Results 1 to 20 of 20

Hybrid View

Previous Post Previous Post   Next Post Next Post
  1. #1
    Join Date
    Feb 2012
    Location
    Cambridgeshire
    Posts
    106
    Mentioned
    0 Post(s)
    Tagged
    0 Thread(s)
    Rides
    0

    Default Wombat 33 story number 1 - My 16v boxer

    Bought this at the beginning of May. Main reason was that although I have several 33s, they all need a bit of work, and I wanted something nice to drive through the summer that I could fettle and tweak, but not have to do anything major. This one certainly meets that criteria - very very nice car.



    Managed to have a good poke around of the car today. One of things where I thought 'I've got 10 minutes to do that' and it turned into a bit longer.

    On account of finishing my lesson planning for my last training week, and marking 2 classes worth of assessed practicals, I decided to have some car time before I get going on finishing my last assignment. It's been a long haul!!

    Anyway, the 16v job started as dis-assembling the drivers seat as the outside bolster has a tear in it. I have a local company who is happy to match the material and make a new bolster cover for a fair price as long as they get just the bolster. Well, fannied around with that for a while and decided that the alcantara seat base could really do with a new cover as well as its gone all bobbly and has a few tiny holes appearing, so took out the passenger seat, swapped the rails/seat belt anchor with the drivers seat, and now am minus a passenger seat which is in bits and ready to go off next week and get sorted.

    The 33 has spacers under the seat rails, and generally they are small at the front and over an inch at the back to make the base level. There are also slide stops at the back which are almost 2 inches long. So, now large spacers at the front, small at the back with some washers to hold the rails off the carpet, and slide stops removed - hey presto a 33 with a driving position made for a 6ft 2 beanpole.

    Then, you know those days when you see a job that needs doing, make a start, and then you wish you hadn't!! I noticed some paint bubbling just above the skirt at the bottom of the OS B post. Looks like the skirt has not been held securely by its fixings and has rubbed through the paint. Decided to take the front skirt section off to clean up the rust bubble and get some protection on it.

    I am sure you know how the rest of this goes. When you start poking and prodding old Alfas, you tend to find holes. Whilst its not too bad at all, the whole skirt will need taking off, and worst case a new sill stuck on. Best case, some careful patching in 2 places, some rust treatment, and plenty of protection. Its all under the skirt so cosmetically easy.

    Naturally, I had a good look around the rest of the underside, and its OK. Not removed the NS skirt yet but no bubbling in the same visible places. Jacking points and suspension mounts good, so hopefully I have seen the worst.

    Tidied up the centre console while the seats were out, and swapped the gear shift gaiter for an original and unmolested or broken one I managed to acquire.

    Will be driving this next week and got to get that assignment done, then next job is to stop the NS front suspension squeaking (coil is just rubbing the turret), and then I have a few brake mods I want to do - 2000 Vectra front calipers (bolt straight on), 155 V6 284mm front discs, braided hoses, and a 75 V6 master cylinder (3mm bigger internal diameter to move more fluid for the bigger calipers).

    More on that soon.
    Drivers:
    - Red 155 Q4 Winny
    - Red 33 16v
    - Green 33 16v SW
    - Mrs Wombat Freelander

    Projects:
    - Various Alfa 33s

    Awaiting a grand re-awakening:
    - Red 75 3.0 Cloverleaf
    - The Wombat winter Freelander

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Feb 2012
    Location
    Cambridgeshire
    Posts
    106
    Mentioned
    0 Post(s)
    Tagged
    0 Thread(s)
    Rides
    0

    Default

    Did a little more on the 16v today. Having managed to knock out another 1000 words of course assignment and done some research reading for it on 'Pedagogical Content Knowledge', I became a little distressed and needed a mechanical fix

    Front suspension has lowered springs, and every time the car goes over a bump, there is a squeaking/rubbing noise from the NS front. Spoke with Alex and he thought that on occasion, some of the lowering kits cause the spring to just rub the turret, so goal was to get the strut off and see what was going on with a view to solving it.

    Strut off is very easy - wheel of, pop the track rod end, remove the 4 bolts holding the strut to the bearing carrier, remove the 4 nuts holding the strut on at the turret. 4 nuts - wait, only 3. 16v strut tops were meant to have 4, so looks like the strut tops or the engine has been changed in the past. That would explain the insurance confusion. Chris Knott had the car as a 1.7 i.e. but the common compare websites have it as a 16v - oh well.

