Classic Alfa Forums

Morning
Have you checked the fuel line for blockages?

Hi Johnboy.
fuel lines all checked and clear. Fuel pressure was also checked on the day and found it be good.
Fuel that's in will be drained and replaced in case that was anything to do with it

It now appears that the valve has definitely broken. what we don't know is why. Current best theory is that the plug failed. this got caught under the exhaust valve and broke it. Me then driving it flat out for another 5 miles didn't then help.
heads are off and stripped and the remainder of the valves look ok.
heads are going to have a light skim and the seats checked out.
I have bitten the bullet and ordered some Vernier cam pulleys.

next step is to get all the bits back, reassemble and then its off to MEK-Motorsport for Dave to check it over and see if he can find anything including any loose ponies.

rsfruitbat

Glad your getting there adie. Sounds like the plug could of caused it . Pulleys should help gain a bit more too

Got some Gozzoli Vernier cam pulleys in the end.
Heads have been stripped, cleaned, valves checked,new exhaust valve fitted and rebuilt.
They are now with Dave so he can set up the cam timing prior to me refitting to the block.
Block all cleaned off and ready to take the heads.
Once I get them back its bolt it all together and get it in the car. I am going to leave the front end off because its going to go back to Dave to check the setup and see if with Vernier pulleys any more oomph can be found.

Clocks ticking now to Rockingham on Dec 1st. No snow forecast yet but who knows???
Seeded at no. 60.

rsfruitbat

Good luck with the rebuild. Hope you get it back together for Rockingham road

Thanks Johnboy.
Will let people know when some more progress is made.

Rsfruitbat

Fingers crossed for you mate

Good luck Adie, hope all goes to plan.

Heads are back and fitted, cams are timed in, engine is hung in the car.
Roll on tomorrow....
If all goes well and it runs ok then it's back to Dave at MekMotorsport on Sunday for him to set it up.

One step forward???

Rsfruitbat

Hope so mate, fingers crossed for you.

I'm hoping to have my Brera all sorted ready to come down to Rockingham, got my fingers crossed that it doesn't throw a wobbly to watch you rally like the last time I tried in an Alfa type 939, the 159 that threw a cambelt tensioner!

Lets hope the rest goes to plan. Should have a better idea by the end of the day.
be great to see you again Kev and anyone else who may be passing.
Even if the 33 doesn't get there we will still go as wife and friends will still be competing.

Rsfruitbat

Another tick in a box.
she runs

Cheltenham here we come.

Rsfruitbat

Cracking news, well done.

Brilliant news mate!

Guess what?????

Another tick in a box.

33 survived 38 power runs with Dave at Mek Motorport today.

It was worth it aswell. 138bhp at the flywheel, 104lbsft torque. Highest figures we have ever had with this engine. That's about 10% more on each.

Bring on Rockingham.

Rsfruitbat

Bet that's a relief mate! Great news, see you down there on Sunday

Nice result Adie.
Top result.

Huuuuuge relief Kev.
Proper rad refitted, front end back on, sumpguardin place.

Here we go, here we go, here we go.......

Thanks for support guys.

We will try and get under the grandstand. Look for the Transit waving the Alfa flag.

Many thanks Rsfruitbat

Morning adie
Great news and nice power too good luck in the rally

Paul the 33 owner and myself should be coming down on Sunday in the Brera for a look see mate, hope to catch up with you in the morning down there

Thanks gents

Rsfruitbat

Had word from Ade tonight, unfortunately it seems the engine woes continue, he's retired from the rally with suspected crank issues

A real shame after all the hard work he's put in over the last couple of weeks, sometimes life's just too cruel.

That sucks .bad news adie

Sorry to hear the bad news. What a shame after getting it all back together it time for the event.

Yes, think I can speak for Ade when I say it was gutting for him!
He was in good spirits today though, guess there's a certain amount of "its' happened, deal with it" about the situation. Heart-breaking though.

Great to see you again though mate, one day I'll actually see the 33 in action!

Really good to see the Mrs getting a top 20 result from the co-driver seat though so your weekend wasn't a total washout.


Paul and myself enjoyed the day out though, sad to see Rockingham becoming mothballed, it really has great facilities but the spectator experience isn't maybe as good track viewing wise as at other tracks, the big grandstands seem to take you too far from the action.

On a rally though with action everywhere it was pretty good viewing.

Hi all.

not long got back.

really, really disappointed with what happened.
Engine was awesome until it stopped. 100 yds from flatout to parked up on the grass.
Once engine had cooled down managed to start it but it was making a knocking noise so that was it. I,ll try and get the sump off tomorrow but we suspect either a big end or a main has picked up.

Kev it was great to see you and Paul today. It means a lot people giving up their time, going to events and people coming out to support and watch you. Really appreciate it. We will make a concerted effort to get the car fixed and get the 33 to one of the Cadwell events

cracking result for the wife. quite eventful for them. ended up having to change 2 driveshafts, replaced a broken rear gearbox mounting and weld the exhaust manifold back together.

The rest of the team also got good results. 31st for a 2l mk4 astra, 32nd for a 1600 106 and 43 for a 1600 Corsa. he was that confident of finishing that he had a spare engine in the back of the van!!!.

Well back to the drawing board. If anyone knows of a steel crank / rods for a 1490 I would be interested. if anyone knows anymore detail of the mod to use cosworth bearings I would also be interested

rsfruitbat

Managed to get the sump off.
Problem is now looking like it could be self inflicted.
Pretty sure we found water in the oil and oil residue in the water. Poorly fitted headgasket maybe??
On a different possible causes found the remains of some kitchen towel in the sump. The actual foot was clear but The remains were sat on top of it.
Took the oil pump out and split it but couldn't find any water or towel inside.I

The only way we can figure out the way the towel has got in is through the oil filler neck?
Investigations / dismantling once the bathroom is finished

Rsfruitbat

Hope all goes well with the engine once you get it apart Adie, well once the bathrooms done.
Well done to your other half, great result given the class of cars out there, impressive.
As Kev, it was great to meet up on Sunday. First and apparently last time I have been to Rockingham which is a shame but TBH I have never really considered looking at fixtures for motor sport there, and I don't know why. Missed opportunities.
Anyway it was ideal for a tarmac rally as the viewing was great as 90% of each stage was in view albeit some parts 1/2 a mile away. And a real shame not to see your 33 out there Adie. However I think its the most Mk 2 Escorts I have ever seen in one place ever.
Great day and really enjoyed it, thanks for Kev for the lift in the "overpriced" Brera.

Engine now stripped. Lookx like bigend bearing on no3 picked up.
Will be taking bits to machine shop to see if conrod or crank is salvageable.

Rsfruitbat

Hopefully the planet's are beginning to align.
Started off going down one route but soon realised that I couldn't do what I wanted in time available. Had to park that plan.
Plan B. Sort of minimum to get it going again but with a couple of mods. So John at justsuds had a crank, I found a conrod, and a few begging trips later to the machine shop and I had several boxes of bits
In the background whilst all this was going on my wonderful brother in law machines me some very impressive spacers. I bought some modified throttle bodies where the injector had been centred. Plan is to fit them wiith the spacers to move the injector further away. Both should improve mixture.
Also trying a very light flywheel and clutch.

Entry is already in for Donnington in March and down ampney in April

Let's hope it will start coming together

Rsfruitbat