My new car, which I'm calling Mario Speedwagon, bought last week for very little money. It's a 1981 Giulietta, 1800 and seemingly completely original.
I bought it to enter into the Shitbox Rally in May next year.....http://www.shitboxrally.com.au/ (http://www.shitboxrally.com.au/)........which is basically a 7 day, 3800km drive from Brisbane to Darwin, in a car which costs less than $1000, including rego and roadworthy. The event is all about raising funds for cancer research. Each team has to raise at least $4000, and from that you get back $1000 for the car and $500 for petrol. At the end of the rally the car is auctioned off to raise more money.
I don't yet have a link for the online fundraising site, but when I do I'll post a link up here, and I'm hoping I'll get some support from fellow Alfisti for what I'm sure will be the only Alfa in the event, and to help raise funds to research this terrible disease which affects pretty much everyone in some way. Also get in touch if your company wants to sponsor the car in any way, I still have some room for sponsorship on the car!!
The car seems pretty healthy, considering. As you can see it has some character around the base of the windscreen, and it has some more around the rear screen as well, but not too bad. The only other thing I need for a RWC is a rear exterior door handle, so if anyone has one they'd like to donate to the cause let me know. ;D ;D It had some problems starting and idling until it was really warm, but I'm pretty sure it's just spark related, which is good since I know nothing of these carburettor things and don't want to go near them really; my Dad is going to be my co-driver, he can be the carb (and points) expert, I'm sure he's rebuilt a few in his time.
It drives really well. The engine is a bit tappety, and definitely a bit tired, but I'm actually surprised how much grunt it's got for a little 'un (I was reading a 1981 Modern Motor magazine recently, and the 1800 Giulietta had about 33% more power than Japanese 2000s of the same time), the gearbox is beautiful, brakes are fine and it seems to handle well too; it's pretty soft, but that is probably just fine considering some of the roads we'll be going on.
I figure once I clean it up for a RWC and get a club rego I'll have around $300 to spend on any parts for it, so I was going to look at renewing the fuel system and ignition as much as possible to aid with reliability (reliability will be important since before the rally starts I'll be driving it from Melbourne to Brisbane, so all up it's a 5500km drive in a shitbox). Any other suggestions most welcome, as is any information about the roads we'll be on (there is a map in the link I provided above). Any parts that are donated don't count towards the final $1000 I believe also.....
I'm really looking forward to the event, and I'll keep everyone updated via this forum about the preparation of the car.
Sheldon
I have some door handles trhat might fit.
Barry
I have lots of giulietta parts Sheldon, you can have any that you need,
jim.
Sheldon,
First up, congrats and tell us where to send the donations
I think the key issues for you is reliabilty and here's some things that should be cheap to do and maximise your reliability :-
Temparature Control
Flush the radiator & cooling system. Add new coolant with a 50% ethylglycol mix.
Replace fan belt
Close off all heater hoses with new hose terminations
Replace top and bottom hose.
Take spare water pump if its withing budget. Old pumps have a way of failing on continuous runs ( mine failed on the 75 on the way to Phillip Island)
(if your cooling system fails in any part you will overheat and...so this is a key issue)
Ignition
The ignition you are already dealing with.
Charging
Ensure alternator is charging and it has adequate contact brushes to keep charging.
Take spare headlight bulb.
Brakes
Flush system with new fluid. Check pad wear front and rear.
Fuel
Install a fuel filter if it doesn't have one and take along spare pump diaphragm.
Spare
Be sure it is holding pressure.
Best wishes.
Sheldon,
I love the idea of this, the great cause, the adventure, the opportunity to see another part of this country.....I'm very tempted to join you on this trip as another team. :-\
Great work Sheldon ( St Jude), every washed up transaxle deserves another chance.
QuoteThe Apostle Saint Jude Thaddeus is "The Miraculous Saint," the Catholic Patron Saint of "lost causes" and "cases despaired of."When all other avenues are closed, he is the one to call upon, and his help often comes at the last moment
Some more pics of the car. As you can see it's a bit rough, but all there.
Thanks all for best wishes and offers of parts, I'll be in touch if when things break. That's one of the problems with buying the car this far out from the event I guess; I've learnt from experience that Alfas don't really like sitting around doing nothing. Guess I'll have to take it on some EMRs then. Dammit.
MD, thanks for the excellent (as always) advice. Don't worry I'll be letting you know where to send donations once I have the link, and I'll also be expecting to hook up with you for a beer when I get to Brisbane. A few points regarding your post....
-Why do you say to close off all heater hoses? Just to stop another source of a leak, or some other reason? Also, so you're saying I won't be needing the heater in May in Brisbane or Darwin (I've never been up that way)?
-It has a brand new water pump, but I still may take another one just in case (as far as I know there is no price limit on any spares you want to take).
-The ignition I'm pretty much going to renew, 'cos it's pissing me off at the moment. Is it worth going down the electronic route, or should I just stay with the points and, er, whatever else these old cars have? From what little I know I gather that an electronic ignition will be more reliable, but also a lot harder to fix if something does go wrong.
-fan belt? What's that?
-Alternator is fine, and it's got an excellent battery. It turned the engine over for probably a good half hour this afternoon. &^%%^%$%!!! A spare alternator and fuel pump are on my wishlist.
-I plan on taking 4 spare tyres, and I'll be making sure they hold pressure. According to the rules tyres are a safety item so they don't count towards the $1000 budget, so I may even look at getting some second-hand rally tyres if they would be appropriate for the roads we're driving on.
Bruno suggested we run an air intake with a secondary filter for the dusty roads, probably a good idea. We were thinking of utilising the existing air intake for the alternator, but looking at the car there's plenty of room to run another intake on the other side.
I started the car today and it fired at the third go, which was pretty good I thought, and it idled a lot better than it has previously (so putting the HT lead onto the coil properly does help apparently), but still a bit rough. It seems to be running on 3 for the first 5 minutes, then eventually it will settle down to a quite fast idle, around 1200. When it's running rough like that taking the lead off the no. 4 plug (can I assume it's no. 1 at the front and no.4 at the back?) hardly changes the idle at all. I turned it off (my first mistake) while I was looking for an old "tune-up and analyser kit" which I was pretty sure I had somewhere and was no use for my other cars but which I wanted to play around with (it was either that or get under the 90 to take the exhaust off and I wasn't looking forward to that). Sure enough the %^$*$*%$* thing wouldn't start again. After trying for a while I looked at the plugs. Assuming again that cylinder no. 1 is at the front of the car and no. 4 at the rear, plug no. 1 was VERY oiled up (and these are brand new plugs) 2 & 3 were moderately oiled up and no. 4 was white. White! What the hell is that? Anyone want a cheap Giulietta?
In good news, the cat loves this car. He always helps out when I'm working on my cars, but I tell him off when he jumps in the car and starts scratching the carpet or seats. He jumped in this one today and I told him "go for your life buddy, scratch whatever you want!" A comment I may regret at the end of the rally next year when I'm bidding on the car to buy it back. I know I'll get attached to the little shitbox. Damn Alfas.
To be continued......
wish i knew about this rally would have done it in the white 90, i found a white gulli to for $200 might buy it for 2012
I have an air conditioning system for the Giulietta that you can have :) - you might need it between Brisbane and Darwin!
Sheldon,
A few more tips and clarifications.
Stick with the mechanical ignition system. Any dumb bumb and or bush mechanic can fix it if it needs it and it wont if you fit new points and condesor of the correct microfarad rating that matches the coil.
Electronic ignition comes into its own at big revs which you wont be doing (sustainably if you want to keep your license) so its more compelxity for no gain. Points are much cheaper too.
The heater hoses are the forgotten part of the cooling circuit. Owners may change the top and bottom radiator hose over time but invariably forget to replace the heater hoses and of course its much harder to do as well and so they leave them soldier on until one day the buggers blow your coolant to oblivion and you are on the road side with bonnet up and steaming. In any case, you will not need a heater where you are going. So the object of the excercise is to replace the heater hoses if you want, but if you want to save money, just terminate them back at the engine block so they can't blow. Dig me Pigmy ?
More must do's.
Change engine and transmission oils and fit new filter.
Replace the clutch fluid at the same time as the brake fluid .
And of course this is a transaxle so carefully examine the donuts before you go and take one spare for each section of the shaft as they are all different. I think I could supply you with some used ones in good order for nix if you need them.
Last but not least, put something in the back seat with long hair and double "D" cups to share the western night sky with. It's awesome. ;D
BTW the fridge is always loaded so you're welcome to make that hard earned pit stop.
Forgot to make a comment on your plugs.
The oily ones suggest worn oil rings or hard and worn valve guide seals. More likely a bit of both. If it smokes going up a hill under load, it's usually rings. If it smokes down the hill on deceleration pulling lots on manifold vacuum, its ususually the guide seals (bush mechanic guide to smoke)
The one that concerns me most is the one which suggests carburation mixture problems of the lean kind which can burn valves so be sure you get this checked out by some one that understands carbies SOON.**
Oh yeah, you will want to know how fast you are going and make use of the trip meter so be sure to service the hugely long speedo drive cable by removing the core flexible cable from the outer completely and cleaning it. Run some oil down the centre of the outer cable (internally)and lightly oil the flexible cable too before reinserting. Do NOT use grease.
** Could well be from cracked carb mounts as Dr.Pep suggests above. Got some of those too for ya.
Sheldon,
This is a great thing your doing and its a for a good cause thats very close to my heart. Well done should be a blast.
Id be more than happy to donate once you post the details.
Those 1.8 Giulettas were a good thing and a fun drive with a shorter diff ratio and revvy 1779 donk, they keep a 2 litre Alfetta honest in the lower gears as I found out one day in a bit of a drag race from the lights between my 2 litre GTV and my mates missus 1.8 Giuletta.....took a fair while to start pulling away from her although i got her in end.......cow....... gave me a bit of a scare :)
Great advice from MD (Dr Transaxle), another thing to look out for is cracked rubber carbie mounts, which is quite common and results in rough idle due to a lean/weak mixture.
Anyways sounds like a great thread keep us updated on your Mario Speedwagon :)
Ohh by the way love the 3RRR sticker thats gotta be worth a grand in itself! The wogbox roof racks arent bad either
dont forget a spare throttle linkage!
good luck!
x2 what Dr Pep mentioned, ditto all the excellent advice from Dr Transaxle.
The main thing though to support you in the cause is when time let us know the details re how to donate to the cause, and absolutely we want to read and see some pics of the trials and tribulations of the white shitbox Mario Speedwagon on its journey north. All the best with it, as it should be huge fun.
Quick update...
Thanks guys for all the replies, still waiting on link to send money to, shouldn't be too far away.
116gtv - spare throttle linkage eh? Good advice, can I assume you got stuck by a broken one?
pep105 - Had a look at the carbie mounts, and there a few tiny cracks, which get larger with a little bit of weight on the air filter. Could definitely be something to look at, and probably something I should definitely change before the event. The wogbox roof racks are great and will probably come in pretty handy (and since I'm a Kiwi, the forgotten wogs, probably quite suitable); I'm thinking I might need them to carry luggage, tent and sleeping bags. And esky.
Jim - I actually considered that for 10 seconds, but no, I won't take the aircon. I'll be in touch next year after I buy the shitbox back at the auction.
MD - Thanks for more excellent advice. Will stick with the mechanical ignition. Will block off the heater hoses (but only after looking up the average temps for the region, and deciding that I probably won't be needing a heater....). Donuts!! Hadn't even considered them. I think they'll probably be on the list of spare parts which I will take with me, and not use and give back later on. As we all know, if you take something you won't need it.
A quick update on the rough running....(and again apologies for any moronic statements, this is the first car I've had with carbs/mechanical ignition that actually needed any attention, so I have no idea)
Was meant to be doing other stuff but couldn't with the rain...so started up Mario Speedwagon, and it started pretty easily. As usual, took a little bit of warming up before he'd idle on his own. As an aside I can't put any choke on because when I do it will raise the revs for a few seconds but then slowly die unless I give it a rev. Once he was up to temperature gave him a good 5 minutes of some pretty big revs, and a bit of sustained mid-range revving. Didn't want to take it for a drive based on it's last couple of performances, never mind that it's not registered. It's still not idling very smoothly, even when warmed up, and going on the condition of the engine mounts ( and the fact that there were spare spark plugs in the glove box when I bought the little shitbox), maybe it hasn't for a while.
When he'd been running for probably 20 minutes all up, and the thermo fan had come on a couple of times, I shut him off and had another look at the plugs. This time cylinders one and two (or the two nearest the front of the car anyway, no-one answered that question) looked fine, not oiled up and with a faint brown tinge, but 3 & 4 had white tips (see pic attached - that is 4, but 3 looked the same). I attached a vacuum gauge to the brake booster line and it seemed fine, holding steady at 19in at idle, then with a big rev the gauge dropped down, then returned to 18in, but again held steady. Suggesting no air leaks??
