I'm not smart

"Jake Huitt - Two Alfas And A Nissan, Not A Single Running Car" (pilot-and-car-guy) 01/04/2016 at 19:46 • Filed to: None

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I just bought this 1985 alfa romeo gtv-6 with a blown timing belt on it’s 2.5L engine, a “running when removed” 3.0 v6 from a 164, and 12 wheels, in addition to the 4 on the car.

Got a really good deal though. Now it’s 100 miles each way with my 93 dakota 5.2 and 18’ car trailer, as well as Denver’s Ranger for some of the wheels.

It’s gonna be a good day tomorrow.

“Motor is a 2.5 with a broken timing belt. Comes with a 3.0 that was running when removed. The car is packed full of parts - many new in the box or the bag. Has rust issues. I can get a title, but this is not a car that will need titling”

jkm7680 > Jake Huitt - Two Alfas And A Nissan, Not A Single Running Car 01/04/2016 at 19:49

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Change you username to “Both of my cars never work.”

Jake Huitt - Two Alfas And A Nissan, Not A Single Running Car > jkm7680 01/04/2016 at 19:49

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I don’t have the second yet...

daender > Jake Huitt - Two Alfas And A Nissan, Not A Single Running Car 01/04/2016 at 19:54

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Remember: pain is temporary, remembering the glory of a running Italian V6 is eternal!

JawzX2, Boost Addict. 1.6t, 2.7tt, 4.2t > Jake Huitt - Two Alfas And A Nissan, Not A Single Running Car 01/04/2016 at 19:59

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how good a deal? That makes a difference...

Jake Huitt - Two Alfas And A Nissan, Not A Single Running Car > JawzX2, Boost Addict. 1.6t, 2.7tt, 4.2t 01/04/2016 at 20:00

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$400

JawzX2, Boost Addict. 1.6t, 2.7tt, 4.2t > Jake Huitt - Two Alfas And A Nissan, Not A Single Running Car 01/04/2016 at 20:02

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yeah, that’s a pretty good deal. If I had a place to put all that and work on it, I would have bought it too.

aberson Bresident of the FullyAssed Committe > Jake Huitt - Two Alfas And A Nissan, Not A Single Running Car 01/04/2016 at 20:03

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Alfa’s are incredibly reliable vehicles. Now excuse my while i throw $200 worth of parts at mine

Jake Huitt - Two Alfas And A Nissan, Not A Single Running Car > JawzX2, Boost Addict. 1.6t, 2.7tt, 4.2t 01/04/2016 at 20:04

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I do. I’m also a mechanic so I think I got this.

Jake Huitt - Two Alfas And A Nissan, Not A Single Running Car > aberson Bresident of the FullyAssed Committe 01/04/2016 at 20:04

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Yeah. And I got one that’s broken

Full of parts

A spare engine

Several wheels

I don’t know what’s wrong with me.

JawzX2, Boost Addict. 1.6t, 2.7tt, 4.2t > Jake Huitt - Two Alfas And A Nissan, Not A Single Running Car 01/04/2016 at 20:06

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oh yeah. Sounds like fun! I really need a garage in my life... I could get my tools out the basement...

Jake Huitt - Two Alfas And A Nissan, Not A Single Running Car > JawzX2, Boost Addict. 1.6t, 2.7tt, 4.2t 01/04/2016 at 20:07

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I have my grandparents 8 car garage, with lift, welder, plasma cutter, oxy acetylene torch, engine hoist, tranny jack, and most every tool I need.

I’m super lucky.

aberson Bresident of the FullyAssed Committe > Jake Huitt - Two Alfas And A Nissan, Not A Single Running Car 01/04/2016 at 20:08

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everything but in a good way :)

Jake Huitt - Two Alfas And A Nissan, Not A Single Running Car > aberson Bresident of the FullyAssed Committe 01/04/2016 at 20:09

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Yep.

I’m gonna have so much fun.

aberson Bresident of the FullyAssed Committe > Jake Huitt - Two Alfas And A Nissan, Not A Single Running Car 01/04/2016 at 20:13

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we can be the neighborhood masochists

Chasaboo > Jake Huitt - Two Alfas And A Nissan, Not A Single Running Car 01/04/2016 at 20:18

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You are a god sir. Also, what the hell is Olio?

