Fred, that was really impressive. Makes me want to try to do it myself maybe next go around. I'd really still love some more input as to what else to address while the engine is out. I will have my mechanic inspect/replace the radiator hoses as needed. Any thoughts on the front and rear cam bearings? Not usually part of the major but if the engine is out, seems like maybe the right time. Thoughts? By the way, like my pit crew? They helped push and steer the car out of the garage and onto the flatbed while I took pictures. LOL! Very cool tow truck by the way. The flatbed came almost completely off the truck. Never saw that before. Hopefully the last tow I ever need..... Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login
Here's my advice. And am speaking generally here, not just to you. Tell your mechanic to inspect EVERYTHING and replace and repair as needed. Until he starts the major and really gets into your car, these conversations are really premature. If you have to tell your mechanic to inspect the hoses and bearings on a engine out major on a car with no service history, you are probably sending your car to the wrong guy! Your cam bearings could be on their way out, or they could be as good as new. Cam bearings are not one of those things that you replace just for the sake of it. Go too far down that path and you are going to be comfortably in the five digit mark tearing down your engine for no good reason. Also, don't be so focused on the engine, your mechanic may determine that the engine looked great and just need a basic major but your wheel bearings, CV joints, bushings, etc, are on their way out. If you are unaware of the condition of the car, and this is your first major (and you are not a competent mechanic yourself), you have to bite the bullet and let your mechanic dig around and fix what he finds. BTW, What a great looking pit crew!
Yes, if I could fit a 2-post into my 1940 garage. I do now (too late), have a scissors lift. So I'm ready the next time it eats 16 valves.
So the engine is out. The cam covers are pulled and they are doing the 30K major service job. Here are a few pics of the process. They discovered a broken metal part of the suspension that will need to be welded and are planning to refill with detergent motor oil to hopefully clean up some of that oil grime/coke, and have me change the oil much more frequently than it had been. Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login
"They discovered a broken metal part of the suspension that will need to be welded..." This is the kind of thing you often find by pulling the engine out.
My 3.2 Mondial had a cracked or broken weld there also. No impact to explain it. Is this metal fatigue? Maybe we need a new thread on this topic?
I'd like to see a thread on this. Can the 328 do this as well? I would assume it would be removed from underneath (even in the Mondial).
The Mondial was the first production Ferrari to have a separate rear subframe for the engine/transmission/rear suspension, allowing the entire unit to be removed as one unit. The 328 does not share this design. On the Mondial the subframe is obviously disconnected and the chassis lifted off on a lift, or some creative version thereof.
Well it's supposed to snow about a foot today here in PA, so for others getting snowed in, here are a few more pics showing how things are going. The rear bank is back together. The clutch was worn and is being replaced during the engine out service. Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login
Thanks for showing the broken weld up close, now I have something to look for when I get my car back off the ground.
Jay, BTW that is a Very Very pretty Mondial. (oh, and told you so.) Just like pulling a VW bug motor,,, well, sort of. Nice winter project. Edwardo Image Unavailable, Please Login
Thanks Edwardo. I think the car is beautiful too, especially when it's not on a tow truck. But that engine.....Wow. I love looking at these pics. That 328 engine is definitely a thing of pure beauty. The engine out service really lets one appreciate her good looks. Since I cannot drive her while the engine is out and now that there's a foot of snow on the ground, I've been forced to try other things. The Kubota does not exactly have the same top speed as the Ferrari, but can be a ton of fun and just as dangerous. Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login
The rusted floor panel is being replaced. Some more pics, this time of the engine bay. Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login
The new clutch is in, the engine is coming back together.....yes!... Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login
Curious about this. The interior pan on my 328 is fiberglass, is the underneath pan steel or the same piece? Never seen a rusty underneath panel like this on these cars. Jeff
I think this is a separate panel than the floor pan inside the car. Here's a pic of the repair and the engine is now back in the car. It's all good! Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login
Or, wood and lag bolts. Mine dolly is just tall enough, 5", to slide an oil pan under. Edwardo Image Unavailable, Please Login