My hood does not stand up ! | FerrariChat

My hood does not stand up !

Discussion in '365 GT4 2+2/400/412' started by vecchio59, Mar 16, 2013.

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  1. vecchio59

    vecchio59 Karting

    Nov 25, 2011
    199
    Savona, NW Italy
    Full Name:
    Marco
    My 1973 365 has the two hood pistons (DISPOSITIVO APERTURA E SOSTEGNO COFANO - Europsares PART N.253-28-550-00) that are gone... maybe gas (oil?) is totally gone after 40 years and I have to use a dead branch every time I have to keep the hood up (!!!).
    Eurospares, who I contacted several times in the last two years, has no replacement, neither new or recovered from parts cars.
    I've investigated in NW Italy (where I live) and could not find any, nor anybody able to repair/recharge... they seem to be completely sealed...
    Is there anyone with the same experience... and/or with a solution ?
    Thanks
    Marco
     
  2. rovexienus

    rovexienus Formula Junior
    Silver Subscribed

    Jun 10, 2010
    562
    Sainte Colombe, France (near Lyon)
    Full Name:
    Jean-Michel Savary
    Hi Marco,
    The Ferrari Club 400 site proposes a work around for that situation:

    European Ferrari 400 Club » Vérins de capot-moteur, une solution provisoire

    It is in French but Google Translate will help.

    Essentially drill a hole in the piston just below the body of the jack when the hood is in open position (and the jack fully extended). Use a pin through that hole to keep the jack extended. Remove the pin to allow the hood to close.

    These jacks cannot be repaired. However they can be replaced by locally manufactured ones.

    I had that done on two cars in France and it works well.

    The garage which did that for me is Atelier Automobile in Lyon, France

    e-mail: [email protected]


    rovexienus
     
  3. simon klein

    simon klein Two Time F1 World Champ
    Owner Silver Subscribed

    Feb 25, 2009
    28,802
    North Qld
    Full Name:
    simon klein
    I am surprised you can't repair them.
    We have several strut re-gas businesses in Aussie.
     
  4. tr0768

    tr0768 Formula Junior

    Oct 28, 2008
    730
    maltby wa
    Full Name:
    Howard Musolf
    These gas filled struts can be rebuilt. There is a previous post here that gives the information. That way you will still have the original Ferrari struts with new insides. Also there are replacement struts avaible through American Auto Parts stores. When using aftermarket struts make sure of the resistance values of the replacement struts as they come in varing degrees of resistance. They usually start out at 30 pound and then in increments to over 150 pounds. If you replace them with sturts that use excessive pressure to colapse you can damage either the hood, or the mounting brakes on the hood or body.

    Howard Musolf
    1981 308gtsi]
    1982 400i cabriolet
    1994 348 spyder
     
  5. vecchio59

    vecchio59 Karting

    Nov 25, 2011
    199
    Savona, NW Italy
    Full Name:
    Marco
    Thanks everybody, good suggestions.
    My preference is to try and keep them as they are, i.e. no change or modifications... I'll try and search more, either for a replecement or re-gassing... last option will be the pin-lock, which I've seen and it actually works fine !
    btw, is Ricambi America selling on-line ? when I try to access their website, I can't dind any contact... nor on Google+ where they are active on advertising...

    have a great day
    Marco
     
  6. jacques

    jacques Formula Junior

    May 23, 2006
    876
    Los Angeles/Florida
    Lift Support Technologies .com. They are in Canada. They are very knowledgeable. The completely rebuild the struts at about $75-$80US. I hope this helps you. Jq.
     
  7. SouthJersey400i

    SouthJersey400i Formula 3

    Mar 14, 2007
    1,591
    Romulus, NY (Finger Lakes)
    Full Name:
    Ken Battle
    He has the design to build 400i struts from scratch. They did them for me with me giving them dimensions and sending him pictures he requested. That way you do not have pay freight of old ones to him.
    Ken
     
  8. tbakowsky

    tbakowsky F1 World Champ
    Consultant Professional Ferrari Technician

    Sep 18, 2002
    19,349
    The Cold North
    Full Name:
    Tom
    Have you tried a bit of Viagra? ;)
     
  9. vecchio59

    vecchio59 Karting

    Nov 25, 2011
    199
    Savona, NW Italy
    Full Name:
    Marco
    tried with the blue pill and also with the other one... no way, the hood does not stand up :) ... a bit earlier than expected (at the age of 40 ...) but predictable...

    I truly appreciate all your help; as said, I'll go first for soemone (local ?) who can re-gas and, if nobody's available, will consider the pin-lock... which is not ideal, but keeps the original struts and is safe !

    it's really nice to have this amazing support from experts and/or F'ers who just have the same experience...

    Have a very great day, ciao
    Marco
     
  10. vecchio59

    vecchio59 Karting

    Nov 25, 2011
    199
    Savona, NW Italy
    Full Name:
    Marco
    #10 vecchio59, Apr 7, 2013
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
    I've eventually decided to adopt an interim solution, which is safe and preserves the original struts... a simple 1200 mm aluminium rod, with rubber pads on both ends.
    Easy and unusually (for the 365's) unexpensive... 7€ / 10 US$...

    Now waiting for some decent weather to take the first 2013 ride... hope soon.

