Alfa Romeo 164 Twinspark Super
Discussion
MJK 24 said:
Another great update!
Are you going to be affected by the proposed ULEZ extension next year?
Yes. Sadly the 164 is too good looking or something to qualify. Great stuff eh?Are you going to be affected by the proposed ULEZ extension next year?
Iamnotkloot said:
Always loved the 164, looks like a proper Alfa to me.
Great updates as well!
Thanks - yes its FWD but just so damn handsome and I have never really found anythign that would I want to replace it.Great updates as well!
DukeofBork said:
I have a lot of time for these as I've had two 145 Cloverleafs and a 166 V6 Super.
Excellent, that's a decent three-digit Alfa run. I am keen on a potential V6 166 as it bizarrely complies wiht the new London restrictions.164 continues regular service, I was worried the recent superfrostactular might be an issue, but after using the remians of my hot water bottle (warm, but not boiling form the previous night) to unstick the door, the engine fired up on first turn.
Sadly the water refroze at the bottom of the door, so it took me a good 15 minutes to get the car ready to roll!
A few hundred miles in the snow and salt untroubled, and the seat warmers, heated mirrors and decent tyres all making the experience quite comfortable.
It now needs a good bath given the salt picked up, but after all that work this year it would have been a shame to just let it sit. It prefers being used and I'm dead set on enjoying it as much as possible.
I've ordered a new oil pressure sender unit, as these often fail, and a few hoses. The suspension is not correct, any advice for a place in SW London that would take on coilover setup for me? I believe I have reached my limit!
No connection but I've heard that Yaash motors in Wembley are decent, it might be worth a buzz, I know they do a lot of engine stuff and certainly might be able to help.
ULEZ sounds like a pain in the b
ks. imagine not being able to drive your daily driver or your classic. Bloody Sadiq horsest.
ULEZ sounds like a pain in the b
ks. imagine not being able to drive your daily driver or your classic. Bloody Sadiq horsest.mercedeslimos said:
No connection but I've heard that Yaash motors in Wembley are decent, it might be worth a buzz, I know they do a lot of engine stuff and certainly might be able to help.
ULEZ sounds like a pain in the bks. imagine not being able to drive your daily driver or your classic. Bloody Sadiq horsest.
Alfa is a funny one because a mate in London has a 2008 Brera 3.2 V6 which is ULEZ compliant but my 13 plate 1.6 JTDM-2 Giulietta isn't.ULEZ sounds like a pain in the b
ks. imagine not being able to drive your daily driver or your classic. Bloody Sadiq horsest.I don't live in London but some cars less than 10 year old aren't ULEZ compliant it's a complete nonsense in my opinion. Forcing people that can't afford to drive new cars into electric cars or compliant motors on lease deals.
mercedeslimos said:
No connection but I've heard that Yaash motors in Wembley are decent, it might be worth a buzz, I know they do a lot of engine stuff and certainly might be able to help.
Thanks - they seem to have a long history with coilover setups for older VW, Audi and Seat - that's exactly the kind of expertise I need! WIll give them a ring in the new year.I think the rears have settled too low and the rate is not correct for low speed - very harsh at low speed but perfect and a real improvment anoything over 30mph. Even on terrible roads, the car is now brilliant at speed, but noticeably harsher at low speed. I am sure it is sortable with the correct knowledge.
If the August 2023 deadline does come in, and does not get delayed (I believe it is inevitable...) we will be changing every car except the Alfa.
Well, i've just spent the best part of the last 4 days reading both this and your Saab thread. Have to absolutely admire the dedication involved. And glad to see the progression you've made through the years. However it has strongly reminded me that i need to have a gentle refresh of the PCV system on my shed.
Best of luck with both Alfa and Saab this year, will be keenly waiting for any updates.
Best of luck with both Alfa and Saab this year, will be keenly waiting for any updates.
Scoobydrew95 said:
Well, i've just spent the best part of the last 4 days reading both this and your Saab thread. Have to absolutely admire the dedication involved. And glad to see the progression you've made through the years. However it has strongly reminded me that i need to have a gentle refresh of the PCV system on my shed.
