Alfa Romeo 164 Twinspark Super
Discussion
If the clonking is annoying, you can make up a temporary botch with some shock absorber rubbers + washers. I did this on my Alfetta GTV while waiting for parts. 10 years later the parts have still not arrived and the bodge is working perfectly.
I always seem to be the one who turns out for the missus with a puncture. Thankfully as we all drive Alfas, there are plenty of spares kicking about. My finest moment was a call last summer “got a puncture, I’m outside so and so pub”. 10 minutes later I was there with a wheel, trolley jack, and an impact gun in the boot. Changed the wheel in about 2 minutes, got a round of applause from the beer garden….
I always seem to be the one who turns out for the missus with a puncture. Thankfully as we all drive Alfas, there are plenty of spares kicking about. My finest moment was a call last summer “got a puncture, I’m outside so and so pub”. 10 minutes later I was there with a wheel, trolley jack, and an impact gun in the boot. Changed the wheel in about 2 minutes, got a round of applause from the beer garden….
rxe said:
If the clonking is annoying, you can make up a temporary botch with some shock absorber rubbers + washers. I did this on my Alfetta GTV while waiting for parts. 10 years later the parts have still not arrived and the bodge is working perfectly.
I always seem to be the one who turns out for the missus with a puncture. Thankfully as we all drive Alfas, there are plenty of spares kicking about. My finest moment was a call last summer “got a puncture, I’m outside so and so pub”. 10 minutes later I was there with a wheel, trolley jack, and an impact gun in the boot. Changed the wheel in about 2 minutes, got a round of applause from the beer garden….
Good thinking on the impact gun to make it effortless. Pro move.I always seem to be the one who turns out for the missus with a puncture. Thankfully as we all drive Alfas, there are plenty of spares kicking about. My finest moment was a call last summer “got a puncture, I’m outside so and so pub”. 10 minutes later I was there with a wheel, trolley jack, and an impact gun in the boot. Changed the wheel in about 2 minutes, got a round of applause from the beer garden….
Recent outings allowed me to pick up an original 164 jack from Mick in Bedford. This had the correct foamy handle, to care for delicate palms, and the lovely label with a profile of a 164 present. Two front callipers also found there way home with me so I can have them refurbed ready for the rebuild.
The yard had some interesting treats for Alfa spotters - sadly the majority past saving, but all being broken to keep others on the roads:
Cambs_Stuart said:
Eventful update. It was fortunate that brick didn't damage the wheel! I suppose that's the benefit of deeper profile tyres.
Indeed - as with pretty much every event in life: could have been worse!The jack cleaned up nicely, I added some grease and used it today to replace the missing anti roll bar drop end link rod bush. End.
Please avert your eyes if you are sensitive to perfection in replacements - it started raining as I undid the first wheel bolt and this is very much a temporary fix to remove clanging noises.
New jack deployed and perform excellently. It really lifted that car up. The soft grips on the handle saved my delicate hands as my callouses from regular handiwork have evaporated.
I considered the options for tension, placement and loosening of the various components for disassembly. While the optimum situation would be a lift on both sides, anti roll bar complete removal and replacement of all bushes, I only had the one polybush set for the missing bush.
Examination of everything yielded the unsurprising situation of everything needing to be replaced. I therefore resolved to just replace the missing item, and build a stock of the complete inventory required in a proper garage situation with more time and tools. Also, it was raining.
17mm on the top nut, 14mm on the bottom and of course there was movement as the other side was still attached.
End link drop removed, again top bush also diseased so the list was complete.
I then had a proper faff to get the replacement on, as the polybushes are less pliable and I needed some movement on the suspension, so decided (ahem) to deploy my trolley jack on the hub.
This worked, not without some shredded nerves, I swore my way through reassembly. Did I mention it was raining? Looks like I'll be back on the websites for obscure suspension parts while the rain continues. But at least its driveable.
I seem to employ my trolley jack for every suspension job I do, which helps position things like shocks into the arch so I can tighten things up one-man. Also, most suspension pinch bolts etc need to be tightened to correct torque at ride height so that's jacking the hub up a tad.
Scarily, to change springs on the back of my B7 Audi A4, I used my small bottle jack between the chassis leg and lower wishbone to push the wishbone down and remove the spring without using a spring clamp. Works very well but squeaky bum time!
Scarily, to change springs on the back of my B7 Audi A4, I used my small bottle jack between the chassis leg and lower wishbone to push the wishbone down and remove the spring without using a spring clamp. Works very well but squeaky bum time!
Eeek, I don't think I could hold my breath that long!
Most problems can be solved with a trolley jack, a scaffolding pole and a drill.
The car no longer bumps on the right side in London's unendingly disappointing streets, so the 164 carries on.
On a lighter note, I've secured ball joints, bushes and a few other required bits for the front end. One more engine mount and those blasted front shocks and I'll be all set!
