1966 Giulia Super Project

monoman · March 01, 2011, 04:43:42 PM

Quote from: Derek Entesano on March 01, 2011, 01:56:36 PM
One other thing of concern, my car has a definite lean to the right side. Now I know it will have a tank of fuel to balance it a bit more, but I think it is more than that, what could be broken that I should look at?

Nothing need be broken. At the front, there are many components that make up ride height. Have a good look at the diagram I've included. It shows a rubber and metal seats above the spring, as well as a rubber and metal seats below the spring and spring spacers. Not only is it very unlikely that all of these were ever put back in during the life of the car, there are also many variations. Please remember that the spring is more or less mounted midway, so every 1mm change at the spring will equal 2mm of ride height. Other than missing parts, spacers come in different thicknesses and spring pans come in a variety of depths.

monoman · March 01, 2011, 04:50:28 PM

The rear is much simpler, but of a similar arrangement of spring with rubber and metal seats.

With both ends, spring could be stuffed. You'll soon know once you remove them by comparing static heights. You could take them a suspension place to have spring rates checked.

ItalCarGuy · March 01, 2011, 05:07:17 PM

That is a good point and a reminder for me to make sure I blast and paint the right bits and not different depth spring pans etc, although there is a difference left to right? Will have to look that one up. I am basically rebuilding a 'spare' set of suspension and will fit with new springs, shocks etc. There has been much bastardization of my car over the years so if I can tidy it all up I hope the ride levels rectify themselves. Things like a 1300 rear end with a sway bar(not usually on a 66?) and no limit straps must do something awry.

ItalCarGuy · March 24, 2011, 12:35:32 PM

Last bit of the body to get some love is the sills. I left this til last as I didnt want to demoralize myself too early in the game! I was a bit scared as to what lurks beneath given the dodgy metal repair to the rocker that the PO had done. Pretty sure he wasnt a trade qualified welder...
The good news is the middle sill is actually quite good. A bit of repair required at the front but nothing too nasty. I started with a blunt spot weld drill bit but thankfully found a better one, boy does it make a difference. I just have to cut the lower front guard to access the front of the rocker now, but from what I can see now it isnt terrible either.

ItalCarGuy · May 20, 2011, 11:13:05 AM

Well, its nice to see the sills nearly done on one side. The repro outer sills are nice but not perfect. Where they fold near the bottom edge of the door doesnt have a consistent radius to it so it will be hard to get a perfect looking bottom door gap. It might be better once the SS sill trim is on.

I'm looking forward to seeing the doors all hung. Turns out the doors, boot and bonnet were by far the best bits of the car with the least dodgy repairs. Ah well. I think I have nearly got all the bits I need for the car as my ebay purchases have waned a bit! Got some NOS window scrapers, NOS front top of heart, and boot seals. Pretty much all the door, bonnet and boot rubbers are NOS as I get jittery reading about all the problems people seem to have with the repro stuff and I am sure there will be other things for me to get frustrated about during the reassembly other that door fit etc.

AikenDrum105 · May 20, 2011, 11:31:04 AM

Quote from: Derek Entesano on March 01, 2011, 01:56:36 PM

One other thing of concern, my car has a definite lean to the right side. Now I know it will have a tank of fuel to balance it a bit more, but I think it is more than that, what could be broken that I should look at?

Huge progress on the bodywork - looks great !

After finally making some time to check the ride height on the Super for you - it seems mine has a decided lean towards the drivers side as well...

There were no spacers in the spring pans when I rebuilt the front suspension - I'll dig out a tape measure and take a couple of pics showing the difference when I can. Perhaps both cars sit the same - pointing more to missing spacers / uniform spring sag than any suspension damage.

Cheers,

ItalCarGuy · May 20, 2011, 11:48:53 AM

Thats really interesting. I do want to get a closer look to see if I have the spring pans on the wrong side as that seems like it could make a fair difference. BTW I havent forgotten those bits for you, just have to get myself organised

Davidm1600 · May 21, 2011, 09:39:05 AM

Looking seriously good Derek, well done. Nothing like getting rid of the rusty bits and having nice new metal. This car is going to be one really well restored Super.

Must get down to my mechanics now that Easter is well and truly past it and make a start on the engine which I have for mine, with huge thanks to Scott. BTW Scott, I haven't forgotten the red I will be sending you. I just need to grab it from the shop who stocks the good Tassie stuff. I take it you haven't moved yet to your new place?

