SA Import Beta 2000 Coupe

[Nigel]

As far as I know, VX springs were a little stiffer but
didn't change the ride height. I'm not sure how you'd identify
a VX spring from a standard version, perhaps they were colour-coded?

Sourcing those could be a minefield of woe, putting it simply I
don't think that's necessarily the route I'd take.

I agree your car rides slightly higher than standard, but so do many, and
some ride lower also. Given the work you've already done, I'd wait a while.

Are you doing Brooklands 2 May?

Nigel

[Ferrit]

I asked a friend of Alan, Steve, who has had his Vx coupe for 39 years to measure.  His car is 3cm lower at the back and 1cm lower than my car.  Mark W had a 1600 Beta std coupe as his spring mule is exactly the same as my car F=370-5; R=365'ish.

Mark W has a set of Springs I 'might' look at

Car is ready and will be collecting later.  I will post the results later

[WestonE]

On Front Bushes. Be aware the cars tend to torque steer with the standard wishbone bushes. The tapered end does not stop the wishbones from moving sideways under load. Several centuries ago Barry Waterhouse Engineering made me nylon packing bushes to stop the torques steer. I think Marks squared up bushes were made that way to help manage this. I have deleted the original wishbones for my car. I had tubular steel items made with some Nissan truck poly bushes. This is because I will be running double standard power and want to avoid snaking down the street under acceleration.

 

[lancialulu]

As far as I know, VX springs were a little stiffer but
didn't change the ride height. I'm not sure how you'd identify
a VX spring from a standard version, perhaps they were colour-coded?

My VX coupe (original) springs were blue stripe rear yellow stripe front. Seem to remember my HPE VX were the same. I am very happy with the ride height

[Ferrit]

Can you measure centre to arch lip for me please?  I have photo's of the springs and the colours are the same as yours.  Funny thing is if I measure my springs and compare to the specs in one of the Tech Manuals I have it says the rears are HPE.  A suspension company that helped with my van said the best way to compare springs is weigh them..

Car is back home.  Before the dyno they did a compression test, checked my valve clearances, ignition timing at tickover and 3500rpm, checked all other levels.  All good and confirmed I am not an idiot. 

I will ask for the brake test readings, he did tell me but I thought they would be in writing.  All equal and front to rear bias is as it should be and handbrake is good.  Drive home was great on smaller back roads, i did feel just from the off/pulling away it would hesitate a little and it cut out once and tried to cut out a couple times but I saved it.  I was stuck in horrendous local traffic at the time and running on fumes.

I will take it out for a spin tomorrow and report back.

https://youtube.com/shorts/4tZPCrlhU74?si=-pW6-ewMbU3ZKbZM

So first few runs on over rich jets it was getting 105~110 bhp, and they managed a mid teens after jet tweeking.  Happy it could cope with a dyno tbh.  It might need more work but nice to know it ran okay.

I need to decide about the bushes now (I am just not sure about the current ones), plus I have some mint headlight mounts coming I will try and use my current lights.  Then its ready for an MOT and a wheel alignment back at Harding Auto I think.

[WestonE]

A solid result and safer than guessing that results in another engine build. Improvements to the engine power/flexibility would now need a better exhaust mapped ignition (123 Distributor) and twin 45 side draft or 44 down draft carbs. Of these the 4 into 2 into 1 exhaust and mapped ignition are the best return for money and time. You probably see BHP more with better mid and part throttle driving. Or just enjoy what you have and smile. 

[Ferrit]

Thanks Eric.  Tbh I was thinking the same (Re: better exhaust mapped ignition - 123 Distributor).  Maybe an AFM guage?

Re: front bushes - I just dont like the lack of support.  I bought some from very OEM looking ones from Ricambio and they have a very PU bush look about them.  I am going to give them a go.  Easy enough swap and now I have Guy's spacers I think :-)

Also have a plug or two to add to the HRW switch from Mark.

I am going start on re-fitting the side trim before I loose some loose bits.  I have a bunch of clips.  this one before the rear wheel arch, where the glue splodge there is a hole, should the black end cap have a clip to go through the hole?

