Lancia Motor Club

I'm very excited to be the proud owner of a Gamma Berlina, and also undergoing a baptism of fire with regards my mechanical skills. I thought this section was lacking a regular update, so I thought I'd start a sort-of-blog on my efforts to maintain and improve the car. I'm not going to promise this will be of interest to anyone other than myself, but here goes anyway!

The car has managed to fail three MOTs in quick succession, all on the brakes: the front n/s caliper is seizing on and the rear n/s is failing to demonstrate any effort at all with the parking brake. The car seems fine when it leaves the workshop, but the 10 mile drive to the sympathetic MOT centre is causing everything to go wrong again.

Harvey gets oily hands shocker: I spent Saturday afternoon raiding Andy's donor car for the relevant calipers, and on a "just-in-case" basis, making off with the front flex hoses, too. All under supervision, of course, but that's the most I've done to a car apart from change a wheel!

Fingers crossed for the 4th MOT attempt. Then I'll be hoping to make it to the AGM. I'd really like to get the waterpump swapped out, and the belts changed, but time is very much against me...

Don't worry - I'll read it :) Photos are ok too ....

Harvey,
Keep it coming as I've no experience of working or indeed having anything to do with Gammas, but I'm severely tempted ;D

This is one of the great parts of the Forum, sharing others experiences with their Lancias
Brian
8227 8)

Keep it coming Harvey, a welcome addition indeed. Look forward to seeing the car at the AGM.

Robin.

I had an occasional read of the colonels re-build on the Gamma consortium - good stuff, so it would be great to see something on here.

And what a lovely job it is.

Brian
8227 8)

Welcome to the wonderful and strange world of Gamma ownership! The Gamma Consortium have had some water pumps rebuilt (they come with lifetime warranty!) and I am the custodian of one of the spares. The Consortium also has plenty of timing belts as I am storing a box or two for them...

That's good to hear! How quickly can I get my hands on them? I posted my membership cheque for the consortium yesterday. The pump is rumbling nicely. Opinions vary on how urgent it is to replace it, but I'm not one to gamble so would rather do it soon.

If you sort out money with Ian (treasurer@gammaconsortium.com) you could have them in a day or two. Gamma pump bearings can rumble on (isn't that a Led Zeppelin song?) for years. As long as the pump is not leaking you'll be OK. Even when they start to leak slightly they don't get bad quickly. My water pump started to leak on the way to Turin for the Centenary Celebrations in 2006 and I got to Turin and all the way back to the UK with no major hassle. I had to top up the water once a day while in Turin and on the way back every couple of hundred miles which coincided nicely with my need for coffee/comfort breaks.  ;D

*Ramble On - Led Zepplin II Track 7

Ok, so that's a ramble and not a rumble but I wonder if Jimmy Page ever had a Gamma for inspiration  ;D

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0nWMNnypWEg (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0nWMNnypWEg)

The car made it through the MOT at 4th attempt. A million thanks to Charles Shelton who worked hard on sorting the brakes. The car was taxed on Saturday, and collected from Charles in the afternoon.

My first proper drive, eagerly anticipated, and with my daughters in attendance.

Seeing the car parked next to a modern family saloon makes it look quite small, but there's something Tardis-like going on. The amount of space inside is surprising, and there were no little feet in the small of my back at any stage. Imogen (aged 8yrs) was in the front, and as usual, Chloe (aged 6yrs) was in the back. Chloe had enormous fun - firstly using the electric windows (no rear windows at all in the Ypsi) and then generally falling all over the seat whenever I went round a bend. There are no rear seatbelts in the car (yet - my life is on the line otherwise!)

There's plenty of torque available. South of Bath on the A36 there's a village called Woolverton, which has a 30mph limit, and a long straight hill afterwards - quite a gentle gradient, but you'd know it on a bike! Anyway, driving sedately, I accelerated gently upon leaving the limited stretch, and the car quite happily pulled up the hill in 5th gear. The Ypsi does the same, but it's a very slow increase in speed compared to the Gamma!

Imogen made me feel old when she asked where the CD slot was, and I realised that she's never seen a tape cassette... The car has only a LW/MW radio, too, so I couldn't even find a music station easily!

Charles did some tinkering whilst the car was in his care and has changed the water pump, and repaired a wing mirror mount, as well as a touch of spray-painting. Therefore, there's nothing urgent that needs attention. Current restoration / maintenance tasks planned are:

• Restore the electric mirrors to the correct mounting points and re-connect
• Remove the period alarm (or at least the external activation keyhole mount!)
• Attend to rust patches and re-spray
• Improve leather interior with restorative cream
• Change the cambelt

This will be as funds allow. Firstly, I intend to get some use out of the car and get to know it a little over the summer before committing it to the care of a dry garage.

See you at the AGM!

Here's the car in Bath (until tomorrow). You can just see the Ypsi parked 2 cars behind.

HECK !

YOU MANAGED TO FIND TWO PARKING SPACES IN BATH AT THE SAME TIME ON THE SAME STREET !!!!!!

