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My New Project

60K views 342 replies 87 participants last post by  Starkers 
#1 ·
Not sure if I've done the right thing, but picked up my new (to me) GTV Twinnie at the weekend. Cam belt failure. Pretty straight for it's age. Wanted a project to help get my son involved in Alfas as he is getting into cars fullstop. Wish me luck!

Picking her up.



At home. Nice new garden ornament!

 
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#6 ·
Photos like the first one don't do much for Alfa's reputation for unreliability :lol:

Although it does show their owners' unwavering solidarity :thumbs:
 
#8 ·
Cheers guys, steep learning curve ahead I reckon. Rebuilt a 1500 MG Midget engine about 17 years ago but nothing since. The GTV is in pretty good nick for a 12 year old car, some of the paint has gone a little pink, couple of stone chips and 2 car park dinks but thats about it. Good service history too but only one belt change at 76K, now on 160K!! Anyway, I will keep you posted!
 
#11 ·
Hi Mitch

Mind if I use your photo as a desktop background?

I have never before seen a vehicle with towed car parked across two sets of double yellow lines, a cross hatched section of carriageway and by the look of it, backed into a wall.

Do you by any chance wear a senior coppers uniform. If not, may I have one of your 'get out of jail free’ cards?

Oh, and best of luck with the rebuild.

Kind regards, Aggy
 
#12 ·
1. If you like
2. It's not parked, the 156 has the engine running, just a quick pic as a record, there is no "cross hatch", just lines to indicate a turning area, it's a dead end, and no, I didn't hit the wall.
3. The road is as said a no through road, only residents use it so we weren't in anyones way, I'm sure any police would have been far too busy to notice.
4. Thanks.
 
#18 ·
Yeah it's not bad for a tank! :lol:

The lengths people go to to avoid mowing the lawn :rolleyes:

All the best with your project Mitch ;) :D
Cheers Gibbo, I can't believe how calm the misses is being about it in "her" garden! She must love me I guess :lol:
 
#21 ·
Well, it's officially a "work in progress" now!



First thing noticed was a large oil leak due to the rocker cover being damaged. Now looking for a new alloy cover!




You wouldn't have known the belt had gone from the top end.



Shredded Belt on the bottom end though



One of the plug chambers was full of oil too, and I mean FULL of oil. Also removed this while I was under the car as I noticed it was rotten. Anyone know what it's called and how much for a new one?



Will keep updating as progress is made.
 
#22 ·
Ok, Day 2. It now looks like the cam belt is ok! The balance belt is shot, and the tensioner but everything else looks intact.



Now wondering how I check the cam belt hasn't moved or slipped?
Also. how do i undo the 15mm bolt on this idler roller? I can't get a socket on it. Do I have to buy an off set 15mm ring spanner?



 
#29 ·
Now wondering how I check the cam belt hasn't moved or slipped?
Also. how do i undo the 15mm bolt on this idler roller? I can't get a socket on it. Do I have to buy an off set 15mm ring spanner?
I found by undoing the top engine mount and then the drivers side bottom mount (with a jack under the engine to support it) it is possible to lower the engine enough to get at the aux belt idler with a socket. Doing this also makes any cambelt work a lot easier as you get much better access to everything.

GL with the project, I undertook almost exactly the same thing at the end of last year. I bought a Ph2 GTV and dumped the engine from a selespeed in it. I too hadn't ever attempted such a feat. I did it would an engine hoist too. If your methodical its all fairly straight forward. I had an issue re-seating the gearbox (and cracked the sump in process, fortunately not fatally) but other than that it wen't very well, she started first turn of the key. Oh I wouldn't bother replacing that balance belt btw, waste of time, left mine off :)
 
#28 ·
Thanks mate, I'll get one this week :thumbs:

Best of luck with her by the way its great to see you're not afraid of a challenge. Oh and apparently they are triplets and it also looks like two of the three sisters have had an engine rebuild, doesn't look good for mine so!
Cheers Gav, I really hope to get her sorted out fully. enjoying getting my hands dirty under the bonnet again TBH. Will keep updating the thread as and when there is progress.:)
 
#30 ·
Well not too much to update here. I have just got the cam locks and TDC tools from TotallyAlfa so as soon as the weather breaks I can check the timing to be sure the belt hasn't slipped. The cabin fan had been wired straight to earth so it was running all the time the ignition was on, turns out the switch is knackered so thats another job on the list.

While waiting for the tools to arrive I decided to spruce up the "New" rocker cover I had to buy as my old one was cracked. Quite an easy and inexpensive job, and well worth it I feel!

Before



After



Now I just need it to stop raining!!......................
 
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