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Re: 1972 Alfa Spider will not restart when hot
Jeez, shame on me for not visiting AO more often. I'm missing out on a subject I actually know something about. When properly set up, the Spica system will run reliably for many years without so much as a minor tinker. The challenge is to have it properly set up. There aren't more than a couple handfuls of qualified people here in the US who can set them up so I'd imagine that there are even fewer outside the US.
Having said that, and assuming that the Spica system isn't that far off since it starts cold and runs well hot, I'd look at the cold start solenoid (CSS). This device enrichens the mixture only when the starter is engaged. Thing is, cold start enrichment is not required with a hot engine (the thermo-time switch in Bosch L-Jet cars is a perfect example of this). The result of over enrichment on an attempted hot start could be a no start condition and if bad enough, could flood the engine and foul the plugs.
What many Spica owners have done is to install a toggle switch under the dash to engage the CSS only when the engine is cold. To see if this will help your cause try this test. First, identify the CSS. With the air cleaner removed and looking down on the Spica pump, the CSS is at the rear of the pump and has a black wire attached to it (the solenoid in the middle of the pump is the fuel cutoff/mixture solenoid). When attempting a hot restart, disconnect (and insulate) the CSS wire. If the engine starts okay with the wire disconnected, installing a toggle switch will (for years perhaps) get you by. This could however just be addressing the symptom of an out of tune Spica system.
Jim
68 Mk1 Italian delivery
71 Mk2 US delivery
89 Spider Veloce
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