Looking for to seeing it (not in a field) .... :)

Yeah. It was lucky.  ;D

I parked the Gamma with about 8 feet clear in front so that I don't need full lock to get out of the parking space. Fingers crossed that the car in front stays there until I've managed to move the Gamma. I might be blocked in all the week otherwise.  :(

That's just one of the many  untrue (almost) myths about the Gamma. If your belts are OK and all is set up correctly you shouldn't worry. Here's how I park my Gamma  ;D

My dad would tell you different about 25 years ago, about full lock, left running whilst checking tyre pressures on a xmas eve >:( if mine i would put the cam belt at the top of the list, not the bottom, but nice car, and enjoy, never had a Gamma myself, but have been close a few times ::)

It's looking good Harvey. I might just have to cadge a lift on the Giro, as it's been a long time since I've been in a Gamma that works!

Lee

Theo, I'm told you've moved your power steering pump... so you can park like that ;). I'll play it safe!

Lee, you're welcome to a lift any time the car is working...

Well, yes there is that...  ;D :D

Some time ago I purchased a very low mileage (13,000) late second series Coupe, TKN something. I collected it on the Friday and booked it in for a cam belt change on the Monday, plus a service. Could not resist a twenty mile Sunday morning drive and yes youve guessed it. At a steady 50mph cruise she just stopped working and glided to a halt. Expensive trip, but after sorting the car was happy to go anywhere, including Le Mans a couple of times. Gammas? The last 'real' Lancia'. Except of course the Delta, Ypsilon, Dedra and whatever comes next.

Lovely car...   

I read that number plate as "Daisy", or have the kids come up with another name?   

Keep the impressions and updates coming!!

David

We made it to the AGM without incident, and so no oily stuff to talk about.

The car has quite a shimmy above about 55mph, so that needs investigating - mostly for peace of mind, as I'm not intending too much high speed driving! It's not engine related, as it's still there when out of gear, and it gets quite violent at higher speeds, so not just a case of avoiding a narrow speed range.

On the plus side, the car behaved impeccably. I took the A49 and then the A466 back from Shrewsbury to Bath, and was really getting to enjoy the handling all along the Wye valley. It was still very nimble, despite a boot that was full of door skins, courtesy of Jack Romano!

The temperature gauge stays solidly in the bottom half of the dial, despite some lengthy traffic crawls (especially Hereford), and oil pressure is better than it was when I first got the car. I don't know why that is, though.

The seat slider mechanism has failed, because the clip that holds the connecting rod in place has snapped. On the way to the AGM I had to drive with my knees around my ears, but a bit of tinkering has shifted the seat back to a better position, though still locked in place until I've replaced the clip.

Oh, and the brakes are still delightfully firm in feel, and "of their time" in stopping power, so a job well done by Charles!

Now, does anyone have the soundtrack to any of the Godfather films...?  ;)

Re, vibration, check wheel nuts :o, and if tight would get wheel balance checked,enjoy

Thanks, Roger. We did check the wheel nuts before I set off, and there were a couple that I could still tighten by wheel brace. I put 4 new tyres on the car as part of the MOT process so would hope the wheels were balanced then. Who knows, though - they might have forgotten one of them!

You weren't hanging about down the Hope Valley on Saturday, very impressive!

I had the wheel nuts checked for the right torque setting, but still a wobble above 60. I think I might need to check the the wheels are balanced next - something may have gone awry in the process of fitting 4 new tyres.

As an aside, I'm in the Gamma today and it looks like rain!  :(

Have you had the belts done yet ???

Nope - but ordering a set is on tonight's to-do list. My job is taking over my life for the rest of this month.  >:(

If balancing the wheels doesn't show the right result, check them for run out at the rim. Old wheels can get bent !

Neil

Deluged at work at present, so progress is slow. Cambelts have been delivered but I've not yet had time to arrange fitting. However, I have managed to sort the rear seatbelts, so the car is ready for the weekend! Many thanks again to Andy Collins. My George Washington impersonation goes only part way in repaying the favour.

You made an excellent lumberjack Harvey !

Andy

A quick update on events of recent past and near future...

I made it to the Gamma Consortium AGM in Banbury, battling traffic on the Friday evening (Avonmouth bridge resurfacing) to collect the Gamma. An uneventful trip to Banbury via the M4, A34 and M40 was enlivened by music now that I have splashed out the princely sum of £8 to get a tape convertor for my phone! The car behaved impeccably over the weekend. I had to leave the group on the Sunday morning, and so diverged from the published route as I made my way home. However, it was one of the best drives I can remember. The satnav took me on various A and B roads, all of which seemed to be wide, with sweeping bends and consistently little traffic. Fabulous. The Gamma was truly a joy to drive. I even managed to get the tyres to squeal when pulling away at one or two junctions. It was really incongruous as it was a sedate and stately manoeuvre, but I have budget tyres.  ;D

This weekend I am daring to attempt a trip to visit friends in The Hague, departing from Harwich on Friday morning. It's a short drive from the Hook of Holland to The Hague at the other end, so the Gamma will be on Dutch roads for only an hour or so all told. Needless to say, I've opted for additional AA cover. The sales agent seemed amused or bemused when confirming that the car is 31 years old, and the price for the cover was correspondingly eye-watering. I could save a lot of anxiety ("Will we make it?") and cost by taking the company car, but that would negate a huge amount of the pleasure in the trip. By driving, I'm also looking forward to being able to take luggage with me (something from which airlines do their best to dissuade you!)