In other news, I had another look at the map of the event, and bloody hell Melbourne to Brisbane, and then Brisbane to Darwin is a long way!! http://tinyurl.com/24dejrp (http://tinyurl.com/24dejrp) I especially like some of the pics it has of leg D. The roads don't look too bad, but that day is 250 km and supposedly takes 7 hours. The next stage is 315km and apparently takes 12 hours, so that will no doubt be an entertaining day. That's the day that starts from somewhere called "Hells Gate". I might start my own rally next time, going through Rooty Hill, Tittybong, and Cock Wash, anyone else keen?
Looks like a great course! I think that cooling will be important, the Giulietta is not known for great prowess in that department. Myself, i would use water-wetter (from Redline) rather than ethyl glycol because it has more headroom for boiling, and the coolant is unlikely to be in danger of freezing. I would also replace all the coolant hoses, including the bypass hose under the thermostat. The Giulietta hoses are simple and you can easily match them at 'super Cheap Auto' if you are prepared for a bit of cutting - making them cheap. As far as spares go, i would take a cheap 2nd hand electric fuel pump and some fuel line so that you can splice it in when the mechanical one fails.
jim..
Dear Mr. Sheldon Wog, :)
Another hot tip for Saturday..wear protection.
As for your car, well, the cylinders are numbered 1>4 starting at the front of the car. Give yourself a spanking for not knowing such basics. ( I hear you are into spanking.. ;D )
What point are you making with the plug you are holding?
The more you describe the engine behaviour, the more it sounds like it needs a tune up to sort out the last two cylinders at least. The mixture based on the plug characteristics for pots 3&4 doesn't sound right and could be due to air leaks from the rubber mounts. To test this, clean down the rubber mounts on these same cylinders with White Spirits. Apply some silicone sealant compeletly around the rubber mounts to ensure all the cracks are covered. This will prevent any further stray air entering the fuel mixture. At the same time check to see if the carburettor support bracket is in place. It's a metal bar that goes under the carbies and down to the RHS engine mount. It's job is to stop the weight stress on the rubber carby mounts being too great. Run the engine as you have done before and see if there is any difference. If not, you have more issues.
Remember that a good tune up should be preceded by a compression test of all the cylinders . Given the age of the engine, there could be a lot of carbon build up in the cumbustion chambers which will affect detonation independent of ignition timing. The usual cure for this without taking the head off and decoking is to flow some horribly nasty stuff down the intake whilest on the dyno and give it a seriuos flogging thereon. This usually results in massive refugee emissions from the derrier followed by smoother running. But hey, this sort of stuff costs money to do so it's just background info ok?
Not least, being your transaxle doctor, I prescribe that you take a blonde and brunette sandwich three times a week and visit Rooty Hill as often as you can get it into gear... ;D
Hey Sheldon, sounds like you need to borrow a mannometer to balance your carbies, you might also need to borrow someone who can use the thing too ;) and I've found some top and bottom hoses for you too
Sheldon
Having been through the area that your rally event is going to/through on a number of occasions I feel obliged to warn you that some of that country is well beyond your wildest imagination, both worse and better. It has also been referred to by some as Gold's own country which may well be true but if that is the case there are also parts of that country that God obviously didn't like very much and these are the areas that arel likely to give you grief and lots of it. Take plenty of spares.
I have got some photos of Hell's Gate if you want to see what you are likely to encounter.
Any problems you encounter along the way will be far outweighed by the enormous amount of fun you will have on the event. You will bring back memories that will last for a lifetime, so much so that you will want to go back more than once.
Barry
Hi Sheldon,
I have been reading this with much enjoyment.If you want to double filter your air intake I would add hose/pipe(50mm pvc from the hardware) to your existing air cleaner and run it out front with a cheap pod filter behind the grill or something.I have used them a couple of times below the inner gaurd between the grill and the inner wheel arch liner(right),there is a nice little space there where you can draw reasonably still cool air.For your carbies you need to eliminate air leaks etc as described by MD,take the tops off and set the float levels as per the manual and remove the jets etc for a good clean out/blow out.Make sure you remove the accelerator pump jets and pump plenty of fuel through the galleries as the accel pumps are on the bottom and collect all the rubbish.Once clean and reassembled you will need to get the idle mixtures correct and then ballance the carbies up,you will probably need to do it a couple of times over until it is all correct.I personally do not use any instruments other than my ears and senses to get the carbies set up,just a ruler for the float levels,but I have had some practice.
A good starting point is to open all the idle screws 4 turns from closed and synchronise the carbies by using something (like feeler gauges) between the throttle butterfly and the carby body in the throat of #3
then #2.You can use the idle speed screw to set the throttle opening to measure #3 then adjust the balance screw to get #2 the same.Start there then warm it up and fine tune it,I usually set them 2 turns out from where the cylinder slows down when screwing the mixture screw down.I would do it for you but I am in Adelaide!.Hope it makes sense and helps!.
Cheers
Andrew
My bit about balancing.
BTW great cause Sheldon you will have all our support.
Having driven some shitboxes myself from Brisbane to Melbourne a number of times in cars you wouldnt go up the street in.
One was a HR Holden i bought for $200 bucks, then drive down 3 days later and another was a cortina that had to be towed through Cunninghams Gap on the way home - ah the memories :-)
But for the carbies my Father i Law always swore by the knitting needle method - one needle per pot and as you move the throttle make sure the needles go in at the same rate. I used this a number of times on the old Berlina I had and then combined it with the "set fast idle and then pull off one plug at a time method" which lets you adjust the mixture for a consistent drop in revs.
Of course people like "The 105 Whisperer" (Bruno) can do this by ear - unfortunately too much AC/DC over the years means that doesnt work for me :-(
Good luck and keep us in the loop.
Have you thought about the all important paint job and sponsors stickers etc.
All power to you and your mighty Alfa.
Catch ya
Shane
Quote from: alfagtv152 on June 07, 2010, 07:35:25 PM
Hi Sheldon,
I have been reading this with much enjoyment.
He he, yes I also enjoy laughing at morons on this forum.... I'd wanted to avoid touching the carbs as they seem like a black art to me, but if I'm gonna learn sometime, it might as well be on this little shitbox rather than when I have six of them on my Muira. I took them off today while I had a bit of daylight, will silicon up the mounts when I get a chance, see what happens, and then maybe look at the carbs themselves. Thanks for the advice, I'll be reading over that very carefully before too long, although it's hopeless without some pictures with comical huge arrows pointing to what I should be turning.
Shane - cheers for that also, will talk to you about that next time I see you. Yes this adventure is a little like when we were all younger and thought nothing of setting off for a days motoring when you could barely afford to fill it with petrol. And in the days before mobile phones too! As for the colour scheme, when I emailed my Dad to tell him I'd bought the car I didn't have any pics of it so sent him the wikipedia page because he didn't know the car ...http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alfa_Romeo_Giulietta_%28nuova%29 ...and now he wants to paint it in the Polizia colour scheme on the page, "so we can be like the Italian Job". That may happen, and it may not. It's important that the car actually looks shit, because they are judged, and if they suspect that the car is worth more than $1000 you can get kicked out of the rally. This shouldn't be too much of a problem since I'm documenting all costs, and we all know Giuliettas (and 33s, 90s) are worth S.F.A., but others might just see the Alfa badge and think it's worth more than it is.
Barry - I'd be interested in seeing the pics, I should make it to club night, or feel free to email them. What vehicles did you do the trip in?
Anthony - Thanks for that, I'll grab them off you at some stage. Hope they're old and brittle.
MD - I'm glad you mentioned the silicon because that was my next question. I did the same on the accordion section of the intake of the 90 just to make sure I didn't have any leaks there, glad to hear it'll work on these too. It has the carb support bracket in situ. I'll never again curse my fuel injection. And you're a filthy bugger.
Jim - thanks, good advice re: the cooling, and it is definitely something I was planning on making as perfect as possible before the event. I'll make sure it gets a good flogging next summer before the event to check it'll hold up. Better budget for a head gasket I guess. As for the fuel pump, I reckon I might stick with a spare mechanical one (or two), as I just need everything to be very simple and quick to fix. They're not big, so no problem taking a couple. That'll be one of the things I will take but won't need.....
Hi all
Unfortunately no updates on the little shitbox Mario Speedwagon, been very busy on other things unfortunately. By the way, for our younger viewers, here's the inspiration for Mario Speedwagon, one of the most awesome(ly cheesy) 80s power ballads, by REO Speedwagon
Actually, the car has some of those marine speakers installed in the rear parcel shelf, so I reckon I could mount those on the outside of the car and play that song on a constant repeat all the way to Darwin, so everyone can hear it. Such a great song.
Anway, the link to the fundraising site has finally come through, and here it is...
http://www.everydayhero.com.au/scuderia_shitboxThe site only accepts credit cards, but I'm getting some deposit slips sent to me if anyone is really keen to donate by cheque or cash. Thanks for looking guys, and I'm extremely grateful for any and all donations.
Hopefully will have some updates on the little shitbox soon.
Cheers
Sheldon
Had a couple of spare hours today so got a couple of things done on the little shitbox. Siliconed around the rubber mounts, cleaned all surfaces and put on some new gaskets. Cranked it for ages but wouldn't start, figured I must have flooded it. I think I did, but I definitely have a leaking fuel pipe (the one that links the two carbs).
Came back an hour later, and it started after a couple of minutes. Ran pretty much like it had before, but once it was a little bit warm I noticed it was firing back through the carbs quite a lot. Held at around 2000 it was firing back approx once a second. Usually from cyls 1 & 4, but occasionally the other two as well. I took some video, but it doesn't show it as bad as it was. I let it idle while I went to get my phone, then when I got back to take the video it was nowhere near as bad.
You can see what I mean at about 0:21, but maybe you carb experts will be able to tell something else from the vid. Gee it's tappety isn't it? They're not all like that are they? Also, when I shut it off and then tried to start it when it was warm it was shooting flames back through the carbs. Quite big flames too, they were reaching to the edge of the engine bay. So thats normal is it?
If anyone has some of these parts they could donate to a good cause....
The little plastic bit that clips on the carb linkage (sorry, don't know the name but pic attached). Fixed this one with a tiny little cable tie, but don't know how that will last over 5000km, would be good to have a spare!!
Top of the fusebox. Mine is cracked and seems to attract water, which is probably not so good. Will cover mine with race tape if needs be, but a nice original one would be great.
13" wheels. I didn't even realise you could get 13s for a 116 vehicle, but this car has them. They fit nicely in the boot too, so I reckon I can get four in there. Considering the roads we'll be on, I want 4 spares. So I'll need 3 then.
As said previously, happy to swap anything off this car that won't affect reliability, so if there are any bits of trim or whatever that people need...(wanna keep the shit roof rack though).
Edited...Forgot to say, link is up for donations, get behind a great (tax deductable) cause...http://www.everydayhero.com.au/scuderia_shitbox
That engine is not supposed to be tapping like that. Sounds like you need to check the valve clearances.
You need to confirm these clearances with someone apart from myself as I have not worked on these engines for a while.
Valve clearance COLD: Inlet Valves: 0.019 to 0.020 inch (0.475 to 0.500mm)
Exhaust Valves: 0.021 to 0.022 inch (0.525 to 0.550mm) Approximately.
So valve cover off, get your feeler gauges out, and check one at a time, moving the crank to get the cam with the pointy bit opposite the bucket and then measure and record.
Unfortunately, the camshafts must be removed to correct the valve clearances in your motor, not easy like an Alfasud! Ha Ha!
Have you done a compression test? If not, do one before you adjust the valve clearances, and after, so you can see the difference. Valve clearance affects the compression the engine makes, mainly intake valve clearance. This in turn affects the performance characteristics of the engine. So if you have all the valve clearances correct, meaning within 0.001 inch of each other, the engine will be easier to tune with respect to carby balancing. Thats if everything else is within spec.
The backfire through the carbies is difficult to say what the cause is?
How is the ignition system. Have you put the new points and condenser in as suggested in earlier posts, how are the leads?, how is the condition of the distributer cap, does it have any cracks inside it, are the metal bits corresponding to cyl 1 & 4 corroded inside the cap?
Also I have noted that the butterfly's can be not balanced within the individual carby, so even if you balance the two individual carbies using cyl 2 & 3, cyl 1 can differ from 2 and cyl 3 can differ from 4.
So, what I'm getting at is make sure you can eliminate as many potential problems before you try adjusting the carbs,or you might be chasing your tail with the carbs.
Good luck, great cause, hope it goes well for you, obviously will be lots of fun.
Cheers Frank
We (dad, and on the last engine, myself) have always set the clearances to
.016 - .018 (thou of an inch) for the inlet and .018 to .020 for the exhaust. Have never had a valve hit a piston, and it sounds MUCH quieter than your video. Should sound something like a well oiled sewing machine!
Otherwise exactly what Frank said.
Thanks guys, great advice as always. But are you sure I can't just take it for a 2 hour thrash and it will be better than new after that? Hmmm? All going well I'm going to have a 2.5 V6 doing nothing next week, that's looking like a tempting transplant right about now.....
