On the weekend I removed the engine from my Testarossa to commence the operation to change the broken diff. At present the engine is sitting on the sub frame which is resting on the cradle that I built to carry it out of the car. Here's some pictures. Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login
The next step is to remove the engine from the sub frame. There appears to be a limited amount of ways to do this and I would appreciate it if any of you guys have pictures in your files of the various ways that people have lifted these engines, so I can get some idea of where to attach lifting harness to the engine. Once I have it hanging on a hook, the next thing I really need to do is turn it upside down so that I can get to these really nasty and rusty exhaust manifold bolts and this will also make it really simple to remove the gearbox. Normally you would use a commercially available simple rotating engine stand for this, but unfortunately, this isn't your run of the mill V8 which can be affixed to an engine stand using the bellhousing bolts of the gearbox like a chev or ford. I'm wondering if I pull the clutch cover off, if the bolts around the end of the block that hold the clutch on would be strong enough to hold the weight of the engine cantilevered on a 'normal' engine stand? Has anybody ever seen an engine stand for a flat 12 that allowed it to be rotated for assembly? Pictures ....................anyone???
First ... take all extra's off ... I mean arches, wheels, springs, clutch ..... Upside down the engine ... better not ... Never seen F garages do that; must be a good reason why not ... Unscrew the gearbox (gb) and then .... look very carefully inside the gb. Be very carefull if the gb is off ----> don't ruin the oil pipes from the engine while the sump part is not there to protect them ... Make a stand ... (picture). Are you familiar with shimming the diff ? My gb builder takes (approx.) 40 hrs to do so ............. Good Luck ... I'll be watching this thread ... Image Unavailable, Please Login
I am getting ready to drop my engine to do the same repair. Can you send me the plans for the engine cradle you made? Also, how hard was the differential set up? I have done it on Chevy's before but never a TR and the Chevy was hard enough. Any insight would be appreciated.
The stand fabrication is captured in this thread: http://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/showthread.php?t=359951 I'm also going to fabricate a stand based on this design for my next engine service. As for the differential, I have been watching as well and have the same level of experience as you. Put a 4:10 in my 12-bolt '69 Z-28 this past summer and was pretty straightforward, though I ended up taking it to a differential shop when I thought I was done to get a professional opinion--they made a minor shim change and all was well. This looks similar...but different. Read the WSM closely and make sure you are ready. OEM side cover shim procurement has been an issue for some, others have had them manufactured. I hope to not have to change my crown and pinon so eliminating the pinon setup will save some heartache. Search all the gearbox threads so you know what you are getting into. I plan to (like the Z) do the work myself but if I can't get the pattern perfect have a F-shop finish the installation.
Indeed better to do so Tim: if things go wrong with these F gb parts, it will cost you a fortune to repair that .... apart from time ... Good luck all ! Please keep us informed with text an lots of pics ...
If you don't disturb the pinion gear, is it not just a shim job for backlash and preload? Would this not disturbing the pinion gear not change the contact pattern? Ago
Thanks for the link Tim! I rebuilt the rear end on my dad's 79 Vette a few years back. It was a pain in the rear to get the pinion and ring gear lined up just perfect, but luckily no whines and working perfect for the past 20 years, but still concerned about the amount of work involved with the Ferrari. I will def read a lot before I start.
It is a shim job but a very comprehensive one. That said, do the reading, take your time and have plenty of the correct shims available and it can certainly be done at home. Both Mike and I have done our own and we are car guys but not mechanics by trade.
