Summertime driving

[Steve Webb]

Given that summer is finally on its way, its time to start thinking about getting your Alfas back on the road.
The question is, how much work does it need before you can get out in it and enjoy?

[elCrillo]

Years... :cry:
But I have another one at sight...:lol:

[Steve Webb]

Well, I've owned my Q4 for almost 20 years now, never stopped needing work, and I've never stopped messing with it.
Keep on believing, you'll get there.

[AlfaJack]

I am getting there slowly - we have a 20 month old little boy so I just grab a couple of hours here and there each week.

Last year I got it back on the road in a very stripped out state. I spent Spring and Summer of 2016 welding up the rear end and neglected the do the front. It wasn't until I scratched the surface that I realised how much the front needed doing. Most of the rot is behind the front struts. The two skins just seem to rot inside out. I was only looking for suspension movement which was causing a knocking noise (I suspect this is the near side engine support.

At the same time I thought the Brembos could do with a minor overhaul. In doing that I thought the front brake lines were probably past their best so out they came and made up some new ones in Kunifer. Whilst on the subject of brakes, I have taken out the compensator valve for the time being but have modified the pipe connections in such a way that it go be put back in if I feel it needs it.

At the moment I am fitting some new (well, refurbished by me (derusted and painted) rear brake dust guards as mine had turned to dust. I found out the hard way that a Q4 has a different shape of guard. Pics to follow.............

[AlfaJack]

Some of the welding looked hideous until I discovered a gas flow problem with the welder - it got a bit better after that!

http://www.cloverleaf4.co.uk/images/uploads/32628.jpg
http://www.cloverleaf4.co.uk/images/uploads/32629.jpg

Saving the rear quarter panel:
http://www.cloverleaf4.co.uk/images/uploads/33680.jpg
http://www.cloverleaf4.co.uk/images/uploads/33681.jpg
http://www.cloverleaf4.co.uk/images/uploads/33682.jpg

Replacing a snapped pipe connection:
http://www.cloverleaf4.co.uk/images/uploads/33706.jpg

Front end - chasing rust:
http://www.cloverleaf4.co.uk/images/uploads/34014.jpg
http://www.cloverleaf4.co.uk/images/uploads/34015.jpg
http://www.cloverleaf4.co.uk/images/uploads/34016.jpg
http://www.cloverleaf4.co.uk/images/uploads/34017.jpg
http://www.cloverleaf4.co.uk/images/uploads/34018.jpg
http://www.cloverleaf4.co.uk/images/uploads/34019.jpg
http://www.cloverleaf4.co.uk/images/uploads/34020.jpg
http://www.cloverleaf4.co.uk/images/uploads/34021.jpg
http://www.cloverleaf4.co.uk/images/uploads/34022.jpg
http://www.cloverleaf4.co.uk/images/uploads/34023.jpg



I also pulled out some more of the AC system. The pump and rad are long gone but the pipes remained.
http://www.cloverleaf4.co.uk/images/uploads/34024.jpg

Front end welded:
http://www.cloverleaf4.co.uk/images/uploads/34041.jpg

Unions to replace brake compensator:
http://www.cloverleaf4.co.uk/images/uploads/34648.jpg

My temporary Mallory Park 10mm hose pipe joiner. Half an hour in to a track day and the low pressure side PS pipe split so had to find a solution to join two pipes.

http://www.cloverleaf4.co.uk/images/uploads/34655.jpg

I finally swapped it out for a proper joiner:
http://www.cloverleaf4.co.uk/images/uploads/34656.jpg

Lastly for today I went to fit the new refurbed rear brake dust guards but discovered they are a bit different on a Q4 :x :x :x

http://www.cloverleaf4.co.uk/images/uploads/34657.jpg
http://www.cloverleaf4.co.uk/images/uploads/34660.jpg

[Steve Webb]

That wing is exactly where my offside one is rusting as well. Rubbing on the bumper.
So how different are the brake guards? Mine are in a worse state than yours I think.

Oh and loving the redneck fix on the pipe!!

[wrinx]

No chance of mine being ready for this Summer :lol:

wrinx

[Steve Webb]

I'm hopeful at the moment that it'll see at least some of the summer and that the garage don't find anything majorly wrong with it, beyond the already substantial problems.

[fireracer]

Chose Its being worked on, maybe ready next year. Im too busy with work. :(

[Steve Webb]

Had word back from the garage, to be honest when I saw the number come up I was preparing myself for the worst.

Turns out the car isn't in too bad a shape, no holes beyond the ones I knew about so hopefully its going to be MOT'd and back on its correct UK plate soon.

[AlfaJack]

Great news!