Pulling 105 Axel Bearings

Source:
https://www.alfabb.com/threads/105-rear-axle-bearing-removal-tool-tool-gone-but-video-still-here.707675/#post-8650143

 Reverse English Alfa Axle Bearing Puller Materials List

• About sixteen inches of 2x2"x1/4 angle steel (or similar)
• Four (4) rod-nuts (that's simply an extra long nut - aka "coupling nut") NOTE: Try to get rod-nuts with the same metric threads as your backing plate studs. Sorry, I can't recall what the metric thread size is at the moment - just take your OEM nut with you to the bolt store and match a rod nut to it. Or, do what I did and butt weld standard metric nuts to SAE rod nuts and use 3/8 - 16 x 4 3/4" long SAE bolts. I did this because I never could find metric coupling nuts. YMMV.
• Four (4) approximately 4 3/4"length bolts with threads matching the thread dimensions of the Alfa backing plate mounting nuts, if possible OR whatever coupling nuts you are able to find/fabricate...which is what I had to do. NOTE: IF you have to fabricate your own rod nuts, you will need a welder - see video for explanation of that.
• A good vise
• Hand or power hacksaw of some kind to cut the angle steel
• Drill or drill press and cutting oil, plus bed clamps or means to accurately hold the angle steel while you drill it.
• 25/64th or 13/32 drill bit
• Center punch to mark the holes
• The Harbor Freight 20 ton press (or similar)

Pressing pipes - Any pipe handy about 26-28" long and the diameter of 1 1/2" black iron pipe will work. As it says in the video, I used two 12" sections of 1 1/2" galvanized steel pipe screwed together with 1 1/2" NPTF couplings, partly because they fit the Alfa pressing collar really well...and partly because I already had them in my pile of pipe. 

Alfa 105 rear suspension

Guilia gear ratios

 

Steering wheel eccentric offset spacer kit

I love the 350mm Momo Prototipo steering wheel in the Alfa. It looks and feels great, but has a couple of issues.

One nuance is the grip of the steering wheel obscures the tach and speedometer gauges. And if your car has wide tires, turning the car in parking lots requires a lot of effort.

I've been looking for a wider wheel, but there are not many good options. Most do not suit the car's interior, or are too big, and you lose precious leg room. 

There may be another solution: a eccentric offset spacer kit. See https://www.ebay.ca/itm/233623147430. I ordered one tonight and look forward to trying it out.

Many thanks to Home Built by Jeff for the tip! https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=home+built+by+jeff

 

Horn button update

Horn button sticker from eBay, see: https://www.ebay.ca/itm/402576456362

Electric Fan Research

Links

https://www.revotec.com/acatalog/Electronic-Fan-Controller-Hose-Fitting.html

Diagrams

Timing Curves

 

First run

Poured some premium gas into the Alfa, updated the 123 Ignition timing curve (below) and gave it a 15 mile run. There's definitely some cobwebs in the system, but the car is running better!

TIP: For 123 Ignition distributor owners: if the 'Centrifugal Curve' does not start at 0, the car may not start.

The Alfaholics 'Fast Road' timing curve:

Summertime!

It's been much too long since the last update. Work and home life have been dominating my time. The Alfa has not run since last fall!

This afternoon, I popped the hood and gave the car a throughout inspection. The battery definitely needed charging. Everything else looked good.

After a six hour affair with the trickle charger, the Alfa roared to life. What a great sounding car; but my neighbors may disagree. 

While revving the car, it didn't feel "right." The engine was not pulling above 3500 RPM. My guess was the timing was off.  Using the 123 Tune App, I checked the timing curve on the electronic ignition and found the problem. It was using the default "aircooled vw" map.

I searched the Internet for recommended timing profiles. This discussion on the Alfa Boards was very helpful. 

The car is running great - I'm looking forward to driving it tomorrow!

Another 20 miles

 Took the car for another 20 mile run. Its getting better with each drive. I'd like to get the car to the 500 mile mark [since the rebuild] this year!

September Drive

First drive of the year! 

I adjusted the timing, added some fresh 94 gas and took the Alfa for a 45 mile run. It started a little rough, but was running beautifully by the end of the drive.

Weekend drive

Filled the tank and took the Alfa for a spin. A nice weekend drive.

1750 Weber settings

Engine capacity: 1779 cc
Weber model: 40 DCOE 32
Choke: 32
Auxiliary venturi: 4.5
Main jet: 130
Idle jet: 50F8
Emulsion tube: F9
Air corrector jet: 200
Accelerator pump jet: 35
Accelerator pump back bleed: 80
Needle valve: 150

More teething problems

After adjusting the timing, I drove the Alfa about 35 miles. The car continues to loosen up and run smoother, but little nagging issues keep cropping up. This time it's a small fluid leak from around the clutch master cylinder. Unfortunately, I'll have to repair it in another post!

New brake booster & shift knob

Finally! I found some time to work on the Alfa. 

First up, removing the old brake servo. It came out easily, with a minimum of fuss. Before:

Retaining clip:

For whatever reason, the nuts on the new booster used an odd UNC thread pitch. It took us awhile to find the right ones.

I installed the OMP shifter knob [an eBay find]. Unlike the tall Momo part, this one is reasonably sized and sits in a comfortable position.

Engine rebuild on YouTube

It's amazing how simple the Nord engine design is. A good engine rebuild video:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JM_dpA62HN8

More miles & brake servo

It's been awhile since my last update.

A couple of weeks ago, I took the car on a 40 mile drive. It was running beautifully, but the rear brakes started locking up as I was driving in traffic. From what I can gather, sticky [rear] brakes his is usually the result of a wonky brake booster, so I've ordered a new Lockheed unit from Alfaholics.

Spring drive and flat tire

I took the Alfa out for a long jog, yesterday. Now 313 miles since the rebuild. Unfortunately, I blew a tire on my way home (picked up a nail) -- but I did get some good pictures.

First run of 2019

It's finally spring in Canada. Yesterday, after spluttering to life, I gave the 105 it's inaugural drive. The car ran beautifully and it's now traveled ~230 miles since the engine was rebuilt. Everything is bedding in.

This was also an opportunity for my son to take his first drive in the car. He seemed impressed, but was worried about how he would learn to drive a manual transmission when he turned 16...

2019 planning

Happy New Year!

Upgrades and small projects:

• Stainless Steel exhaust (https://www.alfaholics.com/parts/105-series/exhaust-systems/coupe/two-box-sport-system-with-race-developed-manifold-2/)
• Electric Fan Controller (https://www.alfaholics.com/parts/105-series/cooling-system/electric-fan-thermostatic-controller-line-hose-version/)
• Heater Facia Panel (https://www.alfaholics.com/parts/105-series/cooling-system/heater-facia-panel-gt-juniormontreal/)
• Over Mat Set (https://www.alfaholics.com/parts/105-series/interior-trim/coupe/aat-set-standing-pedal-gt/)
• Boot Carpet Set (https://www.alfaholics.com/parts/105-series/interior-trim/coupe/gt-boot-carpet-set/)