    Of course, not as straight forward as it should be. Very bottom of the 4 bolts was turning but not coming out. Turns out the thread in the bearing carrier is stripped. A nut has been put on the back to secure it, but the alloy spacer in the strut has broken and the bolt has seized in the alloy (the discovery of anti-seize paste was a wonderful thing for me). Beat this out, and wondered about longer bolts with nuts, or taking the bearing carrier and hub off and replacing with a spare I have.

    Anyone, onto the strut, and the rubbing is immediately obvious. When the spring compresses, the first top most free coil is moving upwards and rubbing the edge of the top mount. It has been doing it for a while as the spring is quite marked.

    Looking at the logistics of this, the top of the spring sits in a rubber moulding, which sits in the strut top which is shaped so that end of the spring is against a stop (should have photo-ed it I guess). It looks like the spring is not hard enough against the stop because of the rubber, as if the whole spring was turned a further 10 or 15 degrees to be hard up against the stop, the first free coil would miss the edge of the strut top by a good few mm. Not able to do this, the simple solution is a gentle application of the angle grinder to remove the offending strut top edge. That seems to have solved the problem from a bouncing up and down perspective, and the drive to work tomorrow will confirm it has been successful.

    On re-assembly, managed to strip the top thread into the bearing carrier. So temporarily have 2 longer bolts (155 bottom wishbone bolts do the job nicely) with nuts to hold the thing tight, but will replace the bearing carrier and pop new front bearings in while I am at it.

    Front disc on that side is - now what is that term... cattle trucked. Caliper is fine and pads look like they have overheated. I pulled the caliper off and popped on one of the Vectra front calipers I have. Perfect fit directly over the tiny disc, and the wheel fits nicely over it. Will be ordering a pair of 155 V6 front discs shortly, and as soon as I get the brake hoses made up, will do the big brake conversion.

    Whilst this was all in bits, had a chance to inspect the front NS for rust. Jacking point is good, but all the protection is falling off and a bit of surface rust, so plenty of work to do de-rusting and re-protecting towards the end of the summer. All round the engine compartment looks good, so not bad all in all.

    Will do some pics next time, as next piece of work likely to be the big brake thing.

    managed to find a set of late rear discs/calipers etc, so at some point, the rear drums will come off as well.
    Drivers:
    - Red 155 Q4 Winny
    - Red 33 16v
    - Green 33 16v SW
    - Mrs Wombat Freelander

    Projects:
    - Various Alfa 33s

    Awaiting a grand re-awakening:
    - Red 75 3.0 Cloverleaf
    - The Wombat winter Freelander

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Apr 2006
    Location
    Bournemouth UK
    Posts
    4,782
    Mentioned
    2 Post(s)
    Tagged
    1 Thread(s)
    Rides
    1

    Default

    Ahh the joys of a used cars previous history. Always a surprise in store when you start working on it.
    1994 Alfa Romeo 155 Q4: Dozeing in the garage.
    2009 Audi A4 tdi: Everyday drive.
    1994 Alfa Romeo 155 , 1995cc Std Standard Black

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Feb 2012
    Location
    Cambridgeshire
    Posts
    106
    Mentioned
    0 Post(s)
    Tagged
    0 Thread(s)
    Rides
    0

    Default

    Aye. Its not a bad car though. Some bits to keep me busy!!!

    Good news, the suspension doesn't squeak now.
    Drivers:
    - Red 155 Q4 Winny
    - Red 33 16v
    - Green 33 16v SW
    - Mrs Wombat Freelander

    Projects:
    - Various Alfa 33s

    Awaiting a grand re-awakening:
    - Red 75 3.0 Cloverleaf
    - The Wombat winter Freelander

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Feb 2012
    Location
    Cambridgeshire
    Posts
    106
    Mentioned
    0 Post(s)
    Tagged
    0 Thread(s)
    Rides
    0

    Default

    Some breaking news...

    Speedflow make up brake hoses, and are making me a set of plastic coated braided hoses to fit the Vectra calipers (banjo fitting) and 33 hardline fitting (screwthread) for 50 quid.

    Ordered a set of 155 V6 discs, just standard reasonable brand OE replacement. The wheel fitting centre on the 33 is about 1mm larger than the 155, so worst case I will have the get the disc centres machined, but no issue with that.

    So all the front brake bits are on their way.

    And...

