Alfa Romeo 164 Twinspark Super
Discussion
kapiteinlangzaam said:
When I replaced the top mounts and gearbox mounts on my 916 TS, it showed up the lower mounts to be completely ruined. So much so, it was allowing part of the engine block to contact the driveshafts during heavy acceleration!!
Unfortunately changing the easy stuff is often like opening Pandora's box!
Indeed - initial investigations have revealed the shortlist for 'immediate items' being...everything suspension related. Pretty much everything pliable within a foot radius of each wheel. Accumulation has begun, but I'm not going to get there quickly!Unfortunately changing the easy stuff is often like opening Pandora's box!
I had a stroke of luck while searching for a spare wheel to match my four Speedlines - the seller not only had a complete set, in better condition than mine, but an untapped trove of useful parts. I excitedly loaded the haul this Sunday and will carefully unpack it after the week's work, but there look to be some truly tremendous finds - including a rear crossmember!
20170422_185315_zpsosn7tclv by James Vincent, on FlickrThe 164 is currently on a nearby lift undergoing surgery for such flippant items as 'brakes', so I hope to get as much done on a Friday out of work before Brooklands Auto Italia on Saturday... it's going to be a close run thing to get all four wheel back on the ground.
Edited by Spinakerr on Saturday 22 July 13:29
I would suspect the rear engine mount is the source of clonking and any sensation that the engine has become somewhat detached from the rest of the car. They're pretty inadequate in the first place, and 2 decades of being cooked by the exhaust and battered by the gearbox tends to kill them.
Your dent man is most impressive - what did a day's attention cost (roughly), and which side of London is he on?
Your dent man is most impressive - what did a day's attention cost (roughly), and which side of London is he on?
Lovely to see one these being cared for 
My uncle had a red one on a J plate, a 2.0 TS, bought from new and ran into the ground. He is very much a utilarian with his car purchases, buy something good and run it until it dies many years later is his mantra - his cars were always serviced and maintained but never really doted upon. I think it was finally deemed beyond economical repair after the thermostat went, it overheated and needed a new engine and was scrapped around 2004 at nearly 170,000 miles including several trips across Europe. I remember the velvet seats, and the flimsiness of the air vents (one was broken, like yours, but never fixed). A car with real character, even in the most basic spec that he had. I have a real fondness for 90s Alfas, the 164 and the 146Ti (reg was P896 LRF, wonder where it is now?) that my dad had being my favourites apart from the GTV V6 which is the best Alfa of that particular era IMO.
My uncle had a red one on a J plate, a 2.0 TS, bought from new and ran into the ground. He is very much a utilarian with his car purchases, buy something good and run it until it dies many years later is his mantra - his cars were always serviced and maintained but never really doted upon. I think it was finally deemed beyond economical repair after the thermostat went, it overheated and needed a new engine and was scrapped around 2004 at nearly 170,000 miles including several trips across Europe. I remember the velvet seats, and the flimsiness of the air vents (one was broken, like yours, but never fixed). A car with real character, even in the most basic spec that he had. I have a real fondness for 90s Alfas, the 164 and the 146Ti (reg was P896 LRF, wonder where it is now?) that my dad had being my favourites apart from the GTV V6 which is the best Alfa of that particular era IMO.
rxe said:
I would suspect the rear engine mount is the source of clonking and any sensation that the engine has become somewhat detached from the rest of the car. They're pretty inadequate in the first place, and 2 decades of being cooked by the exhaust and battered by the gearbox tends to kill them.
Your dent man is most impressive - what did a day's attention cost (roughly), and which side of London is he on?
He is Dentman in Twickenham, turns out to be walking distance from me and a great chap. Circa £200 for several hours work - three big dents and a fair number of other blemishes around the car. If you're going to be in the area let me know, would be great to see the GTA!Your dent man is most impressive - what did a day's attention cost (roughly), and which side of London is he on?
