For the rev-heads...

[Peter Ward]

To avoid possible destruction of the engine in F-cars the cam belt needs to be changed every 2-3 years....and yep, three years was nearly up.

This also means the engine has to come out as you cannot get access to the belts in situ. What amazed me is the subframe was designed to drop out and make the process as painless as possible....talk about the tail wagging the dog :)

Anyway, of possible interest to Top Gear fans is the toy with its engine out...

[TrevorW]

I'd hate to think of the cost

[h0ughy]

;) wonder if that would fit in a VW?

thanks for the mechanical lesson Peter

[traveller]

Didn't they use the old Beetle air cooled engines for powered gliders? This engine will certainly go well...
As for the cost, it's all part of the ownership...
Bo

[TheDecepticon]

Just another day at the office for some of us.

Many manufacturers use sub sections that make removal of major components easier. Ferrari is no exception.

Bit like a VW Beetle, about an hour and a half to do the clutch by dropping the engine out the back.

[Peter Ward]

I'm told the subframe is held in place by 16 bolts. It's the disconnecting of the ECU's, cables, radiator tubing etc. that takes the majority of the time.

The subframe is not lowered as such...they simply lift up the car away from the engine instead. The cost is not too bad so long as you keep clear of the authorised dealership.

Pictured: Restored cam covers...they were previously looking a little ratty

[Lee]

Looks a bit like a Nissan 200SX from behind?? :P

[Peter Ward]

Yes, the rear view is all a 200SX driver would have :lol:

[Lee]

Touché! :) What would I see from my Mazda 323??

[Peter Ward]

:) Dunno. I see a lot of Holdens, Fords, Toyota's.

What do you normally see?

P.S.
Chances of seeing a 348TS are pretty slim.....only 12 or so were imported. TB's are more common....I have no idea how many of the various models are left.

[Nightshift]

One for the timing chain......32 years and still going strong.

[Waxing_Gibbous]

I see loads of Dancing Donkies.
Mostly in my rear view mirror as they disappear behind me - their poor old intakes clogged with my dust and the drivers choking on the sweet, sweet exhaust fumes of Av-Gas and German engineering.
Mwaaahahaha :lol:

[Peter Ward]

Av-gas ? 911? 964? or something later?



Given the service bill....No argument from me .:)

[jenchris]

351 for me...
But I do like the toy - what's the clutch like?
My Brother has a 911 - I hate the clutch in that.

[Peter Ward]

Recently fitted a new (Kevlar) twin plate. Positive but heavy. The trans-axle gear box was a pain until I discovered Redline oil.

The shift gate is very slick now.

[jenchris]

Sounds nice - I reckon the Porsche clutch feels like a dead log.
My Ford was Malcolm Frazer's Commonwealth car - so you've seen it before - everyone has!!!

[Peter Ward]

I was going to let it slide...but couldn't resist....

I guess you might with a donkey always dancing on the bonnet :D

[Waxing_Gibbous]

Technically its a 964 C4, but they were badged '911' outside Europe.
It was balanced and blueprinted by the original owner and stock gaskets were swapped for HD metal ones. I've been fiddling with gear ratios and finally found a compromise between 'roadability' and "flee for your life" top speed (stock is around 270kph).

It runs very happily on 100LL but goes like a rocket on Elf 104 racing fuel!!

From Philip Island:
AvGas: 0-100kph 3.63 sec (1 second off stock) Top Speed: 296.7 kph
Elf 104: 0-100kph 3.12 sec Top Speed: 302.1 kph

I get the 100LL from the local crop duster who lists it as "other services" on the invoice! :D
The Elf costs a fortune ($35 p/l a.t.m.) but is way worth it. Unfortunately they only make to-order and unless you can buy some from a racing major outfit, you'll have to order a minimum of 2000ltrs. :(

[Waxing_Gibbous]

Oh yeah..
I believe you can have the belts swapped for chains (or even gears if you've a mind).
Belts were originally installed to help meet American EPA noise regs.
I was thinking of doing this as Porsche belts don't last any longer than Ferrari's (which is Italian for 'Smith' btw :D ), but I was quoted something around $15k and quickly lost interest!

[Peter Ward]

Impressive. No way my very much stock and naturally aspirated Fezza would catch that...in fact the latest 458 would have trouble... hence very impressive numbers.:thumbsup:

[Brundah1]

Don't feel too down Peter,

Porsches can't go half that quick wearing Maranello Red :lol:

And ..... never sound as sweet at any speed :thumbsup:

[Waxing_Gibbous]

A big point in "Penelope's" favour is that she only weighs about 1500kgs soaking wet. Its a pre-bloater Porsche and not much bigger than a Corolla. Also the FT all-wheel drive helps lay down the power very efficiently.
However its still very roadable. Hates traffic, but doesn't whinge at being driven a legal speeds.

My last experience with a "Marenello Mule" - a 360 - was not a happy one. It handled poorly (when compared to other 360s) and power delivery was 'erratic' - it would cough and wheeze splutter and die mid-corner and just lag on the straight. Several trips to the dealer plus intervention from Ferrari themselves failed to improve it much.
To be fair, it never caught fire, but nor has my Subaru!. :lol:

I sold it to a real-estate agent! :D

[Peter Ward]

Funny you should mention it. My first car was a 1956 VW...had the little indicator arms that popped out...it was....to be truthful..the second worst car I've ever owned.

In the end it spontaneously combusted.

Now RIP.

My 348 ( "Sophia" :) ) is a slim girl as well.. last of the "analog" Ferrari's and weighs just 1398 kg....sadly about 100kg heavier with me in the drivers seat :rolleyes:

[Peter Ward]

Sophie is back :)....attached is a piccy of her freshly serviced V8

Added a few goodies... high temperature Silicone hoses (blue)...and a Hill Engineering (UK) tensioner bearing set.

[marki]

Redline oil is the best you will get for a gearbox. Its horrible stuff, green and stinks but sticks like #%$^ to a blanket. Used to use it in a road racing WRX STI which regularly chewed the dogbox to pieces until we did. Went from about 5 boxs per season to a 12 month overhaul with redline oil. That was when it was not restricted (1032kg with driver, 450BHP at the wheels and 570nm of torque on elf fuel but we found better fuel later :)). It would spin all 4 wheels as it came onto the boost in 5th :D.

Mark

[Brundah1]

Hey! Peter,

Analog? Someone sold your carbies and glued on a VW sump ;)

Analog is David Mackay's 250LM at full noise!

Now who's showing their age :sadeyes:

[overlord]

NICE ID LOVE A FERRARI!

How much are annual servicing costs?

[overlord]

I've got some good telescope advice here in the past...

What colour should I paint the alloy rims of my Toyota Soarer? (ie: Lexus LC300 supercar 4.0 V8 with dullard grey interior. God it's boring me to death.

[jenchris]

Chucky wrote


Har de har de har!

[overlord]

You laugh at my marque?

:confused2: