New igntion lock + vacuum system checks

Some new parts we already purchased last year:

https://monteverdisierra.blogspot.com/2018/05/new-parts.html

As Jos was over last week he brought the ignition lock with him. So today I mounted it and also cleaned the dials. Looks quite nice now. Should have taken more photo's before doing this. But here is the end result, 2 photo's, one without flashlight and one with flashlight:

So now I can start the car properly once I'm ready with the engine.

As for the engine I had a further look regarding the vacuum system items. If this car does start up again (fingers crossed) I'm pretty sure it will not run smooth due to this nasty vacuum system. There are so many components, it looks overly complex to me. So I need to study this is a little more.

I had already noticed this sensor on the radiator which seems to have 2 broken off vacuum pipes. I saw on another engine online that it should have some kind of adapter connected to it - not sure though. Luckily many parts are stamped with the number on it.

Here another vacuum sensor:

And another one

And another one

 And more vacuum hoses and sensors

And more sensors

Also the airfilter is having many items

 It does have this extra valve mounted as well:

 With an extra air hose and I wonder where that should be mounted on?

 This looks like another item which is part of the vacuum system as it does have a vacuum hose connected. Not sure what it does and if it's suppose to be this naked.

that's it for today.

Scale model 1:43 by HAV - Monteverdi Sierra

I spotted this scalemodel for sale on Ebay:

https://www.ebay.nl/itm/382759897669

I considered it ugly and expensive but notified Jos though. He claimed he didn't buy it but it's sold now nevertheless ...

More dismantling : radiator and fuelpump

So yesterday I removed the radiator. Last time I noticed and mentioned these two lines going to the bottom of the radiator. I was wondering what purpose it served. With help of the repair manual, see blog:
https://monteverdisierra.blogspot.com/2018/04/chrysler-aspen-volare-1976-80-repair.html

I found out these are cooling pipes for the automatic gearbox! This repair manual is very useful and provided me much insight about various items and the engine.

So when removing the lower hose quite a lot of coolant came out, more then I anticipated. And the coolant looked good as well, no sign of contamination.

 The airco condensor looked pretty good as well:

And of course our rodents stuffed the place with more nut shells:

The radiator also looks to be in very good condition:

A special tappet mounted:

In order to access the fuel pump I had to partly disasemble the alternator. It's still fixed and connected but lifted up and strapped with a tyrewrap. When removing the first gasline hose I was very surprised to see some gas came out (very smelly)

For a moment I thought they had spreayed the screws blue (just like the engine) but of course this was likely locktight glue :-)

And with the fuel pump removed:

It's still in working order. As a result I squirted my shirt with gas when pumping the lever. I didn't expected this much gas was still in there after 30 years! And it was very smelly, yuck. I wonder if this old gas still works - I doubt it.

Since the fuelpump is working I'm wondering if there is a need to have it replaced. I was expecting it to be seized, polluted/gummed, seals deterioated, etc. But likely the gas in it preserved everything nicely. Then again, for 12 USD you have a brand new one.

The following link provides a good insight on the functioning of the fuel pump:

https://www.aa1car.com/library/fuel_pump_mechanical.htm

I guess it's best to get a new one in and avoid potential future hassle.

Unfortunately I couldn't get the thermostat housing off. I need to buy some other tooling. Same for the fuel line going into the carburettor. I need to buy matching English sized wrenches. I do have some but not these specifics …

Magazine Motor Manual June 1977 Auto Salon Geneva

I bought this Australian magazine which had a small section about the 1977 Auto Salon in Geneva. And yes, it covered a small paragraph about the Monteverdi Sierra. It's now available in the download folder. Unfortunately no supporting photo's included.

Engine preventative checks and cleaning

As I'm positive the engine will start and run I continued yesterday in doing additional checks and cleaning. Clearly the fuel and ignition are the most important bits. As mentioned last time, the carburetor needs a good service treatment. And the fuel filter, pump and line needs to be checked as well. But if the engine starts running it does require cooling. So I figured to do a little more dismantling and check the cooling elements. Especially the radiator, I don't want to have any dirt circulating around. And having the radiator removed will allow me to reach the fuel pump more easily.

So here goes. First I had the canister removed:

It does have a filter which likely can be renewed but I have no idea how? I don't consider it an crucial element, so happy to leave as is.

The mounting bracket just survived but it will not take much to snap in two pieces. So I prefer a good replacement:

The radiator overflow reservoir was half full

When cleaning the following smelly rubish came out:

Hopefully there is no similar rubbish in the radiator and it's hoses. So it's a good preventative cleaning exercise.

When cleaning this part of the engine bay again more nutshells were found. But also this piece of cut iron bar.

I suspect it has been part of the bonnet structure, sorry for the poor photo

I decided to remove the battery holder plate on the other side, too for cleaning but also making it more easy to access the radiator screws and don't hurt myself on sharp rusty edges. Yes, this item needs a good replacement as well:

And more dirt and nutshells underneath on this side too:

Removing the top waterhose revealed a very rusty spring inside. Glad this will now not cause any damage or clogging of the cooling circulation.

Same story for the thermostat, that had it's best time:

Then unscrewing the radiator. Surprising one bolt was missing (out of 4).

In order to remove the radiator cover I had to remove the fan first:

And then the cover could get out:

And now everything easy accessible. I have to say it's very easy mechanicing in this engine bay:

On the next session I will have the radiator removed which had at the bottom two seperate cooling pipes screwed to it. I had it sprayed with penetration oil and to my surprise they came loose fairly easy.

Furthermore I had a quick check on the airhose mounting bracket. Not sure if this is Original or if it's broken off. The edges feel really smooth like it's Original but I seriously doubt it.

I also wonder if they kept on when spraying the enigne bay black:

Next time I should be able to get the radiator out and rinse the cooling system. And as well access the fuel pump and the fuel line to the carburetor.

As it looks now I need to have the following specific used parts:

- Canister bracket
- Airhose bracket
- Battery plateholder
- Cowl cover

- Hood air intake cover (BMW part - order got cancelled as it was no longer in stock).

New engine parts:

- Belt kit (airco, powersteering and alternator).
- Water hose kit (3x pieces)
- Thermostat + gasket
- Distributor gasket
- Carburetor service kit
- Fuel filter
- Fuelpump gasket
- Various vacuum hoses

Magazine Svet Motoru - 1978

I found this one by surprise. I'm not sure at which auto salon this is, but I suspect Geneva. Didn't expect our car, the first model, still to be present. I would have expect it to be sold somewhere in 1977.