Ah well, guess I'd better get myself a twin cam manual then, are they available online?
Sheldon, No and No! ::)
I don't have a manual, but surely someone in the club will be able to help you out.
Re valve clearances, go with Mat, aim for under 0.020 thou. Nice and quiet.
Can't add any more to what Chich and Mat have said, though it should run (and sound) a lot better once you've done the valve clearances.
I've got an Autobooks manual from the 105, more than happy to scan the section on checking & adjusting valve clearances and send it to you by email if you like Sheldon.
Yeah cams need to come out, unlike the Fiat twin cam but anyways once done should be all good, plus a bit of fun for you
G'day all,
I'm an old ex member of AROCA (Squid driver from late 80's early 90's) and just having a troll.
Can I suggest that you build a reasonably solid grill to replace the standard one. A grill that will resist unwanted intrusions.
Take some stockings with you. They are good for many things. (I don't know you well enough to make any smart bottom comments here). You can make fan belts out of them; they can tie doors/boots/bonnets down/closed; they make great air filters both engine intake and your fresh air vents (if no a/c you will want as much coolish air blowing on you as you can get, minus all the dust!).
Enjoy your trip, sounds like it should be great fun and for a great cause.
Torque
Sheldon
I got a spare Alfetta manual which will do all your needs on the joolie and you can have it gratis. Just send me a PM with a mailing address. I also want to send you a cheque there too.
Thanks MD, very much appreciated. PM sent.
Not much progress on the little shitbox unfortunately, been busy with other things. I can't work out how I'm going to get this V6 into Mario Speedwagon either, that sticky-out bit in the front will be poking through the radiator won't it?
Torque - I think I recall seeing your name on some articles in the magazine, but I've only had the chance to look at a few of the old ones unfortunately.
Stockings sound like an excellent idea, I'll definitely take some. Feel free to make smartarse comments, I'm sure most people would think I deserve them. A solid grill you say? I assume you're meaning unwanted intrusions of the mammalian variety? Again something to watch for, thanks for that, good advice.
Saw some more pics last week of some of the roads we'll be going on, after that I think I'm going to have to have a very good look at suspension components. And take some spare shocks...
I assume you're meaning unwanted intrusions of the mammalian variety? Again something to watch for, thanks for that, good advice.
Sheldon I need a little clarification is that mammalian or mammary. surely there could never be unwanted mammary intrusions?
Sheldon,
I am not aware of what your accommodation arrangements are going to be but you did hint that you will be going via Brisbane. If that is so, I can put you and your co-driver up for the night and save you some bucks there. Just let me know with a bit of notice.
just to remind people that this is about fund-raising so stop talking and put some money forward:
this is a quote from one earlier post in this thread:
" Anway, the link to the fundraising site has finally come through, and here it is...
http://www.everydayhero.com.au/scuderia_shitbox
The site only accepts credit cards, but I'm getting some deposit slips sent to me if anyone is really keen to donate by cheque or cash. Thanks for looking guys, and I'm extremely grateful for any and all donations. "
Quote from: MD on July 20, 2010, 08:38:22 AM
I am not aware of what your accommodation arrangements are going to be but you did hint that you will be going via Brisbane. If that is so, I can put you and your co-driver up for the night and save you some bucks there. Just let me know with a bit of notice.
Hey Md, yes the rally heads off from Brisbane, Queen St I think is the start point. I'll be driving the car up from Melbourne, so will probably aim to get there with a couple of days spare, just in case anything needs looking at. Look forward to sharing a beer with you and checking out whatever projects you have on the go. You guys got any club events planned for around that time (21st May is the start of the rally)?
Entrants have been getting regular newsletters keeping us informed of what's happening with the planning process. In the June edition they included this little piece of information.....
Dodgiest car so far!
Some teams have already sorted out their team car. This is hugely enthusiastic, as you really do not need to do this just yet. Last year most teams sorted their cars out in the month before the rally and those that flew in from overseas sorted theirs the day before departure. There are plenty of options out there, though if you are going for something a little more classic/unusual you may need the time to hunt it down.
Anyhow, back to the dodgiest car so far. One of the teams listed to the right has made a very brave (there are other ways of putting it) purchase. As perfectly put by our chief mechanic 'Oh god- An Alfa Giulietta.................' Good luck with that one guys!
And in the latest edition, they've included a guide to purchasing your shitbox, which ends with this section....
Top 5 picks for cars to be avoided at all costs.
1. Anything with 'Alfa Romeo' on the badge.
Glorious engines, charismatic styling, everyone will want to stop and have a look at your car as you're sat at the side of the road, forlornly waiting for a Tow Truck. Rust, Rust, and more Rust is all you'll find at this end of the market. Oh, along with Mechanical heartache and temperamental, nay hideously unreliable electrics.
In the words of Jeremy Clarkson, 'Alfa Romeo design and build a car to be as good as a car can be.... Briefly.'
2. Daewoo 1.5i/Cielo
'Not a bad little car' I hear you say. 'Cheap, well maintained, yada yada yada', Oh, I'm sorry, I stopped listening at Daewoo. You just bought a time bomb. On these things, the engine Oil Pump is driven by a separate little chain, from the same Sprocket as the timing chain. Trouble is, this little chain falls off. Which means that
the engine starves of oil. Before you know what's going on, the engine oil light illuminates, and by the time you've pulled over to inspect the problem, it's already too late. Time for a new motor. Not a good choice.
3. Anything from a defunct British Car Maker.
Austin, Morris, Triumph, Rover, Wolseley, Humber, No, no, no, no, no. Too old, Parts will be a nightmare, and reliability will be a nightmare. Nice to look at in your shed and polish every second Sunday, but realistically, not a good bet to tear through the Red Centre in. Naturally, I bought a Rover.
4. Anything with a Citroen, Peugeot, Renault, or Saab badge on it.
Citroens and Peugeot's ride like a magic carpet. They offer superb comfort, almost like driving along in an old armchair. However, if you live more than two doors away from a dealer or specialist, or intend to take one any further than three doors away, they start to make less sense. Peugeot's (particularly the 504) can be mechanically invincible, but the part that breaks in the car park at Ayers Rock will be a part not even the Peugeot factory has kept for 30 years. Which usually means 'get your credit card out, this ones going to hurt'. Citroens are technologically fascinating, but not when you're trying to fix an overly complicated suspension system at the side of the road with zip ties and twine because you just ran over the bits of Skippy that a Kenworth driver didn't manage to plaster across his Bullbar.
5. Jaguars.
No. Just no.
Good luck and happy hunting!!
Pfft, we'll show them how reliable Alfas can be. Eh guys. Guys?
Ken Oath mate, I drove my Jooolie from Brizneeland to Melbyville and back 4 times in one year and it never missed a beat even with several bouts of 100mph therapy.
Hey Sheldon,
Keep up the good work mate. If you want to know what's happening Club wise at the time of your visit, you may care to look up our web site :
http://www.aroca-qld.com/events_and_meetings.php (http://www.aroca-qld.com/events_and_meetings.php)
Club nights are on every second Wednesday so that's out which is a pitty as a visit there would spread the message further and we could pass the hat around too. Not to worry there will be other stuff we can get up to.
Now as for this bullshit about Alfas being unreliable. I cannot speak for post 1990 or for any front wheel drive stuff but I have owned Alfas from 1968 to 1990. I have flogged the arse off these things from Cairns to Adelaide and all places in between. I have incurred two potentail breakdown issues. Both related to water pumps. First pump on a Nord engine in a Berlina where the pump pulley parted company with the pump shaft and stopped turning the impeller. I nursed the car into the nearest town at around 4am and parked the car outside a boiler makers workshop. We spot welded the sucker back on the shaft and I finished my trip from Maryborough to Brisbane without a hitch.
The second episode involved my wife's 75 2.5 V6. A car that we recently purchased second hand which was a low mileage vehicle and fully serviced but still 20 years old. We decided to take it to Phillip Island. Around the NSW/Vic border, the pump started to weep a little. This is fair enough, it's the original pump and the seal obviously simply got tired hanging around for 20 years. I nursed the car into Melbourne where I had the pump replaced and returned to Brisbane after visiting the PI events without any further problems, It's a lovely machine.
Yes i have had stupid and silly little issues that I call irrelavant part break downs that are better described as a nuisance rarther than -leave you stranded - stuff. So to for me, I can honestly say that in driving Alfas for at least 3 decades, I have never been left stranded by my Alfa cars. Being stranded and immobile on the road side is what I call unreliable. I own a BA Ford service vehicle that I use in my business. It was put on the back of the RACQ tow truck 4 times in the last 3 months. It has 180,000 on the clock. About a year ago, it left me stranded on the highway, 100km out of Tamworth. Now I call that unreliable. My Alfas have never done that.
Long story made short. I once bought a car for $60 in Melbourne and drove it to Brisbane and half way back to Bateman's Bay where a motorcycle cop killed the big ends by getting into my car to prove it had a noisey muffler so he could give me a ticket but he revved the motor so hard it crapped the bearings. This was a British car and not an Alfa. I had to catch a bus home the rest of the way back to Melbourne. This is to say you can have a shitbox last the distance as long as you dont abuse it.
I may have said it before but I will say it again for the sake of relaibility. When you finally drive the Giulietta on the road, avoid using big revs because old engines can run forever unless you give them heaps when all their clearances are by now too much and the stresses break things big time. If you keep the revs under 4.5k and dont work the motor too hard by using tall gears when you should be changing down so the motor works in its good torque band, there will not be an issue relating to reliability.
Sheldon, I just wanted to say that much to give you some heart because the Giulietta is no better or worse than any other Alfa of its period and given some decent work over for maintenance issues, it is a good and reliable vehicle.
Cheers.
No worries MD, I'm actually not concerned about reliabilty at all (bummer about keeping the revs down though - I reckon on the last day of the rally that little shitbox is going to get a hell of a flogging from me). I've never had any real reliabilily problems with my Alfas, other than normal wear and tear (hoses mainly), and my own incompetent mods. I just think it's hilarious that they keep mentioning it, makes it all the better to do the rally in this car, just to show 'em. The car seems like it's all pretty simple stuff too (famous last words).
I can also understand it from their point of view. This rally is about having a good time, and raising money. The cars technically 'belong' to the rally organisers (since they get auctioned off at the end for charity), and they want as many as possible to get to the end, and to that end they help to fix anyones problems. Looking at the footage of this years rally, it seems that most of the participants have absolutely no mechanical knowledge whatsoever, and people like that buying an old and neglected Alfa does not make for a reliable companion I would imagine. I think most of us here would realise that when buying an old Alfa of indeterminate history, a few things will need to be looked at and remedied before driving it 4000km through the top-end. Most people don't think like us, fortunately.
There is also that general perception that Alfas are unreliable. Not a perception that we should try to change in my opinion. A) May keep prices down a little, and B) It makes you look that much more windswept-and-interesting when you're prepared to drive an 'unreliable' car.
I'd looked at your club website, but there's no listings for next year yet. I'll keep an eye on it, it would be cool if there was an event the week before, I could maybe come up early, I'm sure I can keep myself busy in Brisvegas for a week. I'll keep an eye on the NSW calendar too, as I'll be stopping in Sydney on the way up.
QuoteIt makes you look that much more windswept-and-interesting when you're prepared to drive an 'unreliable' car.
Haahaa, I am starting to get the hang of it now mate. :D
Ha ha, that's the one MD!! ;D :D
I forgot to add this part before, this is their introduction to the car-buying guide, they really have a hang-up about Alfas. All this is written by their chief-mechanic, who did the event this year in a Rover SD1, enough said really......
While putting together this list, I aim to cover all the basic bases of buying a vehicle that should hopefully have the mechanical robustness and reliability to cover the 8 days of the Shitbox Rally, and with a liberal dose of common sense, able to be simply repaired at the side of the road if need arises. However, I do like a laugh, so if you really, really want that Alfa Romeo that has been sat at the bottom of your street under a tree, please feel free to put in a reasonable offer!
Also thanks to people who've donated parts so far, MD, Anthony Miller, Mat Francis, Branko Turk, Hugh Harrison at Monza Motors, Bruno and Giancarlo at Maranello-Pursang, Barry Edmunds, and the person-who-shall-remain-nameless-for-now who is able to give me some parts from their company's "miscellaneous sponsorship" budget. Apologies if I've forgotten anyone. Hoping to get a couple of half-days off soon so I can park the car outside Maranello-Pursang to do the valve clearances. "Bruno, how do I ........"
Sheldon, I have just got back from a bit of a drive around Queensland, and happened to use some of the roads you will be taking. The relevant ones being between Gregory downs and the turn off to Kingfisher camp on the Savannah Way about 30 km west of Dommagee. This is the first bit of gravel you will use. Actually the roads are quite well looked after and really wont pose a problem to your speed wagon, unless it has been raining a lot. Since you are going in June, it is unlikely to be wet. I heard stories of the river crossings between Hells Gate and Booraloora. Some deep ruts in the crossings and some sand. However people are towing c/vans through so i'm guessing a heavy right foot will get you through alright. You need to look at every rock on the road and avoid them all. Not so hard to do and the reward is no punctures. We did 12000 k's around outback QLD in the 'lux and camper and managed to miss them all. I did see one dill who managed to shred a tyre in the Lawn Hill National Park... speed limit was 40 k's. Proves that if you hit the right rock no matter the speed, the air will come rushing out.
