Bill, how does the Alpine do on long trips comfort wise?
Surprisingly good. We put over 10,000 miles on it in about two months this past fall. We now have about 95,000 miles on the rebuild.
I have both a new soft-top and the removable hardtop.
We do too. The removable hard top is the way to go for comfort. It can be much quieter, more weather tight and easier to air condition the car. Out top is one of the old Parish tops. They are well made, but poorly designed and fit like crap around the windows. I had to perform extensive surgery on ours to even make it set on the car correctly. BUT, they can be made into nice tops and you can buy parts for them, especially for the rear glass.
Any suggestions about seats?
Guys that know say the stock seats are good if you get new foam. The original foam dies of dry rot, don't even consider using them. We have settled on second generation Miata seats. They are very comfortable, are tower seats and are compatible with the three point seat belts. However, they are definitely a pain to adapt to the Alpine and still retain adjustibility. They also block accessibility to the rear seat. That is their only real downside. The upside, when running top down, they reduce high speed buffeting.
I have a couple of shells out of my 2nd car. Thought I would have them recovered, but some say they are no good for the long haul drive.
It has been 50 years since I've taken a long drive in an Alpine with stock seats. 'Nuff said.
Also, how is the OEM suspension with a total rebuild? I have 2 to pick from for OEM parts and many parts can be substituted with later over-the-counter stuff...poly bushings, gas shocks, brake pads, etc. The 2.3 will be a mild rebuild for smooth running on the highway, with an Autolite 2150 two barrel on an Esslinger intake, tube header, hot ignition, mild cam (256), electric fuel pump and radiator fan. With a lowered body, 14" wheels and poly suspension bushings, it should handle better.
Lots to cover here.
I used the white bushings, they squeak like crazy. Ride? Dunno, can't compare them to rubber bushings as I have no experience with them.
I used Monroe gas shocks. If your building a comfortable road car, I think they are the only way to go. If you want high performance, look elsewhere.
Brake pads, no personal experience. My brakes have only one stock part, the pedal, and it is modified to give a 6:1 peal ratio.
Do not neglect to rebuild the rear suspension. Some, not all, of the springs have plastic buttons between them. The buttons wear out and the spring wear into each other, forming grooves that essentially lock the leafs together. Relieve the grooves, insert liners between the leafs and replace the front rubber bushing. Totally changed the ride on our car. It used to crow-hop over expansion joints, no more. Also, install a 3/4" (stock Tiger) front sway bar. Makes no discernible difference in ride and makes a big difference in handling. Also make sure your caster is more than 3 degrees. Stays on the road much better.
Also, contact DanR and get an electric power steering kit. The 2.3 is heavy and your getting older and weaker. That, combined with the wide rubber and small after market steering wheels will make you park your Alpine way before you should. I have one of his kits, it will be installed this winter.
Last, but far from least, the main problem with an Alpine on long trips is heat and noise. Insulate, insulate and insulate.
Things went South with the house remodel! The shop contractor stuck me with $8,000.00 extra and now the house guy has $11,000.00 of my money (just for labor) and has skipped town with half the work unfinished! "Home Advisor" ain't what it says it is!!
Kind of late, but never totally pay for a job before its completed. I've had some contractors get pissed at me, but I've never had any to leave town before the job was done.
Depending on how much we end up losing, the Alpine rebuild may take longer than planned...but don't they anyway!?
