81 GTV2000

[Nate Dog]

Carbie setup.
So, sorted out air intake and exhaust issues, things that i can do myself..
While i was always happy to rebuild/tune carbs on a motorbike and had no issues getting them to run fine, Carbs on a car seem a much more complex ask,
Asking for recommendations on a good tuning place in Sydney, someone that knows how to tune old carbs right 

[ItalCarGuy]

Robert Panetta at Manning Motors in Brookvale rebuilds them to a high standard. Alfa specialist.

[hammer]

And for those based in south east Qld, Auto Carbs and EFI at East Brisbane are fantastic and quite well priced.

[Spada]

Yeah, can vouch for Robert Panetta knowing what he's doing when tuning 105 engines. He tunes them by ear, something of a lost art. I know, because my dad used tp tune Volvos the same way, and then afterwards I'd put the insturments on the engine and sure enought, he was spot on!

Give Robert a call before heading out as he's always got a lot on.

[giulia_veloce]

Thanks for Derek +Spadas recommendations
Idle is done by ear.
If high speed circuit is a problem,then a dyno tune for air fuel misture under load.if there are problems.
Lots of other things to consider are= point gap,ignition timing,compressions,fuel etc
Tuning carbys for idle does not take that long,but the above also needs to be considered
Etc can also mean= does it have a carby stay,carby mount leaks,Webers or Dellortos,original air box or after market air filters.
Are the accelerator pumps in the carbys working.? Dist leeds?Electronic ign or points?
81 GTV have Dellorts standard,but have they been changed and jets changed ?
The initial 5 minute carby tune costs 2 cans of Pepsi,one for each of us.Non AROCA members = 4 cans

Robert

[Nate Dog]

Hi Robert,
Idles fine,
So,
Carbs are Dellorts, Haven't checked the spark plugs as they were replaced just before i picked up the car, 6 weeks ago, lazy, i should check they are the correct temp. Leeds seem ok, happy to replace them, just fixed them actually, tightened all endsand lubed for contact.
Cast iron Exhaust manifold has been replaced with header pipes and new exhaust (previous owner, headers, i assume). pipe isn't super wide, i think theres about a metre thats still stock, rest is 2" stainless. (Had a cannon, replaced with quiet exhaust, again not as much flow). Airbox is aftermarket with a pod filter capping it. Running on 98 exclusively.
Fuel economy is around 13 litres per 100. I Don't push crazy hard too often, mostly stay sedate in my driving, ish, have had a friend drive the car and rode the bike behind him, smells like a fair chunk of unburned fuel coming out exhaust so am guessing running super super rich.
Robert, am more than happy to pay for work being done, don't expect to get work done for Pepsi (well, maybe coke).
But, need the carbs tuned, and maybe the timing advanced to take advantage of 98.
Will pay for work plus bring you a case of Pepsi.

when can you book me in?

Nate.

[VeeSix]

Nothing like a nicely set of tuned Dellortos on the GTV, brings back memories of my first Alfa Romeo a 1982 GTV, such a nice tune with a nice exhaust, would love to get the triple carb setup on a V6 one day for fun 

[giulia_veloce]

PM sent Nate.

I used tp specify Coke,but some thought I wanted Cocaine,so Pepsi or Coka Cola is fine.

[LukeC]

Two issues with older Dellortos:

The later cars had very fine threads on the idle screws (not sure when this happened). These can get seized and caused issues when either trying to adjust or remove. The were special Alfa tools to assist in removing these screws and cleaning the threads. You should occasionally spray a bit of WD-40 around the tops of the idle screws to prevent corrosions and seizure.

The pivots in the accelerator pumps levers wear and cause hesitation. Years ago, I used to replace the pins with the cam adjustment pins (high grade steel with larger diameter). Once this was done, you had to reset the accelerator pump delivery. This required some special tools to measure the fuel per number of full openings of the throttle. From memory, it was 3.5 cc per 10 strokes. Interesting to know who still has this type of gear.

A properly rebuilt engine with carbs overhauled and set up as above and the distributor well serviced etc is truly a joy. They will idle as smooth as any single carb engine, pull from 1500 rpm in top gear, start hot and cold easily and hold tune for 1000s of kms without touching the carbs.

[Nate Dog]

Carb tune will have to wait till i can organise to get car to Robert, Hopefully in the coming week..
For now carpet replacement should be happening soon, have parts coming for aircon but they wont be here till mid next week earliest so also on hold for a bit.
Planning for headlight upgrade is proceeding,...
THoughts on these inserts please..
http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/HEADLIGHT-INSERTS-H4-High-low-5-3-4-inch-Brand-New-/300547020544?pt=AU_Car_Parts_Accessories&hash=item45f9ff9700&_uhb=1

Has anyone used autopal? They've got both a set of H4 and a set of H1...

[Nate Dog]

and do i want to pimp out and go rally cross look with these puppies?

http://www.ebay.com/itm/5-3-4-FORD-CAPRI-RELIANT-SCIMITAR-HEADLIGHT-HEADLAMP-MESH-GUARDS-CLIPS-/190794042624?pt=UK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM&hash=item2c6c360d00

[Nate Dog]

Hi lads.

Just doing another oil drop.
Decided to do a compression test just to see where im at.

So,
Cylinders are as follows.
1 - 125
2 - 132
3 - 135
4 - 138

So, 8% variance front to rear. Normal? Doubt it but thought id ask you lot, might have something to do with oil pump workings?
What should I be seeing?

How far out of range is 125?

[Beatle]

     http://www.ebay.com.au/sch/i.html?_trksid=p2050601.m570.l1313&_nkw=alfetta+workshop&_sacat=0&_from=R40   

[Beatle]

Nate, how did you conduct the compression test?   It'll make a difference to the results.

8% variance isn't too bad, but the numbers look low-ish overall.   

Did you crank it with all plugs removed and the throttles fully open?

http://www.alfaclubvic.org.au/forum/index.php?topic=5298.msg29153;topicseen#msg29153

[colcol]

Have the battery fully charged, all spark plugs out and throttle open so it will crank faster, if you find the compression is down on what it should be, the cylinder you are checking, squirt some oil through the spark plug hole and retest the compression, if with the adding of the oil, the compression goes up, then the rings are worn, [as the oil temporary seals the piston rings].
If the compression remains the same, then the valves are not sealing as well as they could.
It could aslo be a leaking head gasket, check for oil in radiator and water in the oil, murky grey stuff around the oil dipstick, Colin.