Alfa Romeo Spider Update

"-Amateur" (amateur) 09/15/2020 at 10:18 • Filed to: None

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Another day means another step taken to firing up my ‘74 Spider back to life from its dormant hibernation of two decades.

I spent the day sorting out the front bits that power this Italian stallion. The big win is that the crankshaft rotates with ease and the engine isn’t seized. the wiring harness is intact up front and the engine still has coolant/oil that look to be in good shape.

I still need a battery and a customary coolant flush with oil change will be made for good measure.

Exhibit A: The spark plugs. I have yet to run a compression test on the block and of course the whole ignition system will be replaced with new components. I haven’t checked the starter yet, hoping it works or will work with motivation from a hammer in case its seized.

The airbox is a mess. The filters are decayed and there is animal hair and nesting grub strewn about inside. Someone made it’s home in there, an animal of culture I see. Luckily I don’t need this part just for the initial start.

There she is in all her glory, the SPICA mechanical fuel injection unit. Unknown if it’s all sorted out yet. Kinda hoping it is because it’s going to be a costly one if its not.

The throttle linkage needs a good oiling since it gets stuck at full throttle, which isn’t a bad place to be. I still need to go over the fuel system and for sure I need a new pump and fuel tank since the one on there has holes from rust.

That’s all that I have to report, thanks and enjoy some other pics I took!

dogisbadob > -Amateur 09/15/2020 at 10:24

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lipstick on the Aston Martin big fish mouth

Urambo Tauro > -Amateur 09/15/2020 at 10:31

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0170 cap!

ItalianJobR53 - now with added 'MERICA and unreliability > -Amateur 09/15/2020 at 10:37

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Thats a lot of porch

-Amateur > Urambo Tauro 09/15/2020 at 10:38

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Iconic Alfa bit for sure

-Amateur > dogisbadob 09/15/2020 at 10:41

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I thought that lipstick Aston livery would grow on me over the years but it hasn’t. I wanted to like but it just wasn’t meant to be I guess.

lone_liberal > -Amateur 09/15/2020 at 10:47

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Looks to be a fun project! Good luck with the fuel injection. 

RacinBob > -Amateur 09/15/2020 at 11:03

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Ooooh, I’ve just g one through a thrash on my ‘74 and here is where I would put my attention. first run the thing on pure gas if you get it. The fuel system seals will not like alcohol and the change to alcohol will result in a fuel pump leak, Also, I would change all fuel lines as your present ones are likely toast. Your clutch master is probably gone or nearly gone. My bet is you need new rubber brake hoses and rebuilt master and calipers. The Spica pump is probably shot. Also replace your fuel filter.

-Amateur > ItalianJobR53 - now with added 'MERICA and unreliability 09/15/2020 at 11:36

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Yeah , they had the Porsche driving experience that day so there was an army of Taycans strewn about too

-Amateur > lone_liberal 09/15/2020 at 11:36

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Thanks!

Akio Ohtori - RIP Oppo > -Amateur 09/15/2020 at 11:47

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Iirc getting the SPICA system rebuilt isn't ruinously expensive.  I think there is only the one guy who does it still but allegedly does a good job. Like CIS, SPICA doesn't like to sit, but still worth a shot!

-Amateur > RacinBob 09/15/2020 at 11:56

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Thanks for the knowledge! I have the brake calipers sitting in the boot since they were seized, they are heavy chunks of kit compared to modern ones. Yeah the fuel system is due for an overhaul. Most of it is pretty cheap to replace with new parts , the exception being the SPICA and fuel tank of course. Don’t want to add to the Italian car on  fire stereotype. I’m sure the aftermarket fuel rubber holds up to modern fuels better anyways.

CaptDale - is secretly British > -Amateur 09/15/2020 at 12:15

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Oh man, I hope you get that running soon.

ItalianJobR53 - now with added 'MERICA and unreliability > -Amateur 09/15/2020 at 12:25

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Also, you are brave to stick with the Alfa :D

MiniGTI - now with XJ6 > -Amateur 09/15/2020 at 12:26

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Olio? But where’s the Aceto go?

-Amateur > ItalianJobR53 - now with added 'MERICA and unreliability 09/15/2020 at 13:14

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Momma didn’t raise no quitter

-Amateur > Akio Ohtori - RIP Oppo 09/15/2020 at 13:17

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I’m just happy this car didn’t get converted to carbs like so many owners did in the era since nobody k new how to work on them lol

-Amateur > CaptDale - is secretly British 09/15/2020 at 13:18

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I hope so too

RacinBob > -Amateur 09/15/2020 at 13:42

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I would check Rock Auto for brake parts. Then head off to the Alfa spacialists for the parts you can’t source. I would be almost certain that your heater regulating valve diaphragm is shot and going to leak. I cut my hose off and short circuited it into the head in order to bypass it, Also you need a fuel filter. If you get one, you probably should go the the parts store for a replacement. The one I ordered for my Alfa wouldn’t fit the lines. I suspect there may be more than one version for the ‘74.

