Dante's Major Service | Page 2 | FerrariChat

Dante's Major Service

Discussion in 'Mondial' started by Journiacois, Feb 3, 2021.

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  1. Journiacois

    Journiacois Formula Junior

    Dec 28, 2013
    260
    Dordogne, France
    Full Name:
    Gerald
    Success! With the advice of an Fchatter, I was steered to Eurospares in UK. They have a generic fuel sending unit for ferraris that comes from the official Ferrari manufacturer. And they seemed to be readily available in stock. With shipping and taxes it will come to me for a bit over $200. But this is the last of any mechanical or equipment costs. Next up, exterior...refresh and touch up the paint, polish and ceramic coat.

    One thing I've learned about ceramic coating the car, is that it reflects the sun's UV rays and keeps the car far cooler to the touch and the interior in sunshine. Only a couple more weeks now before I get it back. And virus lockdown ends next week. Along with being vaccinated, I'm soon to be free to zoom out again!
     
  2. Journiacois

    Journiacois Formula Junior

    Dec 28, 2013
    260
    Dordogne, France
    Full Name:
    Gerald
    One last update on the fuel sending unit from Eurospares. It did arrive and was adapted and tested and works as designed. However, the gauge on the instrument panel still does not respond. It goes straight up to full as it did before. So now I am having to replace it with a used one from Redbay. Another 50 Euros on the parts list. It will be installed after the car goes to the exterior guy next week.

    The good news is that with the fuel system all put back together, all new hoses and the float in place, the car was started and warmed up for the first time yesterday. I haven't seen it but it is back on the ground for the first time in 2 months.
     
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  3. Journiacois

    Journiacois Formula Junior

    Dec 28, 2013
    260
    Dordogne, France
    Full Name:
    Gerald
    Ooops. Lost in translation!

    I was wrong about the above replacement float being put in. I went over today to check up on the car now that it is down on the ground and found out that Phil was not able to adapt it. He had to put the old one back in. My french was not quite good enough to understand what he told me last week when he said everything was back in place and the motor started.

    The problem was the plastic contact piece on the replacement was riveted in place and could not be taken off the metal piece. Also, the metal pieces which were supposed to be able to be adjusted, still did not fit. And most importantly, the circular plate with the rubber gasket was the wrong size and did not close the hole. So I'm back to hoping that replacing the gauge itself on the instrument panel will solve the problem.

    In hindsight now, probably ordering the 50 Euro Fiat part which could have been canablized would probably have been the better approach. But Phil had to get the car off his rack and so had to reinstall the tank and the old float and I dont want to have to go back over that. If the new gauge doesnt work, I'm just back to where I was before but with all new fuel hoses and the tank all checked out for leaks or venting problems.

    So now I have to send the replacement one back to Eurospares but will lose 30 percent of the purchase price paid to french VAT and customs, the 24 Pound fedx price to get it here and the cost of shipping it back from france. This is more aggravation than a big deal in the overall scheme of things but still will total around 100 Euros of pure lost money.

    I did get to start it up for the first time. For some reason it sounds louder than before but maybe it is because I haven't heard it in months or that it was inside his garage. The biggest surprise was when I went to put in the clutch to ensure that it was out of gear when I started and whoah...the clutch is far heavier than before. I really had to give it a push. I did not realize that the new clutch and plate would make such a difference. I can now understand why some folks think it has a heavy clutch. I guess I'll get used to it and it will wear down a bit over time.

    Now just waiting on the body guy to come get it. It will take a week for the paint restoration, polish and ceramic coating. The seats are going to have to be postponed as the interior guy is too busy at the moment. But it will come...along with the bills. It's getting close to coming home.
     
  4. Journiacois

    Journiacois Formula Junior

    Dec 28, 2013
    260
    Dordogne, France
    Full Name:
    Gerald
    It's been 3 weeks since I last updated the status of Dante's major. And in a way, it's kind of stuck in place waiting for the body guy to come and pick it up which is aggravating since I committed to it two months ago. Now I'm told maybe next week.

