Discussion
Right - I've gone and sold my lovely little Elise and bought a 1973 Alfa GT Junior 1600. I'm going to have to re-calibrate my expectations from plastic and aluminium to cast iron and rust!!
I intend to use it as a regular weekend car plus the annual jaunt to Le Mans. The biggest fear i've got is reliability. Does anyone have any experience of upgrading to electronic points etc or any other 'up-grades' to make them more habitable in modern motoring?
Any advise gratefully received!
Cheers
Dave
I intend to use it as a regular weekend car plus the annual jaunt to Le Mans. The biggest fear i've got is reliability. Does anyone have any experience of upgrading to electronic points etc or any other 'up-grades' to make them more habitable in modern motoring?
Any advise gratefully received!
Cheers
Dave
I owned 1975 Alffeta 1600 twin cam back in the late 70's. ran it for 18 months and 38,000 miles with no mechanical problems, great engine which was super sweet as long as it's serviced,looked after, and the carbs in tune . As with all Italian stuff rust killed it.
Sadly it went for scrap with a spot on engine with a total of 79K on the clock.
Sadly it went for scrap with a spot on engine with a total of 79K on the clock.
Edited by ian2144 on Saturday 28th December 12:47
Superb choice! As far as reliability is concerned, i would see if a 123 electronic distributor is available for this engine, have used these with nice results. Once the timing and advance curve is set, there is no more maintenance to do, and it bypasses all the problems that go with using electronic point replacement units that retain the original knackered distributor body,with it's loose base plate, worn out advance springs and sloppy shaft bearings, unless of course these cars came with an exceptional unit?
Flatinfourth said:
Superb choice! As far as reliability is concerned, i would see if a 123 electronic distributor is available for this engine, have used these with nice results. Once the timing and advance curve is set, there is no more maintenance to do, and it bypasses all the problems that go with using electronic point replacement units that retain the original knackered distributor body,with it's loose base plate, worn out advance springs and sloppy shaft bearings, unless of course these cars came with an exceptional unit?
+1 on the 123 unit, well built like them a lot.Thanks for the info chaps - I'll put the 123 system at the top of the list - photos are below - quite a bit of work needed as she was used as a rally car for a while so the lamps and stonechip to the sills etc are the first to go. On the plus side it seems sorted mechanically with GTA carbs and trumpets, alfaholics fast road suspension etc. plus a nice set of cromodora alloys to fit ! 
can't wait to get started !! ![](http://thumbsnap.com/sc/VArrewYs.jpg[/img]</a> <a href="http://thumbsnap.com/MRUpUT5x" Target="_blank">[img]http://thumbsnap.com/sc/MRUpUT5x.jpg)
can't wait to get started !! 
Lucky you! I would advise you to take a good hard look at any period alloys for your Alfa, just to be sure they are not cracked, especially if they have been refurbed. Look around the mating face to the hub, and wheel stud holes where there should be no paint or powder coat. Some italian alloys can be high in magnesium, and a bit fragile! I've removed a pretty scary wheel from a Fulvia Zagato before now, can't remember whether it was a Cromodora or Campagnolo rim but it was very light, and very cracked. Don't want any nightmares with your new baby!
Thanks for the advice gents- I must admit, the more I look at it (and I have been sneaking out to the garage quite a bit to do just that) the more the lamps etc are growing on me, I'll take the back ones off (one is smashed anyway) and replace with a single spot for reversing. Bumpers are staying off and sills getting colour coded.
Thanks for the heads up - I'll give the alloys a good check before replace the steels and I'll check out the 123 system. Needs a new exhaust middle section plus some rust repairs to the floor, door panels and spare wheel well. I get the feeling this will be an ever growing list !
Thanks for the heads up - I'll give the alloys a good check before replace the steels and I'll check out the 123 system. Needs a new exhaust middle section plus some rust repairs to the floor, door panels and spare wheel well. I get the feeling this will be an ever growing list !
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