Most problems can be solved with a trolley jack, a scaffolding pole and a drill.
The car no longer bumps on the right side in London's unendingly disappointing streets, so the 164 carries on.
On a lighter note, I've secured ball joints, bushes and a few other required bits for the front end. One more engine mount and those blasted front shocks and I'll be all set!
Small update ahead of Auto Italia oriented deep clean next weekend - the power seats stopped working, fortunately in my position but preventing the wife performing her occasional jaunt or driveway reshuffling.
Driver and passenger seat movement controls were all unresponsive, while heaters worked, so my immediate thought was fuse rather than switch or a single motor.
20A in the driver's illuminated fusebox was ok, so I lit a torch and headed into the catacombs of the Great Historic Alfaholics Forum, circa 2000.
It transpires Alfa added another fuse in the circuit, also 20A, plus a relay or two, for the seats, and these are located behind the visible fusebox.
A short moment of contortion later, I freed up the access panel, but everything seemed in place. The only elements ajar in this nest of rainbow insulation were a few connectors and clips, so I have them all a clean and logical lash-down.
Success! the seats are back to working condition. Total expense: zero. Oh and the Alfa has 2/3 of a tank of fuel, so even if this bizarre panic/shortage continues I'm set for Brooklands on the 9th Oct.
It is still a quiet, smart, sinister place to be:
Driver and passenger seat movement controls were all unresponsive, while heaters worked, so my immediate thought was fuse rather than switch or a single motor.
20A in the driver's illuminated fusebox was ok, so I lit a torch and headed into the catacombs of the Great Historic Alfaholics Forum, circa 2000.
It transpires Alfa added another fuse in the circuit, also 20A, plus a relay or two, for the seats, and these are located behind the visible fusebox.
A short moment of contortion later, I freed up the access panel, but everything seemed in place. The only elements ajar in this nest of rainbow insulation were a few connectors and clips, so I have them all a clean and logical lash-down.
Success! the seats are back to working condition. Total expense: zero. Oh and the Alfa has 2/3 of a tank of fuel, so even if this bizarre panic/shortage continues I'm set for Brooklands on the 9th Oct.
It is still a quiet, smart, sinister place to be:
TLDR; 164 went to Auto Italia, lots of photos below. Alfa was clean.
In full:
With a fuel crisis and torrential rain in previous weeks I was a bit worried my neglect of the 164 might eb compounded in a truly grey Auto Italia.
Fortunately the weather lifted, I managed to secure a reasonably full tank locally and it was a fantastic day today.
Yesterday the car received its first proper clean in a while.
Obligatory snow foam shot.
By no means a detail, but all the cobwebs and muck were blown out, I once again realised just how bad the paintwork has suffered in 25 years of London street parking. I dried my tears on a microfibre cloth and filled my worries with Super Resin Polish.
Here's one particularly badly sun-bleached panel, top half after a mild G3 application. Swirls bedamned. The whole car is a swirl.
Not bad at 10 feet, but just keep your distance if you see it. I fired it up to ensure I would be all set for the early start, and completed a final nearby errand. Naturally, the 164 decided that was the exact time to sprout a new issue - a grinding noise at speed bumps... an exhaust perhaps? Ugh. I pulled over and an exhaust bracket near the font had rusted through. I don't know exactly how to reattach this, but I think it needs a good soak in penetrating fluid before any action. I chucked it in the boot and headed home before it decided to have another tantrum.
This morning the sun made an attempt at shining, my friend and I shrugged off any early morning sluggishness with coffee and packed a bacon sandwich. At the Alfa designated area there was no other 164 to be seen, so we had a few bays to ourselves. Incredibly, a 3ltr also in black parked while we locked up. A sinister corner for dubious black 90s executives was thus formed, and 166 nosed its 24v goodness to complete the picture.
Less talk, more photos:
And finally, kudos to this marshal for turning this Porsche 911 to the non-Italian 'norms' car park:
In full:
With a fuel crisis and torrential rain in previous weeks I was a bit worried my neglect of the 164 might eb compounded in a truly grey Auto Italia.
Fortunately the weather lifted, I managed to secure a reasonably full tank locally and it was a fantastic day today.
Yesterday the car received its first proper clean in a while.
Obligatory snow foam shot.
By no means a detail, but all the cobwebs and muck were blown out, I once again realised just how bad the paintwork has suffered in 25 years of London street parking. I dried my tears on a microfibre cloth and filled my worries with Super Resin Polish.
Here's one particularly badly sun-bleached panel, top half after a mild G3 application. Swirls bedamned. The whole car is a swirl.
Not bad at 10 feet, but just keep your distance if you see it. I fired it up to ensure I would be all set for the early start, and completed a final nearby errand. Naturally, the 164 decided that was the exact time to sprout a new issue - a grinding noise at speed bumps... an exhaust perhaps? Ugh. I pulled over and an exhaust bracket near the font had rusted through. I don't know exactly how to reattach this, but I think it needs a good soak in penetrating fluid before any action. I chucked it in the boot and headed home before it decided to have another tantrum.