Best of luck with both Alfa and Saab this year, will be keenly waiting for any updates.
Thank you - glad it is of interest. The Alfa is now my longest-tenured car ever, and I have no plans on selling it. When I bought it, the 'just above scrap' value I paid was a lot of money for me. In recent years I've spent that same amount to get the alloys refurbed, and more than double for the coilovers! Regardless, it still really doesn't owe me anything and gets better every year. I still say that this is the car that never lets me down, and it rides and drives better now than ever.Best of luck with both Alfa and Saab this year, will be keenly waiting for any updates.
The oil pressure sender had been intermittent for years - I actually used a part from a land rover but it never sent a cohesive signal. I finally cross referenced the correct part number and spend a frankly silly £25 on the correct unit. A quick unscrew and rescrew to the back of the block later, the needle is back on active duty.
It s here on the rear right of the block, behind a coolant hose:
Oh. It is the exact same part. Oh well.
Woo. Movement.
The 164 sauntered stylishly past the MOT requirements and probably self-certified yesterday. I gave it to Phil who fitted new exhaust gaskets to stop a blow we had while cold following all the subframe work, and also now control arms (Delphi) I sourced from Europe as I was unhappy with the deteriorated bushes of the set on the car.
Still looking smart. Needs a clean, like ever car after you use it for 4 seconds.
Next up - rear coilover raise for a cm, check a loose exhaust and intermittent bulb, then likely off to a suspension specialist to ensure nothing amiss. Then on to the summer shows!
Happened to stumble across this lovely example of a 164 cloverleaf over the weekend and thought you would appreciate it (unsure if perhaps this is one that was referenced earlier in the thread if i remember correctly). Was speaking with the owner who had just put it back on the road that day. Really was a beautiful example!
![](https://thumbsnap.com/sc/dkvs8TNj.jpg[/img]</a> <a href="https://thumbsnap.com/dH2GXq4D" Target="_blank" rel="nofollow">[img]https://thumbsnap.com/sc/dH2GXq4D.jpg)
The busso sounds fantastic.
The busso sounds fantastic.
Wow that two tone 3ltr looks great! Thanks for posting, sorry I missed it.
I have been negecting my Alfa ownership duties of late - since the MOT in Feb it was parked up, and when I next wanted to drive it refused to crank. I've been here before, chasing relays and starter issues, so I just locked it and used the other cars for a bit. With the excitement of the 260 and Saab 99 arrival it has fallen down my attention order.
Springtime pollen plus dust from nearby building works conspired to it looking almost abandoned, so last weekend I spent some time fault finding. Battery freshly charged, the issue was 'zero crank', with no solenoid click, so I knelt on the engine (see previous pages) and poked around the starter - aha! The exciter wire to the solenoid is a bit loose...
This photo has no relevance to the starter, its just for the atmosphere of this post.
A small bend with a screwdriver later and the wire clipped on with a satisfying snick.
I booked it in for Duke Of London's classic Sunday and yesterdaygave it a good scrub as the sun dipped. My goodness there is a lot of grime on this car... but no time to fret over clay bars and deep cleansers... some decent shampoo, elbow grease and Autoglym SRP will have to do.
Fortunately, the Duke is very close to me, and the suburban drive it actually enjoyable early morning. Sensing an outing, the 8V Twinspark excitedly burst into life and, with all dials working and my phone repaired to the new sound system, I was back in love the 164. The suspension refresh remains excellent at speedbumps and sharp lane movements, the exhaust a blarty joy and the sounds system actually plays music. You know those moments when it all comes together? Open road, bright morning, car behaving itself and the right song comes on? Yep, one of those.
Typically brilliant eclectic mix at the Duke, and to paraphrase every third EVO/Octane article 'the bacon butties were an excellent start'.
Oh this Zagato Gavia... never heard of it... Nissan underpinnings...lovely!