Wish me luck. I'll update after the weekend with either a tale of joy or one of woe...  :)

Your wish is my command: Good luck!!

(...and if your luck runs out you'll at least have had an adventure...)

David

As you've found out, a drive in a Gamma doesn't just give you great pleasure but also a great sense of achievement! Welcome to the wonderful world of Gamma ownership and good luck with your Dutch Gamma adventure  ;D

hi Theo,
if you were insured with Footman James it wouldn't have been necessary to shell out an eye watering sum to the AA. ;D

Brian
8227 8)

When it came to insuring the Gamma I tried two companies - Footman James and Adrian Flux.

One had an automated system that left me in a queue for over 5 minutes (I gave up before they answered) and one was answered within 3 rings by a real person. Guess which one got my business?

Offering cheap insurance is pointless if your potential customers can't get through to you.

Hello Brian,

I think your posting was meant for Harvey and not me!  ;) In fact I am insured with RH Specialist Car Division (http://www.rhclassicinsurance.co.uk/ (http://www.rhclassicinsurance.co.uk/)) with whom I get free European-wide breakdown cover.  ;D Even so, I managed to drive my Gamma all the way to Italy and back (http://www.gammaconsortium.com/LTIM/ (http://www.gammaconsortium.com/LTIM/)) without making use of the free cover  :D That drive gave me a really great sense of achievement! ? (as well as immense pleasure)  ;D

Driving to Holland and back in a Gamma is a doddle though Harvey so don't worry about it.  ;)

http://www.gamma.fslife.co.uk/Holland/Start.htm (http://www.gamma.fslife.co.uk/Holland/Start.htm)

http://www.alkionides.com/gamma-holland-2004 (http://www.alkionides.com/gamma-holland-2004)


Theo

Whoops Theo, yes it was meant for Harvey!

Same as yourself I drove "Fay" To Portugal & Turin without having to call their services, although there's always one ear cocked :D Great feeling all the same knowing you've done it in an old car ;D

Brian
8227 8)

There never used to be a problem with waiting with FJ until Aon took them over, since then it's hells own job getting through, it's one thing to be held in a queue when you've been told your 2-3rd in the queue,  you can make up your own mind whether to hang on or not, but a totally different ball game when all you're told is that you're in a queue, and that your call will be dealt with as soon as possible (normally at your expense )  and some idiot saying "don't hang up your call is important to us" they then proceed to really show how much they value your custom by keeping you hanging on, listening to some tune that bores a hole in your head >:(

Rant of the day over ::)

Brian
8227 8)

Exactly. Anyway, the cost is still nothing compared to the cost of the ferry, the fuel, etc. You can see why short haul flights are so popular.

But half the fun is in the driving. The other half in visiting friends. Woo hoo!

Good luck with the trip harvey

How did you cure the 'wheel wobble' in the end?

Steve

Harvey,

I hope your ferry crossing is better than the one I endured when bring the Delta back from Holland.  I don't think my friend has forgiven me for getting him onto that ferry after suffering force 9 gales and 50ft waves!

Thanks, all. I haven't had the opportunity to solve the wheel wobble yet but 60mph is fast enough! I'm hoping for a mirror-smooth ferry crossing as I'm a very poor sailor.

More importantly have you had the cam belts done ???

Um.. nearly.

First moment of anxiety this morning when I spotted steam coming from under the bonnet whilst stuck in traffic getting out of Bath. Upon arrival at Chippenham, I've discovered that the top hose coming from the radiator has a small hole. Thanks to The Colonel for providing an early morning Help Desk! I'm now off to scour the Chippenham parts suppliers for a Nova hose (which is believed to fit) and then stop off with Andy Collins at 5pm for technical supervision in my repair attempt.

Hmph. Nova parts are in short supply. Not surprising - it's not exactly a recent car, either!

What you need to ask for is a Quinton Hazel RH1801 hose.

See post on the Gamma Consortium site http://gammaconsortium.com/lanciagammaforum/index.php?topic=52.msg265#msg265 (http://gammaconsortium.com/lanciagammaforum/index.php?topic=52.msg265#msg265) for details of the modification (and a temporary solution if you have to).

Harvey, if you really get stuck for the top hose, you can have mine to get you out of trouble as my Gamma isn't going anywhere for a long time yet!

Thanks for the help, all. Charles fitted the top hose in the summer as a precautionary measure - it's a second hand one, but in better condition than the one on the car at the time. Andy Collins has the original one still, and a hose on his donor car. I'm guessing both will be old, so I'm going to take a trip to Halfrauds shortly, and see if I can get a temporary corrugated rubber hose. The Colonel told me it's a 38mm diameter, I think (must check the voicemail before purchasing...)

