Appia furgoncino - A fettler's voyage

[simonandjuliet]

John, I think the top has been changed because it also has the spigot for a fuel hose instead of the brass union and rigid pipe from the fuel pump

Huge step forward for the furgoncino today - she ran for the first time in years ......

First up though was to bolt up the bell housing, connecting the clutch cover to the flywheel and fitting the clutch and brake pedals, before moving onto starting her

I kept it very simple, just wanted to she whether the timing was right, oil pressure came up etc. So no exhaust , no fuel line, no water or radiator, cap and leads from the "Everyday Appia" , new plugs, no dynamo and the starter/ignition connected to a battery via jump leads.

Poured a cap full of petrol down the carb and pressed the key and she started first compression !

I only ran her for 5 seconds, but good oil pressure and no rattles - and very loud !

Now that I know that the fundamentals are all OK I can go back to the detail ......

[John B]

John, I think the top has been changed because it also has the spigot for a fuel hose instead of the brass union and rigid pipe from the fuel pump

Well spotted, hadn't noticed that.

Congrats on the first test firing of the Furgoncino.

[DavidLaver]

Started first compression - you might be getting quite good at this old car malarky...

[Parisien]

Excellent, take a bow.....Simon, another epic, iconic Lancia saved for a further 30/40 yrs!


P

[simonandjuliet]

Yes Frank - should see me out !

It's the detail that takes the time ...... after I refitted the front brake shoes I set to on the plug leads and throttle linkage.

I bought some nice braided HT lead material on eBay, primarily for the Aprilia, but the Appia had the same thing so it got used here instead. By the time it had been cut to length, trimmed, rubbers pulled on and the tabs cleaned up and transferred - plus soldering all the terminals - it took 3 hours !

Fitting the rubbers was the most difficult to do well, the braiding is not fixed and the wire is slightly wider than a non-braided wire meaning the rubbers were a tight fit. What worked best was lubricant and heat

(please note that I avoided any sexual innuendo !!)

After that it was cleaning and polishing the throttle linkage. Now refitted (loosely) with new bobbin rubbers, ready for final adjustment once I have the engine running. I need to find a nicely weighted spring as well

The linkage is very tight where it passes between the engine mount and oil filter with subtle kinks in the rod.

Final jobs were to polish and fit the fuel line, paint the new exhaust (think it will look nicer in black) and fit new battery terminals

Maybe a bit more tomorrow

[stanley sweet]

That's one smart engine bay. Must be so satisfying to bring it back to life and save such a lovely vehicle from the scrap heap.

[DavidLaver]

I bought some nice braided HT lead material on eBay, primarily for the Aprilia, but the Appia had the same thing so it got used here instead. By the time it had been cut to length, trimmed, rubbers pulled on and the tabs cleaned up and transferred - plus soldering all the terminals - it took 3 hours !


That's the joy and benefit of this being a hobby...

[simonandjuliet]

Re HT leads, you are right David, being presented with a bill for £200 for a set of plug leads would hurt ! I am enjoying getting the detail right in the engine bay ...... and this leads to another request

Does anyone have a source for the correct cotter-pin hose clips ? (will find a photo later) - JUST ADDED

I have seen some kits on a US based Mercedes Benz site, but they are v expensive and then there is the problem of time and postage

I have bought some classic-wire clips but they are not quite right either and jubilee clips are just too garish.

One job has been to repair the aluminium "Christmas tree" water pipe at the bottom of the radiator. All those I have come across are heavily corroded and it is impossible to undo the banjo bolt. I repaired the waterpump input pipe by inserting a suitable piece of copper pipe and repairing the aluminium with a 2-pack radiator repair resin.

Rad just needs a good clean and paint and I have painted the exhaust black - to my eye it looks much better from underneath (bad photo , though !)

[lancialulu]

Simon - sent you an email.

[DavidLaver]

Nice job on the casting repair...what was the material you used?

[simonandjuliet]

A plastic padding product - I use it quite a lot because it is very rapid and sticks to most things . I used it to repair a washer bottle on the Land Rover for example

[simonandjuliet]

Power of the Forum !

Tim Heath has found some as fitted to Vespas or Fiat 500's - well done ! So they are on their way from Italy

[frankxhv773t]

I'm glad to see that correct cotter pins have been found. In that they are basically a strip of metal and a split pin I was going to suggest you could possibly have a go at making them.

[lancialulu]

Actually Frank the "split pin" is not! its bowed in the middle and is made of tough steel so wont deform. You also need the pin holder thing. That could be made I suppose, but the Vespa item is only a couple of euros.

[chriswgawne]

Could you post details please of the supplier of the  pin holder thing and the fittings?
Our B12 had new ones fitted shortly before we acquired it and they look so authentic.
Chris