1978 Spider info

Well as soon as I collect on some stuff for sale, a 1978 Spider will take up a position in my garage (very good deal). The thing is, I really did not get a good look under the hood and was under the impression it had carbs on it. I've seen alot of different information on the Spiders including both carbed and injected 1978 models. Can someone point me in the correct direction or supply some info on the little gem? For specifics, I'd like to know the following:
Which was available in the US, carbs or injection or both?
How long does the SPICA injection pump go between rebuilds?
Are the other SPICA injection parts prone to any problems?
What are the rust prone areas?
What are some good books on the Spider?

I'm sure I'll have more questions after I get the car here. Any help would be appreciated!
Brian

Moved to Classic Alfas

This is what my 77 spider engine looked like. It was listed as a 78 in IAP catalogue. Is it the same as yours?

I can heartily recommend Pat Braden's "Alfa Romeo Owner's Bible', available through Amazon, etc. It has loads of excellent info pertaining mainly to North American Alfa models; it has an entire section devoted to the mysteries of the SPICA fuel injection system, probably the best layman's explanation of the inner workings of this system I have read.
Best as I can recall, all North American spiders from 1969 on came with SPICA fuel injection, and not carbs, unless a subsequent owner undertook a carb conversion...
Enjoy your new wheels...

I have a 1979 Spider. I think the only models that came with carbs were the models sold in Europe. My Spica fuel injection lasted from 1980 till about 1992. The car was very hard to start when it was hot but otherwise ran well. Spica was in my opinion very selfish with their information and made it very difficult to work on by yourself. Also very expensive.
When it did break down I purchased two Webber carbs and it was alot cheaper than repairing or replacing the fuel inj. unit. The car starts immediately with the carbs hot or cold, and runs beautifully. For information, books and parts try International in Charlottesville Va. Enjoy the car.

Well I have ordered the Alfa Romeo Owner's Bible as well as two other books. I also remembered that a friend (mechanic by trade) and his brother were involved in an Alfa dealership years back until they were no longer sold in the US. He provided quite a bit of good info. It is the SPICA injection and does look like the pics posted by classicgal93. I should be picking it upon Wednesday providing the weather doesn't turn nasty.

Well I bought the car tonight! Over all I think I did ok. Car has 160000 on it but seems fairly tight. I started easily, idled up while cold, then idled down smoothly when warm. It stumbles as the engine speed increases while driving but they may be the old gas. Looks like all the underhood decals are there as well as a decal from D'Amico & Sons in Vineland New Jersey. Thing is, this is the dealer that my friend was involved in! Chances are he worked on this car at some point. Regarding the injection pump, has anyone used SeaFoam in there SPICA injected cars? Good or bad results? With 3 year old gas in the tank, I'm sure it'll need cleaning. I'll know even more when I get her home and cleaned up on Wednesday.

I have never used Seafoam, but rather always used Marvel Mystery Oil in my Alfa and my motorcycles. I think it is a matter of personal preference. The fuel injection problem is a matter of adjustment and the tools required for that adjustment. If you have access to those you may have good results with the unit. They still do not share their information easily.
I have the old unit that came with my car if you ever need parts. I was born in NJ and went to Bound Brook High school about 200 years ago, and now live in Western N.C. The adjustment for the micro-switch underneath the unit which prevents backfires went you back off the throttle is 1 mm. The fuel solinoid that screws into the inj body and is threaded adjusts the warm up process and is adjusted by screwin it in and out and locking the 4 pronged castle nut on it. That's is about all I remember at this point. If your friend that worked at a dealership can help you with it you will be doing well. Alfa International used to be in Summit N.J. but I don't know about it now.
Hope my little rambling helps.......Catch

Well a little update. The wife hit the roof when she saw the car, the next day it was on ebay, now the winning bidder is no where to be found! Looks like it will be here for a while. Needs some work but should be a nice project.

Maybe the wife will feel better when she finds out that that car, when properly tuned should give you 30 miles to the gallon +......................
Mine got 33 on the highway last time I checked it.

Well the buyer was supposed to send payment out today for Thursday delivery. If he doesn't, I plan on trying to pursuade her to go along with me selling my Jeep Cherokee instead. That would provide all the funds needed to really spruce up the car. My main vehicle is a 2006 Chevy Silverado 4X4 5.3l V8. Yes 25 or more mpg would be better than 12!

The buyer has flown the coop. If anyone is interested he is listed as dgmrauto an ebay. I'm the third one he's hit. Number 2 just found out his bank rejected the paypal because of no money. He's out the item and the money. Now, on to better things. I'm trying to determine the color name for the paint on this car. Looks like a silver/blue metalic. The charts indicate two silvers for 1978 and a champange. Does anyone have any info on this? Also the engine has two hose brackets on the cam cover. Where did this hose go to? You can see the plastic brackets in the pics above. Thanks again. Brian

The hose sent warm air from the exhaust manifold across the top of the cam cover to the fuel inj. air cleaner to help the car run when it was cold.

Well I have another question that hopefully someone can help with. There is a green wire near the ignition switch that is disconnected. Can someone inform me as to where it goes? Looks like it would reach the switch but there are 2 open single terminals and an open double terminal. Hard to tell which one it might have been one. I just installed a new voltage regualtor but the alternator output is weak. Full feilding the alternator will raise the voltage to over 17 volts at 3000rpm. Any info is always appreciated.
Brian

I have no idea what the green wire is but you can find out with a wiring diagram for the car. If you don't have the owner's manual that came with it there are several publications that will have the diagram that is probably printable. There are several aftermarket repair manuals available at moderate cost. You should probably invest in a newer type of voltage regulator and perhaps an adjustable one is available. Try International Auto parts in Charlottesville Va. They have most everything your car would require. Good luck with it. Catch