NEWSLETTER #3                                                                        L. Burnett

INTERMECANICCA OWNER'S CLUB                                           R.D.3 Huntington, N.Y. 11743

1974

 

Three new members have been added to the roster since April. As of mid-June, additional expenses of $75.50 leave a cash balance of $37.50. More Road and Track notices and word-of-mouth should hopefully double the membership by year's end. Thanks go to those sending in names and car data.

 

We have yet to hear from anyone with an Apollo or Indra but our fingers are crossed. Attempts to locate Mr. Robert Cumberford who had a hand in design of the coupe have so far not succeeded. Anyone have a phone number? Very few suggestions have been received concerning a time & place for a get-together. How about the second weekend of September, on Long Island?

 

The cars of John and Linda Wright and Matt Wolff have recently been graced with excellent and reasonable ($125 - $130 installed) convertible tops secured from:

 

Electron Top Manufacturing

135-11 Hillside Avenue

Richmond, New York 11418

Phone: 212-739-1940

NOTE: Electron does not sell retail

 

Out in California, Frank Wiggins had a custom tonneau cover made for $105. Maybe car photographer Rick Lenz will get some shots of Frank's car, which sounds like a beauty!

Had a letter of inquiry from Mr. Charles Lamberta of Lindenhurst, New York stating that club badges could be secured at reasonable cost. Those interested should let me know this summer.

 

"For Sale" Notices

(removed list)

 

Front End Repair

Early cars through Torino, have twin A-arm suspension. The Italia was redesigned with, according to Reisner, somewhat less anti-dive effect. It employs a single lower arm. Apparently, both front-ends use identical Fiat ball joints. Some replacement ball joints appear to have given very short service, due perhaps to use of steel of" inferior hardness. In March 1960, Road Test had an iconoclastic article, the gist of which was that most ball joints are replaced unnecessarily. Their tip was to make sure when checking for wear that the lower suspension member is jacked up (not the frame cross-member) as near to the joint as possible so that movement is limited to the joint. New joints may have 1/8 to 3/16 inch play vertically, so you can see how easy it is to become alarmed.

 

Nevertheless, Mr. Steve Wilder suggested to me that ball-joints be frequently greased. So It's up to you. It's my impression that shimmy in the front end is almost always due to wheel alignment and/or balance assuming, of course., that compliance struts, tie-rod ends and rack and pinion are reasonably sound. The Italia owners' manual states that poor directional stability increased by braking may be due to worn lower member inner bushing wear.

 

The following dissertation includes Matt Wolff's brass bushing solution to the problem he encountered with his lower inner bushing. I can attest to the resultant good front end stability but I would suggest frequent lubrication. So have, the grease fitting placed at an accessible angle. Note also the caveat that all Italias may not be exactly alike.

 

Taken from hand written notes/drawings by J.M.Wolf 6/19/74

 

Bilstein - replacements through High Performance Auto Accessories

Nut, washer & bolt from Zelenda or any other supplier

S & V Imports

Lower Control Arm

 

 

Upper Control Arm

1. Fiat 899983

2. Fiat 4007973

3. Fiat 4179997

S & V Imports

(Threads may have to be ground & unit tack welded to arm)

OTHER ITEMS

1. Italia Steering Column Support

Casting - Fiat 600 - 850 #4033658

2. Replacement Lower Control Arm Bushing supplied by S & V - you can use it but requires extensive screwing around.

HARRIS #62332

3. Caster = 4 - 4.5 +

Camber = 0 - 1/4 +

Toe In = 0 - 0 to very slight Toe Out

4. Measurement for lower Compliance Arm

*Double-ended rubber could be replaced with a ball joint similar to that used in the 1750 series Alfa Romero 15.5-15.75"

5. Rack in steering unit should have its plastic bushing adjusted to eliminate some front end wobble.

a.Back off mm 13 Lock Nut counter clockwise

b.Turn adjustment screw clockwise til bottomed out and back off one full turn counter-clockwise

c. Snug up mm 13 Lock Nut clockwise

6.IMPORTANT NOTE

If you own an Intermeccanica always use plenty of anti-seize compound

 

Taken from hand written notes/drawings by J.M.Wolf 6/20/74

7. To stabilize the front end further the factory installed a cross brace between the front end towers. On a '69 it can be installed using heavy wall conduit (1") with ends heated & crushed & 1/2" holes drilled - Weld Volkswagen seat bolts in front of shock mounts & install.

Seat Belt Nut is locking type

Lock Washer or Spacer

Grind head on angle so bolt will be upright

*Seat Belt hardware is nice because the bolt is fine thread & has a non-threaded shank- Nut is locking type & high quality.

 

Here is an updated parts list for the Torino/Italia. As before, be sure to check that these parts will fit your particular car. In some cases I have been sent two different sets of part numbers for the same part. This may be due to a switch in parts during the model run.

Any additions to this list will be appreciated and will be sent to other owners.

 

FRONT SUSPENSION

Part Name                              Source                                  Price

Anti-sway Bar Bushing Fiat 1100 (enlarge to 22mm)

Inboard A-arm Bushing Fiat 1100D (lower A-arm inboard)

Lower Ball Joints          Intermeccanica $ 8.25ea

                                        Fiat 1800  Right 4015903 38.00ea

                                        Left 4015902

                                        Fiat Right 4080779

                                        Left 4080778

Caliper Mount Plate         Fiat 2300 will fit

Steering Arm                  Fiat 849064

Tie Rod Ends                 Fiat 4109626 (Fiat 1500?)

                                        Intermeccanica     6006 8.00ea

 

BRAKES

Pads Front Girling 643325750 (Ferrari)

                        Mintex M33

                        Volvo 1800S

Pads Rear Girling 64325738 (Ferrari)

Peugot 504, Maserati 3500

Aston Martin, etc.

Calipers Front Girling Volvo #16/3

Rear Girling Volvo 122S #12/3

AC Cobra, Fiat 2300

Master Cylinder (double) Girling Triumph TR 5, Tr 250

Pressure Warning Device Girling Triumph

Brake Hose Pirelli from Fiat 2300

Discs Custom machined by Intermeccanica

Parking Brake Pads Girling 64932005

 

 

STEERING

Part Name Source Price

Rack and Pinion Peugot

Steering Shaft Sunbeam Tiger

Steady Bearing RIZ-SKF #10L25

Column Switch Assembly Made by VIF, Simca 1000

 

ELECTRICAL

Front Parking Lights Fiat 1100

Tail Lights Renault R-8

Dome Lights (couple) Alfa Giuleietta, Giulia

Fuses Bosch 8 amp (VW, etc)\\

Switches Lucas

Windshield Wiper 2 speed Lucas (Jag XKE, etc,

95-100 tooth wheel)

Side Marker Lights-Front Ferrari (Made by Carello)

Heater Alfa Giulia, Ferrari

Back-up Light Lens Intermecanicca #02018 $ 1.20

Head Light Rim Intermecanicaa #4021 5.20

                        MGB

 

BODY PARTS

Seat Adjusters, Tracks Fiat

Sunvisors Alfa 1300 Sedan (white

only, painted black)

Central Ashtray Lancia Plaminia (rare)

Ashtray Light Siple or Stanley 12v.

Bumper Front Intermecanicca #4001 35.20

Bumper Rear Intermecanicca #4003 70.40

Gas Tank Intermecanicaa #6019 74.80

 

STEERING

Rack and Pinion -                   Pugeot 403-C

Steering Shaft -                     Sunbeam Tiger

Steady Bearing -             RIZ - SKF #10L25

Rubber U-Joint -                     Triumph TR-250, Jaguar is exact

Column Switch Assembly -      made by VIF, Simca 1000

 

ELECTRICAL

Front Parking Lights - Fiat 1100, Fiat 2300?

Tail Lights - Renault R8 is similar

Back-up Lights - Sime 1000 parking lights Lucas (Omega) Alfa?

Switch - Fiat 850, Ford

Dome lights (coupe) - Alfa Giuletta, Giulia

Fuses - Bosch

Switches - Lucas, see also Lamborghini 400 GT

Wipers:

actuating bars - Lucas #744254

motor - 2 speed Lucas (Jaguar XKE) 95-100 tooth wheel

wheel box - Lucas #72778 (some cars use adapter kit for Jaguar)

blades and arm - Peugeot, uses Trico refills, black Ford Cortina high performance Jaguar arms fit, long blades overload motor on dry windshield

Side Lights - front - Carello, some Ferrari, Lancia

Brake Switch - Fiat 850

Heater - Alfa Giulia, Ferrari, Alfa 1750

Head Light Rim - MGB

 

 

BODY, INTERIOR

Seat - TR6 high back and Lamborghini Miura are bolt-in fit

                adjusters, tracks - Fiat

Sun Visors - Alfa 1300 Sedan (paint black)

Central Ashtray - Lancia Flaminia (some)

Ashtray Light - Siple or Stanley 12 Volt

 

OTHER PARTS

Bumpers Front - Intermecanicca, Omega not available but center section adapted Opel or possibly Toyota Stationwagon rear

Rear - Intermeccanica, Ferrari 375 GTB looks close

Gas Tank - Intermecanicca

Hood - Intermecanicca, Omega too large for Italia

Pedal Pads - Volvo 140

Window Regulator - Fiat (Omega) Alfa?

Trunk Lid Supports- Ford Pinto rear hatch supports MGB-GT rear hatch support

Weatherstripping - (Doors U-shaped cross section) try Peugot 504

Ignition - (Torino with electric tach) Cap-Mallory 221, Rotor 319, Points 25042

Fan Belt - Gates 8210, (Omega 289 no AC) Gates 8221

Oil Filter - Volvo 122S, NAPA 1307, Telecalmit FP2509

Hot rod shops sell a remote filter set-up, use large lines

Throttle Cable - (289 Ford) Ford G5AZ-9A758J

Rear Axel Shaft - 1966 Ford Fairlane C60Z 4234D right is....4234F

Rear End - 1966 Ford Fairlane probably 3.00-1, Omega is 3.25-1

Instruments - (Omega) Jaeger (French) - for rebuilding contact: VDO Instrument Repair, 116 Victor Ave. Detroit, Michigan 48203

Oil Pressure

Sending Unit- Jaeger 082512OD6, MANO - 8BAP

Motor Mounts - (Ford 302) Falcon with 260V*

Wheel Lugs - (Omega) 1/2" Right Hand #AW-72223 (Allied Wheel Products, Whitehouse,Ohio 43571) current Kelsey Spider wheel

Front Wheel Bearings - Buick 1962 inner and outer RIV 51633518, 01047406, 51027406 (Torino)

Muffler - AC 6Z A5246G (Torino), 63 Cadillac, 57 Chrysler

Carburetor - (289 Ford) Holly 600 CFM

Map Light Cigar Lighter - 10-1476, Page 38, Cat. 323, J.C. Whitney, Chicago $2.00

Tires - Oversize - Dunlop 205-14 Sport Steel Radial, use 185-14 tubes

Gas Cap - Simca 1000, Drill 2 holes for venting

 

Wheels - Alternatives

 

- Wire Chrome - Zenith Wire Wheel Co., 155 Kennedy Ave. Campbell, California 95008 Phone: 408-379-3136

- Solid - can use stock 67 Ford in a pinch, will clear caliper

 

Radiator - 2" core can b e replaced with 3" core

 

Car Cover - fits all, #7757 alum. V.B. Haan Inc., Los Angles

 

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