GTV project finally started!

[scuzzyGTV]

i've got a wolf 3d version 4 that i will have to program from scratch. i have a little problem with the pc discs, where i'm not able to use it on a pc, so will have to wait until i have it all wired up to set up the maps etc. i'm actually pretty happy that i ended up with a pulsar system, as there is a big market for them, compared to alfa's anyway. i'll need to look into the air filtration/cold air intake, as i had planned to keep the original system, but ducted directly to the little inlet hole. hopefully i can still use a proper cold air intake, but with something like a k&n filter??

unfortunately there is a bit more rust in places i would like it not to be, but i'm hopefull that it'll be localised still, and not too much drama.

so all in all it'll be interesting none the less 

[scuzzyGTV]

well the project has taken a bit of a turn (all be it a while ago) where i now have a nice looking & pretty much rust free red 81 gtv.
things are moving slowly, SPAM has finally been renovated so hopefully we'll mpve a bit quicker now.
anyhow this is what the new baby looks like...

[alfagtv152]

Hi ScuzzyGTV,
Just a little tip for you,where you have bolted the pulsar manifold to the Alfa manifold you need to fit a thermal barrier between the Alfa manifold and the Pulsar one or your inlet manifold will get as hot as your engine-not good.I used an insulation material called Tuffnol (brown stuff).
The Pulsar loom has one advantage I know of and that is the computer sits under the passenger seat,the Camira one goes in the glove box on my Alfa.
Cheers
Andrew

[Typhoon90]

 Don't be shy with the grinder around rust, BRIGHT METAL all round the edges please. Get yourself a flapper wheel for your grinder, hey are perfect for removing bog and paint, whilst not removing much metal.
You'll be filling  a large area of metal surface after you weld in patches, so don't be worried about grinding too far back.
Some very good advice was given earlier about rust preventative coatings. Modern cars are made from metal panels that have weldable primers on them before assembly, have the body seams welded with a jointing compound in them that is also weldable, and more often than not also have a seam sealer applied over the top of that. Combine it with modern designs (look at how the bottom edge of windscreens finish on modern cars, no channel, water just runs straight off) and you know why rust is much worse in older cars.
I still really like a good rust preventative squirted liberally into the rear of body seams, but I also like a good coating of plain old tar based gravel stop, it goes on with the consistency of engine oil, seeps in well, then sets up to a good, flexible, tough coating that can be over coated with any auto paint. You can buy gravel stop in spray cans, which has a great, thin consistency for inside tight areas (runs well) or you can buy it in cans that a fairly cheap ($60) specialist gun screws on to and you use a compressor to apply it. This type of application is great for outside of sill panels etc, it is the economical and easy way to coat large areas.
You absolutely MUST try to coat the rear of any repairs you do and eliminate the cause of any water ingress to that area from happening again, else you will be revisiting it sooner than you may think.
This is the most important thing I will say to you, no matter who repairs the car for you, no matter how well you know them, make sure you personally take the time to coat and seal any suspect areas of body seams. No one else will do it properly and devote the time you will to do it properly.
As for your windscreen, a new screen is always a nice thing on an older car, makes the driving experience much nicer, always buy new rubbers for new windscreens, old rubbers shrink and rarely seal properly again, plus they ruin a good resto!

Regards, Andrew.

[scuzzyGTV]

Thanks for the replys Andrew's

I'll look into the thermal barrier, as this is something I had not considered, but it makes perfect sence.

With the rusty blue one I'm thinking that I'll fix up the body work and save it for a future project (although my wife doesn't know this yet). I really appreciate all of the comments and advise given on here, it will make life much easier.

Cheers

Scott.