On auction in Melbourne this summer - Ferrari 400i

G'day Wayne,I've just sent you a conversation...this is a PM in the old language.

 

Hi Rick,

As mentioned in other posts I preferred the wosperformance LMS029.

Cheers,
Al

 

Rick,
Ah yes CAE, mine was for a 400, maybe different to the 400i because it bolted straight in.
Regards
Wayne

 

Thanks Al,

I will see if I can purchase the LMS029.

Regards and thanks again.

Rick.

 

Well after 6 years of driving I decided to treat the 400i to a 20K interval service of camshaft alignment, set valve shims and paint cam covers etc, but after seeing the condition of the timing chain adjuster this has now turned into an engine out major service.
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Wish me luck guys.
Looks like this coolant hose fitting on the rear of the left head was due for replacement.

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Good day Al,

Best of luck on your adventure! I will be doing mine hopefully sometime over our Winter season and so I will be somewhat sharing your pain(s)

Cheers,

Sam

 

Engines out.
Now for the expensive part - see what condition things are in & order lots of parts.
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While you're at it why not try to find a 5 speed box and a 3 pedalbox!!!!!!!

 

Mmm 5 speed and a 3rd pedal! Wouldn't that be nice.
The trouble is if I could find one it would cost me more than I paid for the car.

 

True dat!

 

A quick update -

Engine stripped down.
Bores look OK and measure well but appear glazed so will get a light hone & new rings.
Crank bearings are all good.
Big end bearings are worn on both far end conrods (last to get oil at startup) so a new set of bearings for these.
Valve guides are worn & require replacement - all guides removed today.
Valve springs all tested & within specification (4cyl Cortina head I have on the bench next to this has the same larger springs).
Oil/Water pump chain tensioner was a plastic one & it shattered while removing - not cheap to replace but replacement has a metal housing.

Cheers,
Al
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Looks like you are well set up for these Al, would be interested to know what head gaskets you plan on using on reassembly.

 

From all I've read the best ones are from - Murray Glegg Manufacturing [email protected]

I've been in contact with Murray this morning & he has some in stock.

Cheers,
Al

 

Timing chain and bearing wear is a real issue on these cars. Let's make it clear, it is Ok for a vintage car to wear and I really don't mind an engine out in one of my Renault 5, but in our cars engine out is not in the same league (financially speaking). I am considering any option to extend the life of these components...

Engine pre-heater, engine pre-lube ? Radically different oil approach ? What do you guys think?

 

While cleaning off the old head gaskets I found one of the coolant passages at the top of cylinder 10 was completely blocked.
Excavating the calcified build up revealed this passageway was not drilled right through!
Checked the block from 40877 & it had this coolant passageway clear like all the others so I drilled it out to match - this might explain why the left bank ran a bit hotter than the right.
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Also got some more parts arrive from Eurospares and Superformance today.
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