[donrencos]

18mm is correct but I think all 3 of the originals I have/had were Unibal. Will check in a few days.

I’m not sure to understand your sentence. The mentioned SMG 18 joint is an unibal made by Schaublin. 🤔
It‘s also fitted originaly on my car.

 

[kengta]

Here are some photos of the Joint. They are labeled UNIBAL, part SMG 18, Swiss made by Schaublin Delemont, as Donrencos notes above. The tube is steel thick wall mechanical tubing of 22mm OD with an ID to suit drill and tap to M18x1.5 for the joint. Tube is 170 mm long.

ken

 

[PSk]

If an Alfa with a sliding block is raced often, those rose joints or unibal joints would have to be replaced close to every season or 2. Grit will wear them out and once they develop play it grows quickly.

There are many brands out there ...
Pete

 

[davbert]

If an Alfa with a sliding block is raced often, those rose joints or unibal joints would have to be replaced close to every season or 2. Grit will wear them out and once they develop play it grows quickly.

There are many brands out there ...
Pete

Hey Pete, I have rubber boots on some of my hemi joints, they must help right?

 

[donrencos]

If an Alfa with a sliding block is raced often, those rose joints or unibal joints would have to be replaced close to every season or 2. Grit will wear them out and once they develop play it grows quickly.

There are many brands out there ...
Pete

The mentioned above are the originals used by Autodelta initially. They where also fitted with a rubber boot. My car which raced from 1969 to 1981in Czechoslovakia has until today still the same mounted. If the boot is tight and they are regularly lubricated.

 

[PSk]

Wow, that is impressive!!

Still the joints are replaceable items like tyres so brand, etc. not important. IMO
Pete

 

[donrencos]

Wow, that is impressive!!

Still the joints are replaceable items like tyres so brand, etc. not important. IMO
Pete

Of course. And I think if it would have participated in long endurance races over the years, it would have been otherwise. But the national races where just more or less sprint races, so with the right maintenance in between….

 

[jpv]

Wow, that is impressive!!

Still the joints are replaceable items like tyres so brand, etc. not important. IMO
Pete

I have the same kind of feedback on rosejoints.

I'm using the Alfaholics geometry kit that uses rosjoints on the steering arms and also the lower upright ball joint replacement. I've had it for 10 years and circa 25000 kms.

I've clean them every year and spray motorcycle chain lube every month or 2 month on it. No rubber protection. They're fine...

 

[aguirola]

I think this "GTA Sliding Block" thread ought to be revived, as it is a very interesting part on GTA and GTAm.

Both my cars have them, have never driven either, and a little ways on the GTA, and quite longer on the Am.

Still would like to know more, as time has gone by and one can learn from the latest developments.

Thank you.
Kind regards to all,

Alberto

 

[kengta]

I have a series 1 unit for sale.

See:
https://www.alfabb.com/threads/very...em-gta-first-series-sliding-block-assembly.714904/?post_id=8721513#post-8721513

 

[PSk]

I think this "GTA Sliding Block" thread ought to be revived, as it is a very interesting part on GTA and GTAm.

Both my cars have them, have never driven either, and a little ways on the GTA, and quite longer on the Am.

Still would like to know more, as time has gone by and one can learn from the latest developments.

Thank you.
Kind regards to all,

Alberto

@aguirola, are you saying you have never driven your 2 Alfas?
Pete

 

[donrencos]

@alberto: just for you I was playing around a bit today 😉

 

[aguirola]

@aguirola, are you saying you have never driven your 2 Alfas?
Pete

No Pete, the GTA, is finished, but was on mothballs, since Nino finished the restoration, in '95. ZERO miles.
Dropped all fluids, made sure motor spun freely, rebuilt calipers. Need to reassemble, soon.....

Gtam, as bought, a real POS, now body finished, will go see engine builder next month.

So, that is the long and short of the 2. Yikes.

That is the issue in life when you work full time, restore cars, (many), and try to live a happy family life. Whew.

Regards, Alberto

PS. on hold, 73 Montreal, 61 spider, 60 Giulietta, 73 GTV, 67 Jr. Z (had a favour done by the local DMV for export purposes ). 66 Duetto.

 

[Biscione]

I don’t know.. driving a GTA with unverified and potentially incorrect paint thickness is risky!

 

[aguirola]

I don’t know.. driving a GTA with unverified and potentially incorrect paint thickness is risky!

My GTA, I was with Nino at the paint shop in Bezerkely, when it was painted in '94 or so, in glorious red. Still not driven, a virgin car.
And yes, it did have bondo on it, obviously
What is the hang up with paint thickness anyhow? This not a '57 TR.

Yes, I know, very wrong wheels, but have the Tecnomagnesio, waiting for tyres.

GTA at Nino Epifani

 

[aguirola]

GTAM 1532307.
This one was painted with lacquer, and hand finished with just a breath of lead. No Bondo here, for the Bondo freaks.

 

[PSk]

Why don't you drive them?

Pete

 

[aguirola]

Why don't you drive them?

Pete

Very simple, The GTA came out of mothballs, and I am doing the work.
The fact I do not live in the USA, does not help yet this coming month, October, I may have the time to travel,
install the calipers, fill the fluids, replace the tank foam, start the engine, drive.

The GTAm, is here in El Salvador, all the parts are there, only requires reassembly.

The engine will be rebuilt in the USA at some point.

Best regards,
Alberto

PS. I think we ought to get back to the 'slittone affaire', of particular interest to me, as on the GTA, I must learn to lubricate properly,
Test drive on the road .....

The GTAm slittone, is not installed yet, as we just finished rebuilding the LSD.

 

[aguirola]

OK, provided I get the GTA, started and with brakes, et al. , can I drive it on the road? I have license plates, so fully legal, and exhaust limited to 1994 regs.
has a small silencer after the headers. I guess as not tracked, I can use a suitable antifreeze? What tyres, and dimensions would you reccommend for the outing, I have the 7"
Tecnomagnesio for it. Dunlop racing?

Provided you all reply "yes" what do I do to the 'slittone' as far as grease goes? Any specific flavour?

Will this last for a short drive on Hwy 1, 40 miles or so ?

Thank you.
Regards,
Alberto

 

[vsharp]

Hi Alberto,
For tyres I would use Avon CR6ZZ 185/70R14. They have the period tread look, and are a modern build & compound. Several guys have them here on GTA reps.
As for the sliding block itself, you might look at what 'dry' lubricants may be suitable. Something like a teflon spray-on may be better than a grease which can have grit stick to it. It has also crossed my mind that perhaps using replaceable teflon or delron plates instead of the steel guide plates. This might make the driving experience a bit less clunky too.