Bradan 348 major service

Ouch. That poor car. Looking forward to seeing the progress!

 

So this owner came in for a new clutch, but is walking out with a major service and all new suspension bushes?

I hope you quoted him BEFORE he told you to start performing all that work. Otherwise I am sure he will have a heart attack when he see's the bill.

That engine and suspension looks a lot like my car at the moment. I can't wait to get it out to do the major service.

Looking forward to seeing more pics.

 

Haha, don't worry, the major was scheduled for this winter, but when I lost the clutch, Daniel asked if I wanted to do them all at once.

Some backstory - this car was purchased sight unseen with zero records and the owner left it for a friend to sell. The title was legit, that's all that mattered to me.

I drove her for about 800 miles before I lost the clutch. Before buying I knew it would need a full service and most likely a clutch, so I was prepared.

This car will get the gold kit as well, not sure about what else we are going to do. I've purchased straight pipes and a challenge exhaust (we are going to do a before/after dyno on the exhaust) -

Don't worry about making comments on condition, etc - I have thick skin and I bought the car to drive, not show.

Thanks,
Erik

 

Cheers Erik.

Sounds like it's gunna be a beauty when all the work is said and done.

 

Damn, go in for a $2000 clutch job, come out with $25K in upgrades and overhaul...
Yikes, I have nightmares that feature this scenario! I hope you only paid about $10K for this car, or you're gonna be WAY upside down on this project!

 

You know, as much as I have recommended buying the best car you can find, etc...I'm glad there are people who are willing to say "hell with it!" and save some of these cars! IF you know what you're getting into, go for it! Then, we have more good ones to pass around F-chat!

 

Erik - you mention you don't know what other upgrades you want to do to it - have you considered the silicone hose kit?

 

+1 Good suggestion. It isn't cheap, but quality never is.

With a car that appears to have missed regular service for so long, the silicone hoses would make sense.

In stock

http://www.ricambiamerica.com/product_info.php?cPath=100056_100062&products_id=343634


* Similarly, I'd be darn certain to pull the front cover and inspect the oil pump tensioners, bearings, etc.

* I suggest a weld of the lower cam gears within an inch of their despicable lives.

* I suggest dropping the bottom pan and inspect the oil sprayers.

* I suppose, it would also make sense to take a peek-a-boo at the g'box pump bearing on the side, and condition of the lock nuts.

YMMV

Oh, and since the car appears to have missing a few services, perform a proper cam timing and not a "lock and swap". Break out that dial and put on a pot of coffee !

 

You have a good point there I suppose... the real question is, what kind of jerkoff buys a car like this and runs in into the ground??!!? I have a funny feeling that this car has seen some winter driving too. The previous owner(s) should be ashamed of themselves.

 

Erik, I am going to guess that motor will need new gaskets/seals as well. it might be a good idea to replace the forward main seal/rear main seal as well as the oil pan gasket at a minimum. I am sure that Daniel will be able to advise you as to what extent the motor will need to be refreshed to get it in a proper condition again.

good luck with your Major endeavor.

 

Daniel - are there silicone fuel lines yet?

 

348 is a whole different beast than the earlier cars. It does away with most of the rubber fuel lines in the neck and up from the pumps.... but it (God bless Ferrari) introduces a whole new host of terrors with the rubber fuel pump body gasket, like the 550's all suffer from.

So, while your fuel lines might not burst and cause a horrible fire (don't get me wrong, there are still rubberized lines in the evap for example), the bigger issue is crap-gas causing degradation of the rubber inside the fuel pump assembly, and clogging it all to heck.

 

I see...thanks for this.

 

That is a good question!

 

Dan - The drill jig awaits! Ring me in the morning if you need it as a loaner.

http://www.ricambiamerica.com/product_info.php?products_id=262604

 

I am so surprised this car did not have a catastrophe, it was probably a step away from it ...

 

Precarious. I believe that is what is known as the death rattle...