Wolveswill - The 146 doesn't look to be taxed so sadly might have gone the way of 95% of its brethren. Only on 146 on the Bay in a cool black, but why not treat yourself to this exceptionally priced 145?
http://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C838415
On the 164 - Brake pipes replaced where possible, disc finally sourced of the right size and mounted, NOS pads luckily deduced from a bad listing, clutch slave replaced due to perished seals, correct LUK clutch also changes, gearbox drained and refilled with 1.8 litres of the closest match to Selenia 75w80 possible. According to Alfacraft it even smells the same.
That was the expected work. The unexpected included front drop links, rear brake flexi hoses (luckily the 75 is a match - Alfa, not Rover) and a gearbox split seal, sourced tonight and being delivered on Friday. The drop links induced mild heart skippage - whilst the bushes are available in polybush and rubber options, the actual metal portions needed replacement and reverse enquiries from Lancia Thema, via a Fiat database and finally article numbers 82398688 and 82443635 have hopefully resulted in the right item that can be shipped tomorrow.
I carefully pleaded my case to take Friday off work and will assisting with the reassembly and final bleeding, then at the very least a wash will be in order - hopefully also a trip to mount the new set of Speedlines and a spare tyre.
Next year, of course, I'll choose to do the work way in advance of Auto Italia. Definitely. I absolutely will. Next year.
Whilst I nervously await the delivery of new ARB drop links, I thought I would unfurl the recent haul of parts.
Cue the poorest exploded diagram ever. With apologies to Terry Davey:
20170428_124742_zpss4gsblii by James Vincent, on Flickr
The four Speedlines are in excellent conditition - I'm going to swap these with those on the car. Time is dwindling for this today, unfortunately.
20170428_124753_zps32ngtqlw by James Vincent, on Flickr
The unused front subframe is the most fortuitous discovery, as while mine is serviceable it give me an excuse to build up an entire front end, including engine mounts, sealed and waxoyled, ready for fitting. It even has the dessicated Fiat sticker:
20170428_124759_zpsdxxugxna by James Vincent, on Flickr
20170428_124848_zps0qnnxdi7 by James Vincent, on Flickr
The rear crossmember is in standard crusty condition, but again give me the opportunity to strip, prep and weld it ready for mounting to minimise time off the road:
20170428_124939_zpsqjdylkuw by James Vincent, on Flickr
Everything else is a bonus, but it includes:
3x rear brake calipers.
Front wishbones (that unnerving sound like a box of cornflakes when moved)
Rear tie(?) bars and suspension components, in poor condition.
Handbrake and handbrake cables.
Hub and some wheel bearings.
Many suspension turret seal, plates, bolts and nuts. Some parts may be salvageable.
V6 Radiator fan (I may aim to use this as it is more substantial than the twinspark item).
Slam panel and rubber seal.
Plus some immediately binnable items, such as engine mounts:
20170428_125000_zpshlnwbj0g by James Vincent, on Flickr
Finally (cue inaudible fanfare) - a complete set of 164 mats, in great condition:
20170423_143608_zpsaqidsriv by James Vincent, on Flickr
These make me very happy indeed.
Cue the poorest exploded diagram ever. With apologies to Terry Davey:
20170428_124742_zpss4gsblii by James Vincent, on FlickrThe four Speedlines are in excellent conditition - I'm going to swap these with those on the car. Time is dwindling for this today, unfortunately.
20170428_124753_zps32ngtqlw by James Vincent, on FlickrThe unused front subframe is the most fortuitous discovery, as while mine is serviceable it give me an excuse to build up an entire front end, including engine mounts, sealed and waxoyled, ready for fitting. It even has the dessicated Fiat sticker:
20170428_124759_zpsdxxugxna by James Vincent, on Flickr20170428_124848_zps0qnnxdi7 by James Vincent, on FlickrThe rear crossmember is in standard crusty condition, but again give me the opportunity to strip, prep and weld it ready for mounting to minimise time off the road:
20170428_124939_zpsqjdylkuw by James Vincent, on FlickrEverything else is a bonus, but it includes:
3x rear brake calipers.
Front wishbones (that unnerving sound like a box of cornflakes when moved)
Rear tie(?) bars and suspension components, in poor condition.
Handbrake and handbrake cables.
Hub and some wheel bearings.
Many suspension turret seal, plates, bolts and nuts. Some parts may be salvageable.
