First drive impressions

[JThw8]

Ok, so I got the parts car out of the shop tonite and made space for the scorpion. Fired it up, it starts easier and settles into idle a little better every time now. Decided a quick blast around the block might be good for her :)

A bit of backfire when letting off the throttle after high revs, this eventually smoothed out and all but went away, not entirely unexpected for a car that is running on old gas and after sitting so long.

Biggest concern seemed to be a rear end shimmy above 20mph or so. When I got her in the shop I jacked her up and found no play at all in any of the wheels (injured my elbow I shook em so hard). Im apt to attribute the vibration to flat spotting of the tires from sitting so long...but I will check out other things as well, any suggestions welcome.

As long as it was in the air I decided to see what the drag on the wheels felt like. Both rear and the left front had a definite brake drag while the right front moved freely. At this point that leads me to suspect rusty/siezed caliper pistons in the effected wheels as opposed to a bum master cyl since not all wheels were effected....again advice and opinons gladly welcomed.

Lots to do, little time to do it, one step at a time I guess. Upon initial inspection it seems like its gonna be a real pain to move the carpet to weld that floor, looks like everything has to come out.....no fun...

[chrisc]

Simple way to confirm / deny if only certain wheels are dragging is to run it round the block, then feel each wheel (carefully!). Wherever the brakes are dragging will be warm at least - possibly even burningly hot so exercise caution.

[JThw8]

well nothing was out of the ordinary temp wise after a run around the block, but it was reasonably low speed and short. I dont really want to take it out too much more until I figure out what is dragging for fear of damage, it does seem to be loosening up with use. Im going to pull the wheels tomorrow if I can and try to pull the calipers and investigate further.

[DJ]

Sounds like you're figuring it all out.

One note, though. I wouldn't drive that thing too much, especially at high revs, until I knew for sure what the status of the timing belt is.

If you don't know FOR CERTAIN that the belt is fresh, change it NOW. It's a bit of a job but it's cheap and not really that bad. But if you lose a belt, it'll cost you a lot more in labor, new valve(s), maybe a new piston or two, etc. Could even blow out the side of your block if the aux shaft got out of phase at high revs.

Please don't let me scare you about this but a good, fresh timing belt is critical on these engines.

[DJ]

Sounds like you're figuring it all out.

One note, though. I wouldn't drive that thing too much, especially at high revs, until I knew for sure what the status of the timing belt is.

If you don't know FOR CERTAIN that the belt is fresh, change it NOW. It's a bit of a job but it's cheap and not really that bad. But if you lose a belt, it'll cost you a lot more in labor, new valve(s), maybe a new piston or two, etc. Could even blow out the side of your block if the aux shaft got out of phase at high revs.

Please don't let me scare you about this but a good, fresh timing belt is critical on these engines.

[JThw8]

Yep, Im well aware of the timing belt pitfalls, Ive garnered myself too many cheap fiats and alfas that way :) Keeping the revs relatively low right now, waiting on a call back from my local fiat/alfa/lancia supplier to see if he has the belt and tensioner in stock (Im lucky enough to be located right near Bruces Parts Bin)

It certianly does look to be a royal pain to get at, but I know its necessary.

[Ken H]

Keeping the revs relatively low right now, waiting on a call back from my local fiat/alfa/lancia supplier to see if he has the belt and tensioner in stock (Im lucky enough to be located right near Bruces Parts Bin)



Sometimes low revs stress the belt even more than high revs. My last timing belt gave out with the engine at idle in a parking lot. Less inertia and greater load variation and/or peak load, maybe? Sounded like it ran out of gas, but when I tried to re-start it, I got the no-compression fast starter spin. All the valves were bent. As DJ says, replace it ASAP!

- Ken

[JThw8]

been at it all day...almost got her all buttoned back up. belt and tensioner looked pretty good, but no use chancing it.

pretty productive weekend over all. Pulled the interior, welded up the floors and treated everything for rust. and today was the dance of the timing belt, it is a real pain on this car...but it will be worth it when done.