Classic Alfa Forums

That is going to be a cracking car when you have finished fettleing it.
Top work.

Cheers! I now have a working heater fan yay! The switch had failed and presented yet another tricky job to replace it. Once I had worked out how to remove the heater knobs it was straight forward if somewhat limited on space, anyone with big mits would struggle.

Located on the left the screws holding it are just about accessible using a long thin screwdriver.



The switch then needs to be pushed back into the dash through a small gap and below the heater levers. It can then be replaced. Getting it back into position is fun!

Often the biggest challenges are these sort of jobs aren't they

Not to mention biggest frustrations!

I’ve not done a lot recently other than drive the X, but I have treated it to a new steering wheel! Fitted an earlier design from around 1982/84, much the same as the 70s cars. Amazing how much better it is than the none dished factory fitted item it came with.

The car will have to live on the drive over winter so I’ve splashed out on a fancy breathable car cover from Hamilton Classics, seems to keep the water out well enough.

What a great looking dash lay out.
Wheel looks good as well, thumbs up from me.

Not driven the x for a while, it’s been sorn’d but the great weather yesterday and today meant I had to tax it and go for a drive. Took a bit of cranking to get it going but it ran well and felt good especially with the roof off. I’m going to move the x on if I can this year as the my GTV6 *should* be coming home! Ha! Here’s hoping.

I think I’ve got a NOS heater fan switch for an x19 somewhere in my box of many bits.

Hi,

Always liked the X 1/9. Great pics and work carried out here.
Ye guys don't seem to get put off with any problems that arise in ye're projects.

Hats off to all.

Cathal.

Oh I don’t know, I’ve questioned my sanity on many occasions with this car! Planning a trip to Doncaster next weekend to see some old mates so changed the oil yesterday, my how time flies. I’ve done 1800 miles in a year and this will be the longest trip yet....that’s if the weather behaves itself....

The X may not be taking me to Donny, found the clutch slave cylinder is leaking. Ive ordered the parts which may get here by Thursday with luck...

Kegsti66 wrote:What a great looking dash lay out.
Wheel looks good as well, thumbs up from me.

Is that a Sud air-vent turned on it's edge?

Slave replaced, access is a touch tight!

So is she taking you to Doncaster ?
Weather looks promising .

Yup, 350 mile round trip. Great weather and beer! No issues other than the manifold to exhaust joint started to leak and it got a bit noisy at speed around 70. Managed to tighten it when I got back.

Brilliant !!

The clutch release arm on the later x19s was changed in that the arm spring was moved to pull the arm against the release bearing instead of pulling it away. This gave a self adjustment of sorts as the clutch plate wears down, however, it means the release bearing is always engaged even if under light pressure from the spring. I’ve changed the configuration to that of the older cars pulling the arm back towards the slave cylinder saving wear on the bearing. The clutch feels heavier and better for it IMHO.

Also, a bit of cosmetic work inside, always hated the fake leather gear gaitor so fitted an earlier rubber one....just need to find a better gear knob now.

NEG wrote:Also, a bit of cosmetic work inside, always hated the fake leather gear gaitor so fitted an earlier rubber one....just need to find a better gear knob now.

Loving your work - I have always liked the mid-70s modernist look of the early X1/9s, and recovered a few select parts from a Lido to use on the Nova, I guess you are looking for one of these?



Presumably the same gearknob was used on other Fiats of the period, 131, Miafiori perhaps? Good luck with the search.

Lauren

YES! That’s it I want one....

I’ve got a genuine X1/9 gearknob in good condition if it’s any use.

Hi Lou what does it look like?

Like this one

Ah ok, I’ll pass on that Lou, it’s not the best of designs.

Ok no worries Neil it is a proper Bertone one.

A ‘milestone’ passed yesterday

Door stay fun

My drivers side door won’t stay open. Instead of buying a new stay I replaced the plastic pulley/wheel.

These are riveted in but replacements can be found. I bought mine from DG Rally on eBay uk.

I cut a slot across one end of the hollow rivet and crushed the halves together and used a hammer and punch to knock it out.



The old wheel was quite worn.



Using the punch as a guide to centre the holes the hammer was re employed to knock the rivet back in through the new wheel. I had to file a small chamfer on the rivet to help it engage with the new wheel.





Yes it’s bent!

I then used a centre punch to reopen the end of the rivet.



Did it work, errr, no not quite. There’s more resistance for sure but if the car is on a slope the door still shuts and won’t stay open. I may just end up buying a new stay!

To bring this thread to a close my x19 has gone to a new home...a bit sad seeing it being driven away but I know it has gone to a good home. It was fun. Now I need to arrange return of the GTV6 and start reacquainting myself with it, it’s been three years I think

It is a shame to see them go but there is a certain amount of satisfaction that you've given the car the best chance at survival having gone through so many things and sorted the niggly and big issues, a lesser man would have given up and the car suffered the terrible fate of sitting and rotting until nothing left, so well done you