V6 Radiator fan (I may aim to use this as it is more substantial than the twinspark item).
Slam panel and rubber seal.
Plus some immediately binnable items, such as engine mounts:
20170428_125000_zpshlnwbj0g by James Vincent, on FlickrFinally (cue inaudible fanfare) - a complete set of 164 mats, in great condition:
20170423_143608_zpsaqidsriv by James Vincent, on FlickrThese make me very happy indeed.
Edited by Spinakerr on Saturday 22 July 13:33
I'm overdue an update on the 164, so I'll resume where we left off - awaiting some ARBs and correct front discs on the Friday before Auto Italia at Brooklands...
Luckily the parts turned up, and were correct, thank the Alfa gods, though there was no time to bed in the brakes or perform the lengthy clutch bleeding process as the sun set. The next morning, I rose with the birds, applied a quick coat of polish and purged some air from the system. The twinspark burst into life with the merest hint of a keyturn, DOT4 on the passenger seat and a newfound respect for low clutch biting points we were off to Auto Italia.
Having attended Brooklands’Auto Italia event in the 164 for three years now I knew the drill – get there early as the traffic is miserable, don’t park on the banking if you have a weak handbrake and ensure your car is healthy & clean well in advance. Every year my carefully laid plans have been partially frustrated, but the 164 always made it, giving the thermostat and fan a good workout in the traffic and scowling at the rocks placed under its tyres to hold it securely.
I made it through the early morning traffic a lot quicker than most, but as usual the marshalling at the entrance was dire. A fast lane for ticket holders needs to be established, and the confused BMW in the queue should have been removed.
20170429_091142_zpsagcs50im by James Vincent, on Flickr
It was great to meet Richard and the AROC community in person at Brooklands, and whilst I believe I might have had the only Twinspark present, some of the other 164s on show were truly magnificent. It’s truly inspiring to see the 164 being regarded as a true classic and not just an old saloon!
Some fantastic 164s were present, including a Q4:
20170429_093452_zpspv1yjx57 by James Vincent, on Flickr
Plus some of my bucket list vehicles. A RHD 456 in black with a manual gearbox? I think that is the natural target for me, as I had a model as child and it was designed by Pininfarina after the 164:
20170429_102157_zps0hyp9rxr by James Vincent, on Flickr
Montreals:
20170429_094035_zpswscvyok1 by James Vincent, on Flickr
Miuras:
20170429_094539_zpstc08qlqd by James Vincent, on Flickr
A delight to meet all the owners as they arrived and hear the engines/smell the petrol during the arrival. Probably the highlight, as once it got busy I slunk off for another event. The 164 wasn't the only Alfa to make it to Newport Pagnell that afternoon:
20170429_175133_zpsbyg3q3qr by James Vincent, on Flickr
With the temperature dropping I headed back to London, the clutch developing an extra-low biting point that necessitated the removal of the mats - clearly more bleeding required.
I made it home with a combination of luck and guile, and examined the new/old parts collated.
With brake pipes like these, who needs enemies? I'm very glad to have these all removed:
20170507_184951_zps5d9ldf0b by James Vincent, on Flickr
Careful check of the new system to be completed, but I feel much safer on the road. Discs and pads require bedding in.
20170507_190855_zpszobizt8m by James Vincent, on Flickr
Rear flexi also collapsed, all since changed:
20170507_185206_zpspkipl8f2 by James Vincent, on Flickr
ARBs were the source of the front clonking:
20170507_185324_zpstjaylimc by James Vincent, on Flickr
You can see through this one:
20170507_185317_zpsqulf5xnx by James Vincent, on Flickr
And the new Thema parts on, showing the rest of the suspension needs to be refreshed:
20170507_190916_zpsydjgjssm by James Vincent, on Flickr
Clutch cylinder was also on its last legs, with a collapsed bleed nipple:
20170507_185412_zpsnlv55ar0 by James Vincent, on Flickr
New item on, ready for bleeding and with added dust cap from my stores:
20170507_190840_zpsh9vtm4on by James Vincent, on Flickr
Clutch itself was ok, some wear in the central splines:
20170507_185507_zpsf4ctcrbk by James Vincent, on Flickr
20170507_185521_zps5jq1ybb3 by James Vincent, on Flickr
Changed as we had the right kit, and new Selenia equivalent fluid put in.