    The car itself is just about done with just a few adjustments remaining. And in sort of good news regarding the fuel gauge stuck on full, after all the time and expense of taking out the tank and the sending unit and buying a replacement that did not fit and putting it all back together and still not working, a 50Euro used replacement gauge from Redbay, has solved the problem. It was the gauge all along.

    I did get it out for a test drive last week and it was wonderful. My initial concern over the heaviness of the clutch while sitting with it in the garage, turned out not to be a big deal at all. Once out on the road and after a couple shifts, I totally adjusted and it was not at all that heavy. I guess the difference is that it is really a very short pedal now to disengage/engage. And with new discs and pads, the brakes also are right there at the top of the pedal.

    The one thing I noticed on the drive was that it does seem to have a bit of accelerator lag and a slight vibration in the steering. Phil says he needs to send it to a tuner guy who can put it on an electronic analyzer gizmo and adjust the timing and carbs. He's also going to balance the front wheels as he had not done that yet after getting them back from powder coating. As I said before, for some reason it does seem to be a bit louder than I remember. It was fun to be back behind the wheel again which is why it is frustrating that it is just sitting at the moment.

    So progress...slowly. Another month???
     
  5. theunissenguido

    theunissenguido Formula 3
    Owner Silver Subscribed

    Jan 21, 2004
    2,371
    Argent/Brasil
    Full Name:
    Guido
    "adjust the timing and carbs" ?? did your mecanic not look at the car ?
     
  6. Journiacois

    Journiacois Formula Junior

    Dec 28, 2013
    260
    Dordogne, France
    Full Name:
    Gerald
    Sorry, dont know exactly what you are referring to. What I meant was that it ran well but seemed to not have a little lack of pick up at rpm. He did it all by sound and eye after a total redo of all the electrical and belts and injectors. The guy I want to take it to is a tuner specialist who will insure that all the firing systems are in accord and optimized. Maybe I'm being picky.
     
  7. theunissenguido

    theunissenguido Formula 3
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    Jan 21, 2004
    2,371
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    Guido
    I'm just confused...I was thinking your car has a fix timing and injection instead of carbs.:D
     
  8. Journiacois

    Journiacois Formula Junior

    Dec 28, 2013
    260
    Dordogne, France
    Full Name:
    Gerald
    It's been a while since I've updated this post. Not really much to tell as I have been waiting to get into the body guy. Well, finally that has happened and he is going to address a couple parking lot, or in once case...mine..., small dings and paint chips before putting on the ceramic coat. As he said, no sense doing all this work and entombing some easily fixable minor blemishes. So of course I have to agree but ca-ching, up goes the price and time. Looking at another 3 weeks until I get it back. This all started on 1 Feb. So what else can I do but wait.
     
  9. Journiacois

    Journiacois Formula Junior

    Dec 28, 2013
    260
    Dordogne, France
    Full Name:
    Gerald
    So OK. I continue in body shop limbo. Three weeks has turned into 7 weeks with another two to go...if I can believe that. Some work has been done. The small wrinkle in the nose turned into a bit more and the front corner piece needed some welding as it was separated. The pic shows where the work is being done The air spoiler also needs some refreshing and the entire nose then will be repainted along with the front left fender. Lots of rock chips to be fixed along the front valence.

    The big problem now is timing. Most of the shops will be closed at some point in August for the big annual french vacation time. So even if it gets out of the body shop, it might be weeks before the mechanic finally gets it to finish the tuning of the motor. Just hoping it all gets done in time for me to do some test driving before heading off to Italy for the Mondial meet up and tour the week of September 12. It will have been in the shops for almost 9 months. Hope the baby is healthy upon delivery. So it goes.

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  10. moysiuan

    moysiuan F1 Rookie
    Silver Subscribed

    Nov 1, 2005
    3,628
    Canada
    Did I see you did not need to adjust any of the valve shims? How many km are on your car? I have always wondered how much valve clearances actually go out of spec. over what time period of use.
     
  11. Journiacois

    Journiacois Formula Junior

    Dec 28, 2013
    260
    Dordogne, France
    Full Name:
    Gerald
    No, they did not need adjusting though were checked. I have around 62000 Kilometers on the clock. As far as I remember, they did not need adjusting when I had my last major about 5 years and 25, K ago. I have no idea if this is normal or I'm lucky. Someone else will have to chime in.
     