Sheldon, if you want some 2nd hand rally tyres i can give you some, but i only have 15 inch. With the stiff sidewalls they will fell much better on the gravel and be less prone to punctures.
Good luck, green with envy.
you will love the camp at Gregory Downs on the Gregory river. Been described as the best campsite in Australia. I might not go so far, but it is bloody good. Make sure you have a swim.
Hi redalfaracing
Thanks for the info, that's really good to hear. We're actually going in May, so I imagine it will be pretty dry. I'm glad to hear that the drive will be somewhat (but not too much) of a challenge too, I was worried that they'd make it a bit easy.
I would LOOOVE some 2nd hand rally tyres. I'll try to get some 15 inch wheels and will be in touch. That will work out well actually, since I can put the 13 inch wheels that are on the car in the boot vertically, and have 5 spares.
Anyone got any (very) cheap 15" wheels going spare?
I'm hoping to get the car to Spettacolo in a couple of weeks, gotta try and find time to do the valve clearances and a rego.
Thanks Paul, I'll be in touch. When are you planning on being in Melbourne next?
Sheldon, I've done much of that drive in a T model ford. The gulf country is truly awesome. Shame to be doing it so quick really. Sounds great.
//dean
I managed to get some time this week to do the valve clearances. Some of you may remember this video from a few months ago, Mario Speedwagon before...
Well, after getting some time to do some work on the little tacker, with lots of help from Bruno and Giancarlo at Maranello Pur Sang Motors, here is Mario Speedwagon after...
Now that the engine's a bit smoother, you can hear other noises unfortunately. That rattle in the video (and it's really not that bad in real-life) is the lower timing chain. I won't be fixing that, that'll have to last the 6000km. It's still got a small misfire, so I'll renew the ignition, and hopefully it'll be all good after that. I'll drive him a bit over summer to see if any other issues arise.
I'd never done any work on the inside of an engine before, so pretty happy to have got these done. The intakes were all within spec, but all the exhaust clearances were out, so at least I only had to do one cam. I got them all changed, and then Bruno came to check my work, and wondered why I was persevering with a cam which was "obviously fucked", which I believe is the technical term for a worn lobe on cylinder 4. So after Bruno managed to find a matching cam and I put that in, suddenly cylinder 2 had 2mm clearance. Yes, 2mm.
In hindsight I should have turned the engine over a couple of times, because maybe something was stuck under the valve? Or maybe it's just one of those unanswerable problems you sometimes get with something which should be logical. Anyway, after putting in a 1.5mm spacer, then a .5mm, then back to what it was originally, we were close to spec. A few more calculations, and BINGO!!! Now, he's running like a good 'un, and I can finally appreciate the beauty of a good Alfa twin cam. It really is a lovely engine, just enough torque, and a bit of a kick up the top end. I took the missus for a blast round the block tonight and it even stepped sideways under power a couple of times (it's pretty wet here tonight). The missus even said, "why don't I keep this car and you can do the rally in the 33?" Ha, no chance sweetheart.
Had a chance to get underneath him and have a good look, and it's all good news there. All the donuts are fine, they look like they've probably got about 2 years of normal use left in them, rear pads and discs are fine, CV boots are all intact, exhaust looks like it was put on about 1 year ago, it's a nice system, even has an ovalised section for ground clearance. I'm pretty happy about all of that, can't see any of that being a problem on the rally.
Other than that I replaced the right-hand-rear door handle on the outside..
And rigged up an interior handle using a couple of cable-ties...
Schweeettt....
Got a club rego for him today as well, see pics below, so all good for Spettacolo, see you all there.
Sheldon ,
I really enjoyed the rear door repair video ( 7 seconds) featuring the return of the 1960's cult figure "Thing" from the Adams Family.
2 thumbs up Sheldon :)
You owe me patent royalties on Use of Polymer Based Loom Bindings for Automotive Mechanical Actuator Activation
In particular
Claim 347: Where the actuator is a door latch.
However, since it is for charitable purposes, I'll let it ride.
Regards
Paul Allen
Hey Sheldon,
I came across your rescue vehicle at the Lakeside Top Gear Round 6 Italian Challenge. It's a pearler mate. ;D ;D
(with apologies to Rob Robson)
haha, saw it at the spettacolo, lol...
I overheard some guys talking to each other when they approached the only other, well done up, guiletta on display on the day... (the red one)
[paraphrasing]
"oh nice, guilietta, not many around, think its the only one here... oh well apart from that shitbox back there."
so... confirmed. U weren't kidding about the shitbox thing...
;D
Haha my friend said
"Geez the new Giulietta's dated faster than I thought"
Robbie Robson's Guilietta shitbox went through outback hell and made it back, almost in one piece - albeit with some accidental rear camber on the dedion - and now tows his race car to and from Lakeside and QR. This thing is a credit to Alfa engineering and Robbo's remarkable bush mechanics.
It may be rough but it's bloody resilient
Quote from: MD on November 15, 2010, 08:27:43 AM
Hey Sheldon,
I came across your rescue vehicle at the Lakeside Top Gear Round 6 Italian Challenge. It's a pearler mate. ;D ;D
(with apologies to Rob Robson)
(http://www.alfaclubvic.org.au/forum/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=4898.0;attach=12111;image)
That car is an inspiration. Thanks MD and Hammer. That is the sort of future I dream of for my shitbox Mario Speedwagon.
Yes. It is a cool car. Inspiration for Clarkson's next African challenge vehicle?
Just saw this thread, i recall looking at the shitbox rally website a few months ago and thinking damn i would love to do that!
I was originally thinking a mechanically simple Fiat 131 or 132 would get the job done but i can't see why a decently prepared 116 couldn't do it as well... lets not forget that Greg Carr won the 1987 Australian Rally Championship in a GTV6!
For my 2 cents worth i would be rotating the front torsion bars to get an extra 2 or 3 inches of clearance and perhaps even then make up some sort of basic sump guard. It will only take one sizeable rock to take out the fragile alloy sump.
The rear springs, maybe ad an extra rubber spacer to gain an inch or so, perhaps swapping springs from a 75 will give you more lift?
Other than that just add some nice big rally style mudflaps and she'll be ready to go =]
Jeez, just realized I didn't even post any pics from Spettacolo to this thread. Here's a couple I took with my phone, not great but better than nothing. Also, a big thanks to everyone who donated money on the day.
As it stands at the moment, we're just over halfway towards our minimum of $4000 which is fantastic with 4 months still to go, and sponsorship deals are looking very promising.
There have been no more ill-informed wise-cracks about Alfas by the organisers unfortunately.
The main guy organising the rally let me know that there is another team doing it in a 33. I let him know that I'll be happy to help with any advice or with help fixing anything on the road, unless it's a waterpump, in which case that car can just go to Alfa Heaven (although I suppose if they had a new one - and a f***en big chisel - you could maybe do it in a night). I think the team is out of Brisbane, if they were club members I assume we would have heard about the car by now?
The other thing is that the organisers are doing a (musical) album for the event, and every team has to provide one track, with 2 spares in case your first pick is taken already. I'm thinking this should be ours, since it's by the band that gave Mario his bitchin' name, and it's their best song.
But if anyone has any other suggestions I'm happy to hear them, maybe for our 2 spares, but I can't imagine anyone else picking this one. I can't think of anything particularly Alfa or rally related off the top of my head, but maybe you can?
Just for the hell of it, here's my favourite song of the moment....
No real updates on the little shitbox Mario Speedwagon. I'm in the process of bogging up some rust holes and giving him a bit of paint and polish. I'll try and get him ready for the Motorkhana in February to give him a taste of dust and dirt and sideways action!!
Just a little bump to see how Mario is getting on and to remind people to get on board with Sheldon and Stuart, pack some floaties boys it just might be a little wet out there.
I was allowed within the inner confines of the rally car preparation workshop today. Final preparations are underway, the level of cosmetic detail carefully being undertaken is ... simply breathtaking. Could this be the most pristine and spotless late 80s shitbox to ever rally?
Here's some video I took of the final dyno run, incredible the power being unleashed.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=okqEVeNqBhc
Um Paul, don't you think they might be just a tad over $500?
I think if you added three more zeros you would be getting close!
Quote from: Evan Bottcher on February 15, 2011, 07:33:23 PM
I was allowed within the inner confines of the rally car preparation workshop today. Final preparations are underway, the level of cosmetic detail carefully being undertaken is ... simply breathtaking. Could this be the most pristine and spotless late 80s shitbox to ever rally?
Here's some video I took of the final dyno run, incredible the power being unleashed.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=okqEVeNqBhc
I thought that 1.8 Alfa twin cam sounded funny, at least it wasn't the Justin Bieber version
Heres another dyno run note the re-jetted and choked 45mm webers, running so rich my laptop was spitting flames
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eiuHdUkuRi0&feature=related
Pep, didn't notice the 45 webers, couldn't take my eyes off the high lift, twin overhead cams ;)
Quote from: pep105 on February 15, 2011, 08:39:19 PM
Heres another dyno run note the re-jetted and choked 45mm webers, running so rich my laptop was spitting flames
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eiuHdUkuRi0&feature=related
(http://www.threadbombing.com/data/media/2/dramatic_cat.gif) (http://www.threadbombing.com/details.php?image_id=2860)
As Evan intimated, cosmetic preparations are underway, in readiness for the Vic magazine photoshoot. I may post some 'behind the scenes' shots later this week.
I've had a couple of emails on the subject, so I want to make a couple of things clear. Other than the $500 we get from the organisers for petrol money, NONE of the donated money goes to us for our costs during the rally. From our own pockets we are paying for the car to get to Brisbane, for the entry fee($500), for meals and accomodation during the rally, for airfares back to Melbourne, and various other costs. Just in case anyone thinks they are giving money towards our holiday, be rest assured that all money donated goes towards cancer research.
Fund-raising is going okay, we're not too far away from the minimum level allowed for entry. We have another sponsor almost confirmed, which will get us very close to our minimum required dollar amount.
A huge thanks to all on this forum that have contributed so far. You all know who you are. I wish there were more of you though :(
Guys, I am not sure this would work in Vic but I'll suggest it anyway. Why not pass the hat around at the next club nite, race meeting and social outing for Sheldon's cause. Perhaps do the same at your workplaces. There wouldn't be too many people who are not prepared to donate for a cancer cause, surely. Every bit helps.
Sooner or later many of us will be touched by this menace but if collectivley we all help, maybe one day, a cure will be found.
Sheldon, have you canvassed the treasurers of the interstate clubs for a donation yet. If not yet, get off your ass. :D
Quote from: MD on February 16, 2011, 08:37:14 PM
Sheldon, have you canvassed the treasurers of the interstate clubs for a donation yet. If not yet, get off your ass. :D
I haven't done that, no. I kind of got put off asking clubs for donations when our club had a shit-fight when it was suggested a few years ago that since we had pretty good cash-reserves that we should donate some money each year to a worthy cause. Everyone agreed that it was a good idea, but then when the first suggestion of a worthy cause was tabled, people bitched and moaned that the cause wasn't good enough and that it should go to cause X, and someone else thought it should go to cause Y, yada yada....
Hence I am loath to approach clubs for this cause. Thanks for the suggestion though.
Quote from: MD on February 16, 2011, 08:37:14 PM
Guys, I am not sure this would work in Vic but I'll suggest it anyway. Why not pass the hat around at the next club nite, race meeting and social outing for Sheldon's cause. Perhaps do the same at your workplaces. There wouldn't be too many people who are not prepared to donate for a cancer cause, surely. Every bit helps.
We have done this at race meetings and EMRs, and raised a bit of money. I think I got $200 from Spettacolo, and a bit less from a couple of other events. Realistically, it's always the same core-group of people attending most events, so it's not fair asking them to donate over and over again. That's what I reckon anyway.
Painted the bumpers today, they look fantastic....
QuotePainted the bumpers today, they look fantastic
Hope the 90 doesn't feel to put out
Sheldon, I think our club has donated to the cancer fund before so there is a likelihood that they may do it again. Could I suggest you write to Gary Spowart, our treasurer at treasurer@arocaqld.com putting your case forward and let Gary put it to the Committee.
You got nothing to loose but your smoker's cough..
As for the 90, well, how about selling joy rides in it for the front wheel drive mob? ;D
OOOOh, I think I can feel a ring burn coming on.. :D :D
Quote from: MD on February 17, 2011, 07:31:25 PM
Sheldon, I think our club has donated to the cancer fund before so there is a likelihood that they may do it again. Could I suggest you write to Gary Spowart, our treasurer at treasurer@arocaqld.com putting your case forward and let Gary put it to the Committee.