With the car finally to a relatively safe standard, I cleaned up my recently-acquired mats, much better! Although as previously intoned, the clutch needs fettling before these can actually go in.
20170507_191010_zpswknjbiw9 by James Vincent, on Flickr
Phew. Getting there.
Luckily the parts turned up, and were correct, thank the Alfa gods, though there was no time to bed in the brakes or perform the lengthy clutch bleeding process as the sun set. The next morning, I rose with the birds, applied a quick coat of polish and purged some air from the system. The twinspark burst into life with the merest hint of a keyturn, DOT4 on the passenger seat and a newfound respect for low clutch biting points we were off to Auto Italia.
Having attended Brooklands’Auto Italia event in the 164 for three years now I knew the drill – get there early as the traffic is miserable, don’t park on the banking if you have a weak handbrake and ensure your car is healthy & clean well in advance. Every year my carefully laid plans have been partially frustrated, but the 164 always made it, giving the thermostat and fan a good workout in the traffic and scowling at the rocks placed under its tyres to hold it securely.
I made it through the early morning traffic a lot quicker than most, but as usual the marshalling at the entrance was dire. A fast lane for ticket holders needs to be established, and the confused BMW in the queue should have been removed.
20170429_091142_zpsagcs50im by James Vincent, on FlickrIt was great to meet Richard and the AROC community in person at Brooklands, and whilst I believe I might have had the only Twinspark present, some of the other 164s on show were truly magnificent. It’s truly inspiring to see the 164 being regarded as a true classic and not just an old saloon!
Some fantastic 164s were present, including a Q4:
20170429_093452_zpspv1yjx57 by James Vincent, on Flickr
Plus some of my bucket list vehicles. A RHD 456 in black with a manual gearbox? I think that is the natural target for me, as I had a model as child and it was designed by Pininfarina after the 164:
20170429_102157_zps0hyp9rxr by James Vincent, on FlickrMontreals:
20170429_094035_zpswscvyok1 by James Vincent, on FlickrMiuras:
20170429_094539_zpstc08qlqd by James Vincent, on FlickrA delight to meet all the owners as they arrived and hear the engines/smell the petrol during the arrival. Probably the highlight, as once it got busy I slunk off for another event. The 164 wasn't the only Alfa to make it to Newport Pagnell that afternoon:
20170429_175133_zpsbyg3q3qr by James Vincent, on FlickrWith the temperature dropping I headed back to London, the clutch developing an extra-low biting point that necessitated the removal of the mats - clearly more bleeding required.
I made it home with a combination of luck and guile, and examined the new/old parts collated.
With brake pipes like these, who needs enemies? I'm very glad to have these all removed:
20170507_184951_zps5d9ldf0b by James Vincent, on FlickrCareful check of the new system to be completed, but I feel much safer on the road. Discs and pads require bedding in.
20170507_190855_zpszobizt8m by James Vincent, on FlickrRear flexi also collapsed, all since changed:
20170507_185206_zpspkipl8f2 by James Vincent, on FlickrARBs were the source of the front clonking:
20170507_185324_zpstjaylimc by James Vincent, on FlickrYou can see through this one:
20170507_185317_zpsqulf5xnx by James Vincent, on FlickrAnd the new Thema parts on, showing the rest of the suspension needs to be refreshed:
20170507_190916_zpsydjgjssm by James Vincent, on FlickrClutch cylinder was also on its last legs, with a collapsed bleed nipple:
20170507_185412_zpsnlv55ar0 by James Vincent, on FlickrNew item on, ready for bleeding and with added dust cap from my stores:
20170507_190840_zpsh9vtm4on by James Vincent, on FlickrClutch itself was ok, some wear in the central splines:
20170507_185507_zpsf4ctcrbk by James Vincent, on Flickr20170507_185521_zps5jq1ybb3 by James Vincent, on FlickrChanged as we had the right kit, and new Selenia equivalent fluid put in.
