Massive performance loss & misfirings

Hi Vespa,

Hope your crank is still in good shape. If so, you can rebuild without reaching worst case costs.

bless you!

 

It is not so expensive or dificult to redo the timing system and front cover ie new chain etc also rebuilding waterpump is doable speaking as a novice, hope yo get a good outcome.
Regards

 

Those connecting rod bearings look great. I have seen damaged units -- from a Chevy V8, not a Ferrari -- and yours show no damage at all, or even any noticeable wear. That is a good indication that your main bearings are also in good shape. I was thinking, where would iron come from?, and I would guess only the timing gears would be iron. That is where I would look for the source of the particles in your oil pan.

 

Since that car had the good grace to hurt itself while in the shop, I predict you and it will have a long and happy relationship.
It could have more easily failed above 4,000 RPM out on the Autobahn.
You are really lucky!
Greg

 

Recently, three cars had the same symptoms of misfires mid range (3500/4000 RPM) in France. All due to the timing chain:
One 365 GTC4, the distribution chain tensioner adjustment still had enough travel left, was adjusted and the engine stopped misfiring
One 400i, the chain tensioner adjustment was fully pushed in (no more travel), the distribution was opened, broken teeth etc... All renewed and now the engine is 100%.
One 365 GT4 2+2 in the middle of the same process as the 400i of renewing the distribution

 

Hi Vespa, just stumbled onto this thread and recently encountered exactly the same problem on my car, a recently acquired 1978 400 Auto.

In my case the car was running rough, wouldn't pull cleanly and one of the carbs was spitting back. I knew that the engine needed tuning but even afterwards still wouldn't rev cleanly over 4000 rpm. After much messing around it turned out that there was a fault with one of the distributors (something was loose) which was throwing the timing out. Now this has been sorted the problem is gone and she revs cleanly right through the rev range.

I really hope that your other engine problems aren't too severe as there are not enough of these lovely cars left on the road so we really don't want to lose another one. Good luck to you.