Universal hose of 38mm internal diameter sourced from Merlin Motorsport at Castle Combe. A quick dash at half four, methinks. I hate the stress of last-minute repairs!

Good news! While you are there (or if you go back to Halfords) buy some self-amalgamating tape to have with you. It's very good for on-the-spot repairs to coolant hoses.

The last bit of this would be a superb piece for VL as an example of forum activity...

Gamma ownership is like belonging to an extended family. The consortium is especially good :)  The 'universal' hose was too short so I ended up cobbling together some silicone hoses. The car looks a bit bling with bright blue hoses, but works perfectly. I'm now on the ferry awaiting departure. Thanks to Andy for hands-on support last night.

I would now like you prove this by sending us a picture of the car or you on the ferry ....

PS. I'm gonna get a Vodafone USB modem for the laptop so I too can post anywhere , anytime :)

OK - here's one from this morning.

Looks a bit lonely there!!!

Ok smarty .... I now have my USB Modem so I too can post from anywhere !

They started to load cars whilst my friend was in the loo. ::)  Raining hard in Den Haag. :(

The Gamma between two old Peugeots. The Dutch love their classics. :)

Finally home at 2am this morning, after a long but flawless and comfy drive from Harwich via West Hampstead. Phew.

I feel cheated - a reliable continental run is no entertainment for the gallery  ;)

You'll have to satisfy the baying crowd with driving (and passenger) impressions compared with, say, the Dedra you used to run.  Would you do such a run again?  Would the passengers come along as well?   I expect you have a stiff back but that will be the nerves.

David

 ??? ??? Were you enjoying driving the Gamma so much you decided to go back the long way round? You should have popped round for a cup of tea ....   ;D

My passenger needed to be dropped off in West Hampstead. I'll canvas him for a few words on his impression of the Gamma's cruising ability. I had to get up at half five to drive the F*cus to a meeting, so I'm a little word numb at the moment. I'll post something more when the neurons are firing again.

Spot the replacement hose...

You can now get silicone hoses in black ;D

Brian
8227 8)

...unless it's a distress purchase and blue is all the supplier has!

That looks chavtastic  :o

I'd be tempted to go over the blue with self amalgamating - and given all you need to do is change the colour the screwfix at 1.78 seems a bargain next to the 7.49 at Maplins (see links below).  The wonders of the internet - the last roll I bought was from a chandlers where I was delighted to find some let alone worry over the price.

Is the shiny bit some new alloy pipe?  Maybe wire brush the laquer off it and let it grey, or a quick fix would be some grey paint or perhaps black as much on the basis that everyone has a bit left in a can somewhere in the garage.  Maybe wrap the alloy in tape?  Bandage the sore thumb  :)

...or perhaps there are more pressing jobs...and the blue and shiny bits are badges of "it really does get used" pride.

Great to see it at the AGM - and well done on the successful jaunt.

David

http://www.maplin.co.uk/Module.aspx?ModuleNo=4099

http://www.screwfix.com/prods/34666/Sealants-Adhesives/Tapes/Building-Construction-Tape/NN-Self-Amalgamating-Rubber-Tape-19mm-x-10m?cm_mmc=GoogleBase-_-Datafeed-_-Sealants%20and%20Adhesives-_-NN%20Self%20Amalgamating%20Rubber%20Tape%2019mm%20x%2010m

Hey! You've copied my patented (not) design  ;D ;D ;D

(http://www.gammaconsortium.com/images/th/1.JPG)

The wife of a close friend from university days recently had a baby, and I thought I'd pay a trip to see them. The other of our trio was also available, and in the spur of a moment, I'd suggested we "raid Den Haag in the Gamma" as an alternative to flying. The offer was readily accepted, but before anyone else knew the motoring pleasures (and risks) that lay in store.

When it came to Turin in 2006, I had no hesitation in signing up on the expectation that the Dedra would manage the journey with no trouble. As it happens, the only glitch on that journey was that the passenger side front indicator housing fell out, needing a gaffer tape repair to hold it in place!

As the day of this departure neared, I thought I ought to sort overseas breakdown cover - just in case. I also realised I'd left it too late to sort the cambelts before going, so would have to trust in another 500 miles out of them. (Yes, Roger, I know - it'll happen before the car emerges for the spring, I promise!)

The drama of Thursday is detailed above. At 08:15, I realised I had steam coming from the engine bay, and had a moment of panic.  At the roadside in Bath I dithered over whether to return home and collect the Focus, but decided to get to work and see if the problem could be diagnosed. Sure enough, the hole in the hose was more apparent when I parked in Chippenham.

The Gamma Consortium is a friendly source of expertise. I suspect that the close bond achieved comes from us clinging to others showing the same obsession, madness and masochism. The task seemed to be that I needed to find a radiator hose for a Nova (the Quinten Hazell hose) or resort to the temporary solution of a universal hose. Stuck at my desk, I scoured the internet with little luck or hope. Eventually, I settled on a plan to purchase from Merlin Motorsport at Castle Combe circuit as they're only a mile or so from Andy's house. This would avoid me braving the traffic queues to get to Halfords (and its like) on the other side of Chippenham.

