Joined
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5 Posts
Where to start.. Long time reader and first time posting.. First I wanted to thank you all for your wonderful contributions. I know I for one have searched this forum countless times over the last 20 years or more.
Question: Although I have not dismantled the car completely, I am looking for the cross members for my car. I know many have recommended Lamierati stampati per auto d'epoca - alfa romeo, lancia, fiat, autobianchi and I have talked to them a few times and they don't do shipping. So has anyone used a shipping company for metal repair panels from Italy to the US? I have tried a few companies like DHL and have not had much luck. Also if anyone has other suppliers they would recommend for the cross members I certainly would be interested. Thank you
Back Story:
So I bought a 63 Giulia Spider in the late 90s and decided now is the time to start the restoration. I couldn't afford much back then but always loved the Alfa spiders, especially the Giulia's and 2600 (which I couldn't afford) . I have owned other Alfas and my family has owned many classic cars including Lancia, Jaguars, Ferraris and more. I grew up with my father rebuilding a transaxle out of a 365 on the kitchen table for over a year. So I guess it is in my blood. I have restored many boats, cars not so much but I feel up for the challenge. My car is pretty rough metal wise and many of the cross members have been previously repaired, crudely I may add, so these will need to be redone. The floor boards also will need redoing as well as a little work in the trunk.
I plan on doing most of the work myself, like many of you. I realize there are an incredible amount of forum posts detailing much of the work I am undergoing, and I have read many of these, so if I ask a question that has been previously answered I am sorry. Please feel free to direct me to another post.
Got the engine running this past weekend after not run in over 20 years. The engine had low compression before running which I expected but after running it for a while it had 150 psi on all cylinders except number 2 which had 130. I will rebuild the engine anyway because there are leaks in the oil pan gasket and a weeping head gasket and I think it is probably smart after sitting for that long. (if any one has engine rebuild manuals or resources that they can direct me to I would be very appreciative) The exhaust is not existent and the original exhaust manifold flange was cracked so I just temporarily attached them after inserting new studs. Rebuilt the Fispa fuel pump with a rebuild kit from Then and Now. Thanks to alfa32 and his post on the fuel pump rebuild. Rebuilt the Bosch distributor vju4 br41 and then rigged a temporary fuel line into a gas tank in the passenger seat. I thought it would be nice to drive it around the circle in my driveway before starting to tear it down for restoration. I accidently pressed the brake, its been so long since I drove a stick. Big mistake, probably aided to locking up the drums. The clutch was reluctant to return so had to pull it back with my foot. The front passenger wheel drum brakes were frozen so I thought it would free up if I drove it a little.. That didn't work. I got about 15 feet out of the garage and that is where it stopped. The brakes were just too locked up and I didn't want to hurt anything by horsing on an old motor. I was able to use the car disc manuals I got from Leo in 1989 to look at releasing the frozen brake shoes. I was able to clean out the garage where the car sat for last 20 years . While doing this I noticed smoke billowing from the car. I opened the hood and found the carb on fire. I had a a fire extinguisher near by and quickly gave it a squirt. Luckily I didn't hurt anything other than some old paint on the hood. It was getting late so blew out the engine compartment dust with compressed air and I freed up the stuck drum brake and pushed it back into the garage with my son and wife before it started to rain.. It was kind of how I thought it would go and even the neighbor asked if everything was alright as I was putting out the flames.
I put it back in the garage and started it up again just to make sure I didn't hurt anything. It started right up.. Trust me I was thinking of going for a night run around the driveway circle!
Some pictures of the car, under carriage and cross members. I will take better pictures when I get it on a rotisserie. I appreciate any and all help and thanks for taking the time to read and comment.
This is the better of the two sides.
poorly repaired cross member
Previously cut cross member when repairing floor boards. Then they firberglassed over the floors boards. probably to keep water out.
rotting support.
Question: Although I have not dismantled the car completely, I am looking for the cross members for my car. I know many have recommended Lamierati stampati per auto d'epoca - alfa romeo, lancia, fiat, autobianchi and I have talked to them a few times and they don't do shipping. So has anyone used a shipping company for metal repair panels from Italy to the US? I have tried a few companies like DHL and have not had much luck. Also if anyone has other suppliers they would recommend for the cross members I certainly would be interested. Thank you
Back Story:
So I bought a 63 Giulia Spider in the late 90s and decided now is the time to start the restoration. I couldn't afford much back then but always loved the Alfa spiders, especially the Giulia's and 2600 (which I couldn't afford) . I have owned other Alfas and my family has owned many classic cars including Lancia, Jaguars, Ferraris and more. I grew up with my father rebuilding a transaxle out of a 365 on the kitchen table for over a year. So I guess it is in my blood. I have restored many boats, cars not so much but I feel up for the challenge. My car is pretty rough metal wise and many of the cross members have been previously repaired, crudely I may add, so these will need to be redone. The floor boards also will need redoing as well as a little work in the trunk.
I plan on doing most of the work myself, like many of you. I realize there are an incredible amount of forum posts detailing much of the work I am undergoing, and I have read many of these, so if I ask a question that has been previously answered I am sorry. Please feel free to direct me to another post.
Got the engine running this past weekend after not run in over 20 years. The engine had low compression before running which I expected but after running it for a while it had 150 psi on all cylinders except number 2 which had 130. I will rebuild the engine anyway because there are leaks in the oil pan gasket and a weeping head gasket and I think it is probably smart after sitting for that long. (if any one has engine rebuild manuals or resources that they can direct me to I would be very appreciative) The exhaust is not existent and the original exhaust manifold flange was cracked so I just temporarily attached them after inserting new studs. Rebuilt the Fispa fuel pump with a rebuild kit from Then and Now. Thanks to alfa32 and his post on the fuel pump rebuild. Rebuilt the Bosch distributor vju4 br41 and then rigged a temporary fuel line into a gas tank in the passenger seat. I thought it would be nice to drive it around the circle in my driveway before starting to tear it down for restoration. I accidently pressed the brake, its been so long since I drove a stick. Big mistake, probably aided to locking up the drums. The clutch was reluctant to return so had to pull it back with my foot. The front passenger wheel drum brakes were frozen so I thought it would free up if I drove it a little.. That didn't work. I got about 15 feet out of the garage and that is where it stopped. The brakes were just too locked up and I didn't want to hurt anything by horsing on an old motor. I was able to use the car disc manuals I got from Leo in 1989 to look at releasing the frozen brake shoes. I was able to clean out the garage where the car sat for last 20 years . While doing this I noticed smoke billowing from the car. I opened the hood and found the carb on fire. I had a a fire extinguisher near by and quickly gave it a squirt. Luckily I didn't hurt anything other than some old paint on the hood. It was getting late so blew out the engine compartment dust with compressed air and I freed up the stuck drum brake and pushed it back into the garage with my son and wife before it started to rain.. It was kind of how I thought it would go and even the neighbor asked if everything was alright as I was putting out the flames.
Some pictures of the car, under carriage and cross members. I will take better pictures when I get it on a rotisserie. I appreciate any and all help and thanks for taking the time to read and comment.
This is the better of the two sides.
poorly repaired cross member
Previously cut cross member when repairing floor boards. Then they firberglassed over the floors boards. probably to keep water out.
rotting support.