You know what MD, I might just do that, thanks for the heads-up. It would be nice to do something with your club, since the event starts from your fair state.
Put the dinner suit on Mario for a night on the town tonight. He scrubs up okay.
Why don't you enter that mazer instead? Would surely get far more encouraging comments from the organisers and would make the rally far less arduous (ie shorter).... :)
I second MDs motion btw.... and/or I'm sure you would pick up plenty of donations if you dropped in at a club night up here before departure.
Quote from: Darryl on February 19, 2011, 07:26:01 PM
Why don't you enter that mazer instead? Would surely get far more encouraging comments from the organisers and would make the rally far less arduous (ie shorter).... :)
I second MDs motion btw.... and/or I'm sure you would pick up plenty of donations if you dropped in at a club night up here before departure.
I keep trying to buy that Maserati so that I can put the engine in the 90 but the price isn't low enough yet.
Anyway, took Mario Speedwagon for a drive in the country this weekend on the Macedon Ranges Grand Tour. We did about 400km total, and he performed well, and I'm very happy with him overall. Engine feels pretty strong (we got some strange looks as we overtook Cobra replicas, Corvettes, and other Alfas; but hey, a drive in the country doesn't mean a dawdle does it?), and it's a very comfortable car; the seats are good for a couple of hours at least at a time, and the suspension is nice and soft enough to be comfortable, and just good enough that you can commit to a corner with just enough confidence.
This was the first long drive I'd taken him on, so of course a few issues made themselves aware.....
-The 13" wheels will not do, the gearing is far too low. At 110km/h it's running at about 4000rpm in 5th. I'm hoping to get some free second-hand 14" rally tyres soon, but if they don't materialise I'll get some 14" road tyres with a decently large profile. The higher gearing and greater ground clearance will be very beneficial. I don't think a 15" rally tyre will fit inside the guards, let alone the poor little 1800 engine being able to push them.
-The interior mirror keeps dipping down of it's own accord. This is probably due to the previous owner affixing it with blu-tack. I was able to eventually find a position to site it whereby I could both see what I needed behind me, and that it wouldn't vibrate down itself. Result!!
-The radio is really shit, and it vibrates at about 95km/h. I'll be ripping that out and replacing it with an amp I can plug my ipod straight into.
Of more serious concern....
-Neither the odometer or trip meter work. I'd only taken the shitbox on very short drives previously, so hadn't even noticed that. I just assumed that if the speedo worked, then the odo and trip would as well. This made the navigating this weekend a little interesting since obviously all directions were measured in kms since the last direction. I thought I had a good idea about kms travelled, but obviously not. Luckily the missus does, and did an excellent job. We'll need an accurate trip meter on the rally since....
-The fuel gauge seems to be innacurate. No matter how much petrol I try to cram into the tank, max capacity is always registered as 3/4 tank. Again, this is something that needs to be accurate for the rally.
Any advice on the last two points would be very welcome if you've experienced them before. It could save me a lot of time trying to find exactly what the problems are....
Attached a couple of pics from the weekend. Sorry to all the other Alfas which I parked next to over the weekend for lowering the tone. On the upside, having a shitbox parked next to you made your car look that much better. (I think every time we parked the marshalls laughed at my car)
Tell you what though, you couldn't do any better than this for a $400 car.
sounds like some one is falling in love ??
I have 15" x 7" simmons on the rear of my daily giulietta and it pushes them well and they fit nice, I havent notices what the revs are in 5th gear at 110km but i know its not low.
My speedo also works but my odo is stuck ( will replace with a new cluster soon), also when i fill my car full of petrol the gauge reads 3/4.
Im not sure how to fix the odo, you might just need to get another 2nd hand one. With the fuel gauge im also no sure, either again its the cluster or needs a better earth connection in the boot.
Sheldon, i still have the 15" rally tyres, and i really want you to have them. These are silverstone and a funny size. Probably equivalent to a 185/60/15 and i am sure they would fit under the guards and the "shitbox" would have enough power to pull them ok. I used 195/65/15 on my Alfetta sedan with no dramas at all. Think it over. Have you got any 4 stud 15's? If you want i will get them fitted up for you. i think i have 6 in total.
Quote from: redalfaracing on April 04, 2011, 06:47:22 PM
Sheldon, i still have the 15" rally tyres, and i really want you to have them. These are silverstone and a funny size. Probably equivalent to a 185/60/15 and i am sure they would fit under the guards and the "shitbox" would have enough power to pull them ok. I used 195/65/15 on my Alfetta sedan with no dramas at all. Think it over. Have you got any 4 stud 15's? If you want i will get them fitted up for you. i think i have 6 in total.
Okay Greg, since you know far more about these things than me I'll trust you, and I'll be happy to take the 15" tyres off your hands, and I'm sure I can organise some 15" wheels. I'll be in touch soon. Will they last the 4000km of sealed roads we do before we hit the dirt, or should I take them and put them on just before the rough stuff? (I literally know nothing about rally tyres - race is more my thing). I'd been advised by someone far more knowledgable than me that the shitbox would struggle with the 15s in the dust and dirt of the NT.
Quote from: Storm_X on April 04, 2011, 06:37:34 PM
sounds like some one is falling in love ??
I have 15" x 7" simmons on the rear of my daily giulietta and it pushes them well and they fit nice, I havent notices what the revs are in 5th gear at 110km but i know its not low.
My speedo also works but my odo is stuck ( will replace with a new cluster soon), also when i fill my car full of petrol the gauge reads 3/4.
Im not sure how to fix the odo, you might just need to get another 2nd hand one. With the fuel gauge im also no sure, either again its the cluster or needs a better earth connection in the boot.
Thanks Storm. Hmm, falling in love? Maybe not quite just yet, but I certainly admire the car for what it is. Anytime I think I'm falling in love I just have to walk around the back and look at that arse and it puts me off. I'm sure we've all had relationships like that....
Yeah I'll take the cluster apart just to make sure nothing is obviously wrong, and then try another one if I can't find anything. The earth in the boot is a good idea, I'll check it out. We had a brief look at the tank and it's various connections and plumbing on Saturday, but couldn't see anything obviously wrong.
So when your gauge reads 3/4 your tank is definitely full? How far do you get to a tank then (yours is a 2 litre right?) ? As long as I can work out how many kays to a tank and organise a trip meter (I'm hoping there's an iphone app) we'll be fine, we'll be taking at least one jerry can anyway.
are you using a gps because they generaly have a trip meter in them, well mine does anyway, you should fill here up and also fill a 20ltr jerry and then just go for a drive this weekend for a coffee in the hill near wang or down the great ocean road, us a gpr/borrow if you dont have one and work it out, at the same time you can work ur speedo to, would lend mine but means you have to come get it first
Sheldon
The potential problem for the car to handle the ratios on 15" rims is overstated. I would snap up those tyres from Greg and twist somebody's arm to get some rims to match.
Beyond checking that the fuel sender and the binnacle display is getting a good B+ voltage of 12volts when car is running and alternator charging, checking or better still, providing a good earth to both sites would be a good start.
Failing that (long shot) I have a fully mechanical instrument cluster from an early Alfetta. This has a cable driven speedo head and odometer. I am almost certain the joolie has one too. I know its a bit of a bastardisation but you may be able to fit this cluster as a substitute? Must admit would involve a bit of work and probably look like crap.
Quote from: MD on April 04, 2011, 08:40:42 PM
The potential problem for the car to handle the ratios on 15" rims is overstated. I would snap up those tyres from Greg and twist somebody's arm to get some rims to match.
Beyond checking that the fuel sender and the binnacle display is getting a good B+ voltage of 12volts when car is running and alternator charging, checking or better still, providing a good earth to both sites would be a good start.
Failing that (long shot) I have a fully mechanical instrument cluster from an early Alfetta. This has a cable driven speedo head and odometer. I am almost certain the joolie has one too. I know its a bit of a bastardisation but you may be able to fit this cluster as a substitute? Must admit would involve a bit of work and probably look like crap.
Good to hear your opinion on the 15s, will be doing that then, and crossing fingers the clearances are all fine (and that they'll be the only tyres I need to take, otherwise I'll be putting the roof rack back on - the car will already be full of tents, sleeping bags, clothes, parts, jack, stands, water, fuel, etc, etc). Will take the cluster apart this week to check everything, and re-do all earths.
Thanks for the offer of the Alfetta cluster, but I've found a few iphone apps that will do the trick as a trip-meter, and since the phone won't be any use as a phone out on the tracks anyway, that will have to suffice if I can't easily find the problem.
Quote from: MD on April 04, 2011, 08:40:42 PM
...and probably look like crap....
You've seen my 90 haven't you, do you think this car looking like crap would worry me?
Not sure if its of any help, but the Motroview iPhone GPS app is a good one, at $25 (last time I checked) inclusive of all future updates its a bargain. But make sure your 12v cigge outlet is working and you can charge your phone in the car, its a battery killer.
PS. do you have a list of spares you want to take but dont have yet? Maybe post em up for potential donations? (sorry if you have already done this earlier in the thread)
Thanks for the heads-up Phil, I'll have a look at that one also.
On the spares front, one of the club sponsors has offered for me to come in and take any spares I think I may need he knows I'll definitely need. There is going to be a lot of extra weight in this car by the time I leave Melbourne.
Cheers though, and good call.
Quote from: dehne on April 04, 2011, 08:33:23 PM
are you using a gps because they generaly have a trip meter in them, well mine does anyway, you should fill here up and also fill a 20ltr jerry and then just go for a drive this weekend for a coffee in the hill near wang or down the great ocean road, us a gpr/borrow if you dont have one and work it out, at the same time you can work ur speedo to, would lend mine but means you have to come get it first
Thanks for the offer dehne, but like I said, the phone won't be any use except as a GPS, so no need to carry anything else; and actually makes more sense if I'm running a larger diameter wheel/tyre combo anyway. And yes, you read my mind regarding the fuel gauge, as a last resort I'm just going to run
her him dry and see how much fuel he takes to fill up. What is it, about a 45 litre tank in a Joolie?
On the upside, I'm far more confident after the weekends drive about how he'll hold up. The car never missed a beat, and apart from a lack of grunt up the hills, it has no problem maintaining a high average speed, doesn't use a drop of oil, and never gets close to overheating. About the only non-Alfa thing I found with the car is that it's way too quiet. Most of the time you can barely hear the engine (even the missus said that it doesn't really sound like an Alfa, and nowadays even she can tell when an Alfa pulls up outside the house; she's not quite up to identifying the model, but give her time), but that will no doubt be extremely welcome on a 6000km drive.
what is the exhaust like on my 1.8 alfetta it ran a centre muff, then to a hotdog, was loud enough to get a warning to get it epa check but it passed as its alowwed to be at 96dba, i think it was around 1 3/4 to 2 inch i think, may even help with letting the horses run easier
sheldon, would you be able to use 175/65 r 14 tyres?
Well, of course. But I'd just sold myself on the 15s.....
I'll be in touch via PM Greg.
Sheldon,
If using the 15's be sure your tyre profile is no bigger that 60% aspect ratio as you may get some fouling or some restriction in the turning circle...er none of which is critical on a shitbox because a 5lb hammer will help out with the situation immediately. ;D
I don't know what you're talking about MD, I intend to deliver this car to it's next prospective owner in immaculate condition.
Weird thing happend last night the gauge went to full.
Normally it stops at the $50 mark just over 30L when it was at 3/4. ( not filling empty)
QuoteI don't know what you're talking about MD, I intend to deliver this car to it's next prospective owner in immaculate condition.
Hahhaa. Mate, I think the next service item on the Shitbox is the "big nut behind the wheel" ;D ;D
sheldon
i think there will be no new owner as like the boy on tg once you have done the rally you will be in love and will not be able to part ways, here is an idea when that happens, sell the misses
Sheldon, Your rally tyres are stripped off the rims and ready to pick up :)
anything else you need?
Brilliant!! Thanks Greg, I'll be in touch regarding a pick-up date and time.
Quote from: redalfaracing on April 14, 2011, 05:47:15 PM
anything else you need?
Got any surplus of those huge mudflaps that rally cars wear? That'll make it look like a rally car. Especially in red so I can look like Tommi Makinen. He once crashed through a fence right in front of me at the Rally of New Zealand, so once all the cars had come through I ran over and searched through the bush he'd just driven through and found his rear taillight. Then later at the start of another stage I got him to autograph it. Score!! I ended up giving it to a friend though.
What I will need also, will be an instrument cluster with a working trip meter, a starter (or just solenoid - that just stopped working, joy), and..I think that's it for now. So if anyone can spare any of these parts, please let me know ASAP, otherwise I'll be blowing the budget and heading off to the usual parts places.
In other news, I found the source of the inaccurate fuel gauge. I grounded the wires to the sender, and they indicated that the gauge was in perfect order. I made a perfect earth, and still no difference. I took out the sender and tested it, and that was working perfectly. So I was just about to rip out the rear seat and parcel shelf to check the breathers, when a wizened old Alfa mechanic suggested that I check whether the float was still floating. Seemed a ridiculous suggestion to me, but it was quicker than getting the rear seat in and out, so thought I'd give it a go.
