Continuous Alfa 156 build thread

ba_barabus wrote: »

Looking well 166Man.

I never thought you'd go for something so big given the V6 was so expensive to run. I forgot you'd bought the 156 back however

Thanks Augeo!

I lost your number BA or I would have told you about it..!

It's a weekend car only and not a daily so it's not bad, fuel and tax are a joke but I have done my sums and a recent promotion in work means this is feasible. You only live once and these cars are getting thin on the ground.

It's got it's share of issues but I'll sort them

750i gone away for a few days to get a new coolant pipe and a full service done along with a bit of prep for it's NCT. Its a good sign when the mechanic rings specifically to tell you what a good car it is and how straight and clean it is underneath...:D

Should have it back by next week and then test it and tax it.

Small update in here. V12 needed a new water pump on top of the cooling pipe. Decided to do it all at once along with the service so she should be ready for her NCT. I'm confident it should pass! Looking forward to getting it back, too many 4 bangers in the drive...! :pac:

Finally nearly 4 years later I have a car worthy of my username....:D

Thanks man, appreciate it. I sold my BMW 750i to fund the purchase of this car and the subsequent rebuild it's getting this week.

Some may call it crazy, but when you wanted one of these for 10 years + and you get that giddy feeling when you start and drive it, it's worth it entirely.

One more pic just because....:D

Car is being worked on this week by a fantastic Alfa specialist in Enfield. I have parts coming in from all over Europe for this car this week. Work being done listed below..

List of work for 166

- new lower wishbones TRW
- new upper wishbones TRW
- new drop link
- new bushes in the rear suspension
- oil and filter Millers Trident
- air and pollen filter
-,wiper blades
- cam timing check
-diagnostics check
- fit wooden steering wheel
- STR button
- New front brake pads
- New rear discs and pads
- new air pipe from air box to throttle body
- 2 x front CV boots
-clutch squeak pedal
- radiator
- associated coolant pipes
- full coolant flush
- car mats
- new front and rear badges
-pressed metal plates
- new expansion tank
- 4 x Goodyear Eagle F1's also being delivered this week.

The list might look like the car is a poor one, it's not, most of this work isn't needed right now, the cooling system is actually fine, but nonetheless, no chances are being taken, I want to do this right.

The tyres on it and brakes and also grand and would go another while but "grand" isn't good enough for me on this car. It needs to be the best I can have it!

Got the 166 back there on Saturday. She's definitely driving better..!

List of work done includes

- new front lower wishbones
- new rear lower arms
- new drop links front
- new bushes in the rear suspension
- oil and filter
- air and pollen filter
-,wiper blades
- cam timing check
-diagnostics check
- fit steering wheel
- STR button
- Loose front seats
- 2 x Goodyear front tyres
- 2 x front CV boots
-clutch squeak pedal
- new radiator
- associated coolant pipes
- full coolant flush
- new badge


In the next two weeks I still have to do rear discs and pads, front pads, new upper wishbones, two new TRW track rod ends, two more GoodYear tyres on the rear, 4 wheel alignment, replace air pipe, new coolant expansion tank.

NCT is this Thursday, most of the above work will have to wait until after, it should pass anyway though.

Once that's all done, again in the next few weeks, I need to replace the arm rest with a grey leather one, clean all the leather seats, wet vac all the carpets and then put in new floor mats.

FINALLY I'm hoping to send the car to one of the detailers in Dublin for a full machine polish correction.



Then I'll be happy....maybe...

166 is in with Ian in Elite Auto Clean currently all week. She's having extensive paintwork correction as well as having the leathers insider treated etc... After this week I'll be 5 times as much into the car as I originally paid for it.....:o

:pac:

Sneak teaser attached....