With the car finally to a relatively safe standard, I cleaned up my recently-acquired mats, much better! Although as previously intoned, the clutch needs fettling before these can actually go in.
20170507_191010_zpswknjbiw9 by James Vincent, on FlickrPhew. Getting there.
Edited by Spinakerr on Saturday 22 July 13:41
Yes indeed, usually the last item on the schedule so this year I missed it. The event is one of my annual highlights, and I enjoyed all the more for leaving even earlier, bringing my own bacon sandwich and leaving before the traffic jam. I have to track down the owner of that black 456, if anyone one can help, please PM me.
Clutch bleeding yesterday improved matters greatly. Fair bit of air expelled in the traditional fashion, girlfriend confirmed the pedal was firmer but still something is off, with pedal having a few cm of free travel at the top. Relatively good access plus wedging ledge for a plastic bottle:
20170521_182621_zps2igavtyy by James Vincent, on Flickr
Likely needs the brakes bled too given the combined system. For another day, and perhaps a return to Alfacraft to use the lift.
As the sun set tonight on the first day of summer, it's always reassuring to see your car look vaguely acceptable once the light level lowers:
20170522_211818_zpsfkipy9ga by James Vincent, on Flickr
Clutch bleeding yesterday improved matters greatly. Fair bit of air expelled in the traditional fashion, girlfriend confirmed the pedal was firmer but still something is off, with pedal having a few cm of free travel at the top. Relatively good access plus wedging ledge for a plastic bottle:
20170521_182621_zps2igavtyy by James Vincent, on FlickrLikely needs the brakes bled too given the combined system. For another day, and perhaps a return to Alfacraft to use the lift.
As the sun set tonight on the first day of summer, it's always reassuring to see your car look vaguely acceptable once the light level lowers:
20170522_211818_zpsfkipy9ga by James Vincent, on FlickrEdited by Spinakerr on Saturday 22 July 13:43
What an enjoyable read. I caught the first few posts when the thread was started but somehow missed it again until now, so had a good few pages to go through to while away a very long and very tedious call.
When we were young and foolish 2 friends and I decided to buy Italian cars at the same time, I an Integrale, another friend a V6 Alfa 155 and the other friend a Twinspark 164 - despite us expecting the big barge to be the most expensive and troublesome to run, it was always the 164 we'd end up in as the others were continually off the road for one reason or another.
It was also great for road trips, frequently making the trips to see friends in the far reaches of the UK.
Lovely car and good to see one having so much care an attention lavished on it.
When we were young and foolish 2 friends and I decided to buy Italian cars at the same time, I an Integrale, another friend a V6 Alfa 155 and the other friend a Twinspark 164 - despite us expecting the big barge to be the most expensive and troublesome to run, it was always the 164 we'd end up in as the others were continually off the road for one reason or another.
It was also great for road trips, frequently making the trips to see friends in the far reaches of the UK.
Lovely car and good to see one having so much care an attention lavished on it.
Mark Benson said:
What an enjoyable read. I caught the first few posts when the thread was started but somehow missed it again until now, so had a good few pages to go through to while away a very long and very tedious call.
Thanks - PH is generally the perfect environ to place to fend off boredom, glad the 164 thread helped.The interior lights have never worked in my ownership, with the rears non-operable and only a single one of the two fronts coming on if upward pressure was applied to the holder. Rectification was in order.
First off, the front. The plastic cover detaches with ease:
20170430_111139_zpskc4ey0oj by James Vincent, on FlickrThe left hand unit was the semi-working item, though was clearly an incorrect bulb. The right bulb fell to pieces when I took it out, ready for the LED replacements I ordered.
