Accidental 916 Spider TS
Discussion
Hi all. I’ve just accidentally bought a 916 Spider TS.
Just sold the TVR Griffith and am looking for a supercharged Jag XKR. However they are all such boring white, grey or blacks. And my car history suggests I need a red, blue or green. So I’m determined to wait until the right car come along.
Thus, as Father Ted said, I had some money resting in my my account and the weather is so nice. So I need an interim convertible for some summer fun. I did test a 916 Spider back in ‘97, when they first cam out as they looked otherworld then but bought a TVR Chimaera. Now they are a classic car! So this seemed a good opportunity and they are really cheap.
It’s all about timing or fate, so I saw a Victoria Metallic blue with tan and 70k miles available. Speaking to the owners of 22 years, which is always a good sign, I headed to see it. Not perfect but new hood, radiator, exhaust and 2” thick file of stuff, all the keys, tool kit, AR tyre inflation kit of unknown age etc. You get the idea.
Lots of work done by a friend, who ran a local garage, for mate’s rates cash so new parts evident but light on paperwork evidence. This included cam belt but having spoken to the garage, it seemed worth a punt. And a deal was done with £500 off for the unknowns.
Back 180 miles to Somerset with nil issues.
(Apologies for the rubbish pics but the drive is resembling an NCP currently)
It is a Lusso (incorrectly advertised as Turismo) with a manual hood, which is a bonus! Stuff to do includes:
Change the oil as they proudly told me they only use Mobil, but I think is is too thin a grade.
Replace the thermostat as the temperature drops at speed, had this on my GT and new part ordered.
Clean and feed the seats etc as very dry and will need a small repair on drivers side bolster.
New stereo as fitted one not working. Have one but the connectors are too new for the old 14 pin AR original. Ordered.
Change the old, hard, square cheap Linglong ditch-finder tyres. I find that this is a common issue with older cars owned by older people, garage kindly stick cheapo tyres on as the owners don’t know or realise but think the garage is doing them a good deal.
And address the cam belt unknown. I suspect it has been done, they thought last year, looking at the other expenses.
However I want to use is as a DD in this lovely weather and it is off to Le Mans in a week so having covered a thousand miles a year for the last half dozen years, it is going to get a bit of a shock. I expect this should also shake out some lack of use issues.
More to follow, I expect. As an aside, I did use Car Vertical to hpi. Normally use a cheapie £10 one but have been watching High Peak Autos and fell for the advertising charm. But it does give quite a lot of extra info, including the original extras ordered on purchase, manual hood, type of alloys etc, which is quite useful to see how original the car is. Definitely use it again.
Just sold the TVR Griffith and am looking for a supercharged Jag XKR. However they are all such boring white, grey or blacks. And my car history suggests I need a red, blue or green. So I’m determined to wait until the right car come along.
Thus, as Father Ted said, I had some money resting in my my account and the weather is so nice. So I need an interim convertible for some summer fun. I did test a 916 Spider back in ‘97, when they first cam out as they looked otherworld then but bought a TVR Chimaera. Now they are a classic car! So this seemed a good opportunity and they are really cheap.
It’s all about timing or fate, so I saw a Victoria Metallic blue with tan and 70k miles available. Speaking to the owners of 22 years, which is always a good sign, I headed to see it. Not perfect but new hood, radiator, exhaust and 2” thick file of stuff, all the keys, tool kit, AR tyre inflation kit of unknown age etc. You get the idea.
Lots of work done by a friend, who ran a local garage, for mate’s rates cash so new parts evident but light on paperwork evidence. This included cam belt but having spoken to the garage, it seemed worth a punt. And a deal was done with £500 off for the unknowns.
Back 180 miles to Somerset with nil issues.
(Apologies for the rubbish pics but the drive is resembling an NCP currently)
It is a Lusso (incorrectly advertised as Turismo) with a manual hood, which is a bonus! Stuff to do includes:
Change the oil as they proudly told me they only use Mobil, but I think is is too thin a grade.
Replace the thermostat as the temperature drops at speed, had this on my GT and new part ordered.
Clean and feed the seats etc as very dry and will need a small repair on drivers side bolster.
New stereo as fitted one not working. Have one but the connectors are too new for the old 14 pin AR original. Ordered.
Change the old, hard, square cheap Linglong ditch-finder tyres. I find that this is a common issue with older cars owned by older people, garage kindly stick cheapo tyres on as the owners don’t know or realise but think the garage is doing them a good deal.
And address the cam belt unknown. I suspect it has been done, they thought last year, looking at the other expenses.
However I want to use is as a DD in this lovely weather and it is off to Le Mans in a week so having covered a thousand miles a year for the last half dozen years, it is going to get a bit of a shock. I expect this should also shake out some lack of use issues.
More to follow, I expect. As an aside, I did use Car Vertical to hpi. Normally use a cheapie £10 one but have been watching High Peak Autos and fell for the advertising charm. But it does give quite a lot of extra info, including the original extras ordered on purchase, manual hood, type of alloys etc, which is quite useful to see how original the car is. Definitely use it again.
Nice little accident there.
They look great with the roof down and think the twin spark is a sweet engine even although not driven one in a 916 before.
Good to hear you’re going to put some miles on it. In my experience the 916 runs better and has less issues when used regularly, I used mine (gtv) as a daily and it kept rust at bay, regardless of the weather.
Solid car for its ages if looked after
They look great with the roof down and think the twin spark is a sweet engine even although not driven one in a 916 before.
Good to hear you’re going to put some miles on it. In my experience the 916 runs better and has less issues when used regularly, I used mine (gtv) as a daily and it kept rust at bay, regardless of the weather.
Solid car for its ages if looked after
Great buy in a really nice colour, I've always liked that blue (mine is boring Rosso).
Been using mine as a daily for the last month or so and they definitely appreciate being run rather than just sitting in the garage. Manual hood is a real plus and I'm so pleased mine has got one (1996 Twin Spark) rather than the power hood.
Anyway hope you enjoy it, will do the Le Mans run in mine in the next couple of years and if you go the quiet way from Caen I think they'd be a real fun way to get there. Don't plan on fitting much luggage in though......
This is my one.
Been using mine as a daily for the last month or so and they definitely appreciate being run rather than just sitting in the garage. Manual hood is a real plus and I'm so pleased mine has got one (1996 Twin Spark) rather than the power hood.
Anyway hope you enjoy it, will do the Le Mans run in mine in the next couple of years and if you go the quiet way from Caen I think they'd be a real fun way to get there. Don't plan on fitting much luggage in though......
This is my one.
Back from its health check at the AR garage, Ilminster. As expected a list of stuff to work through but would pass an MOT today and feel confident for a LM run.
Highlights include tired suspension, poor rear brakes (but mine is better than most!), cam belt looks recent, exhaust ok but of many parts and numerous engine oil leaks.
So I think I’ll tackle the engine first, starting at the top. So will do a cam cover gasket on return from LM. I’ll do belts next Spring and maybe some suspension over the winter. Would like a stainless exhaust system so will keep an eye on eBay. Will also get Pipers at Sparkford to do the driver’s bolster and remove the spacers on the seat runners when they have it apart to drop the seat 15mm.
Thermostat done today, I’m sure that is why the coolant is red, to hide the blood from your knuckles. Now hold a steady 90 deg C at speed.
And, yes, they do look good roof down.
Highlights include tired suspension, poor rear brakes (but mine is better than most!), cam belt looks recent, exhaust ok but of many parts and numerous engine oil leaks.
So I think I’ll tackle the engine first, starting at the top. So will do a cam cover gasket on return from LM. I’ll do belts next Spring and maybe some suspension over the winter. Would like a stainless exhaust system so will keep an eye on eBay. Will also get Pipers at Sparkford to do the driver’s bolster and remove the spacers on the seat runners when they have it apart to drop the seat 15mm.
Thermostat done today, I’m sure that is why the coolant is red, to hide the blood from your knuckles. Now hold a steady 90 deg C at speed.
And, yes, they do look good roof down.
Edited by ric p on Saturday 3rd June 20:19
Having done the thermostat, I had a dig around the cooling system as it is supposed to be warm this week at LM. And this means gently cooking myself and the car in the traffic around Le Mans town.