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  12. stekkefun4

    stekkefun4 Formula 3
    BANNED

    Nov 22, 2006
    2,232
    Belgium - Europe
    I really hope it gets finished by early September, but as you know, I have some backup cars in case you need another Mondial for the trip to Italy :)
     
  13. theunissenguido

    theunissenguido Formula 3
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    Jan 21, 2004
    2,371
    Argent/Brasil
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    Guido
    My car has 59.000 km and at the last major (at 40.000 km) they did only change 1 shim. All the others where within specifications.
     
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  14. Journiacois

    Journiacois Formula Junior

    Dec 28, 2013
    260
    Dordogne, France
    Full Name:
    Gerald
    The end is in sight, at least the body work is. I stopped by the body shop yesterday and Dante's nose is painted and polished. He is about half done with polishing the rest and bringing up the color. He said there was just enough paint left so as not to require a total repaint. I have heard before that at least this generation of cars has a fairly thin coat of paint. Anyway, the difference between what has been done and the dullness of what has not been done is remarkable. After the polish work is finished, the final step will be a ceramic coating which should protect the paint that is there for a good long time, probably longer than I'll be able to keep driving.

    I am promised the car in a week which I think is honest. And then all that's left is the final tuning guy to put it on a machine and check all the fuel and electronic systems. That is scheduled for 1 September. that will give me a week or so which will give me a week to do some local drives to insure all is in order before hitting the road for the meet up in Italy on Sept 12.

    So the only thing not completed on my long list which began on 1 February will be having the seats redone. Just couldn't coordinate it all with the other players. That will now wait until next year. Dont have the final figures in yet from my mechanic on his man hours cost. The body work and polish and ceramic coating will come to 1400 Euros. I'll do a final accounting at some point once that bill is paid.

    Here's the new nose job. There is the repair to the left front bumper and lower air dam. The left front fender, valence piece under the lights/air grill and air dam have all been painted. You can compare it to the preliminary work above. I think it looks fantastic but then I supposed i should be happy after all this time.

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  15. stekkefun4

    stekkefun4 Formula 3
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    Nov 22, 2006
    2,232
    Belgium - Europe
    Dante's gonna meet up with goldfinger in a couple of weeks :) I've been doing a lot of test km's lately before we drive southwards in September. Countdown has started :)

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  16. Journiacois

    Journiacois Formula Junior

    Dec 28, 2013
    260
    Dordogne, France
    Full Name:
    Gerald
    Like you, I need to get in some test drives before heading off to Italy. With all the work done on the motor, I certainly want to have a chance to see if all is doing fine. And besides, it's been a long time, over a year since I have been behind the wheel (other than a 5 minute test). It was parked due to clutch issues and covid travel restrictions and then went in for the revision in February. So definitely looking forward to next monday when I get it back from the body shop. Then a week before taking it in to the tune up guy for any final work. Certainly need to check out the AC given the heat wave hitting Italy.
     
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  17. Journiacois

    Journiacois Formula Junior

    Dec 28, 2013
    260
    Dordogne, France
    Full Name:
    Gerald
    Dante's Back...almost
    Finally picked up Dante from the body guy today and he looks spectacular. It really did renovate the paint and the color is now so deep and for the moment at least, none of the micro scratches that build up over time. The body guy sent it home with a bottle of the special shampoo and washing mitt along with a microfiber drying towel. Just rinse, wash with the mitt, carefully, rinse and dry. I am super satisfied with the work and the ceramic coating gives it a depth I've never had with it before.

    I must say, I was a bit nervous to get back in it for the drive home. It is the first time in over a year since I last drove it as there were some mechanical issues and it really did not matter in as we were locked down and prohibited from driving far from the house anyway. It took me a while to get comfortable and get back into the groove of the motor, the shifter and the wheel. I need some more seat time to become connected as I was in the past.