Burn mark from the larger bulb a bad sign:
20170430_111149_zpsvt8kgwm2 by James Vincent, on FlickrTwo LED replacements of the correct size later (38mm, C5w 12V), still intermittent. So, I unscrewed the entire unit, which led to this terrifying tangle:
20170430_111651_zpsiifhc45s by James Vincent, on FlickrThe sunroof switches had been sliced and diced previously - one for later investigation:
20170430_111700_zpsor9q4uji by James Vincent, on FlickrAfter some experimentation, a few loose screws explained the issue - part of the circuit fell out of contact unless pressure was applied:
20170430_111929_zpspjegpna9 by James Vincent, on FlickrI also too the opportunity to install the mic for my handsfree kit in a spare alcove:
20170430_112734_zpsultvyjih by James Vincent, on FlickrVoila! Front courtesy lights, operating perfectly, in the correct 'warm' hue:
20170519_203201_zpslnbnjbmd by James Vincent, on Flickr
20170519_203319_zpsdifflqsm by James Vincent, on FlickrThe rears took a few minutes. Similarly lopsided old bulbs:
20170519_203350_zpsaxqhz5o1 by James Vincent, on FlickrA quick clean of the contacts and replacement bulbs provided a fully illuminated interior:
20170519_203537_zpsqtecjtda by James Vincent, on FlickrRight, back to the suspension investigation.
Edited by Spinakerr on Saturday 22 July 13:50
Loved reading this thread, my only problem is I can not see any of the pictures (Computers are not my strong point) but from the one shot I can see it looks like you have the Round heater controls, in which case I have some good news for you.
I ran one until it became far beyond any kind of economic sense to keep it on the road, a cracked windscreen being the final nail in its coffin, so stripped it of interior/lights/door cards/dash board/wiring looms/seats/all the various fittings and fasteners and lots more of the little bits that are slightly different on other versions.
I have a 1996 dark blue T/S on the road now, with a 1991 Cloverleaf 12v awaiting some much needed tlc and a 72 Giulia super to restore as well as a 156 sportswagon used as a runaround.
Its always been a mystery to me how people underrated the 164, waft alone in comfort or put your foot down and chuck it at a twisty bit to wake you up, all while making a sound the poor buggers driving german cars can only dream about.
Look forward to the continuing write ups, and please get in touch if you are looking for parts, I might just have it.
I ran one until it became far beyond any kind of economic sense to keep it on the road, a cracked windscreen being the final nail in its coffin, so stripped it of interior/lights/door cards/dash board/wiring looms/seats/all the various fittings and fasteners and lots more of the little bits that are slightly different on other versions.
I have a 1996 dark blue T/S on the road now, with a 1991 Cloverleaf 12v awaiting some much needed tlc and a 72 Giulia super to restore as well as a 156 sportswagon used as a runaround.
Its always been a mystery to me how people underrated the 164, waft alone in comfort or put your foot down and chuck it at a twisty bit to wake you up, all while making a sound the poor buggers driving german cars can only dream about.
Look forward to the continuing write ups, and please get in touch if you are looking for parts, I might just have it.
dasigty said:
Look forward to the continuing write ups, and please get in touch if you are looking for parts, I might just have it.
Thanks, and yes please! Will send you a message.helix402 said:
Photobucket broke your photos.
Indeed, a pox on them and all who sail in Photobucket.I've rehoused all the photos, and the first two pages of this thread should be working. Just summoning up the willpower to finish the rest of it.
I thought fixing that idle was a tedious task, but rehoming all the photos and updating all the links on the topic is somehow meta-worse.
More to follow shortly - including exciting DOT 4 news.
"We now return to your regular broadcast."
Photos fixed, and I never want to see another picture of a yawning kitten from photobucket ever, ever again.
You may recall the rear brakes were an advisory on the MOT, and the handbrake has never been 100%, so it was time to update the calipers. I didn't fancy taking the car off the road while calipers were sent for a refurb, but in the 'May Haul' I had counted three rears - excellent! Nope - three rear left examples, in various states of disrepair:
20170611_154243_zpssewrpqhz by James Vincent, on Flickr
The 164 Cadre yielded a willing partner from a V6 in the midlands, fortunately, so the happy couple were packed off for the Bigg Red spa:
2017-07-22_01-56-07 by James Vincent, on Flickr
As the original clutch line has decided it cannot stand the new slave cylinder, it started to leak and so it also needs replacement shortly. DOT4 aplenty.
There are a number of unnerving noises for humans - a nearby twig snapping in the woods, a wolf's howl in the distance and (now) the sound of a low battery on a mobile phone. I can add to this - the muted crunch of unknown rust. I was leaning on the driver's door and it was unmistakeable. I peeled back the thorough seals and uncovered a nastily nibbled patch.