The lower radiator pipe looked fine but on giving it a squeeze, it has completely delaminated at the engine block end.
So wing it or change it with a day to go. This is a non oem available part now. However fortunately the chap at Totally Alfa over the boarder in Devon had a couple of remanufactured on the shelf. Loads of stuff on the shelf and enthusiasm and 916s. Wouldn’t a nice blue GTV Busso look good next to the Spider, n+1 rule.
Anyway hose changed so ready to go
Will try to add some pics of the (hopefully) successful trip.
The lower radiator pipe looked fine but on giving it a squeeze, it has completely delaminated at the engine block end.
So wing it or change it with a day to go. This is a non oem available part now. However fortunately the chap at Totally Alfa over the boarder in Devon had a couple of remanufactured on the shelf. Loads of stuff on the shelf and enthusiasm and 916s. Wouldn’t a nice blue GTV Busso look good next to the Spider, n+1 rule.
Anyway hose changed so ready to go
Will try to add some pics of the (hopefully) successful trip.
Made it without an issue, including sat in traffic in the heat. Back at Roscoff ferry terminal:
600 miles with the bigger boys, 2 x Vantage, db 9, xjs and a modded M3. Often in the lead and without any of the worry of the more valuable cars.
Still leaking oil so the next thing is to do the cam cover gasket, which has arrived. And definitely need the seat lowering, so Pipers Trimmers can remove the spaces when they do the bolster.
Apart from that, it was remarkably comfortable as a mini-gt, not fast but nippy even 2 up with a fair amount of kit. And half the number of fuel stops needed.
600 miles with the bigger boys, 2 x Vantage, db 9, xjs and a modded M3. Often in the lead and without any of the worry of the more valuable cars.
Still leaking oil so the next thing is to do the cam cover gasket, which has arrived. And definitely need the seat lowering, so Pipers Trimmers can remove the spaces when they do the bolster.
Apart from that, it was remarkably comfortable as a mini-gt, not fast but nippy even 2 up with a fair amount of kit. And half the number of fuel stops needed.
With half a days spare, time to do the cam cover gasket, which is more of a thick rubber seal.
Dismantling is pretty simple, torx sockets and a good guide on the Alfa Workshop site, where I get most my stuff from. They did warn me that the plug bores might be full of oil. Nah, don’t be ridiculous.
Anyway, after taking that lot out of the left 4 plug bores and a clean plugs out, the rest was an easy clean up.
However I had a nasty suspicion that the supposed friendly local garage had used some sort of silicone on top of the seal. A big no-no as it come away and can block oil ways.
An easy job and without the cleaning up, probably 30 mins. Hopefully this will make a big difference to its driveway tarnishing behaviour. I don’t mind here but it upsets friends with their nice spotless paving.
I think there is a leak from the oil filter / cooler / block joins. So will drop the filter as the attachment for the cooler takeoff is inside. If still not completely dry, I’ll do the sump gasket.
Next is to sort the seat and a 2nd hand stainless exhaust, hopefully next week after a visit to my local Alfa guy.
Dismantling is pretty simple, torx sockets and a good guide on the Alfa Workshop site, where I get most my stuff from. They did warn me that the plug bores might be full of oil. Nah, don’t be ridiculous.
Anyway, after taking that lot out of the left 4 plug bores and a clean plugs out, the rest was an easy clean up.
However I had a nasty suspicion that the supposed friendly local garage had used some sort of silicone on top of the seal. A big no-no as it come away and can block oil ways.
An easy job and without the cleaning up, probably 30 mins. Hopefully this will make a big difference to its driveway tarnishing behaviour. I don’t mind here but it upsets friends with their nice spotless paving.
I think there is a leak from the oil filter / cooler / block joins. So will drop the filter as the attachment for the cooler takeoff is inside. If still not completely dry, I’ll do the sump gasket.
Next is to sort the seat and a 2nd hand stainless exhaust, hopefully next week after a visit to my local Alfa guy.
Shiny stuff. Picked up a rear and centre section of an Alfaholics stainless system for £300. Rear is used but centre new with the odd dent.
