Posts

Its Italian - The Issues Never End

Image
 So it has been over twelve months since the last post and in that time a lot has gone on in the world of Alonzo. After the Lakeside outing on June 23, it wasn't long after before once again the failing clutch reared its ugly head again. Pumped the pedal for what seemed like ages but nothing, so a quick call to Barry and he popped around to have a look. Pumped it a couple times and presto, working again; how to look a fool in a few seconds. Alonzo was all fine up until we went for a European trip and when we returned it was all out to get things done before the late November QR Raceway outing. Barry had in the meantime replaced an engine mount and a bush now they had arrived in Australia whilst also cleaning out the blocked aircon outlet at the same time, so no more leaks into the cabin and time to return the carpets. A bit of a tedious job but the end result was worth it.   I had also started cleaning up the plastics which in a 20 plus year old car had started to become stick...
Post a Comment
Read more

The Italian Project - (Read Saga) - Continues...

Image
 So after that memorable and enjoyable occasion on the track at Lakeside for the first time in Alonzo, a significant amount of time and exasperation has followed. The joys of owning an Italian car I keep getting told. Doing a little Googling can be a dangerous thing, so with the intention of improving the handling of Alonzo a Wiechers front strutbar was ordered and installed in March. Simple procedure and we will have to wait and see if any difference is noticed in the next track day. The only issue was the strutbar stopped the lid of the brake/clutch fluid reservoir being removed, so a couple of washers to push it out a bit remedied the situation and lid was now easily removed and closed. A lovely bright red colour so obviously must make an impressive amount of improvement. Maybe a rear strut brace is on the list next?    It was couple of months after the track day, and just before the next one at Lakeside ( I had missed the event at Queensland Raceway in March ) that I ...
Post a Comment
Read more

Lakeside Park Raceway - Alonzo's First Outing on Track

Image
 So for those that may not have been following, the whole reason for Aurelia (may she rest in peace), followed closely by Alonzo (2003 Alfa Romeo 147, 2L Twin Spark) , was to get a 'cheapish' car on track for inexperienced me that if something untoward occurred would not cause me any great grief but it still had to be fun to drive.  Since the last time, Alonzo has made one more visit to Barry to finally have both front Lower Control Arms ( wishbones) replaced and a general once over. All good, didn't even need a couple of other arms that I got for free. Found out the Fiat brake pads I was given were also for the Alfa 147 front brakes, so a little win there. The front discs are a bit pitted so that will be a job for me in the future, replace front pads and discs together as there is still plenty of life left in the pads at the moment. A re-gas of the air conditioning system fixed the warm air problem (personally a necessity up here).       It was then just a matt...
Post a Comment
Read more