[lancialulu]

ride height of my VXHPE rear 37.5cm front 36.5 =/-0.2mm from wing edge to centre wheel cap

Re side stripes the blue splodge you have is in place of a moulded location "dowel" that just sits in the wing hole.

I have just fitted some of those Ricambio bushes with spacers. Not got the wishbone on the car yet but dimensionally they go onto the subframe without a fight.

[Ferrit]

Thanks Tim.  Interesting that a VX HPE seems to be on std HPE springs as opposed to lowered like the Vx Coupe.  Those dims are the same as my car.

And thanks for the details on the plug, helps a lot.

MF

[lancialulu]

Thanks Tim.  Interesting that a VX HPE seems to be on std HPE springs as opposed to lowered like the Vx Coupe.  Those dims are the same as my car.

And thanks for the details on the plug, helps a lot.

MF

I dont think the VX Coupe had lowered springs?? I will know when I refit mine.....

[Nigel]

I don't think any VX had lower ride height, only that the springs
were slightly stiffer.

Keep in mind that any comparison between cars must allow for 40 years
of use/replacements/wear etc.

Nigel

[Ferrit]

slow progress this weekend...  I now have a loose fuel inlet, I am sure disturbed by the garage but tbh its an old car right and explains "i did feel just from the off/pulling away it would hesitate a little and it cut out once and tried to cut out a couple times but I saved it." possibly..

I have posted on the Carb section so I will leave this there.  Garage has offered to come and collect and sort but tbh its possibly easier for me to deal with.  One set of bushes in the front suspension.  I like these bushes.  They seems like PU made oem - https://www.ricambio.co.uk/products/front-lower-control-arm-bush-lancia-beta  They feel a lot more positive.  Finally I have a leak out of my modded cam-box end cap, so Eric was right again and I need to look at welding it up and doing it properly this time.

Mark

[Ferrit]

Front bushes and ARB all torqued up.

Old all cleaned up from the leak.  Carb inlet repaired with Loctite and JB Weld.  Cam end cap welded up, sealed with JB Weld and painted.  I might have run it too soon after installing so might do the gasket again as its weeping a little still.  Initial test run all good.

It seemed the car was covered in what I thought was tree sap but I am sure is actually overspray (cleaned off the glass its red!).  The garage offered to come and get it and sort it but I frankly couldnt be bothered so used Rubbing Alcohol on the windows and the stainless bumpers and trim and clayed and polished the roof, bonnet and bot lid and half way down the door so far

[Ferrit]

Brake results were:

 

Front Service Brake: 220 each locked

Rear Service Brake: 100 each not locked

Rear Parking Brake: 150 each locked

Sounds right to me, and was told will pass an MOT

[Ferrit]

So leak turned out to be the rack blown a seal or two.  No PAS to Brooklands which was fine'ish for the 20 min drive.

Felt sorry for myself so didnt start until yesterday.  Got the rack out no problem out of the OS wheel arch/steering 'gaiter' slot.  Now on the bench ready to strip, anyone know what grease you should use in building up a PAS rack?

I found this video which seems very similar - https://youtu.be/44litLRlsjU?si=ItwuYk1lsdIKn2I5

Then sorted the bush in the gear selector 'bell-crank'.  What a sh~~ this was, done it in the end.  Had to half dismantle the gear selector rods, remove the centre console and a seat and the gear selector plate in the cabin.  In the end I removed the circlip on the nearest bush to the bulk head and knocked it out.  Bell-crack just needed the bottom bush replacing as Peter said.  Gear feels really nice now.  I did add a few washers on the front left stud on the plate that holds the gear lever when I did the rebuild and was thinking they should come out but the gears all select and seem correct in terms of the arc in all directions.  I will test again before the interior goes back in again.

This week hopefully get the rack built and back in next weekend.

[lancialulu]

It all looks so new!

[peteracs]

I was thinking that as well....

Peter

[Ferrit]

Its all a facade! 

[deks]

It all looks so new!

Mark has replaced so much it is almost brand new 

[Ferrit]

I have not added any purchases since December to my running total.  Since then I have a recon head rebuilt, gear change bushes, dyno fiasco, and now steering.  Oh and have a set of recon headlight fittings to fit.  I am a bit scared...

I am very sceptical of any running restoration in terms of budgeted costs now.

M