    I also found this, and am in the process of having the bits I need sent to me for the back end



    Rear stub axles, caliper mounts, calipers etc from a very late ABS 33, so, discs all round for Mallory
    Drivers:
    - Red 155 Q4 Winny
    - Red 33 16v
    - Green 33 16v SW
    - Mrs Wombat Freelander

    Projects:
    - Various Alfa 33s

    Awaiting a grand re-awakening:
    - Red 75 3.0 Cloverleaf
    - The Wombat winter Freelander

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Feb 2012
    Location
    Cambridgeshire
    Posts
    106
    Mentioned
    0 Post(s)
    Tagged
    0 Thread(s)
    Rides
    0

    Default

    Front brake braided hoses turned up today. Just need to get my University work done and I can go and get these big brakes sorted!!

    Not sure if anyone has experience of them before, but www.speedflow.co.uk are the company who got these made up.

    Very impressed with their service. I emailed them to ask if it was possible, they gave me a good set of instructions as to what they needed to quote, I sent them a 33 flexible and a Vectra caliper hose fitting, and 50 quid later I have a set of braided stainless hoses the right length with the right fittings. Took a week from my initial enquiring to having the hoses in my grubby mits.

    Very impressed.
    Drivers:
    - Red 155 Q4 Winny
    - Red 33 16v
    - Green 33 16v SW
    - Mrs Wombat Freelander

    Projects:
    - Various Alfa 33s

    Awaiting a grand re-awakening:
    - Red 75 3.0 Cloverleaf
    - The Wombat winter Freelander

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Apr 2006
    Location
    Bournemouth UK
    Posts
    4,782
    Mentioned
    2 Post(s)
    Tagged
    1 Thread(s)
    Rides
    1

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by the wombat View Post
    Front brake braided hoses turned up today. Just need to get my University work done and I can go and get these big brakes sorted!!

    Not sure if anyone has experience of them before, but www.speedflow.co.uk are the company who got these made up.

    Very impressed with their service. I emailed them to ask if it was possible, they gave me a good set of instructions as to what they needed to quote, I sent them a 33 flexible and a Vectra caliper hose fitting, and 50 quid later I have a set of braided stainless hoses the right length with the right fittings. Took a week from my initial enquiring to having the hoses in my grubby mits.

    Very impressed.
    Nice to hear there are still some places out there that provide a good service.

    So what are the specs of the Vectra calipers, and what size disks are you gonna be able to run with?
    1994 Alfa Romeo 155 Q4: Dozeing in the garage.
    2009 Audi A4 tdi: Everyday drive.
    1994 Alfa Romeo 155 , 1995cc Std Standard Black

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Feb 2012
    Location
    Cambridgeshire
    Posts
    106
    Mentioned
    0 Post(s)
    Tagged
    0 Thread(s)
    Rides
    0

    Default

    The Vectra calipers are ATE single piston and slider off any Vectra 'B'.

    They are a straight bolt on replacement but are huge in comparison to the tiny 33 originals. I will measure up the piston area and do some hydraulics calculations (I am allowed, I am a Physics Teacher). I can probably get a part number off the Vectra calipers as well.

    Although they are not the most sophisticated pistons in the world, the have a much bigger piston than the originals, and much bigger brake pad area. In theory, I can work out roughly what force you apply on a brake pedal, calculate the moment through the leaver, calculate the force on the master cylinder piston, work out the hydraulic pressure created, work out the force at the bigger piston caliper piston, and use that force to work out the pressure applied at the brake pads to give an idea of the difference (or get a clever student to do it for me).

    Disc wise, I am using a set of standard new 155 V6 front discs which are 284mm diameter compared to the 239mm 33 discs.

    These will not fit under 14 inch wheels, but do fit nicely under 15s (already done a mock assembly).

    I might have mentioned I will be using a 75 V6 master cylinder. It is identical externally, but the bore diameter is 22mm instead of 19mm.

    Hydraulically, if I were to use the 75 master with the original set-up, I would end up with less pedal travel (good), but would need to apply more brake pedal effort (bad, as it is already pretty high). I need to check the maths, but using the 75 master with the Vectra Calipers is primarily to shift more fluid with the same travel (bigger calipers = more volume of fluid needed to move the pistons, so more pedal travel with original master), but I think this should keep the brake pedal effort about the same as well for much more force available at the caliper.

    The interesting thing (for some) is that pressure = force/area, so there is a play off between more force at the piston, but that force is acting on bigger brake pads. Bigger brake pads/discs are better generally (better heat dissipation etc), but not if the pressure you can exert on the disc becomes less than the original pads and discs.