Only missing the short front section than fits after the cat. It has a small expansion box from AR but Alfaholics appear to do a delete. However Gary at TotallyAlfa suggests it can be a bit boomy so I think I’ll run it with the oem small box and if it is a bit quiet, I can always add the delete later.
Need to get use of a ramp now. However next job is oil and filter change. Previous owners had been using Mobil 1, which is a bit thin. So I’ll replace with 10w 40 as recommended. It might help quieten the noisy on start variator. Also got a new seal for the block / oil cooler take off, which appears to be leaking and I think can be accessed once the filter is removed.
Only missing the short front section than fits after the cat. It has a small expansion box from AR but Alfaholics appear to do a delete. However Gary at TotallyAlfa suggests it can be a bit boomy so I think I’ll run it with the oem small box and if it is a bit quiet, I can always add the delete later.
Need to get use of a ramp now. However next job is oil and filter change. Previous owners had been using Mobil 1, which is a bit thin. So I’ll replace with 10w 40 as recommended. It might help quieten the noisy on start variator. Also got a new seal for the block / oil cooler take off, which appears to be leaking and I think can be accessed once the filter is removed.
wal 45 said:
ric p said:
Also got a new seal for the block / oil cooler take off, which appears to be leaking and I think can be accessed once the filter is removed.
Yes, once filter is removed you can undo the nut that holds all of this together. 10 minute job.The ‘99 year ones have a 30mm length making the join, where the 2 solid ends almost touch. Thus need to drain coolant and undo the 4 couplings and remove the hoses to allow enough movement of the oil cooler mount from the block. B****r, which is why later ones were a different design, I guess. So another job pushed back to when I do the belts etc.
On a brighter note, MOT-ed and only failed on one cv boot. Which is £14, I would have settled for that when I rolled the dice back in May. The first MOT of any new car, to me, is always a bit nerve wracking. On the downside, my village garage is short staffed for the next week so can’t fix within 10 days. Until the boss suggested I do a few days for him and we come to an arrangement. So on Tuesday, the world’s oldest garage apprentice starts.
A while since the last post.
It became the unloved child at Xmas when I bought an XKR convertible in the correct colour I was looking for when I bought the stopgap Alfa. So into the barn it went. However I am going to be strong and not just add cars which don’t get driven so it is a use it or sell it moment.
Cam belt was probably only done 5 k miles ago but that was at least 4 years so if I keep it, I need the belts doing. If I sell it, it needs the belts doing. So the belts need doing and I have a great little Italian garage near me at Somerton. Booked in this week so time to wake the 916 from its 5 month sleep.
Battery connected and started first time. Roof off and sort of feel it is worth investing some time in it as a local runaround. But apart from belts, it really needs new tyres as the 10 year olds ditchfinders are hard and awful, probably some suspension work as mismatched shocks and my lovely Alfaholics exhaust fitting.
It became the unloved child at Xmas when I bought an XKR convertible in the correct colour I was looking for when I bought the stopgap Alfa. So into the barn it went. However I am going to be strong and not just add cars which don’t get driven so it is a use it or sell it moment.
Cam belt was probably only done 5 k miles ago but that was at least 4 years so if I keep it, I need the belts doing. If I sell it, it needs the belts doing. So the belts need doing and I have a great little Italian garage near me at Somerton. Booked in this week so time to wake the 916 from its 5 month sleep.
Battery connected and started first time. Roof off and sort of feel it is worth investing some time in it as a local runaround. But apart from belts, it really needs new tyres as the 10 year olds ditchfinders are hard and awful, probably some suspension work as mismatched shocks and my lovely Alfaholics exhaust fitting.
So cambelt done with a few other engine bits. The oil leak turned out to be a leaking seal, which was replaced. £600 all in and he noticed the timing was slightly out so it feels a bit spritelier now.
He commented on the tired suspension bits, rear shocks and lower front suspension ball joints etc. so that was next up. Rear shocks were easy, a 20 min job. And found why the rear fidgeted over bumps:
Not so much mismatched but one completely collapsed.
Today was the front lower arms. Easy to remove but a bit of a pig to refit to get it all to line up.