Upon arrival at Merlin, I was dismayed to discover that their longest universal hose of 37mm internal diameter was too short. The helpful assistant suggested silicone hoses - buying two elbow sections and a connecting aluminium section. He was tentative in offering the solution as "it won't maintain the period appearance of the engine bay" - like it bothered me at that point! I leaped at the suggestion, and made my way to Andy's for the repair.

The journey to West Hampstead was uneventful. I kept to about 60mph to avoid the worst of the wheel wobble, and enjoyed music (cassette adapter the best upgrade to the car so far!) as I cruised the M4. The car instils a different state of mind than the Dedra. The Dedra always seemed quite urgent, and although I was never an aggressive driver, my mind was always evaluating the next opportunity to overtake. The Gamma delivers its power more sedately. There never seems to be a rush to get anywhere. The seats feel like armchairs. In some ways, motorway driving in the Gamma is like sitting at home, listening to the stereo, but with a wheel to drape your arms on.

I arrived at about 10pm in the end - about 2 hours later than originally planned. I checked the engine bay, and no more puddles in the spark plug sockets, and no obvious leaks. Phew. We set off at 05:30 the following morning (after oil and water checks), avoiding the London traffic, and made our way to the M25 and then round to the A12. There's not much to add - again, the car cruised effortlessly and faultlessly. In order to keep on schedule after roadworks caused small delays, I did power through to 80mph where the wheel wobble effect was of small amplitude at the steering wheel. Again, the car was quite happy to sit at that speed, and it never felt fast or strained.

Once on the ferry, I was able to relax a little, and worry about seasickness instead of about the car! From the Hook of Holland, it's about 45 minutes to where my friends live. I parked between two old Peugots (a 404 estate, and a 304 coupe) owned by one of their neighbours and stopped to chat with the owner as he worked on the estate (bemoaning a lack of time for car maintenance - that's universal!) The journey back was likewise uneventful and comfortable.

From an impulse decision, through cursory preparation (trusting in the car) to the stress of last second repairs - and then a gradual relaxation back to faith in the car. It started first time every time, and behaved impeccably. Apart from the whiff of old leather inside, it could have been a journey in a modern car. Neither friend had quite appreciated how old the car is, nor the risk of us not making it there at all. How used we all are to 100% reliability...

My only other overseas drive was in the Dedra. Both journeys involved mostly motorway-type roads, which don't provide enough variance to be able to compare the characters of the cars fully. The trip to The Hague was a thoroughly enjoyable adventure, and I look forward to more like it (without the pre-trip stress, preferably!)

Hi Harvey
It's good to hear that the car performed well - I'm so sorry that the hose failed.  One important point though - did you top up the antifreeze. The Gamma engine is, of course, all light alloy and so very susceptible to corrosion. It is, therefore, very important to maintain the antifreeze level especially if you're not driving it much (like through the winter). Another point, your car is the only working Gamma that I have seen that does not have the radiator air lock modification.  So when refilling the system it is especially important to ensure that there is no air trapped in the top of the radiator.  Rads with the mod are available although as yours seems to be working well, it's probably best to leave it in place for now - it would be a pity to swap a good radiator without the mod for a possibly furred-up up one with the mod.  The ultimate solution to (potential) Gamma cooling problems seems to be to fit a modern 3 row rad as some owners have. Charles

Hi Charles. Yes - there's plenty of antifreeze in the system, and Andy massaged the hoses to make sure that all air bubbles had been "burped" out of the system. If I need to top-up further, then I'll do it with pure anti-freeze. Oh, and the hose you fitted was in way better condition than the original. I'm so lucky it sprang a leak before the trip rather than during...  :)

ahhhh ... but this weekend whilst coming along the M32 preparing to turn left onto the M4 the "serpent" belt on the passat came apart ... driving the aircon, fan and power steering. It's a bit of a wake up suddenly having no power steering at 70 - I actually thought the wheels had locked straight till I wrestled it round. Managed to make it back the 10 miles to home without overheating (benefit of a low revving diesel?) and it's all fixed for £70 (incl two belts and labour) Hey ho

This evening the car is going into the garage for the winter, to avoid the salty horrors of a British winter.

Alan Wesson kindly dropped by to look at the car yesterday, and in order to sort all the rust scabs (none believed serious or threatening) it looks like a £3,000 - £4,000 job.

Can anyone lend me a fiver?

What I found so heart warming about the Dutch trip was seeing courage rewarded.   

Could you be brave enough to avoid the garage (often a terrible place for a car) and go for a pressure washer to keep the salt off and a tin of rust eater "just inside the door" for a "little and often" to at least stop the rot spreading?

Another argument is that if it needs 3-4K spending to make it pretty, is it going to be noticably worse (or the bill much higher) having enjoyed it through the winter?  You'll be blowing air past and through it, the mechanical and electrical stuff will be the better for it, brakes hate standing.

ANOTHER argument is that winters are a lot milder than they used to be.

David

Oh - as an alternative to a 3-4K bill how about buying a copy of Alan's book?   I've one on order and will post a mini review when it comes. 

Not that I'm a broken record or anything - but there's always the option to tidy the scabs in the "Haynes manual 2 page colour spread" style.   That's a lot quicker and easier these days as a random orbit sander is so cheap while "back in the day" it was a tub of elbow grease.   It won't last forever but you might get five years out of a repair like that.

David

Hi Harvey,
As David says, much better to use than store which can cause all sorts of problems from seized brakes to flats on the tyres.
If you wear a hat coat and gloves when you go for a run, you can leave the windows open and freshen the interior as well :D


I try to take "Fay" out 2 to 3 times a month on dry days and go for a 30-40 mile drive, that gets everything nice and warm, blows out all the cobwebs and dries out any damp in hidden corners, the rest of the time she lives in an airchamber in a concrete lock up, but I would also be loath to leave her out open to the elements in winter.
Certainly David's thoughts on leaving any work until after enjoying it through the winter makes a lot of sense, having the work done in the early spring will hopefully mean you have it back on the road for the summer and the AGM ;D

Brian
8227 8)

The car is garaged anyway, as my parking permit allows me only one car parked in Bath at a time. The problem is with the wet weather - I fear the cosmetic rust turning into something more worrisome. Also, my lack of workshop space / time / ability (lethal combination) makes it difficult for me to do any substantial work on the car. The car is parked with the handbrake off, and I'll be visiting often to start up and move the car on private land in order to minimise the problems associated with leaving a car to stand.

(The car is at my sister's house - about an hour from me, and in the opposite direction to most of my work journeys).

This stuff is very thin and wicks in so I expect would get under lifting paint.  

http://www.bilthamber.com/hydrate80.html

It dries to a black satin and will bind dusty rust togeather so while a blast with a wire brush (in a cordless drill?) is best it isn't necessary.  To start with I was only applying it to wire brushed surfaces, but when there's a bit left in the jar you experiment.  They don't advise it as a coating as such, but my own experiance of a slow moving project is that it "stops the rot" and hasn't deteriorated in six months.  I think their comment was "ok for a week or so".  

Water based, so no problem to leave a little "artists" size brush in a jar of water on the shelf next to a little pot to decant it into.   My supply of "little pots" is the bottom cut off a supermarket milk carton - the big see-through kind rather than waxed paper.

Its a balance between it sitting and getting worse - and being used and getting worse.  Perhaps plan a Sunday run every six weeks or so?

David

I know their not cheap but I can certainly recommend an Air chamber ,mine fits inside the garage with just enough room to get down the outside of it to change the battery over, I bought mine from www.hamiltongrouponline.com about 8 years ago, and although it cost £350 at the time it's been worth every penny at less than a £1 PW; I don't think that "Fay" even in the concrete garage would have survived otherwise, they now do a much better one called Cair-O-Port which has outside framework very much like a frame tent, and the interior storage bit hangs from the framework, which is held up by a internal frame of fiberglass poles that flop about a bit as the frame is not really stiff enough.
It is much more user friendly than the ones that are kept up by air pressure build up from the fans.
I run the 2 fans( the new has 3 fans) using a couple of 85AH leisure batteries which are swopped over once a week, but it's much easier if you have mains power.


Brian
8227 8)

I started the Gamma for a winter warm up just now. Turned over about 10 times before catching, and running smoothly. Can't wait for warmer, drier weather and a proper drive.

I had to charge the battery as the cold weather had drained it. Re-connected on Sunday morning and started up no problems. Now counting down the days to 1st April (road tax starts) and hoping for dry weather.  :)

""GIRL""

you can't beat driving a Gamma in snow BRILLIANT. :o

What about big & blouse ;) Scandalous that there not classed as Historic.

Brian
8227 8)

I think you mis-spelt  Hysteric   ;D

I'm not worried about the handling - just the bodywork!

A frustrating day on Wednesday. I took the car to Tanc Barratt for the cambelt change and had a great drive there, cruising at 60 on the M5. Sadly, it all went downhill after I arrived. :(

The first cambelt tensioner bearing that came off sounded dry and rattly. The part's not available from the consortium, so I had to resort to expert advice from the usual sources (thanks Geoff and Charles). Unfortunately, Tanc was aghast at Charles' solution of injecting oil behind the seal and urged me to go for a replacement, or at worst a refurb. Having optmistically driven there expecting to drive home again afterwards, I was somewhat stressed!

The end result was that Tanc re-assembled the original parts, and I drove home again. £137 labour, and £35 fuel for a day trip to Kidderminster. I could think of better places...

So - back to square one, and pending investigations into replacements or refurbishment. Tanc was very uneasy at how long the bearing would last - almost to the same level as the consortium experts are in being relaxed about the same. I would have liked to have followed Charles' advice, but Tanc's professional standards wouldn't allow him. (Not that I am complaining - his attitude is correct!) I'm going to risk the trip to Bristol for BIAMF, but then park up and await advice.

