Alfetta GT bad sounds

[AlfaCyberSite <acs@domain.elided>]

Okay, one would think that one who bills hisself as a restorer would /
should knownot to mention he's owned his vehicle since a soft top meant
one had a covered wagonnot that mine has a soft top.

But I digress.

Really bad growly sounds coming henceforth from the rear of said
vehicle.

Please allow me to pontificate (to the extent of extreme anality) on
said growly sounds. Vehicle is warmed up and driving on a stretch of
road at 50 mph. Bad growly sounds from the rear. I shift into 5th
without changing speedsgrowley sound diminishes, but doesn't disappear.

Fast forward to today (01/02/'02) and one lifts said Alfetta GT into the
air about 15". (Damn, those front P6's just aren't holding up. Hmmm,
bought them only 12 years or so ago. Larry at Tire Rack ses I should
have Avid H4 P195 60-HR-14's (unless I want a less sporty ride). We
discuss height and he admits the 195 65's come a lot closer to the
original height than the 60's and we also agree Alfetta should not be
spelled Alfatta as they have in their archives. Four Avid H4 65's are
rolling their way to Biba Resto as we speakin spite of the fact I
always swore no Japanese tire would ever tread on my most revered and
beloved dago / wopmobile.

But I digress.

A Digester fairly recently strongly suggested one should never start an
engine on jack stands. No doubt he is correct, but needed to pin down
the source of growly sounds. So...crawling under the car whilst
runningRear donut (appearing to be in quite good shape) seems to rotate
slightly unusually (perhaps something out of round?). Ear also detects
sounds which might be coming from one or both of the clutch shaft's
bearings And / Or from the throwout bearing.

Question to all: I have a modern ('79 Alfetta GTfairly low mileage)
which I could (sigh) borrow a complete transaxel from, or does one feel
I should simply dig in and solve the growly sound without resorting to
swapping? Or does one have other suggestions / solutions (hopefully)?

Biba
Irwindale, CA USA

Oh yeah, makes funny tinkly sounds from rear when shutting off engine.

--
to be removed from alfa, see /bin/digest-subs.cgi
or email "unsubscribe alfa" to majordomo@domain.elided