    And here he is back home to the barn again!
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    And for the first time in almost a year, all three of my horses are in their stalls! Dante, Grumbling Gertie and Tony.
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    However, all is not yet OK. On the way home, after 20 minutes of driving and cold AC air, the AC just stopped and hot air came out. And I still want to have all the systems checked electronically to balance ignition, injectors etc. I have an appointment on Wednesday for the specialist on those things.


    Advice Please:
    One other thing I noticed on the drive home. The accelerator seems to stick when I first push on it. Like there is a knot or a ridge that has to be surmounted and then when it does pick up, I've already had to give it more gas than I would have wanted and the motor will surge. I looked at it in the garage thinking maybe I could grease it from inside the cabin but it seems to rotate from below the floor boards. The reverse also seemed to be happening. When I let off the gas to downshift or coast, it would remain sometimes at around 1500 rpms. I'd have to goose the pedal to get it to drop back down to 8-900. Any thoughts out there on what might be happening and if I can fix it myself. I can leave it to the mechanic next Wednesday but did want to drive it over the weekend. But with the sticking pedal, it is aggravating and perhaps not safe in stop and go traffic.

    Hopefully these minor things can be resolved this week and it will be in top shape to head off to the meet up in Italy.
     
  18. theunissenguido

    theunissenguido Formula 3
    Owner Silver Subscribed

    Jan 21, 2004
    2,371
    Argent/Brasil
    Full Name:
    Guido
    Or the accelerator cable has a rust spot somewhere inside its tube, or you have to put some grease/oil on the turning points at throttle housing...control lever nr 33, adjust lever 34, spindle 26 and bushings spindle.
    Make sure your carpet is'nt touchng accelerator pedal.
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  19. Journiacois

    Journiacois Formula Junior

    Dec 28, 2013
    260
    Dordogne, France
    Full Name:
    Gerald
    Thanks Guido. I'll check out those locations today and see if that helps. I have checked the carpet and dont think that is the problem.
     
  20. stekkefun4

    stekkefun4 Formula 3
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    Nov 22, 2006
    2,232
    Belgium - Europe
    Goldfinger's fuel pump started to whine in the past days, I'll replace that in the coming days. Hopefully the last thing to do to get the car ready for in 12 days :)
     
  21. Journiacois

    Journiacois Formula Junior

    Dec 28, 2013
    260
    Dordogne, France
    Full Name:
    Gerald
    The Final Reckoning (hopefully)

    OK. This is what it all comes down to. The engine has been electronically tuned and the accelerator problem had something to do with the air intake mix. Sorry I cant really be more specific. Between the mechanic's rapid fire french and my slow brain and lack of understanding of technical terms that's the best I can do. But the good news, it's fixed and accelerates normally.

    Then there's the AC problem. It was in fact down 700 grams with only 500 grams remaining in the system total of 1.2 kilo. A system check was run, no leaks so it was just the usual long term depletion of the gas. However, when turned on, I still have the problem of heat coming out despite the compressor working. I think we've diagnosed that it is the temp control rheostat on the console panel that needs replacing. It had been stuck when I brought it in in Feb and it was forced loose to rotate. That part has been ordered and hopefully that will resolve the problem when installed next week. If not, I head off to Italy on the 11th without AC.

    Bottom Line
    I promised when I started this thread that I would document the cost of a major. In the end, I have done far more than just belts and tensioners and water pump. I have a totally new clutch system, new rotors and pads, all gaskets and seals that could be replaced without lifting the head, all new fuel and water lines, replaced injectors, rims repaired and powder coated, fuel system gone through to eliminate fuel filling problem and vapor smell after (though the gauge still does not register accurately but the low fuel warning light works) , some body work done and the paint refreshed and now ceramic coated. All fluids replaced including Redline in the transmission and 10W50 spec oil. In addition I have new rear tires and the AC system serviced (hopefully).

    Yes, it has taken almost 9 months, much of that was spent waiting for the body shop guy to get me in and then do the work. Phil, my mechanic, told me he tracked 54 hours of work. Because he used an apprentice who is paid by the government after graduating from automotive school, for routine items done under supervision that was at no cost, nor did he charge for phone time tracking down parts and services, and because Phil is a terrific guy who cares for his customers (and I'm a long term and with 3 old cars always needing work, a regular customer), he only charged me for 42 man hours. At least a couple hours of that was spent trouble shooting the fuel system regarding the fuel gauge problem.