Not sure what to make of the sticking throttle. I would do some research on that. I suspect once you clean the ignition points , it will fire right up. Also you probably should take a look at the spica pump belt to see it’s condition, Mine was original and fine at 45 years but who knows. 

RacinBob > -Amateur 09/15/2020 at 13:44

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By the way, do not overtighten the valve cover bolts, If you do, you will crack the cover (said by the guy who has 1st hand experience)

RallyDarkstrike - Fan of 2-cyl FIATs, Eastern Bloc & Kei cars > -Amateur 09/15/2020 at 13:49

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Good report! I enjoy following along you getting the old girl back to running again! :)

MM54 > -Amateur 09/15/2020 at 15:05

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From what I can recall about the condition of the rest of this car, good luck. I’m assuming you’re bypassing the cabin wiring etc. for the sake of getting it to start?

Also, having sat for so long, don’t be surprised if the clutch has seized up (aka don’t start it in gear). Getting it to run is a good first step, though.

What’s the overall plan with this - make sure it runs, then patch up the metal enough to be operable, or?

-Amateur > RallyDarkstrike - Fan of 2-cyl FIATs, Eastern Bloc & Kei cars 09/15/2020 at 15:09

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Thanks for the support!

-Amateur > MM54 09/15/2020 at 15:19

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I’m picking my battles and going over the big ticket items 1st to at least get her to start; I have all the wiring diagrams on hand which is super handy. I expect everything to be wrong with this car at all times just so I can be pleasantly surprised that something works as intended. But yeah, after that step, complete tear down and media blast of the body to see the true extent of the horrors underneath so I can start amassing the metal panels needed to make her whole again.

I like cars: Jim Spanfeller is one ugly motherfucker > -Amateur 09/15/2020 at 15:46

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MFI is cool and all, but if I had a SPICA car that wasn’t running, I would carb it, no question.

I like cars: Jim Spanfeller is one ugly motherfucker > Akio Ohtori - RIP Oppo 09/15/2020 at 15:47

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CIS is magic.

SPICA makes CIS look like a propane grille.

Akio Ohtori - RIP Oppo > I like cars: Jim Spanfeller is one ugly motherfucker 09/15/2020 at 20:36

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Agree

415s30 W123TSXWaggoIIIIIIo ( •_•))°) > -Amateur 09/15/2020 at 23:13

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Yeah mechanical fuel injection can be expensive if it’s shot. I had Gus Pfister do my Mercedes pump at Pacific Fuel Injection, he only does German I believe. It’s not as much as a new tranny but it’s high on the parts price list for sure! G ood luck!

Textured Soy Protein > -Amateur 09/16/2020 at 11:31

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That oil cap in Italian makes me think like this.

glemon > -Amateur 09/16/2020 at 11:53

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I have never had an Alfa Spider, but a good supply of parts in a large lot of bits I bought a few years back. Anywhere there was room to make a nest there was evidence of a nest, and I was shaking acorns out of things for weeks.

Critters must love Alfas.  Best of luck with the start up.  First time hearing a motor run is always fun.

RacinBob > -Amateur 09/16/2020 at 12:05

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By the way, judging from the rust on the nose, I am assuming the car is pretty comprehensively rusted so that your intent is get it r unning for amusement and not to restore it. As such, do a used tank, fuel lines and the basic clutch and brake hydraulics to get it functional.

If you are paying someone to do the body and mechanical work, stop. Y ou would be better off buying an already restored one than doing your own work. My Alfa has a well tuned engine and I just put $10k into mine for top, seats and mechanical refresh. Meanwhile it still needs a paint job to be perfect. It’s kind of hard to do the $6k for the paint knowing it is only worth $13k at best. And this is on a car that is rust free and garaged for 40 years......

Here’s a search on BAT https://bringatrailer.com/alfa-romeo/spider/

My car is identical to this but this one is cleaner and better.  https://bringatrailer.com/listing/1974-alfa-romeo-spider-29/

-Amateur > RacinBob 09/16/2020 at 13:52

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Oh yeah, the body is in real bad shape and this project is going to be a real money pit. It’s a fun hobby to pass the time long term to bring it back to the road from what would otherwise be junked. It’s a challenge for sure but i’m looking at restoring it in all its glory . Just taking it one step at a time. There’s no rhyme or reason for it.

-Amateur > glemon 09/16/2020 at 13:55

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Thanks! Looking for ward to getting my jollies seeing it go vroom vroom in Italian.

RacinBob > -Amateur 09/16/2020 at 14:44

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Ohhhh Myyyyy. I hope your metal working skills are up to snuf. And tetanus shots are too. That’s a serious project not mentioning the many other places as bad or worse.