2017-07-22_02-07-30 by James Vincent, on Flickr
Fortunately, this is merely a separately riveted strip for holding the seals down, so after removing what I could, and taking out any sharp edges, it was treated and painted.
2017-07-22_02-07-53 by James Vincent, on Flickr
Hopefully that will hold it back for a while yet.
Photos fixed, and I never want to see another picture of a yawning kitten from photobucket ever, ever again.
You may recall the rear brakes were an advisory on the MOT, and the handbrake has never been 100%, so it was time to update the calipers. I didn't fancy taking the car off the road while calipers were sent for a refurb, but in the 'May Haul' I had counted three rears - excellent! Nope - three rear left examples, in various states of disrepair:
20170611_154243_zpssewrpqhz by James Vincent, on FlickrThe 164 Cadre yielded a willing partner from a V6 in the midlands, fortunately, so the happy couple were packed off for the Bigg Red spa:
2017-07-22_01-56-07 by James Vincent, on FlickrAs the original clutch line has decided it cannot stand the new slave cylinder, it started to leak and so it also needs replacement shortly. DOT4 aplenty.
There are a number of unnerving noises for humans - a nearby twig snapping in the woods, a wolf's howl in the distance and (now) the sound of a low battery on a mobile phone. I can add to this - the muted crunch of unknown rust. I was leaning on the driver's door and it was unmistakeable. I peeled back the thorough seals and uncovered a nastily nibbled patch.
2017-07-22_02-07-30 by James Vincent, on FlickrFortunately, this is merely a separately riveted strip for holding the seals down, so after removing what I could, and taking out any sharp edges, it was treated and painted.
2017-07-22_02-07-53 by James Vincent, on FlickrHopefully that will hold it back for a while yet.
Some interior admin today.
Rear blinds add a sense of mystery to any car, and also stop the new leather from drying out in the summer. Unfortunately every time I looked in the rear view mirror I saw this:
2017-07-23_02-34-14 by James Vincent, on Flickr
Luckily there was not complicated headliner issue - there was enough give to unscrew the loose clips and align them correctly:
2017-07-23_02-34-31 by James Vincent, on Flickr
Voila! OCD compliant rear blinds.
2017-07-23_02-34-50 by James Vincent, on Flickr
The headlining needs renewal, but whilst I await a significant amount of willpower and time it was due a clean.
2017-07-23_05-16-03 by James Vincent, on Flickr
The edges of the sunroof were particularly awful - I hadn't realised how oily and disgusting they could be. A thorough upholstery clean and several clinancally-disposed of cloths later, it was looking respectable:
2017-07-23_05-16-38 by James Vincent, on Flickr
The rear calipers have been completed and I'm now awaiting time at a local lift. Onwards.
Rear blinds add a sense of mystery to any car, and also stop the new leather from drying out in the summer. Unfortunately every time I looked in the rear view mirror I saw this:
2017-07-23_02-34-14 by James Vincent, on FlickrLuckily there was not complicated headliner issue - there was enough give to unscrew the loose clips and align them correctly:
2017-07-23_02-34-31 by James Vincent, on FlickrVoila! OCD compliant rear blinds.
2017-07-23_02-34-50 by James Vincent, on FlickrThe headlining needs renewal, but whilst I await a significant amount of willpower and time it was due a clean.
2017-07-23_05-16-03 by James Vincent, on FlickrThe edges of the sunroof were particularly awful - I hadn't realised how oily and disgusting they could be. A thorough upholstery clean and several clinancally-disposed of cloths later, it was looking respectable:
2017-07-23_05-16-38 by James Vincent, on FlickrThe rear calipers have been completed and I'm now awaiting time at a local lift. Onwards.
Oh happy day, more functionality achieved!
This arrived:
2017-07-24_09-54-44 by Clifton Tausberger, on Flickr
That's right folks - a central locking remote fob. Infrared. Time to take this car from 1989 all the way to 1991...
The fobs are a straightforward affair, but I just had to have the original Alfa Romeo logo emblazoned on mine.
