I know of a couple of distributor restorers one of whom at least who has a vintage Sun distributor machine that can check advance curves on distributors. However they are in the US and specialise in a different marque of vehicle. Let me know if that is of interest and I'll ask if they are interested...

Bernt has raised a good point about the hoses. Yes check these as well. The other problem with hoses is that even though they look perfectly fine on the outside, they can collapse internally so that little or no fluid can flow through them. You end up with a situation identical to your own heart whe...

And one further question. When you originally changed to DOT 5, did you replace ALL off the rubber components in the system and flush out all traces of the glycol based brake fluid? That is, brake master cylinder and disc calipers? It is recommended that ALL rubbers are replaced when doing so to pre...

Do not change more than one thing at once. If you do, you will never know what the real problem was. The brakes worked well for 15 years so it is something of recent change. I would persist with the DOT5 synthetic. It lasted for 15 years so that cannot be your problem. Returning to DOT 4 or 3 will i...

I am seeking some advice regarding the official specifications for valve stem and valve guide clearances. In the Flavia specification sheet for 815/330 series (01/0440) it says that the valve stem diameter for: Intake = 7.972- 7.987 Exhaust = 8.960-8.975 I assume that the valve stem diameters are fo...

Any further news?

I have found helicoils are not good for SOME places on alloy engines. You don't say the brand of what you call "threaded bushes" but the best inserts according to many in the VW scene ( I have interest in these cars as well) are made by "Timesert". These have a much better lockin...

Did you ever finish this project?

I’m looking for a supplier of the M18x1.5 aluminium cylinder head and crankshaft hex plugs.

I can find steel but am concerned about electrolysis in the coolant system.

Can anyone confirm the size of the aluminium cylinder head plugs. There are 4 of these in each head. I believe they are M18x1.5 by measurement but I cannot find out information. The Lancia part number is 4113113 but I cannot find any leads on these. I believe these are the same size as all but one o...