for a long term restoration with the owner unaware the piece is junk. And then there are the pieces that end up in the waste bin right away. It's almost never the supplier's fault. They just don't have the resources of Consumer's Report to test everything. Carry on with the ranting or do something about it and shutdown the pipe line of junk. Uncle member in good standing of the "Pat Braden Use-it- til- it -is- totally - worn- out" club
 
#24 ·
You must be a "Millennial" as you think everything should be perfect when handed to you.

Stop trying to be a mechanic. You certainly are not.



Welcome to the world of the ignore list.


Thanks for being so welcoming, I’m new to the world of Alfa and I am now seeing exactly how warm the gate keepers can be.

I really hope this hobby does not die off, consider being more helpful to those that are new to the hobby.
 
#26 ·
.

As an alternative viewpoint, I recently replaced the bush (bought from Classic Alfa) in my carb stay bar - & it fitted 'straight out of the box' with absolutely no need for any modification:

- old:



- new:




This warning forms part of the bush description on Classic Alfa's website:

"Beware cheaper version where the front suspension castor arm bush is used - it doesn't fit inside the engine mount !"

.
 
#32 ·
We all had to start working on cars at some point and most of us found that trying to figure things out before asking questions improved our troubleshooting skills.

You have an old car. There will be times when things do not go smoothly. Be patient and methodical and understand that most parts that you buy will be slightly different from the ones that were originally installed.
Buy a manual for your car and accumulate tools as you need them. You can buy a corded angle grinder from Harbor Freight for about $20 or a nice cordless one for about $100.
 
#33 ·
This is my first time trying to swap fuel delivery systems.

I know you guys have years upon years of experience. I mostly post in hopes that you guys will guide me/correct me.

Thanks to those who offered advice and input, to those who decided to insult me it only reflects poorly on you.

I will continue to learn and if you guys don’t mind.. ask questions on this bulletin.

This is the purpose of the bulletin correct?
 
#34 ·
Additionally, I promise I do not ask questions I could easily figure out on my own. I was honestly stumped.

I was sure that I was simply installing the part in the incorrect location or had the wrong idea entirely.

I did NOT understand that the part itself was the issue at hand. Unfortunately many of you apparently think I am the issue. Again, thank you to those who have offered friendly advise. I greatly appreciate it.

I will forward this thread to centerline and have them document it.
 
#36 · (Edited)
I think the issue is that you let it rip on centerline. We’ve all been in the same situation as you, it’s frustrating for sure but it’s not good to hang it on others like that. You’ll get called for it here and that’s fair.
 
#37 ·
On the german alfa forum we have a section on bad or poorly fitting parts (over a quarter of a million hits!)
it is a very common problem these days and there is no harm in mentioning a part that is poorly made....it saves others making the same mistake.
If I get a bad part I send it back and search elsewhere.

don't forget that some poorly fitting parts can really cost you....just think of the transmission mount, it is fairly common to get a badly manufactured one that is a few thou too big, and if you press it in (as you would!) you could end up - like here - cracking the tail end of the trans.
https://www.alfabb.com/bb/forums/sp...4/471561-really-bad-day-what-do-i-do-now.html
 
#39 ·
On the german alfa forum we have a section on bad or poorly fitting parts (over a quarter of a million hits!)
it is a very common problem these days and there is no harm in mentioning a part that is poorly made....it saves others making the same mistake.
If I get a bad part I send it back and search elsewhere.
Dom, that's not the issue mentioned here as it's not necessary to blame Centerline.

Fact is:

If you use the castor arm bushing it'll be 1,5mm to thick to fit straight away and needs grinding away.
Using the correct bushing does not produce any issues.

But, blaming a supplier for wasting 2hrs of time instead of 10secs can't be the way.
 
#38 ·
Frustration reigns the roost.. The Helpee with the issue a bench grinder would have solved in about 30 seconds and the Helpers who have been there and have a bench grinder. Centerline isn't going to reject their stock ( like 20 =100 bucks) because of this snafu. Hug your dog and pet your wife.. the sun will rise on a new day. OOOPS,, here it comes again !!!
 
#42 ·
Wasn't the original issue tied to changing from Spica to Webers? If so, personally I would expect at least a few hiccups.

btw, I have found the guys/gals on the Alfabb the most helpful, even when my questions barely have merit.

And, experience is only earned over time, some of us have a knack, some others should stay out of the garage. Not pointed at anyone although sometimes I should try the kitchen.
 
#43 ·
Wasn't the original issue tied to changing from Spica to Webers? If so, personally I would expect at least a few hiccups.



btw, I have found the guys/gals on the Alfabb the most helpful, even when my questions barely have merit.



And, experience is only earned over time, some of us have a knack, some others should stay out of the garage. Not pointed at anyone although sometimes I should try the kitchen.


“Stay out of the garage” “not pointed at anyone”

More backhanded insults [emoji23]
You guys sure know how to keep people enthusiastic!
Keep them coming, hopefully alfabb gets some ad revenue every time we check this thread.

Again, thank you to those who have helped me here in this thread and in the past!
 
#44 ·
Regrettably in today's world of aftermarket parts this is what we have to deal with. For example, I bought a speedo cable for my Alfetta from a well known German supplier, was all good until I tried inserting it into the transaxle, a huge nogo. After measuring the original and the replacement, the replacement was two thousandths oversized, wasn't going to fit. I filed in down to the proper size and presto my speedo works. Was I happy with what I received, I suppose after it worked yes, but disappointed it didn't fit as delivered. This is the norm these days unfortunately. Just the way it is these days, sad to say. No one was out to get you, many suggestions were offered, and I suspect that since you are new to the arena you weren't expecting some of the responses you received. I too, wish everything fit as it should, but these days this is what we deal with. One might think in 2019 quality should be at it's peak, and it should be, but the reality is what it is. Hang in there, don't take it personally, you will receive all kinds of responses, and with some posters being a little less subtle than others. Don't give up!
 
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