[alfa] RE: alfa-digest V10 #376

[Johnson David-QA2282 <David.R.Johnson@xxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Jeremy,

I can confirm that Al promisco has an excellent reputation as a fine Alfa mechanic in the Chicago area.  Although I have not personally had any work done by Al, I have visited his shop for a club tech session (which he did voluntarily and gratis) and judged him to be very knowledgable and thorough.  Yes, he is not cheap, and he also has a reputation for doing things right rather than cutting corners (and costs), but in the long run you will be confident in his work.  The assessment that it will be more cost effective to install a good used transmission than rebuild what you have is most likely correct, especially given the catastrophic-sounding failure symptoms you describe.

If Al does not have a source for a transmission, I'd try the following contacts in the Chicago area:

Mike Besic (Besic Motorsports) - Mike is a dedicated Alfa mechanic with an excellent reputation.  He is not too far from Al's shop, and he generally has a big collection of parts and parts cars.  If he doesn't have a transmission there's a good chance he knows where to find one.  Mike can be reached during business hours at (630) 469-5626.

Don Brubaker - Don is the president of the Chicago AROC chapter, and may know of someone with a transmission for sale.  If not, he may have some other sources to try.  Don can be reached during the day at his business number (847) 550-8915.

I'm also forwarding your email to the Chicago AROC local mailing list to see if anyone can help.  I'll pass any replies along to you.  Good luck and don't despair - manual transmission 164s are not that rare in the US; I'd say automatics are less common actually.  If there is any further assistance that you need, please don't hesitate to contact Don or myself.

Regards,

Dave Johnson
Chicago AROC board member
http://www.caroc.com/

-----Original Message-----

Date: Mon, 18 Oct 2004 13:46:16 EDT
From: Jeremy815@domain.elided
Subject: [alfa] Hello & Help - 164L trans

Buon giorno Alfisti,
 
I've been reading the postings for a while now and appreciate the wealth of  
knowledge and enthusiasm that you all have for Alfas.  I'm an Alfa fan and  a 
relatively new Alfa owner, but my enthusiasm runs a little deeper - my  mom's 
family is Milanese and my one grandparent who is still living tells  me 
stories of growing up in Milan, driving around in my great grandfather's Alfa  
Romeos.  That being said, about the only thing I know about the cars is  what I've 
picked up reading these postings (thanks!) and I'm probably one  of those 
annoying Alfa owners who really just shouldn't own one.  
 
I have a 1991 164L that was originally purchased by an Italian here  and 
therefore apparently ordered with a 5 speed, which I'm told was rare.   It has 
62000 meticulously kept original miles and runs beautifully.  I  bravely decided 
to take it out of town a couple weeks ago, and after coming off  the highway, 
I slowed for a red light and then shifted to second as the light  turned green 
while rolling up.  The engine stalled, and then the gear  shifter was stuck 
in second.  I paid a large amount of money to have  it towed to the closest 
Alfa mechanic who could be found from a cell  phone, Al Promisco at Italia 
Automobili in Northbrook, IL.  The towing  co. left a note saying that they 
initially couldn't even get the car to roll,  but upon arrival at Italia the shifter 
was somehow free.  The car will move  in first but when the clutch is engaged 
it makes a pretty loud grinding/clanking  noise (like "click-click-click" etc). 
 We didn't try taking it past  first.  The mechanic, Al, said that when he 
drained the fluid, metal pieces  were hanging on the magnetic plug.  He now has 
the tranny out and says at  least the differential is fine.  I just gave him 
the OK to take the box  apart and look for what's wrong.
 
I guess my questions are:  1) has anyone ever heard of this  mechanic?  He 
seems to know what he's talking about but I'm concerned  about how many hours 
are going to be spent.  He's not cheap and he  says it will be 2-3 hours just to 
find out what's wrong once he has the  box apart.  2) Does it seem reasonable 
that I'm probably going to  need a new transmission?  (Al says when he finds 
out what's wrong,  replacement parts will probably be more costly and 
inconvenient than a  refinished transmission?)  
 
Sorry to make my first posting a desperate "help me" question... but I'm  
hoping someone out there can offer some comfort.  Although I know an Alfa  owner 
should expect these things, It's a bad time of the year for me to have to  
worry about this expense.  Thanks and keep up the good work!
 
Jeremy
_jeremy815@domain.elided_ (mailto:jeremy815@domain.elided) 
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