Soon as the house renno major ticket items are done with (ie. solar hot water system etc), it is back to getting some more parts for my project Super, like you have Derek, and especially while the Aussie is so good against the other currencies.

How soon before you get to see some colour do you think, for that is when it all starts coming together.

ItalCarGuy · June 24, 2011, 10:25:21 PM

Quote from: Davidm1750 on May 21, 2011, 09:39:05 AMHow soon before you get to see some colour do you think, for that is when it all starts coming together.

Not sure Dave, I've given up on trying to set a timeline for the resto

The stars don't align for me when it comes to getting this done swiftly. I did manage to get my account up to date at the panelshop so onwards we go.

It looks like all the metal work is just about done now. The sills are repaired and replaced, as well as the dog legs at the front of the rear wheels. In the end we had to replace all of the lower panels except the back panel which was nearly perfect surprisingly. From what I have seen and been told it looks like the door gaps will be quite good which is pleasing. Next time I visit should be to check to fit of the front grille, and getting all the holes drilled that are needed for lights, grille, rocker SS spears etc. Bodywork has to be on the home straight yes?

I'm starting to prepare some of the bits to go back on, I'll post some photos over the weekend.

Davidm1600 · June 24, 2011, 10:39:28 PM

Your Super is looking really good there Derek. I am looking forward to seeing it in paint, though I imagine you are even more keen!

It looks like I have finally managed to find someone I can have confidence to rebuild my Super's bodywork. I had a contact from my brother and so today with a couple of mates who also have classic cars we visited his workshop. He specialises in restoration work only. So having had a look at the quality of work he does and listening to him, his attitude etc. I am confident he is precisely the sort of guy I would want to work on my cars. Phew !! now I just need to find the $$ to commission him to sort my car out.

First though a quick ski trip to Hotham, than more house rennos and then finally the Super !! Well that is the plan (though don't tell the missus).

ItalCarGuy · August 26, 2011, 06:06:11 PM

I'm progressing at a snail's pace compared to Speedy Gonzales Evan but getting there slowly. We began test fitting some parts this week. Bumpers fit great, and around the front grille is getting there. The tolerances are pretty minimal with these early full width grilles and having a two piece centre heart adds a bit more complexity when it comes to bonnet alignment and adjusting the bump stops. Because the PO had fitted a later 5 bar grille he had removed many of the fixings for the grille so I have to make up a few tabs and screw fixing points.

Will put some more pics up soon of the bucket of bolts I got zinc plated. Boy it makes a difference compared to the filthy pile I had before!

GTV-074 · August 26, 2011, 10:22:36 PM

Nice work Derek, doesn't matter how slow...as long as its getting done!

I really love the early bumpers. They look so dainty and suit the lines of the Giulia better
than the later ones IMO.

Cheers,

Paul.

ItalCarGuy · August 27, 2011, 02:22:24 PM

Yes as long it is getting done is important. Especially as I have kept it registered, being the optimist I am that it will be done sooner rather than later.
To help with the fitting part, I got a bucket of bolts zinc plated. What went in as a filthy pile of screws, bolts and washers, came back in lovely, clean and shiny condition! $60 well spent. They charge by the barrel full, so I was lucky that all the ones I have had plated were spares from a couple of parts cars I have had in the last couple of years. I have the ones I had taken off the Super in labelled ziplock bags so I can match them with the clean ones on reassembly which will make the job much easier. Couldn't find a local plater that did the black zinc so its all silver for now. Employed the cheap labour again for the sorting.

pancho · August 28, 2011, 09:41:01 PM

How much are you hiring the labour force out for Derek ? They look like there's a good amount of life left in them.

The project is looking great, soon you'll be cruising the roads with the crew onboard and that will be a good feeling I bet. I'd liketo get my hands dirty more but time is just not a friend of mine at the moment.

ItalCarGuy · August 28, 2011, 10:19:54 PM

I'm going to up skill them in all things Alfa so I can charge them out at a higher rate. Nick, my eldest was asking what each of the different fixings were for. He has a fantastic memory so I might cultivate that and get him to read my parts manual!

Ah time, yes not having much of that myself. My only option to do anything on my car is to take it out of my sleep time. Actually Pancho, you wouldn't be getting much of that with a newborn either