Sure enough, even though it floated perfectly fine in water, it wouldn't float properly in petrol. Problem solved, the float has a tiny hole in it. So I'll be endeavouring to seal up the hole, unless anyone has a spare one floating (boom, tish) around.
Oh, and by the way... When a mechanic says that you should "put the float in hot water to get rid of the petrol vapour and so you can find the hole", it's probably good advice. So don't put it in simmering water for 10 minutes and then walk off to get a beer.... Because it's likely to explode. Ask me how I know this. So yeah, the hole in the float is quite a bit bigger now than it was before I wandered off to get a beer. So if anyone has a spare one.....
Sheldon,
I am sure I got a spare starter set up but by the time the item is posted it will rake up some bucks so perhaps someone more local would be better. It is possible to take the solenoid apart and clean the contacts and test the continuity of the coil winding. If this is ok, cleaning the contacts is all you need to do and refit it. After that, you need to install a relay to feed a a heavy duty supply of B+ to the solenoid. The relay should be tripped by the ignition starter position. This will ensure the solenoid gets a good strong current flow to make a serious clamp of the starter contacts internally.
Failing that, always park on a hill.. :D
As for the float, take it to a radiator works. They will solder it in a flash and if they charge you for such a piss fart job, they would have to be tightest bastards in town.
will have a look think i have a complete starter of a 1.8 alfetta eng some where will look 2morrow for u
Thanks guys. I briefly considered not bothering to fix the starter, and just relying on whacking the solenoid or push starting. But then I remembered that we have a few river crossings scheduled in, and it'll probably be pretty hard to push start it in the middle of a river...
MD, thanks anyway but I'm sure I can sort something out down here, but thanks for the advice - I may have to do that because I gather 1.8 starters are a little difficult to come across these days. Re: the float, I actually managed to find a plug (I think an old bit of interior trim off something), and I was able to get that in the hole and solder it so that it's watertight. Haven't checked if it will float in petrol just yet, but here's hoping.
Sheldon, i actually think i have an instrument cluster lying aroung that will fit your shitbox. I wrecked a guiliett and all i have left is the instruments. thought it was too good to throw out ("someone will need that one day" i said) you are very welcome to have it. I am almost certain i will have a working starter you can have too. Come around with a list. i have a lot of stuff and you are a good cause. Give you some gravel driving lessons too if you want.
That's fantastic Greg, I'll be in touch soon. Looking forward to the gravel-driving lessons too.
Thanks heaps.
I am certain the starter motors in terms of fit and function are the same. The only different one for these series blocks is the twin spark one and even that will fit with a correct ring gear. About the only possible change may be the power of a 2 litre starter motor being higher than one for 1600 or 1750 engines but I doubt that very much.
Hats off to Greg for coming to your rescue.
Hi Sheldon - I have a pair of starters in Richmond that might suit your 1.8 - worst case you can swap the solenoids around (both are Bosch from memory) If you need them - sing out.
Cheers,
Scott Murray
0412 708 138
Thanks Scott, will do.
MD, okay thanks for that. Someone mentioned to me the other day that the 1800 starters were slightly different. I wouldn't have a clue....
We just got a sizeable donation today (thank you to the people responsible), and we're now just $179.25 short of reaching our minimum total of $4000. We also have another sponsor confirmed, worth $1000, so we should comfortably exceed $5000 by the time the rally starts. I'm ecstatic about that, and would like to take the chance again to thank everyone who has donated so far - as you know, your money is going to an excellent cause. http://www.everydayhero.com.au/scuderia_shitbox (http://www.everydayhero.com.au/scuderia_shitbox)
Quick update, we just now went over the $4000 mark, so we're officially in the rally now. Fantastic!!
And the fuel float is floating in petrol, but I need to solder it again because even though it was watertight, it has a tiny leak when submerged in petrol. There are many things I don't understand in life, and that is one of them. Just waiting for it to dry now before I attack with the soldering iron again.
Use flux core solder.
Heat the material with the iron or flame and let the MATERIAL melt the solder onto itself. Let cool.
Never melt solder and let it fall on the material. This is called 'cold soldering' and is the wrong procedure.
Read this twice and make sure it sinks in.
Sheldon,
I might be parading my ignorance here - but I think the difference in Specific Gravity between water and petrol might contribute to the float sitting at different heights in each fluid - just in case you solder it to death and it still sits lower in petrol than water ..... An empty brass float shouldn't weigh that much so might not make a difference - anyway - throwin that out there.... My cornflake packet doctorate in dodgy home brew is responsible for this knowledge - so take it with a bunch of salt ;)
Cheers,
Thanks guys, but just to clear up any further confusion, the float is plastic. When it blew up in the saucepan (missus not happy) it blew a big hole in it. I managed to find a plastic plug which fit in perfectly, and then with the soldering iron I just melted the plastic around the edges to seal it up. But I obviously missed a tiny pin-prick of a hole. I was worried the extra weight of the plug would affect it's bouyancy but it doesn't seem to have.
MD, I've had plenty of soldering practise, but thanks anyway. I refuse to throw away good hi-fi or AV equipment which stops working after a few years, when it can be fixed with a couple of $3 capacitors and an afternoons soldering. And so I taught myself how to solder.
Scott, yep thanks for that. I was aware that there was a difference between the petrol and the water, just wasn't sure what. When I first tried the float it would float in water but not in petrol. When I finished sealing it up a couple of hours ago I checked that it was watertight, in water, and it was. So I then checked that it would float in petrol, and it did, but there were bubbles coming out from a tiny hole. I can't get my head around that, as I thought the petrol was 'thicker' (for want of a better word), but off to try and fix it now. Wish me luck.
Hmmm, unless the new plastic plug is of a type that degrades in petrol. Hmmm.
Quote from: Sheldon McIntosh on April 15, 2011, 03:22:23 PM
I thought the petrol was 'thicker'
I thought the same actually - but as it's friday afternoon.... I was there ... the Internet was there.... Spec grav of water is 1000. Unfermented Beer wort for a std brew is about 1040 - 1050, and the brewing hydrometer sinks as the spec grav drops...
Petrol is 600 .... Obviously much more room between the molecules for those pesky parallel universes to sneak through...
Nice one Scott, thanks for that, and that would definitely explain why it was watertight but not petroltight. Very interesting. Mmmm, home brew. Just recently finished off my latest one which was a copy of Duvel, beautiful. But dangerous.
Ah well, the float is now petroltight, and it floats in petrol. It's bloody ugly, it used to be perfectly round, but it works. Will probably get docked a few points if I ever enter the car in a Concours, but never mind. Now to put it back in. If the gauge still doesn't read full I'm setting fire to the car.
Anyone want a burnt-out Giulietta shell?
Went and filled it up to overflowing, and it now reads.....7/8!! An improvement from 3/4, but not enough. The float is obviously working well, because going round corners moves the gauge up to full. Guess I'll be checking the breather next. *sigh* For reference attached is a picture of the tank. When the sender would be registering a full tank, the float would be right up the very top of that section to the left of the picture. Just to clarify, I'm a bit obsessed about this issue because on the rally there will be many sections where petrol stations are few and far between, and there will also be 120 cars behind us waiting to fill up. So I'm sure that extra 5 litres could make all the difference. And yes, I'll be taking a 20l jerrycan as well. To put my mind at ease, are there any Giulietta owners out there who can confirm that the gauge will actually go to full in optimum circumstances?
And to top it all off, I went to move the 33 so I could get Mario out, and it's decided that it's time for the clutch to die. When we topped the $4000 mark a few hours ago I was so happy; now, not so much. I've decided that the definition of 'manic depressive' is 'an Alfa Romeo owner'. (Apologies to any sufferers of manic-depression for making light of your condition)
What was that you said beer? You want me to drink you? Well okay....
Does it really matter what the guage reads? My theory when in the outback, Fill the tank to the top at every petrol station you go past. We used to make our motorcycle tanks a little larger by filling up with water, blocking all the holes and heating them up. As the water heats it expands. The trick is to stop before they rupture. We got another 1.5 litres into an 11 litre husqvana tank. Made all the difference in an enduro. Just a thought??? ;)
Hello Sheldon.
Er there is plastic welding and then there is soldering but let's not go there..Congrats you got it fixed.
Guage calibration.
I think that is your problem. Bit of experimentation is called for. The float simply moves a potentiometer across a resistance range. This in turn reflects a voltage value and it displays it as fuel quantity.
If you can manipulate the tank guage out of the tank to represent high and low levels of fuel and watch where the guage reads, you may be able to bend, or otherwise position the float to give full guage swing on full tank.
Anotherwords, simulate the happenings in the tank on the outside to see how the guage behaves and then recalibrtate it.
Be extremely careful with petrol fume and any sparks, naturally. We want to see you in the rally and not a rally around you from a bunch of medics
It's a good point Greg. And actually, no, it doesn't matter what the gauge reads. BUT, I had to establish whether the gauge was faulty, or if it just wasn't filling the tank to the top. Now that I've established that everything is in working order, I can be almost certain that it isn't filling the tank all the way, which is a slight problem. To be honest, the way it is will probably suffice, because we're missing out on maybe 5 litres by not filling it all the way. But, I needed to know, because as it was - reading 3/4 tank - would equate to about 36 litres, which just would not be enough. As it is now, we can be almost certain that it's getting around 45 litres, which should be just adequate.
And if we also had no trip meter, well, that would be a major problem.....
I'll leave the car with you while you expand the tank for me. I'll be about 5km away having a coffee. Call me when you're done.... ;)
Hi MD. Ok, sorry for the misleading terms I was using. I was using a soldering iron to melt plastic, but I wasn't soldering as such. Point taken, I won't do it again.
I know what you're saying with the gauge. As I said previously, I had the sender out of the car, and I checked that it's full motion was registering correctly on the gauge. It was working perfectly, ie it's top range registered full on the gauge, it's bottom range registered empty on the gauge, as well as turning on the low-fuel light. And, what would be it's top level, as I say, would be towards the top of that raised section on the left of the tank. I'm no physicist, but as far as I can tell, if the breather was working that section should fill. But I'm happy to be corrected on that assertion.
It would be easy for me to manipulate the sender so that the maximum I can get in the tank now would register as full on the gauge. But, since I know that the gauge, the sender and the float are all working properly, I know that I'm not getting what should supposedly be a full tank (Like I said, interested to know from Giulietta owners if the tank ever does actually fill). I'm pretty much going to leave it as it is now, because at least I know that it's getting almost full. And, like I said before, when I go round a right-hand corner the gauge goes to full (in real time), so obviously that raised part of the tank is not getting any fuel when I fill it, but fuel rushes up there as I go round the corner.
I won't be manipulating the sender so that what I can cram in the tank now registers as 'full' on the gauge. Because I don't think it is full. I reckon you'd do the same MD. But I've been wrong once before.
Actually Sheldon, I think you need some "wing" tanks. We visited Doomagee last August and stopped at the only roadhouse for fuel. You had to Queue up behind all the "locals" buying their chicko rolls, ice creams, dim sims, hot chips, chicken nuggets etc to tell the console operator which pump you were wanting to use, then, wait by the pump for them to get around to switching it on, fill the tanks, queue up behind more "locals" buying more of the same, pay for fuel wait for the correct change, then you are free to leave. It was nearly laughable. It took us over 30 minutes to fill up. Times that by 120 cars.... that is over 60 hours. Be so much easier if you could drive straight through there without fueling .
Well mate in a certain sense you have your own "calibration" which is all you need and you can work with that. The shortfall in capacity means you have to carry supplementary fuel, the volume of which you already know. As far as I cansee, the fuel issue is solved.
Now for the trip meter..(assuming you get a working one)
Remember to make some revised calculations to adjust (compensate for) differences in wheel circumference as you will be changing tyre sizes as the original ratios will likely be under reading. I think you are already working on this or have a plan.
Sheldon, I meant to tell you, put 28psi cold in the tyres. They need to be at 31 psi hot for optimum life and grip. Hope you get the rims soon so you can work out if they fit under the guards.
Thanks Greg. Yep, as I drove off down the road I was wondering what psi they would take. Thanks for the follow-up, I'll let you know how the fitment goes.
Well, we're heading to Brisbane in one week from now, and thankfully the 15" rally tyres fit under the guards front and rear. Thanks heaps to Greg for the tyres, and to Paul Edwards for the wheels (as well as organising some stickers for me), and to Marc at Milano Spares for some wheels also.
I reckon the roof-rack will hold the two spares. I hope so anyway, that'll save us heaps of room in the boot.
I've started up a blog recently, at www.hoonanism.com (http://www.hoonanism.com) , and I've posted a few recent updates of Mario Speedwagon over there, check them out at http://hoonanism.com/category/mariospeedwagon/ (http://hoonanism.com/category/mariospeedwagon/), most of the early ones are just stuff that was covered on this thread though.
