156 ts rebuild

[75guygtvgirl]

I recently bought a 99 156 ts which had a few issues as the previous owners had no idea about the importance of maintenance. I just spent $2000 on new coils and auxiliary and cambelt change including all tensioners, pulleys and water pump. Now I suspect it's done a head gasket as it overheated due to a faulty thermostat. Anyway long story short I've decided I'll rebuild it as it's part of a matching pair that my wife and I have. It's already had a reconditioned gearbox, ball joints and clutch. I'm just wondering if anyone has had a twin spark rebuilt recently and could enlighten me on cost?

[bazzbazz]

Ok, first of all it VERY unlikely that the TS overheated due to faulty Thermostat, as when the Thermostats fail on these things they almost always stick OPEN, not closed, causing the engine to run cold, not overheat.

Why so you think the head gasket has gone? Is there any coolant loss?

As to the rebuild, are you doing the work yourself or looking to get someone to do it for you?

[75guygtvgirl]

I assumed thermostat due to the gauge staying on 50 and then all of a sudden jumping to 100. Also the car had a full cooling system flush and pressure test when it was getting the other work done. The oil is milky and the coolant bottle is sludgy. I'll have someone else do the work.

[bazzbazz]

The Temp staying on 50'c was an indicator that the Thermostat was faulty and stuck open.

However jumping to 100 and having water in the oil & oil in the water is most likely the head gasket.

It's not hard hard job for a mechanic, just time consuming. As to how much, no idea what they charge in Tassie for this work.

Any Taswiegens out there that can recommend someone to our compatriot?

[75guygtvgirl]

Thanks for your help. I had both cars at the local Alfa "specialist" for 4 weeks getting some work done and sadly they were disappointing. I'm on to a guy from the UK who now lives in Launceston and works as a mobile mechanic which is handy as I also have a parts car he can poach parts from. He spent 4 years working in an Alfa dealership in England so fingers crossed he can help me out.

[Citroënbender]

Is that the chap with (or who had) a 205GTi?

I know a backyarder near Invermay who's reasonably handy, he's honest too.  And a bloke in Ulverstone who's reasonably methodical but somewhat of an "individual" otherwise.

Assuming you diagnose head gasket failure, then remove the head, check the bores and possibly want to pop off a big end and main cap to check the bottom half... Don't know how many people will have the long bit to remove the recessed sump bolts with engine in-situ, or the TDC kit, but at least the cam locks are now cheap enough to buy. 

[75guygtvgirl]

Not sure what he drives. His name is Paul Short. He's part of a large service network in the UK. He has 30 years of experience working on European cars so I'm pretty sure he'll have a good amount of gear. He specialises in mg, Saab, Peugeot etc

[Citroënbender]

Any progress on the repair?

Spotted another previously unseen Alfa this arvo, a black 159 JTS, plates beginning with "JAQ". The marque is not well represented around here, for sure.

[75guygtvgirl]

Haven't progressed any further yet. I've bought new wheels, lowered springs and exhaust for my v6. Once I get the v6 99% how I want it then I'll assess the twin spark 🙂