I cant remember when last I had a build thread, so heres my Swagon build.
Things will start to pick up in the next three months as Im attending the annual show in Kimberley.
I bought Adrien's wagon, while the color is not my favorite I wanted a good base to start off with. So far Ive bought GT Toora's(jetfins), GTA style headlights, black leather interior from a sedan(rear backrest dont fit), side skirts and some stickers.
Coilies in the form of Maxtracs are on their way.
Mechanically Ive only replaced two tyres(might be three soon as I have a leak somewhere) and Speenvark helped me replace a wrongfully diagnosed slave cylinder, my master cylinder is acting up, oh and a very expensive batery. The car is smooth and drives well...slow compared to my previous cars but I like its character...it will be low and slow.
Plans for the coming months are:
Split GTV wheels
Coilies
Bodywork
Fit the rest of the interior
Fit GTA headlights
Fit side skirts
Source a Cupra front lip
Louder backbox
Roof racks and roof box or bike carrier
Do the induction kit as well. Really brings out the voice of the Busso. I fitted the KN filter 57i kit for the GTA on my V6. Makes huge difference to the vocals. Was quite funny as I had get my back box done after the filter as the back box literally kept popping off when opening up on the road.
Yeah I removed the wheel and inspected it and yep...its cracked. I was not planning on refurbing these GT wheels although they need serious refurbing. I have decided to refurb them in JHB at Mag Repair Centre...the guys will also do my stepped wheels as they already did a set for 145 wheels and are massive Alfa fans, so the fit is perfect.
Ian yes...I skeem Ill have to get the universal foot Thule, but currently my budget looks like this..
Toora's refurb...R2k
16" Teledials R3k
Step up Teledials and refurb R8k
205/40/18 tyres from a friend for the stepped wheels R3k
Balance of coilies R4k
Thats what I need to pay in the next 3 months...so ja...eish. Id really like to have the roof racks, maybe I can borrow a set and I see roof boxes can be hired?
Oh...respray of side skirts R1750
Spray black parts of bumpers R1k
Spray side mirrors R850
Its a deep pocket exercise, Im looking to get out of refurbing the Toora's now through...but the crack...eish.
57i comes in various styles: Open cone is the generic system, but for specific models they have a small airbox that fits in the engine bay. http://www.knfilters.com/images/l/57I-9001.JPG
I called around and dealers want R1890 for the clutch master cylinder...ouch.
There is a second hand part at PTA Alfa Yard for R850. Is it worthwhile to buy a 2nd hand part? The cylinder has no leaks, brake fluid is not dissapearing but the internals, rubber seems sticky. I spray Q40 inside he shaft and its fixed for a week or so and thereafter its back to being sticky.
In getting the Teles this week and wil drop them off while I get the Toora welded.
Lance don't buy the second hand part unless you have it stainless steel sleeved and rebuild it using a kit. Then it will last forever. Laterally. And, there are some alternative places that you could contact for a new part but I would seriously go for the stainless steel sleeved part.
Stay away from:
1. Those who don't know what the master cylinder looks inside. I suspect your maccie is not an Alfa maccie but a Honda since he is talking about plastic. Plastic pistons come in Japanese cars and bakkies.
2. Those who say "stay away from a rebuild". Monkey mechanics who break other people's stuff and blame it on poor quality.
I've been doing these things for DECADES and NEVER had a premature failure.
What you will be looking for are the two black stuff on the piston. Those are rubber seals. Take note of their orientation. refitting is a reversal of removal, and if you can't get them in a kit then buy them loose at a hydraulic workshop for R2 each. Be careful with the circlip, and the piston should push out freely because it should have a spring on the inside.
A proper kit will include 2 rubber piston seals, one rubber boot and the grommet for the plastic pipe.
What kind of "some people" is that anyway... :irked:
Thanks for the advice guys, so consensus from this small pool is, it never fails again and it does indeed fail again. My mech only asked which type it is. I wont call him clueless, ill take the car to him and see, if it fails Ill just buy a new one and do the mod the guy in the above thread did.
My 'leak' came from a small crack in the Toora...its fixed now.
I have decided to have my cloth seats washed and then Ill reinstall them, the leather seats are a huge let down, I miss the cloth seats and tbh thwy actually go with the feel of the Wagon...old and low.
Im selling the complete leather seat set for a sedan for R1500.
Just FYI, the master cylinders on the 156s and 147s I have worked on are indeed plastic, piston included. So I suppose the first 156's still had metal ones. A sad parts update then.
I would also try the rebuild first though, rebuilding in situ should also be easier, agreed. It's a POS job to get that thing out, especially on the V6.
The housing of the master cylinder. Cannot remember if the mounting holes are different, but the inlet pipe is located at different angles for example.
Wheels are nt made yet lol...still deciding on face color and the type of dish I want, but it will most likely look like the gold wheel.
No Im not at the track day, Im going to the 1km ODI racing
Because none of my cars are the fastest in the land, I would go to a track day. And race till my wheels are smooth! Which would be around 3 laps anyway :cheese:
Had the Maxtrac coilies installed and after setting it to my liking, it sat very nicely...too nicely.
Fender roll to follow.
The car is at my mech now as after the coilies install the brakes just failed...the fronts seized and I realized both outer CV boots are torn. Also...were rebuilding or seeing if we can rebuild the clutch master cylinder.
When its back it will go in for side skirt respray, color code of mirrors, bumper beadings. Install the GTA headlights and valet the interior and carpets.
Then its a whole waut for the new wheels to be hacked and built up to my spec:
Front - 18"/9J on 205/35/18 stretched tyres.
Rear - 18"/9.5J on 205/35/18 stretched tyres.
Will post a pic of how the car sits when I get it back.
The maxtracs are really impressive, I expected a bouncy **** ride...but its comfy for what you pay.
How did this rebuild pan out? Is the clutch pedal pressure issue resolved - I have to sort this on my car next.
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