Coverage allowing, I'll be updating as much as possible while we're on the rally (the organisers have said we may be out of phone/internet range for 3 days). I'll probably update to www.hoonanism.com, but will post a link here as well. We'll also be trialling a new iphone app which tracks your progress on a dedicated website (that's one of my sponsors actually), but don't know how that will go yet, as it's still in the experimental stages. If it works out I'll post details here as well.
If you're on twitter, follow me at @Hoonanism and I'll try to remember to post there when I can too. I don't often post on twitter, but this is probably as good a time as any.
Give it heaps Sheldon!
QuoteWell, we're heading to Brisbane in one week from now,
Ah, you'll be pleased to know that I have been busy making preparations for your arrival. No expense spared I might ad.
I got the dog to camp with the mate next door and I have sprayed the his house for fleas. It might be a bit of a squeeze but I got some spare sheets of corrugated iron for some extra cover if your legs dont quite get out of the rain. I can't say that the pooch was exactly overjoyed about the idea and so I don't advise visiting him next door while he is tied up at the back stairs unless you are wearing the cricket box. He usually goes for the goolies when he is pissed off.
The budgie aviary has been modifed with a lean to and a large tarp to be sure the wagon doesn't get affected by the Brisbane dew. The bird and have had a chat about the possible overcrowding and he's cool with that. He has only ever used his machine gun once in anger when visited by a carpet snake. So as far as that goes, I would not be tempted to release a six pack in the garden as he might mistake the weiner for a trouser snake and well, you know, things could get ugly.
No need to worry about your bathing provisions. We got a garden hose for showers and I even polished up a hub cap and nailed it to the fence for a shaving mirror. Now how cool is that?
To be sure you are fully catered for, the missuz has knocked up a couple of rounds of salmon and beetroot sandwiches last week and got 'em wrapped in gladwrap and waiting in the fridge for ya.
Now all you have to do is get to Brisvagas in one piece. We are ready for ya.
Cheers MD, looking forward to your hospitality. Glad you got the dog out of the way, I slept on a dog's bed once and he never forgave me. I explained to him that I was sorry and it was only because I was drunk, but he was still a bit pissed about it. Dogs are such bitches. Looking forward to meeting the bird, he sounds like a character, I'm sure he has some good stories.
We're now leaving a little later than originally planned. All going to plan we'll arrive in Brisvegas at around 6pm on the 19th. Unfortuately we're going to have a muppet our esteemed Vic President in convoy with us in an automatic Triumph Dolomite, so we could be about a day late. I'm packing a tow-rope.
On the Friday we have the rally briefing at the Normanby Hotel, 1 Musgrave Road, Red Hill, at 5pm. So if any Brisbanites want to check out the car we could maybe be there a little early.
See ya soon MD, thanks for all the advice so far. What's the weather like up there? It's bloody freezing down here. I noted your advice about making the heater redundant, I'm going to bring a hose with me to do that if we need it, but I'm going to run the heater as is until it breaks, because 6am starts are not so good with no heater. You heard it here first, and I hope MD never has to say 'I told you so'.
Just 6 more sleeps !! EEE -Gads !
The weather ? It's glorious. Now that it has stopped raining..The days are beautiful and sunny.
The forecast for your arrival is scattered showers with a 16* minimum and 24* maximum. If you need a heater for that, you're whimp. ;D
Triumph Dolomite, now that IS a genuine Shitbox. Good luck MR. President. Although I must say they are reliable in one sense and all you need is a good magnet. What you do is use the magnet to follow the trail of nuts and bolts that fall off as you drive and that way you can always find your old parts. Pommy cars are great like that. Lucas electrics are another great feature as long as you never let the smoke out of the wires.. ;D
Happy motoring..
I remember as a kid we stayed overnight at Coonabarabran on the way to Brisbane. The ice on the car the next morning was substantial, that was about as cold as I've ever been on the Australian continent.
Evan has a point.
It does get very cold inland around Armadale, Tenterfield, Stanthorpe, Warwick and such if you are on the inland routes. The coastal routes wont be anything like that. As I dont actually know what the route is, all I can comment on is the local temps.
Quote from: Sheldon McIntosh on May 13, 2011, 01:30:37 AM
Unfortuately we're going to have a muppet our esteemed Vic President in convoy with us in an automatic Triumph Dolomite, so we could be about a day late. I'm packing a tow-rope.
Hmmm, prophetic words indeed, it seems
the muppet our esteemed Pres has run into trouble. Anyone know a sympathetic mechanic in Sydney that may be able to assist?
Giulietta is going like a trojan by the way ;D
Quote from: alfagtv58 on May 19, 2011, 12:39:20 PM
Giulietta is going like a trojan by the way ;D
Wooden wheels?
Sorry about the rain Sheldon. We get a bit of it around here twice a century.
Great to meet you and your sharp-as-pin-dad.
Car looks up to the job. You might need a new pair of trousers made especially for you by the time you get back. The left leg could be the same size as the Incredible Hulk with all the muscle build up you'll be getting. That clutch pressure is over the top. Possibly a wrong pressure plate installed sometime in its life or the leverages are set wrong.
If that solenoid becomes a problem, you do remember the wiring I told told wont you ! ;D
I am still chewing that rubber lasagna...
Best of luck guys.
Seems Stuart is up and about again. Sheldon put it nicely (attached)
Last I heard Stu was having the radiator flushed at Coffs Harbour at 9 this morning The stop-leak we put in on Wednesday may have clogged it up.
Thanks MD, good to see you again, and thanks for your help. If I don't remember the wiring (pretty good chance of that), I'm sure Dad will, and worst-case scenario we have the spare starter ready to go in.
Detailed updates and photos at www.hoonanism.com (http://www.hoonanism.com) Check them out, they're good.
(http://hoonanism.com/wp-content/uploads/hoonanism.com/2011/05/Image00004.jpg)
You can also follow our adventures at shitbox.mysilvertrails.com (http://shitbox.mysilvertrails.com) , one of our major sponsors, along with documation.com.au (http://documation.com.au). Remember, we wouldn't be able to do this without them, so at least check them out. Thanks Branko and Dad!!
Sliver Trails is a beta version of a travel and sports tracking iPhone app that my Dad is developing, it allows users to track where they go, by whatever means, and keep a record, along with comments and photos, they can keep these trails on their phone or upload them to a website enabling friends to follow them -- Perfect for an adventure such as this, and an ideal test for us.
(http://hoonanism.com/wp-content/uploads/hoonanism.com/2011/05/Image00007.jpg)
Sheldon , Great photo's, very fine detail of the the president breaking down. If the dolimite has done that on the black stuff, has Stu shown it the off road yet.
Hope you are both safe & sound In Bris Vegas ready to go.
Hey Sheldon, well done on getting this far, the photos of Mario and the Dolly look great. Ditto the blog over on Hoonism.com I know exactly what you mean re the great driving roads north of Sydney, as I was up there a few years back driving around Byron and the hinterlands. Great fun but alas not in an Alfa but rather a damned Hyundai rental, two up and with surfboards as well.
BTW MD if you are reading where on earth did you get yourself your CMI sticker for your race GTV, just curious? I am currently al Presedente of the club. Looks great though and definitely one nicely put together car.
Keep posting Sheldon on the Rally, as you can, as this is a great read. Nothing better than a road trip in an old car !!
On the road as I type. The Alfa is being boringly reliable, as per usual. Stu cracked his thermostat housing on the Dolomite this morning, but was able to find a spare. Since then he's stopped twice when it's overheated. Seems to be okay once up to speed, but doesn't like idling or driving slowly. What a Shitbox.
Hi David. This is going to hurt. You sent it to me. :)
BTW. Where did you see the car?
;D
David would have seen it here: http://hoonanism.com/2011/05/shitbox-rally-2/ (halfway down the page)
Thanks Evan. When I finish this race car project I will post a little story about it and provide some more insight in an appropriate topic set.
On the way to Longreach, and we just passed a cell tower, so I have a few minutes to type. Alfa and Triumph still going strong,no stops for overheating yet today, with 300km down. Stunning scenery out here, and shiploads of dead kangaroos on the road, and a few live ones.
Phone coverage getting very patchy though.
Wish us luck.
Hey Sheldon,
All this crusie stuff with no thrills and spills is a bit of a yawn. Give us the real stories like your dad has a sunburnt butt from giving all the other Shitbox drivers a moonie. Tell us how you are ducking bullets from the roo shooters all around the place. Give us the crocodile count per kilometer now that you are croc country. And oh yeah don't leave out the part where you had to tie your dad to the rear bumper kicking and screaming to make room for the hot babe you picked up hitch hiking to Longreach.
Common. You know you wanna. Lie a little if you have to... ;D ;D
Good thinking Batman.. :D
Put that beer down Sheldon and start typing.. ;D
There's a day one video here: http://www.shitboxrally.com.au/video/day1.html
No sign of the Alfa or Her Majesty yet.
Quote from: MD on May 21, 2011, 08:59:07 PM
Hi David. This is going to hurt. You sent it to me. :)
BTW. Where did you see the car?
Oh bugger, so I must have, what an old and incompetent bugger I have become. Damn this oldtimers disease. Oh well it looks damned good on the racecar.
I like your thinking re more impressive notes and impressions from Sheldon from the insides of Mario.
Come on Sheldon, surely the shitbox is going to breakdown at least once, it is an Alfa afterall. I mean I would have thought that derigour for the dollie but, just once would be cool, with a pic of you or your dad under the bonnet or under the car. Mind you on the other hand we all know Alfas can take heaps, so how about a power slide or handbrake turn with smoking tyres as you miss a couple of roos or crocs just waiting to give you guys a hard time up norf !
Sheldon,
You need to have a crack at Rob Robson's trick from the Endeavour rally. He got his Giulietta airborne, with the resultant landing putting about 5 degrees neggie on the de dion! Instant race set up.
Have fun mate. That country must look incredible after all the rain we had this summer.
Brent
I think internet access has been patchy. Here's a photo Sheldon posted on twitter this morning on his way out of Longreach.
http://twitter.com/#!/Hoonanism/status/72433614662541312
They've also posted a day 2 video. http://www.shitboxrally.com.au/video/day2.html Nice video cuts, lots of nice vaseline on the lens.
No sign yet of Mario Speedwagon or the overheating Dolomite.
.
.
.
oh crap I've realised I'm acting like a groupie.
Quote from: Evan Bottcher on May 23, 2011, 11:05:14 PM
oh crap I've realised I'm acting like a groupie.
Dont worry, I'm searching #shitboxrally on twitter everytime I go on at the moment.
I think its called...jealousy ::) Evan, we need to start looking for a Shitbox now for the 2012 event (I registered my interest with them about 6 months ago).
Quote from: Evan Bottcher on May 23, 2011, 11:05:14 PM
They've also posted a day 2 video. http://www.shitboxrally.com.au/video/day2.html Nice video cuts, lots of nice vaseline on the lens.
No sign yet of Mario Speedwagon or the overheating Dolomite.
oh crap I've realised I'm acting like a groupie.
Two more vids up and the country they are going through looks great. Most definitely would be a road trip, with a cause, to remember. Still no sign of Mario or the Dolly on the videos but hopefully they are still going great. For sure, putting a team together to do a journey like this would be excellent. I wonder if they will travel to other parts of the country in next year's rally ?
Here is a pic, you can just see the Prez.
We have coverage!! Approaching Katherine right now. Alfa, Triumph, and 1971 Corona (driven by Stu's workmates, one of whom is a Vic club member) still going strong. We've been dubbed 'the classics' by some people, and 'those most unlikely' by others.
Yesterday was extremely tough. 370km of real 4wd track. We all had some issues to fix, nothing major on the Alfa, just unscheduled water/electrical issues. 13 hours driving to cover 540km. Will put up a few pics when I can.
The scenery and the driving is just incredible. Yesterday would rate up with my best days at Philip Island in terms of fun, and the sense of achievement is incredible. There are about 10 1990s Aussie and Japanese cars dead so far, but 'the classics' keep trucking on. We're usually nearly last in at night because we spend a bit of time with the bonnets up on the Triumph and Corona, but we get there.
Signal is fading, will quickly post, and send more info later.
Good to see your all still trucking and having an awesome time. I like how you've been dubbed 'the classics', both an honour and a privilege, and the only way to go.
GO MARIO SPEEDWAGON!
I would think it is going to be a thrilling and entertaining June club night coming up.
Hope to see lots of pics and hear many stories.
I would urge all club members to come to the club night.
Quote.....We all had some issues to fix, nothing major on the Alfa, just unscheduled water/electrical issues. ...
I know you are doing this communication stuff on the run which may explain the lack of clarity.. So did your car have water and electrical issues or does this apply to other cars?
Not the solenoid again?
Hi MD, yes very much on the fly, via phone when I have coverage and time.
Alfa got water in the dizzy a couple of times, and the plug wells were filling up. The rivers were pretty deep.... Also broke a throttle return spring. All easily fixed.
Corona had the fan propeller itself into the radiator, creating a reasonably big hole.