This morning the sun made an attempt at shining, my friend and I shrugged off any early morning sluggishness with coffee and packed a bacon sandwich. At the Alfa designated area there was no other 164 to be seen, so we had a few bays to ourselves. Incredibly, a 3ltr also in black parked while we locked up. A sinister corner for dubious black 90s executives was thus formed, and 166 nosed its 24v goodness to complete the picture.
Less talk, more photos:
And finally, kudos to this marshal for turning this Porsche 911 to the non-Italian 'norms' car park:
I didn't realise that you were going - I should have checked beforehand. I took the series 1 33, as it hasn't been to any events in my ownership. ( You managed to include it in one of your snaps too - the one with the Victor Meldrew lookalike trying to ascertain how best to break into the Bertone coupe parked next to me. 
) I didn't treat her to a spruce up beforehand either, preferring to carry off the 'as parked in a side alley in Naples' look.
The 164 looked smart - I remember looking at it and didn't even realise that it was yours.
) I didn't treat her to a spruce up beforehand either, preferring to carry off the 'as parked in a side alley in Naples' look.The 164 looked smart - I remember looking at it and didn't even realise that it was yours.
Thanks all! Highly recommend this event, tis good fun.
I took the 164 to Somerset recently and it decided to disconnect the exhaust rear box on the journey. The resulting boom was welcome for added sportiness, and gave me the taste of what a V6 might sound like, but the novelty soon wore off on the A303 at 70mph.
I dropped down to see Luis at LB Autos in Somerton to double check nothing could be done - he kindly took a look and pronounced it safe (but loud) to drive.
As the Saab and the Rover have both recently decided to part ways with their exhausts, that makes it 3 out of 4 for 2021. Hopefully the Triumph's stainless example stays very much in place...
Options for replacement were instantly decided - stainless steel, from the cat back. I have a NOS downpipe and cat from Phil in the garage, and now I need to find a stainless exhaust outfit that will be a sensible price, not make it too loud, have the right style exhaust tip and be keen to actually do the job near SW London.
All suggestions welcome... Longlife? Powerflow?
Maitland77 said:
I didn't realise that you were going - I should have checked beforehand. I took the series 1 33, as it hasn't been to any events in my ownership. ( You managed to include it in one of your snaps too - the one with the Victor Meldrew lookalike trying to ascertain how best to break into the Bertone coupe parked next to me. ) I didn't treat her to a spruce up beforehand either, preferring to carry off the 'as parked in a side alley in Naples' look.
The 164 looked smart - I remember looking at it and didn't even realise that it was yours.
Yes sorry not to contact you, but I was very happy to see the 33 in situ - please do update the thread with any work done, it would be great to hear how you are getting on!) I didn't treat her to a spruce up beforehand either, preferring to carry off the 'as parked in a side alley in Naples' look.The 164 looked smart - I remember looking at it and didn't even realise that it was yours.
I took the 164 to Somerset recently and it decided to disconnect the exhaust rear box on the journey. The resulting boom was welcome for added sportiness, and gave me the taste of what a V6 might sound like, but the novelty soon wore off on the A303 at 70mph.
I dropped down to see Luis at LB Autos in Somerton to double check nothing could be done - he kindly took a look and pronounced it safe (but loud) to drive.
As the Saab and the Rover have both recently decided to part ways with their exhausts, that makes it 3 out of 4 for 2021. Hopefully the Triumph's stainless example stays very much in place...
Options for replacement were instantly decided - stainless steel, from the cat back. I have a NOS downpipe and cat from Phil in the garage, and now I need to find a stainless exhaust outfit that will be a sensible price, not make it too loud, have the right style exhaust tip and be keen to actually do the job near SW London.
All suggestions welcome... Longlife? Powerflow?
Spinakerr said:
Options for replacement were instantly decided - stainless steel, from the cat back. I have a NOS downpipe and cat from Phil in the garage, and now I need to find a stainless exhaust outfit that will be a sensible price, not make it too loud, have the right style exhaust tip and be keen to actually do the job near SW London.
All suggestions welcome... Longlife? Powerflow?
I put a Supersprint on mine All suggestions welcome... Longlife? Powerflow?
- it sounded gorgeous, not sure where the heck you'd find one now, though - even a standard might be a struggle, tbh.Cambs_Stuart said:
Would Hayward and Scott be able to fabricate something? They knocked up a center pipe for my JDM legacy while I waited and had a good look at Chris Evan's bull nose ford transit camper.
Thanks! Will add them to the shortlist. From what I can tell its all down to the fabricator and materials - franchises and so forth vary wildly in reviews.Gassing Station | Readers' Cars | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff