And So It Begins....

[SanRemo78]

There are two types of rear transverse arms, a pressed steel one that's not adjustable and a tubular one with rod ends (left and right threads). When I put mine together I opted to go for a full set of the adjustable ones as they look stronger. Obviously the adjustment is there to allow you to set up the tracking properly. On my car I have merely set the length of all four to the length of the pressed steel ones and will deal with the tracking adjustment later.

On the front wishbones I didn't notice any flexing of the subframe or mountings to the body but I have yet to torque everything properly. That will be done methodically once the drivetrain is installed and suspension set up. For the meantime the geometry is line of sight such that the car can be rolled around easily enough.

[peteracs]

FYI there is also a tubular fixed length one which came on the earlier cars. Normally you have a fixed and variable length one on each side.

Peter

[SanRemo78]

FYI there is also a tubular fixed length one which came on the earlier cars. Normally you have a fixed and variable length one on each side.

Peter

Every day is a school day!

[SanRemo78]

And that's it for another week. Pump installed, Filter King installed, Pipework run from the front to the back, clipped in place and not fouling/rubbing anywhere. Just the final bends to sort out at the pump end and two short rubber pipes to route and the fuel system is done bar the connection to the engine. Next week i may get back to glazing and interior work!
Guy

[Ferrit]

Ooo I like a pressure gauge on it :-)

[rossocorsa]

FYI there is also a tubular fixed length one which came on the earlier cars. Normally you have a fixed and variable length one on each side.

Peter

Some cars, series 2 pre facelift I think?, have all four fixed length then a fancy offset bolt system to adjust the rear tracking. All very clever but it LOOKS like there's no adjustment unless you know, it seems to have been abandoned fairly quickly.

[WestonE]

The Pressure gauge is set up only. They are an unnecessary fire risk day to day. You simply replace it with a plug until you want to check for issues.

[SanRemo78]

Correct Eric, once the engine is singing it's merry tune that will be deleted and the port blanked off. I've just got to find somewhere safe to store the plug between now and them!
Guy

[Ferrit]

That made me laugh 

[SanRemo78]

Back from Gerry's and a couple of days on the car. Fuel line completed and connected to the pump. The majority of the generic brake pipe clips turned out to be too loose in the original holes and I wasn't prepared to drill new ones so the old, original clips have been cleaned up and the best of them used instead, lucking, with no return pipe on the tank the tripe ones (which were the most damaged) could be replaced with doubles (5/16 & 3/16). With all the pipework routed I could reattach the steering arms so I can push the car out of the garage and turn it around when the time comes to start building up the passenger door. Maybe next week.

I've also hung the rear exhaust mounts just to get them out of the way. The jack bracketry has been powder coated and is now installed, thank you Mark Ferris for the pointers where it had to live. Sadly it meant drilling two holes in the box section as they weren't reinstated when the shell was restored (because they had been plated over poorly!). The jack now sits, where it belongs, behind the carpet. I noticed a couple of holes in the carpet and one lines up with an existing hole so there must be some retaining plugs to keep it in place. They'll be standard Fiat ones so no panic there! And talking of carpet, an hour or so with the hoover got them looking reasonable but I think the one on the floor will need the attention of a professional valeter to get the stains out. THey're not as bad as they look but it should be better. I've stashed the toolkit on the right side of the boot for now but think it belongs behind the carpet near the jack. It can stay where it is until the right fixings appear.

My memory of the first Beta HPE I had was that the carpet sat on a piece of hardboard. I'd like to do that with the Coupe in time. Should it have one?

Next week I have a couple more bits to drop off for powder coating and some handbrake mechanism parts for plating. Once I get them back the handbrake cable can go on with the cover and the exhaust heatshield. I may even be able to hang the rear and centre sections to get some shelf space back! They will need a coat of barbecue paint first and I've got a tailpipe trim on the way which should slip over the end of the straight pipe I went for.  (the Laser variant).

That's it for this week I think. A beer or two is needed next!

Guy

[Nigel]

Guy, re the boot carpet:

Yes, the HPE had a ply base, and I'd do the same on yours. In addition,
the HPE had some firm rubber blocks beneath to fit inside the 'channels' in the floor,
I guess to prevent flexing, but also to minimise rattling.
I suggest marine grade 5/6mm ply coated with something to seal it from moisture.
Outstanding progress.

Nigel

[SanRemo78]

Thanks Nigel, instead of rubber I might use a little of the bitumen soundproofing pads or the self adhesive foam I've got left. I think a marine grade plywood is a great alternative material and it'll keep the carpet flat - no lumps!

Guy

[Ferrit]

"I noticed a couple of holes in the carpet and one lines up with an existing hole so there must be some retaining plugs to keep it in place. They'll be standard Fiat ones so no panic there! "

The little clips you mention, I still have one, I will try to remove it and take some pictures, I need one. 

Where the carpet overlaps behind the wheel do you still have the clip that holds the carpet (both sides) in place?  I found something that looks right, I need to try it sometime.

Ferris

[SanRemo78]

Hi Ferris - no, the centre fixing is missing. As was the entire carpet set when I bought the car (if memory serves me right. I managed to get them from a couple of helpful souls on this forum though!

And yes, I'm still looking for the second spare screw for the rear panel, it's wandered off somewhere! If Peter has a couple please send him an email and let him know I'm struggling to find a pair.

Guy

[SanRemo78]

I may be getting ahead of myself here but having completed the fuel supply system last week I thought it might be wise to ensure that the exhaust system was ready.... That'll just leave the heavy lump in the middle to sort out.

Anyway, I've bought a mild steel Imasaf system for the car, manifold to tailpipe with a Laser type back box. I'm not a fan of the kinked tailpipes so the straight end was the look I was after. Unfortunately the tailpipe is a little plain but an eBay purchase of a stainless steel trim with a nice rolled edge has fixed that. Just needs cutting back a little to the right length and then screwing on. Or maybe welding on. That sounds like a better alternative! I've also bought some barbeque paint to give the system a bit more longevity...

[Ferrit]

what a difference! 

[SanRemo78]

Thanks Mark - it needs a little more polishing yet..

[Ferrit]

Is it a Darkside item?  I follow Darkside quite a bit (previous history with my BiTDI VW van)

[SanRemo78]

We had a small break in the weather, enough time to put the centre part on stands and give it a coat of BBQ paint, once cured it should give it a little bit of extra protection. Tin said black but it's actually quite a light grey. Maybe that will change with a heat cycle whenever that happens? And if it doesn't it's dark enough underneath the car that it doesn't matter!

[SanRemo78]

Yes Mark, the stainless tip was from Darkside - first time I've dealt with them, shipping was expensive for a small parcel but the packaging was over the top and the part was a bargain! £18 on my doorstep in all.