But frustratingly discovered the drop links were also fubar-ed at 1650 on a Sat afternoon. Grrrh. So reassembled but not useable until those bits arrive. However have been using my new favourite parts people, Parts in Motion in Exeter. They seem to have everything for all my cars and at a better price than ECP or GSF.
Next is alignment and then can get rid of the awful 10 year old LingLongs.
He commented on the tired suspension bits, rear shocks and lower front suspension ball joints etc. so that was next up. Rear shocks were easy, a 20 min job. And found why the rear fidgeted over bumps:
Not so much mismatched but one completely collapsed.
Today was the front lower arms. Easy to remove but a bit of a pig to refit to get it all to line up.
But frustratingly discovered the drop links were also fubar-ed at 1650 on a Sat afternoon. Grrrh. So reassembled but not useable until those bits arrive. However have been using my new favourite parts people, Parts in Motion in Exeter. They seem to have everything for all my cars and at a better price than ECP or GSF.
Next is alignment and then can get rid of the awful 10 year old LingLongs.
You know when it is all going just fine then the smallest thing happens……….
Started in the off side and went to loosen the drop link nut on the end of the anti roll bar and it sheered off. ********. Now replacing the ARB is definitely beyond me on the drive with axle stands so had to reassemble all and will need to go off to the Italian garage in Somerton for Lui to finish.
It looks like the corrosion had gone all the way through over time so not me being too agricultural. But frustrating nonetheless.
And a bit more expense on a car of marginal value. I guess all just age related and if not done, the car is for the skip so worth it to save.
Started in the off side and went to loosen the drop link nut on the end of the anti roll bar and it sheered off. ********. Now replacing the ARB is definitely beyond me on the drive with axle stands so had to reassemble all and will need to go off to the Italian garage in Somerton for Lui to finish.
It looks like the corrosion had gone all the way through over time so not me being too agricultural. But frustrating nonetheless.
And a bit more expense on a car of marginal value. I guess all just age related and if not done, the car is for the skip so worth it to save.
Alfa now bedded down for the winter in the barn. Whilst there have been dry days, the SW has been a bit damp recently and although it doesn’t leak (no wet right knee familiar to TVR drivers), I want to avoid the hood going green. And I have the XKR to use, which is in the garage at the house.
Final job last month was the lovely shiny exhaust.
I even bought stainless nuts and bolts. An easy fit and does sound a bit raspier (?) and the old one was a mismatch of parts replaced at different times.
The winter break may allow me to pull out the drivers seat to get the drivers seat done where it has worn through on the bolster. My daughter’s boyfriend brother is a trimmer so mates rates hopefully. Also I’d like to remove the spacers from the runners to drop it 20mm as I’m 6’ for a bit more headroom.
Now is is sorted mechanically, next Spring is tracking and 4 new tyres as the old ones are hard and square. And maybe a strut brace to try to reduce the scuttle shake. Might be snake oil though.
So after spending plus of £1200, I’ve got a car worth about what I paid for it! Ho hum.
Final job last month was the lovely shiny exhaust.
I even bought stainless nuts and bolts. An easy fit and does sound a bit raspier (?) and the old one was a mismatch of parts replaced at different times.
The winter break may allow me to pull out the drivers seat to get the drivers seat done where it has worn through on the bolster. My daughter’s boyfriend brother is a trimmer so mates rates hopefully. Also I’d like to remove the spacers from the runners to drop it 20mm as I’m 6’ for a bit more headroom.
Now is is sorted mechanically, next Spring is tracking and 4 new tyres as the old ones are hard and square. And maybe a strut brace to try to reduce the scuttle shake. Might be snake oil though.
So after spending plus of £1200, I’ve got a car worth about what I paid for it! Ho hum.
ric p said:
So after spending plus of £1200, I’ve got a car worth about what I paid for it! Ho hum.
You can look through my expenditure if you need cheering up.Think I’ve now paid more in tax than I did for the car.
Love taking it out for a drive, just need to smarten it up so the little lady happy to be out in it too.
Gassing Station | Alfa Romeo, Fiat & Lancia | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff