[Richard/SIA]

Finally have a workshop just for my cars and some nifty tools for tuning.
Allen S.E.A. and E.T.A. along with an engine test stand.

Time to put the Dellorto's for the Spider back together.
I've cleaned them as best I could but after being on a car that sat outdoors for too many years they still look ugly.
I do have a blast cabinet but hesitate to use it as I don't want to damage any jet seats or threads.
Blasting will also remove any remaining cad plating from the steel parts, which already have some rust.
Since the Dellortos had to be slightly modified to fit the SPICA conversion manifolds I do not want to put on my Webers.
Saving those for use on another engine and car.
If I plug orifices and blast what becomes the best finish to put on them?
Raw casting would surely turn ugly again very quickly.
I would be fine with a paint finish if it would hold up to fuel over time.

The other "Fun" is sorting out which O-ring and other small items go where.
I took a lot of pics when I dismantled these but they are not really helping me.

I did buy a book, but still the O-rings and other small parts are not easy to identify for placement.
Any tricks?

 

[rafael]

Don't blast them. For sure you want to avoid any blasting material to end up in your engine.

 

[radamm]

Don't blast them. For sure you want to avoid any blasting material to end up in your engine.

... unless you soda blast them.

 

[Richard/SIA]

Cleaned out a spare blast cabinet and gave soda a try.

Maybe the nozzle orifice is too large, or soda does not work with a siphon type gun, it had almost no effect.

May try to find a suitable paint, red carb bodies might look pretty good.

 

[Jim G]

Here you go



Skat Blast Direct Mount Soda Master Attachment - TP Tools & Equipment

 

[Richard/SIA]

Soda sounded good, but about $100.00 to get set up properly.

Got a selection of rubber plugs at the hardware store.
Able to plug most orifices, will make thin aluminum blocking plates for the rest.

So it looks like glass beads at low pressure after all.
Will then blow out with compressed air, rinse, etc.

But what to do as a protective finish after?
Most paints yellow or peel.

Leave bare, or maybe spray with silicone?
Want to avoid their getting stained again.

 

[Richard/SIA]

Plugs and other blocking kept the glass beads out.
Lots of air and high pressure water rinse after to be sure.
Went with spray silicone instead of paint.
Does not alter the finish and there is still a small amount of "Patina" but I can touch it up later without worrying about over spray.

Seems the kit comes with more "O" rings than needed, just to add to the confusion.
Have to replace some small hardware and springs, a little over $100.00

Some Dellorto parts are getting hard to find, so if you're looking at a conversion I would recommend Weber's.
I'm using these as they were already on the car and are supposed to be correctly jetted, chokes, etc.
We will see.

 

[Richard/SIA]

FYI, some Dellorto parts are now NLA.
Had to make new bushings for the shafts that act as cams to lift the pistons for the fuel enrichment circuit.
The old aluminum versions were too corroded to hold threads.
Confirmed they are 14-1mm thread.

Still waiting for other small parts to come in.

Found out that the tag number come up as original equipment to Alfa, not repurposed Jensen Healey as I had been led to expect.

 

[quadrifolio]

did you check this guys for dellorto parts?

Dellorto and weber carburettors online

 

[Richard/SIA]

Tried the guy in Sweden.
He says NLA even after checking his sources in Italy and UK.
Made my own for "Free" from scrap brass I have.