Still, the Gamma Restoration Fund creeps up every month, so if the engine doesn't explode before autumn, then I'm planning to put the car in for the bodywork repairs. :)

Does that include re-fitting the old belts? That's not a good idea and I am surprised a professional like Tanc would do that. Cam belts should always be replaced once the tension is released so he should have fitted the new belts on the old bearings. I can understand his refusal to 'bodge' a bearing repair because if it failed in six months time you could have claimed he didn't do it correctly. But please believe me that Gamma tensioner bearings will last for a long time and close to forever even when dry and noisy. The usual problem with tensioner bearings is that they can seize and cause the belt to snap but I've never heard of a Gamma bearing seizing even though I've heard plenty of rumbling Gamma tensioner bearings. New tensioner bearings on their own (i.e. not on the carrier) are still available but quite expensive, I paid £45 each for mine a few years ago.

Second attempt on the cam belts next Wednesday... but locally this time.

With the cambelts sorted, the Gamma is out for the weekend. I'm at my local tyre fitters having the wheels balanced. It seems that the wobble might be because at least one of the wheels is slightly buckled. If so, I think I can live with a shimmy at 70 - I rarely go that fast in her.

top tip No: 37

swop with the spare wheel........

The balancing WAS out on one wheel in the end, so I'm going to see how much effect the re-balancing has. If it's still quite a shudder, then I'll check the spare, swap the tyres re-balance, etc. It's pretty rare for me to hit 65 in the Gamma; for me the pleasure is in the travelling, not necessarily in the time of arrival! :)

...but its such sweet pleasure to blast past the other traffic up a motorway incline...

David

I've tested and all seems OK. Rock solid up to 80... :)

Come on, you're not even trying, put your foot down...... ;)

See, told you so :D :D

It's pretty comfortable cruising at higher speeds. I just wish the brakes were up to modern standards; too many idiots have no idea that I'm leaving a braking distance, not leaving a gap for them.

That's a bit odd Harvey, Gamma brakes are superb, I was almost tail-ended by a 54 plate  golf
yesterday on the motorway, I could hear his intermittant tyre squeal (ABS) even over the sound
of my exhaust.

A couple of years ago I was hit by an integrale I stopped he didn't...........

Geoff

Hi Harvey,  perhaps the brakes need bleeding.  Do you remember that when I took your car for its MoT test last year, after it had passed on the way home the brakes suddenly failed, the pedal just went down to the floor with no braking effect.  I thought that the master cylinder had failed but having left the car on the drive for a few hours, when I came to investigate the problem, the problem had gone as if by magic the brakes were working again.  Having pondered on this for a little while I decided that it was possible that because the car had stood for many years the brake fluid had absorbed a lot of water.  Using the car vigorously had caused the brakes (and brake fluid) yo heat up which had caused some local boiling of the water resulting in water vapour i.e. gas which is compressible  This had then cooled and condensed and so brake function was re-established.  A bit far fetched but just possible.  So I bled the brakes some more and put in fresh fluid but I can't say that I got all of the old stuff out.  So that might be a starting point - change the fluid and see if it improves matters. Charles 

Hopefully the brakes will be OK for the MOT in early July. They're certainly no worse than last year. I've got the wheel bearings to sort first and still got to maintain momentum on the restoration fund...

As a responsible driver I feel it's my resposibility to add to this thread that I broke the clutch cable on the Gamma during the drive today at the AGM :( Luckily, Mr AA managed to fix it :) but there is a followup to this that'll others need to tell ....

1. I am never going to be a good Samaritan ever again

2. I have gone off ungrateful Gammas

3. Who needs a cam belt anyway?

4. The old A40 in Oxfordshire is a very nice place to spend 3 hours on a Saturday morning in July

5. Tony Harrison is a Gamma's best friend

6. Prisma's are the world's bestest car ever

7. I want a Prisma

8. Going home on AA Relay saves a huge amount in fuel

9. I'm really not bitter about one's best friends winning all the concours prizes and I only get the "oh dear it all went wrong award"

10. I'm buying a Datsun Sunny

Oi........ 5. Tony Harrison is a Gamma's best friend

and:

1.  Yes you will, it's in your nature
2.  No you haven't, it's just TEETHING problems (get it, clever huh)
4.  A 40 is never a nice place regardless of the time of year
5.  la,la,la,la,la,la
6.  Yeah right
7.  So what, you want every Lancia you've ever seen
8.  So does going home at 65 instead of the usual
9.  At least you got something (I'M NOT BITTER [lemon])
10. Actually that wouldn't surprise me , after all they're so reliable there must be thousands of them for sale.......

It's been a busy summer, and much though I was tempted to take the Gamma on holiday when camping it was at the back of my mind that the clutch cable was only a temporary repair. So, now that things have settled somewhat, I took the car to a local garage near Clevedon for a spot of work.

Given Jiff's opinion on changing the clutch cable (something like "straightforward but fiddly - a double G&T job") I decided to let the garage tackle it for me, and whilst there I thought they could patch the exhaust as it seemed to have a hole.

The great news is that the car started first time and gave me no trouble on the way to the garage. The clutch cable change was indeed fiddly  :)  but simple. There was a lot more welding than expected though. The garage commented they'd have patched it if there was any metal left to patch... So, the exhaust is now a patchwork of weld seams, but most of the gases now come out of the end of the pipe, not the middle.