Jake Huitt - Two Alfas And A Nissan, Not A Single Running Car > Chasaboo 01/04/2016 at 20:24

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Thanks and no clue.

Jake Huitt - Two Alfas And A Nissan, Not A Single Running Car > aberson Bresident of the FullyAssed Committe 01/04/2016 at 20:25

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Yay!

That Bastard Kurtis - An Attempt to Standardize My Username Across Platforms > Jake Huitt - Two Alfas And A Nissan, Not A Single Running Car 01/04/2016 at 20:46

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You did the right thing here.

Jake Huitt - Two Alfas And A Nissan, Not A Single Running Car > That Bastard Kurtis - An Attempt to Standardize My Username Across Platforms 01/04/2016 at 20:47

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I hope so.

sdwarf36 > Jake Huitt - Two Alfas And A Nissan, Not A Single Running Car 01/04/2016 at 20:54

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It would be easy to come up with reasons to say no-but you can afford it-got a great place to work on it-and you’re skilled—go for it. If nothing else it will be a good learning experience. The “has rust” worries me though.

Jake Huitt - Two Alfas And A Nissan, Not A Single Running Car > sdwarf36 01/04/2016 at 20:56

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Absolutely.

Not much to lose for $400.

I plan to do rust repair if not too bad. Weld in new metal.

Justin > Jake Huitt - Two Alfas And A Nissan, Not A Single Running Car 01/04/2016 at 21:00

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LS swap. Problem solved.

Jake Huitt - Two Alfas And A Nissan, Not A Single Running Car > Justin 01/04/2016 at 21:01

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Nope.

LS isn’t always the answer.

(I also got you out of the grey on OPPO)

Justin > Jake Huitt - Two Alfas And A Nissan, Not A Single Running Car 01/04/2016 at 22:10

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Yeah I’d prefer an S2000 swap in something like this. Seems more fitting in nature.

Jake Huitt - Two Alfas And A Nissan, Not A Single Running Car > Justin 01/04/2016 at 22:39

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I’m not going to swap in some non alfa engine. My plan is to to the 3L swap and restore it.

RallyDarkstrike - Fan of 2-cyl FIATs, Eastern Bloc & Kei cars > Jake Huitt - Two Alfas And A Nissan, Not A Single Running Car 01/04/2016 at 23:33

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This guy....this guy gets it.

Looking forward to these chronicles! :P

Wohnson89 > Jake Huitt - Two Alfas And A Nissan, Not A Single Running Car 01/04/2016 at 23:37

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My dad had one of these (Alfeta gt) circa 1985 and it was a raging terd. 80% of the time it didn’t work. Something was always broken. He was once stranded on the side of the highway and when he popped the hood the intake manifold was glowing red. But the 20% of the time it did work, it was pretty good so I’m told. Good luck, check your wallet at the door.

1.6 liter beater > Jake Huitt - Two Alfas And A Nissan, Not A Single Running Car 01/04/2016 at 23:43

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That 3 liter is a beautiful engine. The manifold and valve covers are definitely easy on the eyes. Good luck and have fun with your project. And with all those wheels forget having just snow tires, you can have winter, fall summer and spring tires!

Jake Huitt - Two Alfas And A Nissan, Not A Single Running Car > RallyDarkstrike - Fan of 2-cyl FIATs, Eastern Bloc & Kei cars 01/04/2016 at 23:44

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I’ll have many a post on the road to restoration.

Burn-Spaz1966-Burn > Jake Huitt - Two Alfas And A Nissan, Not A Single Running Car 01/05/2016 at 00:04

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RiceRocketeer Extraordinaire > daender 01/05/2016 at 01:26

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The glory of purchase is temporary, the pain of trying to get an Italian V6 running is eternal!

pip bip - choose Corrour > Jake Huitt - Two Alfas And A Nissan, Not A Single Running Car 01/05/2016 at 02:13

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brilliant idea.

Makoyouidiot > Jake Huitt - Two Alfas And A Nissan, Not A Single Running Car 01/05/2016 at 08:02

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The 164 v6 was such a lovely engine, although the 164 is Fwd, so how you gonna make that work with the gtv?