Triumph had water in the ignition system (not sure exactly where, I was fixing mine at the time) a flat battery, and water in the trans fluid.
We've just left Katherine after changing the left front wheel bearing on the Alfa. The inner seal was shot, and let in quite a lot of water and dust, the bearing was rooted. Very lucky to be able to find one up here today. While we were doing that the Corona had its coolant replaced for about the fifth time this week.
On the road now, 450kms to go, wish us luck.
Good Luck Mate :)
Sounds like your having a ball and Mario Speedwagon is proving to be the benchmark in reliablity, next to the Rona and the Queens Chariot Replica
Touching wood as I type this only 450 to go - Go The Mario Speed Wagon !!!!!!!!!
QuoteThe rivers were pretty deep
We don't want Mario in over his head. Might need a snorkel for next time. Maybe something like this
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Dc9QV2e5kc
Hi All,
All done, nursed the Dolomite into Darwin this arvo 5237.9 km after leaving Melbourne. We actually finished first, because of the wheel bearing on the Alfa we had to skip Jabiru and head straight to Darwin.
A real sense of achievement after a major f up on Saturday morning.
A fantastic event a real sense of camaraderie between the teams. Get your entries in early for next year
Cheers
Stuart
Congratulations guys. Massive achievement. Giulia, we salute you !!!
Sheldon, based on your report so far, it seems to me about the only mechanical failure on the Joolie was a broken throttle return spring. In desperate times, this could be simply fixed by removing the elastic in your undies in substitution of the spring. No real drama. ;D ;D
The balance of the "breakdowns" was due to environmental conditions impacting on the car not meant to go into such terrain ie. scuba diving :)
So in the words of our fearless ex prime minister, Bob Hawke, anyone who says Alfas aren't reliable cars is a bum. ;D
Please reward Guilia with a nice oil change, 36lbs of air in the tyres and treat her to an "Italian Tune Up" all the way home.
i think sheldon might bid on mario to keep him, the relationship journey that they have just been through would be to hard to throw away, do it sheldon you know you want to
Hey well done to Mario and the crew what a road trip. X2 or 3 re bidding on the Joolie, he has been good to you. ;D
Mario got $500 at the auction, so someone got a bargain, the wheels and tyres alone would be worth that. The Triumph got $200, someone got ripped off, and the Corona got $250, which was very surprising as it was very popular during the rally, there would have been 20 people who wanted to buy it. We're now regretting not swapping it for a case of beer at Hell's Gate (they don't sell beer, and we ran out. We'd bought a case the night before in readiness, but then a couple of chicks with huge cans driving a 70s V8 Mercedes came over and chatted for a while so we gave them some - pretty good deal really).
It was really sad to see him go actually, and I think all cars could probably have got more, but they were trying to get the auction through quickly. One of many organisational fuck-ups on this rally, but it's only the second rally, and the first with this many cars. Ah well. Dad actually tried to buy him, but he wasn't prepared to go over $400. Tight bastard. I really felt fond of Mario as he went down to 3 cylinders and just managed to crawl out of a deep river, and then up a steep muddy hill. What a great car.
I'll update my blog over the next couple of days, and there will be a big article in the next C&S, but here's a couple of pics of Mario, one on the Savannah Way, the other when he's at auction. This has really been one of the best experiences of my life. I've seen some incredible parts of Australia, driven some simply incredible roads, and made some great new mates. Highly recommended.
We find out this afternoon where next years rally goes, but rumour has it that it'll be Adelaide to Broome. That may be wildly inaccurate speculation, but I'll let you know. At least I've proven that two dickheads in an under-prepared shit Alfa can do it, so if you have an abandoned project lying around, you know what to do....
I've got a bad headache now, so updates may not happen for a while........
Some video of the last part of the unsealed part of Wednesday's drive.
This was the longest day of the rally. We'd started at 8.00am, and had about 200km of goat track, including about 6 river-crossings. I remember at one stage, about 4.5 hours and 110km in, having crossed a few rivers, and various cars having various things fixed, we saw a sign that said we still had 250km to go of the unsealed road!! Luckily, at about 4.30pm, just after I'd fixed a few things on the Alfa (water in the ignition, throttle spring) the next 170km was pretty nice dirt and gravel roads, so we could honk along at 110km/h.
This video is towards the end of the unsealed road, we were trying to get to the end of the unsealed road before the sun set, and we only just made it. It doesn't look fast, but trust me when I say that it felt incredibly fast. We had to keep close for radio communication, and luckily the wind was blowing a little bit to the right, so I could drive on the left and avoid most of the dust, but visibility was still pretty patchy. The setting sun made it slightly more difficult, but also incredibly beautiful. This was up there with the best driving experiences of my life.
Well done Shitboxers, congratulations on your fine achievements.
One question for you, what happens if you did win an auction for a car, do you then have to drive it back another 5000km.
What were some of the auction results, any good buys other than the ones mentioned.
Neil
What a fabulous result.
Congratulations guys.
What a shame Mario gets left behind - but no doubt he's with a proud new owner.
There is something definitely odd about a Giulia becoming a Mario overnight. I suppose it's all to do with the transexual gearbox... ::)
I am sure we would all like to think that Mario is headed off on Hollywood engagements and a full make over.
I know I do..rumour has it, he's going for a colour change too.
Hi all, sorry for the delay, it's been a bit strange trying to get used to normal life again. I've posted some updates at www.hoonanism.com (http://www.hoonanism.com) , hopefully I'll get the last of them done tomorrow.
(http://hoonanism.com/wp-content/uploads/hoonanism.com/2011/05/shbxdthree16.jpg)
(http://hoonanism.com/wp-content/uploads/hoonanism.com/2011/05/shbxdthree13.jpg)
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MD - Sorry dude, unlike LTD News I don't like the stories to get in the way of a good fact. Thanks for all your help along the way.
Paul - Thanks for the congrats. It was tough, but we made it, and without too many difficulties. Where'd you get that picture? Looks like Mataranka Springs.
AlfaACT - Thanks for the congrats, and thanks for your donation.
Thanks to everyone that donated money, time, advice, and money. It's been quite a trip, and we couldn't have done it without you.
The Rally managed to raise around $650,000, which is just incredible. Next year it starts from.......Melbourne!!! Melbourne to Cairns via Cameron Corner, should be good. I've shown it's possible, I hope there are other Alfisti out there who will take up the challenge.
I can almost guarantee that it will be one of the best experiences of your life. I just hope I haven't just doubled the price of shit Giuliettas overnight....
Oh yeah, meant to say....
Mario was bought by a Darwin local, who said he was going to "thrash the fuck out of it on the dirt roads around here...." . Perfect for an Alfa this car I would have thought.
Also, he got Mario for $500, and was offered $800 5 minutes later and turned it down. Good man.
Godspeed Mario, I'll miss you.
Fantastic effort guys - it's been great following your story. The next C&S should be a dozzie!
Well done Sheldon & team, awesome effort. And thanks for sharing it, plenty of us have followed you all the way.
Cheers
Rory
well done, next year should be a great one to, I have already put done my interest for it, and im going to use my white 90 as i only paid 300 for it and it goes really well and nothing really needs to be done, maybe sheldon your up for the navagators role?
Well done Sheldon, cheers!
Nice work Sheldon,
You really need to keep better company though - can't trust those British cars (and I can say that mine is truly showing its "character" - as soon as I fix something something else breaks - and its only been driven between repairers/parts suppliers).
Sounds like the new owner will appreciate Mario - just the thing for a bit of a fang in the dirt.
Dehne,
A couple of us up here were discussing options and I thought of a 90 given their less than loved status... Big boot could be handy, wondered about the fuel consumption though?
Quote from: dehne on June 02, 2011, 01:30:00 PM
maybe sheldon your up for the navagators role?
I'll take it you're joking.
A 90 should be pretty good for it, but a few more electrics to worry about through the water. The lack of ground clearance could be a concern too, but easy enough to raise a bit I suppose.
Actually Stu and I were discussing last night what to do it in next year, and a V6 75 did come up. After the first 4 days of the rally I'd thought a 164 would be perfect for it, but I don't know how it would have coped with the river-crossings on day 5, and if something does go wrong it's not as simple to work on.
Datsun 180B
fuel consumption is pretty good on these and as for water i plan on going flat out right over the top of it. i might take the topgear challange and put an outboard on it and that will keep the other crap dry
and no sheldon was not joking though of the 2 best alfa 90 owners teaming up for an all out assult.
Quote from: Sheldon McIntosh on June 02, 2011, 11:04:14 PM
A 90 should be pretty good for it, but a few more electrics to worry about through the water. The lack of ground clearance could be a concern too, but easy enough to raise a bit I suppose.
Actually Stu and I were discussing last night what to do it in next year, and a V6 75 did come up. After the first 4 days of the rally I'd thought a 164 would be perfect for it, but I don't know how it would have coped with the river-crossings on day 5, and if something does go wrong it's not as simple to work on.
Isnt it great to be an Alfisti and have so many options for appropriate cars to take on a shitbox rally ;)
Quote from: Neil Choi on June 02, 2011, 11:19:24 PM
Datsun 180B
A Datsun 200B with 20 less mistakes
Quote from: alfagtv58 on June 03, 2011, 11:52:59 AM
Isnt it great to be an Alfisti and have so many options for appropriate cars to take on a shitbox rally ;)
Yes so true!
Well done Sheldon good stuff mate seems Mario was like an old faithful friend
now the search for the next one
Cheers
Pep
Don't worry, a 180B or 120Y was discussed at some point. Hey, it's supposed to be a challenge right, no point making the drive easy or comfortable.....
Quote from: pep105 on June 03, 2011, 02:17:22 PM
Well done Sheldon good stuff mate seems Mario was like an old faithful friend
now the search for the next one
Thanks pep, yep Mario was all that and more, he was an excellent companion for this trip, and he showed what a well-prepared, albeit clapped-out Alfa can do, and I was quite sad to see him go. We actually got top three in the "least likely to survive" category, so stoked to have proved them wrong. Wish I'd had a 2-litre though, or better-yet a V6.
It's going to be tricky finding the right car for next year, I can't do a joolie again, that would be too easy. I'd love a 1977 Honda Civic, but they're getting hard to find these days.
Honda ?
Nah !!
What you need is the grand daddy of shitboxes.
The Austin 1800.
http://www.elevenhundred.com/austin1800/ (http://www.elevenhundred.com/austin1800/)
QuoteWe actually got top three in the "least likely to survive" category
Did Dolly get the choclates in that category ;D ;D
Bump, Forgot to add my congratulations on dreaming about it starting and finishing it. Without getting to mushy about it I read this a couple of days ago;
"All people dream, but not equally. Those who dream by night in the dusty recesses of their mind, wake in the morning to find that it was vanity. But the dreamers of the day are dangerous people, for they dream their dreams with open eyes, and make them come true."
- D.H. Lawrence
Great effort Rex & Sheldon.
Gully
Quote from: MD on June 03, 2011, 03:07:15 PM
What you need is the grand daddy of shitboxes.
The Austin 1800.
While it's true that they are complete shitboxes, and you couldn't pay me enough to drive one, they do have some pedigree, finishing 2nd in the 1968 London-Sydney.....
Quote from: Paul Gulliver on June 03, 2011, 04:21:58 PM
Bump, Forgot to add my congratulations on dreaming about it starting and finishing it. Without getting to mushy about it I read this a couple of days ago;
"All people dream, but not equally. Those who dream by night in the dusty recesses of their mind, wake in the morning to find that it was vanity. But the dreamers of the day are dangerous people, for they dream their dreams with open eyes, and make them come true."
- D.H. Lawrence
Great effort Rex & Sheldon.
Gully
Thanks Paul, and nice quote. Not sure if it was dreaming or lunacy, but either way, it got us to the finish line.
Just put another update on www.hoonanism.com (http://www.hoonanism.com) , detailing the last two days. Hopefully put up a wind-up post this weekend.
I have a 105 which I am driving daily at the moment Cairns-Innisfail-Cairns, and used to drive every three months Cairns-Melb-Cairns. It's never missed a beat.
I also own a Bushpug (Peugeot 505) which is used fore the same sort of driving. It's never missed a beat.
Both are wonderful cars, and take just a little care to keep in tip-top shape, and I've never had a problem finding spares for either. (for example I once got an Alfa water pump delivered in one and a half days to Swift's Creek pub, and a s/h Pug power steering unit delivered to Miles in two days - both I might add victims of idiot mechanics)
The Gregory River campsite and Lawn Hill in general is all that it's cracked up to be.
Thanks Mr Toad. Yep, preparation and pre-emptive maintenance is certainly the key. Interestingly, we briefly considered a Peugeot 505 for next years rally, watch this space...
Agreed, Gregory Downs was quite spectacular, the river was amazing, and the view of the night sky was better than I've ever seen before. The Puttanesca was disgusting though, I had to pass it on to someone else and go back for some Carbonara.
I posted a final, uhh, post about the rally at my blog... http://hoonanism.com/2011/06/shitbox-rally-the-wash-up/ , including auction information and more.
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