And the motor goes in this week!!! hopefully, I'll be on the road before too long. DM Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login
Dave- I pulled my engines & cut off the heat shields around the headers as they were all rusty. I had the headers Jet Hot coated in silver & it looks marvelous...in addition I had the air injector nozzles cut off & welded up. I also had hex head sockets machined to fit the holes on the header spacer that the injector rail fit into. The thought being was that it looks much better & cleaner & since the airpump is removed the heat that was produced by the air pump will no longer be an issue to contend with. I may still wrap the headers anyway but I will have to see. Before you re-install the engine you should consider as it is a pain to do otherwise. Your car looks great...champ
Had a long conversation with my mechanic about this yesterday. His concern is that by the time we bead blast the covers, there may not be a lot of cover left. The heat shields are there for a purpose, otherwise (as the Dino was the CHEAP Ferrari) they never would have installed them. I'm going to leave well enough alone on this. Thanks guys, Dave
That's another thing on "L" series cars that is different. The heat shields aren't part of the exhaust. Reading your thread reminded me of the 4+ years I invested in restoring my Dino. Your end result will be great.
Hey Dave, You see the title - the subject is PEBBLE BEACH - I get the feeling, you'll have the finest 246 around. But, I also love the fact that there are a few guys out there who are working their butts off to make their 246s', "the best". Best of good fortune to all who are working to make these incredible cars, the best they can be. My next girl's body - will remind me of a 246. (I'll even like the screaming voice) Cheers, Hank
Dave- I agree with your mechanic that bead blasting the exhaust covers (heat shields ) would turn them into swiss cheese. However, on my car the air pump was removed when I bought it. I am told that the airpump caused additional heat to the exhausts and was the reason for the heat shields. So if your airpump has been removed you may not need the shields anyway.
Dave, Just sent this to OmgJon. You might be interested too. Jon, I think that your headers are probably fine. The problem is the thin steel heat shielding that probably started rusting before it got in the car. Your car is now exempt and the air injector pump is probably shot by now. Mine was. I plugged the ports in the aluminum spacers, stripped off the shielding and called it a day. With no air injection, the header temp is grossly lower. Just make sure that alternator wiring is well clear in the front and the starter cable has some kind if shield in the rear. Fiberglass sleeve over wiring is good insurance. My aluminum sheet firewall is fine with the heat. Been running with no air injection for 20 years. Car lives mostly outside and has 186,000 miles so far. Pin whatever plugs you use in the spacers and make sure you keep the spacers in the correct orientation. Front and rear are diferent and there is a top and bottom. Spacers have an oval exhaust passage that is not lined up with the bolt holes. Spacers match head ports and are larger than the tubing of the headers. Leave out the electric clutch and air pump when putting the alternator back. Life is much easier without all the extra plumbing. Take a look at some of my pics in the "Dino Saga" series. Of course you might want to try to keep everything working. In that case forget all of the above. Headers themselves will not rust but discolor immediately when hot. Not much point in even polishing them. Sheet metal shields could be redone in stainless but expensive. Let us know how it will go. Pics are great. Thanks. John
Got back behind the wheel today. Very short trip back to Algar from Goodman Radio (maybe 2 miles) but damn, it felt great. Gear box is better than ever, Superformance parts and my mechanic's skills have mad it smooth as silk. Engine was strong as ever, and the Becker radio (Replacing the modern McIntosh) looked great, and sounded excellent. Now all I need is the turn signal stalk to get back from its West Coast rehabilitation, courtesy of Tom Shaughnessy, and I'll be on the road. Did I miss anyone in my shameless plugs? Oh yeah, PAINT IS FREAKIN' PERFECT!!! Delphais did a superb job. I'll post pictures when I get back from Vegas on the 12th. Dave
Hank, We all know PEbble Beach doesn't allow mass produced cars on the grounds. But I do appreciate the vote of confidence. I'd like to take it to National in May. We'll see if I can get the million little things squared away by then. Dave
Well... is a Dino restoration ever REALLY finished? But, for now, she's home, and going out for a few hours tomorrow, weather permitting. DM Image Unavailable, Please Login
It does look great, but do you guys in America feel hard done by because you dont get the flush fitting indicator lens, clap hand wiper arms and have to have that side marker lamp? Image Unavailable, Please Login
Nah. I kind of like the US version better. I don't know why, exactly, but I do. And I for sure don't like the hand clappinig wipers, reminds me of a Buick. DM
Aww, come on, you can't compare a Dino to that Barge!! What are the laws about using a RHD car in US? Can it be done with a Dino?
You are absolutely right, there's no comparison, the Dino could be a HOOD ORNAMENT for that particular car. Aren't there plenty of Euro spec LHD hand clapping Dinos out there, no eed to go RHD. But, yes, RHD is legal here, just confusing. We're Americans are not the brightest bulbs in the worldwide pack you know. DM
the clapping hands are a matter of taste. although i know in some ways the euro dinos are superior, i have to sya that i like the front bumber treatment on the american cars far better than the euro cars.
