Fulvia Servicing

[Paul Greenway]

Hi all,

It's been 16 months but I now have another Lancia, I have just purchased a Fulvia Sport Zagato 1.6 from Germany and hope to have it in the UK within the next couple of weeks.

Although in great all round condition with many new parts fitted, it requires a service- it is plucking a bit low down and the fuel seems a little rich so just needs the carbs setting properly, plus it possibly requires 4 new shocks. It also requires f&R seat belts (peace of mind) and then an MOT and preparation for UK registration.

Has anyone any recommendations as to who's best to sort this lot at a reasonable cost and ideally (but not necessarily) in the North West?

Cheers,

Paul.

[Davidb]

There is Classicarco  in Walkden near Bolton.  I have not used them personally but they have been around a long time.
Probably worth a phone call.

www.classicarco.com

David

[lancialulu]

Speak to James Parry?

[Mr Dunamis]

Ferdi's Garage in Lytham St Annes is very good. He recently  changed my upper wishbone ball joints, rubber things under the front leaf spring and various other bits and bobs. Very reasonable and Tony his assistant has a couple of Flavias. Ferdi is an Alfa man but works on anything; he also has some Lancia specialist tools.

[Paul Greenway]

Thanks for all your recommendations guys.

[Paul Greenway]

Car arrived this afternoon- no problems, however no-one seems to want to service it- they've all gone quiet!

I will try an independent local garage that does appear to work on older cars- I have seen Alfa 1750GTV, BMW 2500, MGB GT, Saab 96 and Triumph TR6 there in recent times besides more modern stuff.

[roddy]

Hello Paul.  Congratulations on the new arrival - looks good.  Surely part of the enjoyment of classic car ownership is 'getting your hands dirty'.  It is not rocket science.  Well, okay, wear latex gloves, box of 100 for about £4.  DIY means you can pick the quality of product you want, instead of paying garage overheads/mechanics wages etc.  Get a full synthetic 10W60 oil, Mahle OC67 filter from your local motor factors, and don't make a mess on the garage floor.

Only kidding, but consider it, and just ask questions - there is a lot of Fulvia experience out here.

Regards - Roddy

[stanley sweet]

That does look very nice. Hope you find a good garage to look after it. I'm at the lower end of mechanical skills but apart from the usual oil changes I've also in the past replaced the front shock absorbers, radiator etc. Anything that's fairly easy to get at and doesn't need a specialist tools I will attempt. Rear shocks are harder to access so I let a garage with a lift fit those. You know it's been done properly, save a bit of money and learn a lot about the car too. Serious electrics is still just black magic to me though.

[Davidb]

I would agree with Roddy.
If you wish and since we are both in the north west I will be happy to provide help/assistance/advice. Let me know.

David

[Paul Greenway]

Thanks for all the enthusiasm guys, I'll see what demons (if any)the MOT reveals first. As long as it's ready for next spring I am happy to accept advice and do some mild tinkering myself, although like you Stanley I am at the lower end of the mechanical spectrum and I don't want to bodge anything.

These are the jobs that I understand need resolving first-

1)       Register with HMRC
2)       Insure- (Who's best for Fulvias?)
3)       MOT
4)       Possibly replace all 4 shocks (I think these are the originals)
5)       Repair short circuit on interior lighting + door (not absolutely necessary but will frustrate me until done)
6)       Replace brake booster vacuum hose (there is currently a non standard hose fitted that looks out of character)
7)       Replace engine ventilation hose (there is currently a non standard hose fitted that looks out of character)
       Adjust/repair throttle valve bearings
9)       Dust cover to drive shaft on right requires renewal
10)      Brake check (feels spongy) 
11)      General service

All advice greatly appreciated.

Paul

[Richard Fridd]

Very nice. As a precaution, perhaps refurbish the oil filler baffle and it's contents(sometimes a rusty mess)

[lancialulu]

Paul

Looks nice ....

but does the service history show any mechanical recommissioning such as new brake pipes engine mounts anti roll bar bushes, radiator pipes fan belts i.e anything that is rubber should be given a good look at and generally replaced (esp brake pipes). I would spend out on all the main rubbery bits then you know you have a sound car in the brakes, suspension and engine and carb mountings departments.

Shock absorbers do not need replacing unless they show signs of leaking or do not damp when bounced on the front or rear end, except maybe if you wanted a firmer ride from say Konis.

Re vacuum hose there are not may hoses around that can take vacuum. Ordinary hoses will collapse over time.

What is the problem with the throttle valve bearings? I assume you have the 42 Solex's fitted? Is the car high mileage ? These carbs can only really be refurbished in the throttle spindle area by sending away to a specialist (in Italy).

These Sports can go for a long time if the above is adhered to.

I would change the antifreeze too when changing the hoses and would recommend silicon classic look ones.

Hope this helps and sorry you are not more local to me.

Tim

[frankxhv773t]

What a beauty. You are going to have such fun.

Do you need to consider relocating the footwear to avoid picking up scratches on the paintwork? (I'm just jealous really because I can't for the life of me get my family to keep their boots and shoes tidy.) 

Frank T

[the.cern]

I looked at the line of footwear and had much the same thought Frank. In my experience you can never have enough room in a garage and unnecessary things like footwear must be the first to be cleared out!!!!

Frank, I have good news, your problem will get resolved ......... but not until everyone has grown up and left home!!!!

That is a lovely looking car and Paul, I am sure you will get a huge amount of enjoyment out of it.

                                              Andy

[davidwheeler]

All my Lancias are with Adrian Flux, agreed value, good recovery, excellent service and very good prices.