All is looking good for the AGM in 10 days' time. I do need to sort an oil change if I can find suitable space. This is one job I'm going to tackle myself and not pay for someone else to do.

Oh - and Geoff, belatedly, the cheque is in the post.  :-[

Changed the oil last night. Not too much drama apart fromdropping the sump plug into the oil collection container and having a job to get it out again!

That really gets to  be good fun when the oil is hot and the container is not big enough for the sump capacity and needs to be emptied part way through the draining process !!!!! Been there, done that, muttered, swore a lot and got very very messy !!!!!

                Andy

Magnet on a stick or a piece of string?

Brian
8227 8)

doesn't really work on a brass sump plug though.....

............ but if you really are 'very very drunk', well worth a try  !!!!!!!!!!

Right - news of the past few months...

Andy & I delivered the car to Alan Wesson on Thursday 30th September which was the last day the car was taxed. I have to say that Alan's security is second to none: if you don't know where the workshop is, you'd never find it. It's 5 miles and 1 hour from Exeter!

In the middle of November, we spent a Saturday doing some preparatory work in stripping the car. This was more on my learning curve of looking after a classic, and I'm saving further oily work for later.

In our session, we stripped the grille, headlights, bumpers, boot, wipers, rear seats, and doors. Thankfully, it was mostly straightforward as most had been worked on in the past decade.

Taking the door handles off was quite illuminating for me, both in terms of "Oh - that's how it works!" and "I can't believe anyone's arm bends far enough to get to that bit!" I think I'll have to video the re-assembly to record it for posterity!

Alan's starting work on the car today, so no news from me for a while. Hopefully, any photos used in the Western Lancia adverts will not reveal any horror stories lurking unseen.

I'm living on baked beans warmed over a candle in my unheated flat... the lengths we go to for cars!  ;)

Quote<<Taking the door handles off was quite illuminating for me, both in terms of "Oh - that's how it works!" and "I can't believe anyone's arm bends far enough to get to that bit!" >>

You didn't notice the little access holes then  ? just the right size for an 8mm socket.  ;D

So you're past the point of no return with that car now.  Only goes to prove what a rewarding experiance it must have been to date. 

Its a bit like getting married when you commit to one of these "no financial sense" items of work on a car.  The man-maths to justify has to be against HP and depreciation and maitenance on a mythical substitute modern car.  "If I was running the modern equivilent of this then it would be costing..."

Anyone going to give the best man speach, father of the bride? 

...and what would the "modern equivilent" be...?

David

M' Lords, Ladies & Gentlemen,
This is not the first "Best Man's" speech I have had the pleasure in giving, however, although all
of the previous couples are now divorced, sighting a goat in one set of proceedings, which, I still
think was totally unnecessary and stressful, on the goat. It's a great honour nay privilege to offer
my congratulations to Harvey and Daisy on this auspicious occassion. I'm sure he will spend many
happy hours underneath her and if he's lucky may even get inside her on occassions, mind you he
will have to pamper her too, if he doesn't want her to drive him up a wall or even reverse him into
a corner.
My grandmother always used to say a speech should be like a ladies skirt, long enough to cover
the subject but short enough to be of interest....so

In closing may I ask you to charge your glasses and drink to the longterm rust free happy life
journey of Harvey and Daisy and remember:


A GAMMA IS FOR LIFE NOT FOR CHRIS AS NO-ONE ELSE WILL EVER BUY HER OFF YOU  ;D
 
'the colonel'

Are the Berlina doors the same as Coupe ones? I didn't spot any access holes, but will confess I wasn't wearing my glasses. There must be a knack as any car company that assembles in such a way would lose money at a shocking rate...

Geoff - yes I know that there ARE access holes (for some but not all of the nuts!), but when the door lock assembly itself is still in place (which they were as we still need to be ale to secure the doors) this effectively blocks access to the little 8mm nuts holding the exterior handles to the door skin. However, removal is possible with just a small amount of double jointed bending!

And I have to say - Harvey makes an excellent apprentice!

Job well done!

A

Ah, apolopogies, didn't realise you were doing "half a job"  ::) ;D

Stripped. I'm not attaching any photos of what Alan calls the "crunchy bits" out of respect for Daisy's blushes.

Right, here's my wishlist of spares as posted on the Gamma Consortium forum:

• Off-side wheel arch liner
• A-post splash guards (that fit inside the wing)
• Bootlid
• Rear light surrounds
• Rear quarter light frames
• Gutter fish plate (for the join above the driver's door)
• A bottomless wallet  :'(

...just in case any Gamma parts hoarders don't read the Gamma forum!

Doesn't look that bad really...... ;D

I'm sure a swan will emerge after the winter.

She's back! :)

Now the reassembly work starts. Update & photos to follow shortly. This evening I've been cleaning the kick plates and assorted trim. What fun for a fine Saturday evening.

By the way, not every retailer gets the measurements right... I bought a fitted cover for Daisy and it's several inches too short! Awaiting a response from the retailer at the mo.