Of this parish...
After that little adventure I've ordered some water hoses that need replacing, as the level has dropped a bit and some blue crystals have been observed.
More to come this year before the 164 moves to semi-retirement outside of the ULEZ.
I have been negecting my Alfa ownership duties of late - since the MOT in Feb it was parked up, and when I next wanted to drive it refused to crank. I've been here before, chasing relays and starter issues, so I just locked it and used the other cars for a bit. With the excitement of the 260 and Saab 99 arrival it has fallen down my attention order.
Springtime pollen plus dust from nearby building works conspired to it looking almost abandoned, so last weekend I spent some time fault finding. Battery freshly charged, the issue was 'zero crank', with no solenoid click, so I knelt on the engine (see previous pages) and poked around the starter - aha! The exciter wire to the solenoid is a bit loose...
This photo has no relevance to the starter, its just for the atmosphere of this post.
A small bend with a screwdriver later and the wire clipped on with a satisfying snick.
I booked it in for Duke Of London's classic Sunday and yesterdaygave it a good scrub as the sun dipped. My goodness there is a lot of grime on this car... but no time to fret over clay bars and deep cleansers... some decent shampoo, elbow grease and Autoglym SRP will have to do.
Fortunately, the Duke is very close to me, and the suburban drive it actually enjoyable early morning. Sensing an outing, the 8V Twinspark excitedly burst into life and, with all dials working and my phone repaired to the new sound system, I was back in love the 164. The suspension refresh remains excellent at speedbumps and sharp lane movements, the exhaust a blarty joy and the sounds system actually plays music. You know those moments when it all comes together? Open road, bright morning, car behaving itself and the right song comes on? Yep, one of those.
Typically brilliant eclectic mix at the Duke, and to paraphrase every third EVO/Octane article 'the bacon butties were an excellent start'.
Oh this Zagato Gavia... never heard of it... Nissan underpinnings...lovely!
Of this parish...
After that little adventure I've ordered some water hoses that need replacing, as the level has dropped a bit and some blue crystals have been observed.
More to come this year before the 164 moves to semi-retirement outside of the ULEZ.
Not quite a 164 post, but I thought it would be of interest - I spent yesterday helping an AROC member getting a 2600 engine into his Spider.
Eventually I am targetting a 2600 Sprint, somewhere between retirement and petrol being banned, so any opportunity to learn a bit more about these cars and speak with knowledgeable owners is a must.
The gentleman is the registrar of the 2600s on AROC, and has two - a well-restored Spider that has just had the engine rebuilt, and a 'daily' rough and ready Spider that he has owned for many years.
The 164 go me there in good time, and I was ferrying some parts to him I had been handed by another member. Thereafter followed many hours of me being directed with hoist, spanners, socket set and most importantly a steadying hand to get the engine in.
The straight six is a real monster - only 150bhp out of this, but hey, it was a the 1950s design being wrung out while R&D budgets were thrown at the 2000, 1750 and 1300 four pots.
Target acquired:
A deceptively easy start:
Plus hours of tilting/swearing/removal of engine mounts, the engine oil filter (run-in oil everywhere and the gearbox crossmember to get it in.
I was on floor duty - guiding the gearbox in and bolt up the mounts and supports as we wriggled it all in place.
After a quick lunch, some more tidying up and the filter went back on... by 2pm we were done, my back was makign noises so we decided to head out for a rejuvanting blast in the other 2600...
The daily Spider sports a rather raucous triple Dellorto setup - power comes at high revs, as does an incredible rasping sonata!
A solid day's labour, I arrived home covered in oil, grinning like a loon and ready for a Swarfega bath. Great to have to opportunity to work on this rarity, although I am firmly in the hard top Sprint camp!
Eventually I am targetting a 2600 Sprint, somewhere between retirement and petrol being banned, so any opportunity to learn a bit more about these cars and speak with knowledgeable owners is a must.
The gentleman is the registrar of the 2600s on AROC, and has two - a well-restored Spider that has just had the engine rebuilt, and a 'daily' rough and ready Spider that he has owned for many years.