I knew the seller supplied them in the original box, so they should come with the four digit code for reprogramming. They did, but it transpires you need the code for the receiver unit, in the car itself. Ah.
I put myself in the 1996 brain of the first buyer. Where would I keep the code as a backup... perhaps the burgandy 'master key'? No joy. Nor in the service handbook, and it seems the 'credit card' that should hold the codes has long since disappeared.
Long shot - the owner's manual? Not in the inside cover, but... huzzah! On the page for the remote instructions, in faded biro:
2017-07-24_09-56-11 by Clifton Tausberger, on Flickr
Suitably smirking, I sat in the car with a biro and a laptop with the reprogramming procedure. Many biro presses later:
2017-07-24_09-52-07 by Clifton Tausberger, on Flickr
The HAL9000-like receiver stood down its defences, welcomed the little Trojan fob's infrared bleetings and success! The central locking worked, for the first time in my ownership, remotely:
2017-07-24_09-52-46 by Clifton Tausberger, on Flickr
I have a pathological disdain for bongs, beeps, chirrups and horns/whistles associated with modern cars, and I was once again reassured as the steely, aloof 164 simply blinked its indicators twice and stood silent. Waiting.
This arrived:
2017-07-24_09-54-44 by Clifton Tausberger, on FlickrThat's right folks - a central locking remote fob. Infrared. Time to take this car from 1989 all the way to 1991...
The fobs are a straightforward affair, but I just had to have the original Alfa Romeo logo emblazoned on mine.
I knew the seller supplied them in the original box, so they should come with the four digit code for reprogramming. They did, but it transpires you need the code for the receiver unit, in the car itself. Ah.
I put myself in the 1996 brain of the first buyer. Where would I keep the code as a backup... perhaps the burgandy 'master key'? No joy. Nor in the service handbook, and it seems the 'credit card' that should hold the codes has long since disappeared.
Long shot - the owner's manual? Not in the inside cover, but... huzzah! On the page for the remote instructions, in faded biro:
2017-07-24_09-56-11 by Clifton Tausberger, on FlickrSuitably smirking, I sat in the car with a biro and a laptop with the reprogramming procedure. Many biro presses later:
2017-07-24_09-52-07 by Clifton Tausberger, on FlickrThe HAL9000-like receiver stood down its defences, welcomed the little Trojan fob's infrared bleetings and success! The central locking worked, for the first time in my ownership, remotely:
2017-07-24_09-52-46 by Clifton Tausberger, on FlickrI have a pathological disdain for bongs, beeps, chirrups and horns/whistles associated with modern cars, and I was once again reassured as the steely, aloof 164 simply blinked its indicators twice and stood silent. Waiting.
Excellent write up...it is quietly satisfying to restore a car like this to its former glory...particularly an Alfa.
I am slightly biased, having decided recently to put a lot of money into 'restoring' my 2005 156 JTDM, with 145,000 miles on it. It is my daily driver, but I like it so much I had to make a decision when the DMF/Clutch needed sorting. Then followed a full front suspension rebuild ( the rear was done last year) and also some underbody rust proofing etc. I have kept the older style Teledials from my previous 156 TS, and de-badged the car. Even some Alfa people seem to think it is an old Turismo, little do they know that it has 190BHP ( a subtle remap ) and it still looks fresh even now after 10 years.
I am slightly biased, having decided recently to put a lot of money into 'restoring' my 2005 156 JTDM, with 145,000 miles on it. It is my daily driver, but I like it so much I had to make a decision when the DMF/Clutch needed sorting. Then followed a full front suspension rebuild ( the rear was done last year) and also some underbody rust proofing etc. I have kept the older style Teledials from my previous 156 TS, and de-badged the car. Even some Alfa people seem to think it is an old Turismo, little do they know that it has 190BHP ( a subtle remap ) and it still looks fresh even now after 10 years.
Thanks for all the positive comments, great to hear from other Alfa owners and I promise some more mechanical work is coming, just need the time and a proper lift.
RicksAlfas said:
I couldn't help but read this in a Richard Burton, War of the Worlds voice.
Ha! In that case my previous post should have read "Slowly, surely, they drew their rear blinds against us."Gassing Station | Readers' Cars | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff