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Just bought a 76 spider

1205 Views 14 Replies 6 Participants Last post by  MarioGCosenza, 
M
Hello all,
Id like start by saying i just picked up a 1976 spider in antique white with red interior, it has a rebuilt engine an 67000 miles on the body, it hss two dellortos 45 and i was wondering what you all think i should do.
Thanks,
A very happy new to me spider owner.
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conedriver
Welcome. First; just enjoy the car before jumping into any modifications, then learn about necessary maintenance. Many owners consider maintaining originality a significant part of Alfa ownership while others like to "improve". A big issue for any engine modification is determining what emissions testing is required in your area.

Using "Search" on this forum can provide many hours of reading about your Spider.

MarioGCosenza said:
Hello all,
Id like start by saying i just picked up a 1976 spider in antique white with red interior, it has a rebuilt engine an 67000 miles on the body, it hss two dellortos 45 and i was wondering what you all think i should do.
Thanks,
A very happy new to me spider owner.
Click to expand...
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M
Ive got all the maitenance, and emissions is non existant for cars over 20 in nj
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Norseman50
Welcome Mario.

Here's what I would do: Drive the car a bit (not too far from home). See how it runs, check the electrics (lights, wipers, gauges, etc.) and take note of things that don't operate correctly. Listen to the car for odd sounds and after getting it warm, park it over a piece of cardboard so that you can see where fluids are dripping from. Try to repair the sources of those leaks as soon as possible.

We would all like to see pictures of your new acquisition. Can you take a couple of digital photos and post them here? It's pretty simple - just click on the red "Manage Attachments" box when you are creating a post.

Once again, welcome aboard. Best of luck, and we are here to help.
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M
This is the lovely little jem ive aquired.

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M
And it sat in a garage for about 20 odd some years, and it looks a little weathered but the colour combo is my personal favourite and original oh and the dual dellortos was a lovely extra, but all rubber bits are cracking, wouldnt drive on the guibo it doesnt look right. The suspension needs a rebuild, the steering box needs some love but besides some wonky carbs the engines devoid of sweat and i know it wasnt cleaned either.
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M
Norseman50 said:
Welcome Mario.

Here's what I would do: Drive the car a bit (not too far from home). See how it runs, check the electrics (lights, wipers, gauges, etc.) and take note of things that don't operate correctly. Listen to the car for odd sounds and after getting it warm, park it over a piece of cardboard so that you can see where fluids are dripping from. Try to repair the sources of those leaks as soon as possible.

We would all like to see pictures of your new acquisition. Can you take a couple of digital photos and post them here? It's pretty simple - just click on the red "Manage Attachments" box when you are creating a post.

Once again, welcome aboard. Best of luck, and we are here to help.
Click to expand...
You know its also funny you mention that because the cars got dirt in the right places and its just got a hole in the spare tire well... but i may do away with that whole issue, just a flat panel because i dont need trunk space.
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Norseman50
MarioGCosenza said:
This is the lovely little jem ive aquired.
Click to expand...
Very nice!
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MBevans
Welcome!

Food for thought.
Look through your receipts and look for fuel filters and gas tank cleaning or a new tank. My car sat for 18 years and the gas tank is full of rust, all the clean/new filters will eventually just get filled with crap and cog. It's easy to take a look inside the tank.
I'm installing a new tank in mine, as the thought of being a few hundred miles away from home and having it cog is a total drag....
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Alfajay
MarioGCosenza said:
it hss two dellortos 45 and i was wondering what you all think i should do.
Click to expand...
Check the carburetors to ensure they are sized properly. Remove a carb from the intake manifold, and read the diameter stamped on the id of the venturis. A 1962cc engine like yours wants a 32 or 34mm venturi. Venturi's for 45mm Webers are made as small as 28mm, so 32 or 34mm venturis for Dellortos should be available.

Most people doing Spica --> carburetor conversions use 40mm carbs, unless the car is intended for high-performance use (e.g., where you don't care how well it idles). Since your's has 45's, my guess is that the builder was of the "bigger must be better" school, and didn't size the ventures (or jets) properly. While I know that 45mm carbs can be tuned to work OK on a 1962cc engine, it's worth checking whether the PO took the time.

How well does the car run?
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M
Alfajay said:
MarioGCosenza said:
it hss two dellortos 45 and i was wondering what you all think i should do.
Click to expand...
Check the carburetors to ensure they are sized properly. Remove a carb from the intake manifold, and read the diameter stamped on the id of the venturis. A 1962cc engine like yours wants a 32 or 34mm venturi. Venturi's for 45mm Webers are made as small as 28mm, so 32 or 34mm venturis for Dellortos should be available.

Most people doing Spica --> carburetor conversions use 40mm carbs, unless the car is intended for high-performance use (e.g., where you don't care how well it idles). Since your's has 45's, my guess is that the builder was of the "bigger must be better" school, and didn't size the ventures (or jets) properly. While I know that 45mm carbs can be tuned to work OK on a 1962cc engine, it's worth checking whether the PO took the time.

How well does the car run?
Click to expand...
Funny you should mention, it ran a bit ahaha just got it started today, im trying to get an electro ignig from a later series car, and i gotta change all filters and even fuel pumps because it has some chinese bs in it, and im just gonna go oe as much as possible, yes im not gonna slam and stance it like every other 20 something year old.
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M
Norseman50 said:
MarioGCosenza said:
This is the lovely little jem ive aquired.
Click to expand...
Very nice!
Click to expand...
Thanks the bottom of the nose is a little mangled but in gonna fix that other than that, no body damage exceptfor a door and a rear corner dent.
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M
MBevans said:
Welcome!

Food for thought.
Look through your receipts and look for fuel filters and gas tank cleaning or a new tank. My car sat for 18 years and the gas tank is full of rust, all the clean/new filters will eventually just get filled with crap and cog. It's easy to take a look inside the tank.
I'm installing a new tank in mine, as the thought of being a few hundred miles away from home and having it cog is a total drag....
Click to expand...
Exactly im just trying to get it to the point where i can goto montreal for the weekend and not worry.
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Brufisti
Hi Mario - Don't know how I missed this, we have something in common - I bought a 76 Spider this year too - and as it happens, mine is white with an Amaranth interior... (see attached).

My car looked very good indeed, but from day one I had problems with the fuel pressure. First we removed and replaced the filters (one of which was buggered, but after a short time FP was an issue again. Then I had the fuel pump replaced, but no joy. In the end my mechanic removed the filters and found them clogged again so he went to the gas tank, which had rust in it. I had the tank re-lined (surprisingly cheap) and the car has been running like a top ever since...

Good luck with yours - you've got a lovely car! :)

But I may be biased...

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Brufisti said:
Hi Mario - Don't know how I missed this, we have something in common - I bought a 76 Spider this year too - and as it happens, mine is white with an Amaranth interior... (see attached).

My car looked very good indeed, but from day one I had problems with the fuel pressure. First we removed and replaced the filters (one of which was buggered, but after a short time FP was an issue again. Then I had the fuel pump replaced, but no joy. In the end my mechanic removed the filters and found them clogged again so he went to the gas tank, which had rust in it. I had the tank re-lined (surprisingly cheap) and the car has been running like a top ever since...

Good luck with yours - you've got a lovely car! :)

But I may be biased...
Click to expand...
Well you have every right to be, i may have paid a bit more than its worth but where theres pleasure there is no pain, its really weird ive had serious engine issues with smoking but im gonna try to clear that out this week, and i really dont have much if any rust except for softball sized pieces on the undercarriage but non structural and for a nj car thats incredible, and your cars what i want mine to look like someday.
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