The 164 go me there in good time, and I was ferrying some parts to him I had been handed by another member. Thereafter followed many hours of me being directed with hoist, spanners, socket set and most importantly a steadying hand to get the engine in.
The straight six is a real monster - only 150bhp out of this, but hey, it was a the 1950s design being wrung out while R&D budgets were thrown at the 2000, 1750 and 1300 four pots.
Target acquired:
A deceptively easy start:
Plus hours of tilting/swearing/removal of engine mounts, the engine oil filter (run-in oil everywhere and the gearbox crossmember to get it in.
I was on floor duty - guiding the gearbox in and bolt up the mounts and supports as we wriggled it all in place.
After a quick lunch, some more tidying up and the filter went back on... by 2pm we were done, my back was makign noises so we decided to head out for a rejuvanting blast in the other 2600...
The daily Spider sports a rather raucous triple Dellorto setup - power comes at high revs, as does an incredible rasping sonata!
A solid day's labour, I arrived home covered in oil, grinning like a loon and ready for a Swarfega bath. Great to have to opportunity to work on this rarity, although I am firmly in the hard top Sprint camp!
I also didn't know they did an inline 6. Alfa must have covered more engine configurations than most manufacturers...
Anyway that looks like both a lovely car and a pleasant way to spend the afternoon. Not considered a bath of swarfega, the closest I've got is my wife threatening me with a jetwash of the stuff, which wouldn't have been very relaxing.
Anyway that looks like both a lovely car and a pleasant way to spend the afternoon. Not considered a bath of swarfega, the closest I've got is my wife threatening me with a jetwash of the stuff, which wouldn't have been very relaxing.
Ha! Yes Alfa pretty much tried everything, and we remember the Busso, Nord and twinspark I suppose.
I am eternally grateful to Swarfega for always restoring me to a presentable status before work on a Monday! In the itnerim, I applied some of my Leather Restoration wipes and creams to the dry and shiny seats.
Before:
After:
Little to see but the leather is now a lot more supply and deshinified - strust me, it was worth the hour of effort front and back, especially as the back seat headrests were suffering full UV poisoning.
Recently I was asked to take the 164 to a open day at Fawley Hill railway that would have a fair contingent of Italian classics, via the gent I helped with the 2600 engine.
For that that don't know about Fawley Hill (as I didnt), its worth a 5 minute read on Wikipedia as it really is just the best representation of eccentric British railway enthusiasm. In summary, Lord McAlpine wanted a model railway, so he bought actual steamtrains for a 1:1 scale set.
Some highlights below for both train and cars. Great to see a few 1980s and 1990s Alfas out and about.
Excellent summer drive en route:
Alloy wheel vehicles:
Steel wheel vehicles:
At the risk fo this turning into one of those dull two page articles in car club magasines that end with 'it was a great day out', here's some signs.
I am eternally grateful to Swarfega for always restoring me to a presentable status before work on a Monday! In the itnerim, I applied some of my Leather Restoration wipes and creams to the dry and shiny seats.
Before:
After:
Little to see but the leather is now a lot more supply and deshinified - strust me, it was worth the hour of effort front and back, especially as the back seat headrests were suffering full UV poisoning.
Recently I was asked to take the 164 to a open day at Fawley Hill railway that would have a fair contingent of Italian classics, via the gent I helped with the 2600 engine.
For that that don't know about Fawley Hill (as I didnt), its worth a 5 minute read on Wikipedia as it really is just the best representation of eccentric British railway enthusiasm. In summary, Lord McAlpine wanted a model railway, so he bought actual steamtrains for a 1:1 scale set.
Some highlights below for both train and cars. Great to see a few 1980s and 1990s Alfas out and about.
Excellent summer drive en route:
Alloy wheel vehicles:
Steel wheel vehicles:
At the risk fo this turning into one of those dull two page articles in car club magasines that end with 'it was a great day out', here's some signs.
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