    Here's the totals in Euros:
    3165 Parts including revision kit, new brakes and clutch systems, gaskets, injectors, fuel/ water lines and all fluids, pumps
    550 Additional wear and tear parts replacements, rear tires, AC system gas and temp control unit
    2205 Cosmetic work- body repair and some respray, paint swirls and oxidation removed and ceramic coating (1450), plus rims repaired and powder coated (600), plenum sand blasted and repainted and muffler repainted
    2062 Labor = 42 hours at 46 Euros per hour ($55) plus final tuning expert cost.
    732 20% tax on labor and parts purchased by Phil
    100 shipping and customs for parts

    8814 Euros total cost or $10,470 at today's exchange rate

    So I ended up spending more than anticipated. But this was more than a major revision, it was replacement and repair of systems and a lot more on cosmetics than anticipated. But at 56,500 kilometers on a 36 year old car, it was time to make sure that parts that wear were in top shape as I head off to a 4000 kilometer trip next week. And that was my objective all along, to be as ready as possible for this tour of Italy.
    And of course, in order to maintain the value of the car, all this work was necessary.

    While I bought the car for the driving and not for an investment, I do need to insure that it remains in top shape and dependable as much as possible. Over the 7 years of ownership, including purchase price, I now have about 50K Euros in it. Recent 85 QV prices with comparable mileage and revisions are somewhere around 40K give or take. So one way to look at it is that I have spent 10K over the course of 7 years to have a car I love, have enjoyed greatly and have confidence in for the future. Thus it is a great bargain and immeasurable in how much it has added to my retired life...at least that is what I tell the wife!
     
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  22. theunissenguido

    theunissenguido Formula 3
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    Jan 21, 2004
    2,371
    Argent/Brasil
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    Guido
    Gerald, this money is well spend ! Otherwise you would have spend it on other less satisfactory things I guess. See you soon with a big smile on your face.
     
  23. stekkefun4

    stekkefun4 Formula 3
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    Nov 22, 2006
    2,232
    Belgium - Europe
    ... Had to replace the fuel pump and the clutch slave cylinder gasket aswell :) Now Goldfinger should be ready to drive down to Italy
     
  24. Journiacois

    Journiacois Formula Junior

    Dec 28, 2013
    260
    Dordogne, France
    Full Name:
    Gerald
    Post Script:
    The final little tweeks have worked. A new temp rheostat has resolved the AC problem so now blows very cold. The valve was stuck in the hot air position. But then yesterday, as I drove to get gas to fill the tank for our departure to meet up with Stekke and others, I found myself in a long line of stop and go traffic (yes, we even have it out here in the french countryside. And it was lucky I did. As I was working the clutch in first and second, all of a sudden, the clutch would not return of its own volition. I had to put my toe under and flick it up. It did it a second time. I was able to get out of the line of traffic, turn around and get back home. I realized that there was no way I could plan on taking an 11 day 4000km trip with a dodgy clutch. And luckily, it happened before I left on Saturday.

    So first thing this morning, I called my mechanic Phil and he said bring it right in. What he found was that a junction/joint of the hydraulic line to the cylinder was not tight enough and was leaking. So when I had the clutch pushed all the way down, waiting for traffic to move, the pressure sent the fluid out and left not enough in to rebound the pedal. Two minutes of wrenching it tight and the leak was stopped. I did about 150 k today to make sure and also to see if anything else cropped up. But all is good to go. Dante is washed and filled up and ready to join up with Goldfinger and others on our second Mondial Italy Tour. I've waited almost two years for this. Thankfully Phil is as much invested in me making the trip as I am. He cares about his work and that gives me confidence.
     
  25. stekkefun4

    stekkefun4 Formula 3
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    Nov 22, 2006
    2,232
    Belgium - Europe
    I'm glad that the rheostat I sent you a couple of days ago did the trick :) Looking forward seeing you in Italy !
     
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