IT'S ALIVE! IT'S ALIVE!  


Well, it starts.. 

Fuel pump R&R complete. I was a tad concerned about the actual operation of the pump - but it whizzes up a lot quieter than the old pump. And it pumps fuel. I recalled that I may have a length of hose somewhere around here... last evening. Sure enough, I had purchased some for this very purpose.

I ask the lovely and talented Julie to turn the key (she was getting into the Q-tip treatment on the ventilation on the inside. Man, she's aces!). Whizz. The Fuel Pressure light flickers on, then off (as it should). No leaks out back. Nice.
After massaging various engine parts with oils and pomades, I give it a shot - whomp whomp grrrr. Yeah. She started after only a bit of coaxing and fiddling with the cold start switch. I was always curious about that switch. According to my retired mechanic, the little toggle under the dash was a bypass switch to the cold start solenoid on the Spica. "If it don't start, try flicking this switch," he would say. I think it was maybe one of his amateur psychology experiments, and I was in the placebo group.

Regardless, she belched out some black smoke, idled reasonably evenly for a while, then DAMN the fuel pressure light goes back on. Hmmm..

Fortunately, I dug out my copy of Instruction and Maintenance Manual for Alfa Romeo 2000 Fuel Injection Models: USA Version, 1972 Model Year (Anonymous) I keep it between my Bible and Use Enough Gun
Some quiet study time is required now, nice for a rainy night.
Some inspirational pictures . Mmmmm. GTA blood lust.  

Posted: Mon - June 7, 2004 at 09:07 PM           |

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