    Bye bye
    Marco
    Image Unavailable, Please Login
     
  11. Ashman

    Ashman Three Time F1 World Champ
    Owner Silver Subscribed

    Sep 5, 2002
    31,629
    MA
    Full Name:
    John
    That is a nice solution and an improvement on the sawed off broom handle that I used on my 400i. I found that it gave me peace of mind because my struts would hold up the hood in calm weather but that almost any gust of wind could cause the hood to slam shut noisily.

    I don't know if it is possible for your aluminum strut, but I painted my broom handle to match the color of my car, silver, so that it had the appearance of being from the factory! :)
     
  12. Faber

    Faber Formula Junior

    May 5, 2011
    954
    TX Hill Country
    Full Name:
    Tom G.
    LOL...LOL...."The ubiquitous Maranello Broom Handle" Molte Bene, Still laughing. (I'd think to employ pvc but to each, his own."
     
  13. vecchio59

    vecchio59 Karting

    Nov 25, 2011
    199
    Savona, NW Italy
    Full Name:
    Marco
    I must admit it's not the best solution :) but it's simple and works... I'll continue to look around for someone who can rebuild the struts, in the meanwhile I can stop worrying about my hood coming down on my head !!!
     
  14. Faber

    Faber Formula Junior

    May 5, 2011
    954
    TX Hill Country
    Full Name:
    Tom G.
    I noted mine are weak; only to be employed in "winds are calm" conditions. I may invest in a Hood Staff too.
     
  15. vecchio59

    vecchio59 Karting

    Nov 25, 2011
    199
    Savona, NW Italy
    Full Name:
    Marco
    :) I can sell it to you, or give you the royalties of the Broom Handle if you want to start a 3rd millenium business !!! market perspective is (maybe) 2 or 3 in the next 10 to 20 years...
    Pure italian design, 50 years money-back guaranteed (maybe more... but I won't be there to respond to your claim !), easy to use (it comes with a full handbook with pictures - in 25 langauges), portable and easily adaptable to different Ferrari models...
    looking forward to receiving your order(s), have a great weekend
    Marco
     
  16. theobordeaux

    theobordeaux Formula Junior

    Jan 13, 2011
    482
    Bordeaux (France)
    Full Name:
    Theodore
    #16 theobordeaux, Apr 12, 2013
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
  17. Faber

    Faber Formula Junior

    May 5, 2011
    954
    TX Hill Country
    Full Name:
    Tom G.
    Temp solution looks doable, thanks - I wish I hadn't already ordered 100 of Vecchio59's "alum-struts". His offer w/ guarantees was too good to pass up.
     
  18. vecchio59

    vecchio59 Karting

    Nov 25, 2011
    199
    Savona, NW Italy
    Full Name:
    Marco
    Wow, I didn't realize I had such a successfull business in my hands :) !!!
    A hundred pieces in the first day, the future looks bright.. I'll probably invest in R&D and flood the market with amazing new tools that nobody will want to miss: top secret for now, but some insiders will easily identify areas of development (e.g. replace 6 Webers with just one and increase mileage from 10 to 20+ mpg... and avoid speeding tickets, as your F won't make more than 50 mph... or, shutdown 6 of the 12 by simply pulling out the spark plug pipe...)
    Jokes apart, the only truth is that most of the times when your F needs attention, your wallet goes on depression... but we have a mission, that is to keep our wonderful F at their very best, we don't like failures and shall succeed.
    Have a great day, Marco
     
  19. galbert

    galbert Formula Junior

    Mar 14, 2012
    352
    sud ouest france
    Full Name:
    Galbert Christopher
    bonsoir a tous
    personnellement
    j'ai sorti 1 des 2 vérins (cote passager)
    et j'ai perce le vérin (uniquement le vérin ) restant cote conducteur l'ouverture du capot étant de ce cote c'est plus simple
    et placé une goupille qui le travers complétement
    je joindrais une photo plus tard lorsque j'aurais récupère la Ferrari qui est chez le carrossier

    amicalement
    christopher
     
  20. Faber

    Faber Formula Junior

    May 5, 2011
    954
    TX Hill Country
    Full Name:
    Tom G.
    LOL...eagerly awaiting your next breakthroughs. +1 on last paragraph - Thanks,
     
  21. Faber

    Faber Formula Junior

    May 5, 2011
    954
    TX Hill Country
    Full Name:
    Tom G.
    Merci Christopher - I'm looking forward to your photo -
     
  22. galbert

    galbert Formula Junior

    Mar 14, 2012
    352
    sud ouest france
    Full Name:
    Galbert Christopher
    bonjour bonne nouvelle pour toi Faber
    la ferrari 400 reviens samedi matin
    je ferais la photo
    amicalement
    christopher
     
  23. Faber

    Faber Formula Junior

    May 5, 2011
    954
    TX Hill Country
    Full Name:
    Tom G.
    Bon jour, Christopher - s'il vous plaît envoyer des photos!
     
  24. 180 Out

    180 Out Formula 3

    Jan 4, 2012
    1,206
    San Leandro, CA
    Full Name:
    Bill Henley
    My next door neighbor, seeing and hearing my '83 move under its own power for the first time after four weekends of tinkering, remarked "You are a magician!" I said, "Yes, my best trick is making money disappear." Of course with the help of my beautiful assistant it's easy.
     
  25. Faber

    Faber Formula Junior

    May 5, 2011
    954
    TX Hill Country
    Full Name:
    Tom G.
    LOL. Thanks for a hearty laugh. These are the kinds of posts I hide from my bride...Good Grief!
     

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