New Seat Belt Sleeves

The seat belts in Gina were the originals from 81.  Needless to say, the plastic sleeves on the buckle end were worn and broken and had some sharp edges.  Searched and searched for replacements but found none as these were for low bucket seats and required an 8 inch sleeve.  Most bucket seats are higher and use a 12 inch.  I finally sent an email to Wesco Performance Products and they had 8 inch sleeves for some of their full seat belt sets but the sleeves alone were not in their catalog.  A couple of email exchanges led to them doing a special order and shipping me 2 of the 8 inch sleeves.  They fit perfectly.  Now on the the next project.

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Radiator Coolant Reservoir

The Previous Owner (PO) went old school and did not replace the stock coolant overflow reservoir routing the overflow line to the ground.  The original bracket to reinstall an OEM tank was missing as the tank would have been located on the passenger side of the engine compartment which is now filled with the pre-1981 air filter canister.  After a bit of searching and research I went with this little stainless steel radiator fluid reservoir from Mr Gasket.   Model#9135.  Perfect fit for the mounting bracket on the driver side of the radiator.

New Air Filter Housing Straps

When the air filter housing was replaced with a used unit, the original 30+ year old brass and canvas straps had seen better days and were very deteriorated.

 Old Straps

It took a bit of searching but I found a source (Centerline) selling new replacement straps.  Here they are installed.  Now to think about repainting that air filter housing and finding replacement decals for it. The hunt never ends.

New Straps Installed

Gina Back From Alfa Romeo Hospital

Picked up Gina last night.  Brian from Carriage and Body Works in KC changed out the air filter to replace the aftermarket K&N's to go back to the OEM filter, changed a seal or 2, replaced the throttle stop on the SPICA fuel pump, adjusted the timing and fuel pump settings, fine tuned the fuel pump, replaced the fuel cutoff micro switch, and changed the oil.  Now she starts right up and purrs at idle right at 900 like she was new.  Also - the engine sound is a bit smoother with the original air filter and no more backfires at deceleration thanks to the fuel cutoff micro switch.  Just a nice throaty growl at acceleration.  Like they say, with an Alfa Romeo you buy an engine primarily with a car attached to it.

Spent about 1 1/2 hours talking about Alfas with Brian as he's been an Alfa mechanic and racer since the mid-70's.  Great photos and stories.

Next up are a few more minor parts needed and ordered  for the used air filter and the reinstall of the OEM coolant expansion tank.

Gina's New Look

  Here's the old setup - K&N aftermarket filters

Look nice but don't work as well as the OEM that Alfa engineers designed

Gina goes to the Alfa Romeo hospital

I found a long time Alfa Romeo mechanic at Carriage and Motor Works in Kansas City, KS.  Brian has been working on Alfas since the mid 1970s and was the Shop Manager for the local Alfa Romeo dealer until they left the market.  Looked in the shop and there were several Alfas inside including a 67 Duetto!  I want that.

Took Gina in for a physical (general inspection) and for a bit of work that I do not want to attempt including a SPICA pump tune and adjusting the hand brake.  Brian is going to also install an OEM air filter unit to replace the aftermarket K&N filters. 

Here's a picture of Gina in the hospital waiting area.  Note the Alfa 164 off of the passenger side.  Updates to follow!

Rico Lighter Installed

Replacement OEM Lighter installed.  It took awhile but I finally found an original Rico lighter for Gina to replace the aftermarket lighter the PO had installed.  These lighters are no longer made and I could not find one anywhere until one of the local KC AROC (Strada Fantasma) members was generous enough to give me one of his spares.  Slowly but surely finishing the last 1% of the restoration.

Ciao!

One Year Anniversay

This month marks my one year anniversary with my 81 Alfa Spider Veloce.  Gina and I took a long cruise today in beautiful Autumn weather.  Enjoyed the sweet notes of her engine.  Here's a few photos of Gina.

 They say when you buy an Alfa you buy an engine with a car wrapped around it.  Here's the engine.

 

 Here's Gina

 

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY!