[alfa] Re: thermostatic actuator

["John S." <roadtrip999@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

Mark - You can try a shim, but there is a slight ridge towards the bottom of 
the bore that a shim may get hung up on, but maybe only occassionally. 
Denting the TA was a rather crude way of compensating for TA leakage. The 
bottom line is, if the TA is leaking, it's probably only going to get worse. 
Denting and attempts at TA piston shimming are only putting off the 
inevitable. Robin Hoeven rebuilds TAs for less than $120 and I've heard that 
the old Shankle "Sure-start" is being produced by someone again for 
something like $50. The "Sure-start" isn't as elegant or precise as the TA, 
but it works and isn't subject to leakage. You said your TA extends 6mm, but 
does it extend that far when a load is placed against it (like with the 
spring in the TA bore)?

According to Alfa, the "only" way to set the pump gap is to use a dummy TA, 
then replacing it with an in-spec Operational TA. However, realistically, if 
you can get .019" pump gap with a hot engine,  I don't think the FI pump 
knows the difference.

On the subject of shimming, if you get a new TA, it's likely to be a 29-30mm 
model. If your year pump uses the old 27mm version, you'll have to shim the 
base of the TA flange 2mm or so to restore cold engine operation to normal 
specs. A couple of washers will usually do the trick. While not elegant, 
it's necessary because the 27mm TAs are NLA.

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