MonkeePuzzle > Jake Huitt - Two Alfas And A Nissan, Not A Single Running Car 01/05/2016 at 09:14

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I’ve got my eyes on this potential nightmare of multiple parts and multiple parts cars http://denver.craigslist.org/cto/5320366708…

craigslist can be a dangerous place!

Jake Huitt - Two Alfas And A Nissan, Not A Single Running Car > MonkeePuzzle 01/05/2016 at 09:19

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Not a bad deal. We have a very serious disease.....

Jake Huitt - Two Alfas And A Nissan, Not A Single Running Car > Makoyouidiot 01/05/2016 at 09:20

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Not too much goes in to it. Swap a few parts over, a few adapters. There are several guides out there.

MonkeePuzzle > Jake Huitt - Two Alfas And A Nissan, Not A Single Running Car 01/05/2016 at 09:42

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plus, with the Justy’s tiny engine I could work in my nice warm basement through winter :P

Chairman Kaga > Jake Huitt - Two Alfas And A Nissan, Not A Single Running Car 01/05/2016 at 10:41

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I’m so sorry.

Introduce yourself on the AlfaBB and take a deep dive, order the shop manuals immediately, and pray.

With yours I’d start with a structural integrity inspection. The strut towers and engine mount points tend to rust, and if they are require expensive repairs to make safe. All will have rust around the windshield, behind the front fenders, floor pans, window sills.

Brake hoses, fuel hoses, vacuum hoses. Greg Gordon’s High Performance store has all of these parts in stock. It’ll be a few hundred bucks but seriously, this work is essential. Unless someone got frisky before you bought it, chances are all of those hoses are cracked and leaky. Dangerous. Greg also has a FANTASTIC writeup on the L-Jet tuneup procedure . Bookmark it, memorize it.

Your biggest headache will be electrics. The taillights have integrated circuit boards that corrode. You can replace (Motozane makes new ones that are GREAT, so I hear), or hardwire and jumper them, which is what I did. Same for gauges.

I’d also consider installing relays for the headlights as a priority. With the age of the switches, you run a real risk of burning them out (the factory setup has full amperage going through the little leaf switches - mine smoked), and the combo switch assembly for the headlights, turn signals, wipers is extremely expensive. At the very least, clean all of the switches with DeOxit and baste with some dielectric grease.

Another common issue is the ignition switch. The tumblers wear prematurely and intertia can cause the car to shut off, sometimes when taking a turn. They changed the design in 84 or 85, and one isn’t compatible with the other. Ask me how I know.

Suspension bushings are the lowest hanging fruit with the greatest reward. Inner tie rods, ball joints, etc. My car was borderline dangerous until I replaced all of the moving parts in the suspension.

They’ll tell you the only source for new rubber seals is either Milan, Highwood Alfa in the UK, or Mr. Fiat - all VERY expensive. You can go generic though. Almost every profile of rubber has a “close enough” match out there. I got most of mine from JC Whitney for about 1/6 the cost of concours approved parts.

As for mechanicals, Godspeed. Every Alfa is a unicorn in this regard. Best to start with a complete fluid dump, then get into the water pump, timing belt, and associated seals and gaskets, and go from there.

Good luck!

Makoyouidiot > Jake Huitt - Two Alfas And A Nissan, Not A Single Running Car 01/05/2016 at 12:07

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Sweeeeet

Andrew P. Collins > Jake Huitt - Two Alfas And A Nissan, Not A Single Running Car 01/05/2016 at 18:28

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I’ve always loved these. Good luck!

Jake Huitt - Two Alfas And A Nissan, Not A Single Running Car > Andrew P. Collins 01/06/2016 at 02:41

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Thanks. It was one hell of an adventure getting it home. More details to come.

I’ll have a post up soon with the story. Took about 12 hours total...

JawzX2, Boost Addict. 1.6t, 2.7tt, 4.2t > daender 01/06/2016 at 13:55

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As I like to say:

“Owing an Alfa Romeo is sort of like having genital herpes: It’s very rarely fatal, but it can cause you miss out on other parts of life. It can cause pain and suffering, annoyance, and emotional trauma, and then, just when you think you might be rid of it forever, it flares up again, and you realize it’ll be with you for the rest of your life.”