Don,
I bought my 77 a couple of years ago. Long dormant, but it has come back far enough to be in regular use.
Depending upon your budget and preferences, I can offer my formula, listed below. Note, I’ve got a long association with Alfa’s, and had developed a disdain for the fat, wobbling, gutless 115 Spiders. My formula has returned my car closer to the joys of the earlier 105s.
Replace boat-anchor bumpers with earlier style. I bought my kit from Classic Alfa. I didn’t weigh the removed battering rams, but the combination of the two is certainly in the neighborhood of 100 lbs, or more.
Eibach variable rate springs, also from Classic Alfa.
Red Koni shocks, set on full soft.
Pirelli CN36 tires, 185/70-14. Quite probably the original tire type on your car. Transformative.
Many or most of the rubber suspension bushings will have worn, aged out, or gotten hard. I recommend you replace the four rear track rod bushings. Possibly the tee-bar bushing, but it can usually wait until later. Front suspension bushings should be inspected, but the castor rod bushings often need replacement. I recommend only rubber, original bushings, with the possible exception of the castor rods. Any bushing that transmits shock loads to your behind is better off in OE rubber. If you use Classic Alfa, ask for their “heavy duty” bushings. They’re not really heavy duty, they’re just better quality with better dimension accuracy.
Visit a good alignment shop and get their opinion on ball joints and the various steering links. Most of mine were shot by 65,000 miles.
Some people will recommend disconnecting the rear anti sway bar. I prefer it attached, but it’s a personal preference kind of thing.
There’s a whole world of possibilities for the engine. Even up at 4,700 MSL, the total driving experience is joyous enough I’m happy with a stock engine.
Enjoy!