    Will be starting this later this week hopefully, so pics to follow and some technical info and calculations.
    Drivers:
    - Red 155 Q4 Winny
    - Red 33 16v
    - Green 33 16v SW
    - Mrs Wombat Freelander

    Projects:
    - Various Alfa 33s

    Awaiting a grand re-awakening:
    - Red 75 3.0 Cloverleaf
    - The Wombat winter Freelander

  9. #9
    Join Date
    Jan 2007
    Location
    Derbyshire, UK
    Posts
    3,082
    Mentioned
    2 Post(s)
    Tagged
    1 Thread(s)
    Rides
    0

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by the wombat View Post
    The interesting thing (for some) is that pressure = force/area, so there is a play off between more force at the piston, but that force is acting on bigger brake pads. Bigger brake pads/discs are better generally (better heat dissipation etc), but not if the pressure you can exert on the disc becomes less than the original pads and discs.
    I was having a similar discussion elsewhere about brake efficiency and area, it concluded that a larger surface area did not improve the braking ability as such, but did so by improving the heat dissipation ability of the set up via larger discs and pads.

    I still can't get my head round it (a much smaller pad just wouldn't work, but is it heat or friction by area?), but the others produced tech articles which agreed with their POV so who am I to argue...

    wrinx
    My Q4 in the Garage

    www.alfaromeo155.co.uk ............................ □□□-V-□□□ .................................. www.ilmostro.co.uk

  10. #10
    Join Date
    Apr 2006
    Location
    Bournemouth UK
    Posts
    4,782
    Mentioned
    2 Post(s)
    Tagged
    1 Thread(s)
    Rides
    1

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by the wombat View Post
    I am allowed, I am a Physics Teacher
    Is it wrong that my mental picture of you just changed.

    Anyone remember Denzil Dexter from the Fast Show?

    1994 Alfa Romeo 155 Q4: Dozeing in the garage.
    2009 Audi A4 tdi: Everyday drive.
    1994 Alfa Romeo 155 , 1995cc Std Standard Black

  11. #11
    Join Date
    Jan 2009
    Location
    Norway
    Posts
    119
    Mentioned
    0 Post(s)
    Tagged
    0 Thread(s)
    Rides
    0

    Default

    Nice project's, i bougth me a 33 P4 1. Month ago. Lovely car.

  12. #12
    Join Date
    Feb 2012
    Location
    Cambridgeshire
    Posts
    106
    Mentioned
    0 Post(s)
    Tagged
    0 Thread(s)
    Rides
    0

    Default

    Any pics? Would be great to see it.
    Drivers:
    - Red 155 Q4 Winny
    - Red 33 16v
    - Green 33 16v SW
    - Mrs Wombat Freelander

    Projects:
    - Various Alfa 33s

    Awaiting a grand re-awakening:
    - Red 75 3.0 Cloverleaf
    - The Wombat winter Freelander

  13. #13
    Join Date
    Feb 2012
    Location
    Cambridgeshire
    Posts
    106
    Mentioned
    0 Post(s)
    Tagged
    0 Thread(s)
    Rides
    0

    Default

    Been quiet here for a bit, but quick update, been working on the 16v in preparation for the 155 Mallory track day next weekend.

    A few things done:
    - Tracked down the rear end vibration and sorted
    - Rear disc conversion completed. Braking seems nicely balanced without changing the compensator
    - NS rear jacking point collapsed while doing all this good stuff. Now repaired, although I really need to practice more welding!
    - A little mod to a spare grill to help with the CDA



    Not quite lined up due to the rad in the way, but seems to pressurize the CDA with cold air, which is a good thing




    Won't be driving like this on a daily basis as looks damned ugly and the grill lacks the proper clips so is cable tied on (love that person who invented the cable tie), but for the track day, should do the trick.
    Drivers:
    - Red 155 Q4 Winny
    - Red 33 16v
    - Green 33 16v SW
    - Mrs Wombat Freelander

    Projects:
    - Various Alfa 33s

    Awaiting a grand re-awakening:
    - Red 75 3.0 Cloverleaf
    - The Wombat winter Freelander

Similar Threads

  1. Q4 Brake pump
    By alfista_AR in forum Alfa Romeo Q4 Tech.
    Replies: 5
    Last Post: 06-06-12, 10:05
  2. The Wombat daft Q4 question number 2 - Suspension
    By the wombat in forum Alfa Romeo Q4 Tech.
    Replies: 7
    Last Post: 11-04-12, 19:08
  3. Wombat dumb Q4 question number 1 - Too much boost
    By the wombat in forum Alfa Romeo Q4 Tech.
    Replies: 6
    Last Post: 11-03-12, 21:19

Tags for this Thread

Bookmarks

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •