Brett, There are a lot of problems with modern replacement headgaskets for Ferrari V-12s. Poke around Tom Yang's site. There has been much discussion about replacement headgasket problems. I think they settled on the ones out of Australia but you should look and see for yourself. Regards, Art S.
Art, it was our discussion some time ago that was at the forfront of my mind when i quizzed both Claudio at Eurospares and John at Trutlands about this. it was John who assured me that the problem was an isolated defective batch from Elring and Claudio who assured me that they've never had a problem with the Reinz gaskets. a defective batch of Elring's aside, they are a much higher quality gasket and my one and only experience with Reinz has left a bad taste in my mouth. for interests sake, we are going to pull one head and install the single Elring i had in stock and perform the hydraulic test again before we replace the second Reinz. stay tuned...
yup...the Reinz head gaskets are junk and the Elring is a far superior product. even the way they fit around studs is night and day... on to Davids front suspension and brakes now that the car is back from the painter where it got a couple of chips addressed, a four stage cut and polish and the front spoiler repainted. the car is really solid, rust free and the paint is in very clean 'driver' condition. his lower control arm bushings have been replaced and we're waiting for new kingpin bushings for up top, he has new shock bushings, his sway bar bushings were new, his wheel bearings have been cleaned and repacked, his brake calipers will be rebuilt and his rotors turned w/ new pads. Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login
Hi Brett, That car looks really solid, I'm sure Dave's happy to have it! Thanks for posting some actual "nuts and bolts" pictures, It's great to be able to follow along as you progress. It's pretty hard to find any detailed info on the workings of these cars anywhere else.... without actually buying one and taking it apart.....
It´s so cool to have actually have seen the car when I visited your shop. I can recommend a visit to everyone to Brett´s shop. I have learned some things on my own car which are really usefull now when I´m putting it back together. Nice work, Jan
Brett, what compression ratio did you select on the new pistons? My C4 is looking at an engine rebuild soon, and I have read that one can raise the CR from stock with little downside and a good boost in HP. Also,are your cams stock? Thanks Mike
hey Mike, stock CR, w/original pistons, new rings, new main/rod bearings, stock cams, new valves, guides, seats. at the moment, with the gear we have, we can't engage in performance mods...no flow bench, no dyno. ...but i doubt we'll ever go in that direction...i'd rather a paint booth and an upholsterer(sp)....we won't presume to out engineer Ferrari. ...but, out of curiosity, can you 'really' realize the benefits of a high compression piston with a simple piston swap ? "a good boost in HP"...surely you need porting and a cam grind to truly realize the the benefits, no ? i confess, i'm no engineer. good luck with your rebuild Mike and please keep us posted, brett
Brett, As a rule, compression rise of 9:1 to 10:1 is worth roughly 7% efficiency gain but you will need to do some adjusting to geyond the pistons to get there. I think you are wise not to start fiddling, remember there is a reliability/longevity vs. performance tradeoff tobe made. Regards, Art S.
just curious (can buy a 400 auto with the engine in parts next to it..) how many hours will putting together such an engine take??
Veep, If you know what you are doing and have the correct tools, about 120 hours (maybe less, considering it is already apart). However, the parts cost, depending on what is needed will be between $5k and $20k. Regards, Art S.
Thanks Art, If I am correctly informed by the seller of the car all the new parts I need are there (liners, pistons, gasketsets and so on) , also the heads are allready done, the block is cleaned.etc etc. So if he has done his shopping correct (and THAT is the big question) it is ""just"" a matter of putting it together again. 120 hours is what my mecanic estimated also. Next saterday I check the car out (besides the engine it will need someday a exhaust, or part of it, the tires are old, the brakes will be seized allthough the car has been moved around is his word.. I will keep you posted overhere .. regards, Walter
Walter, Ask yourself this: If this is all that is required, why has it not been done? Proceed with caution. Regards, Art S.
they say lack of time.. But I will be careful yes (be sure of that after 25 years of italian cars and many contacts with people that can be trusted, and also some that can not...) Thanks for the input, Walter
Sorry for hijacking this topic by the way.. I turn away from this one, someone else clearly wanted to spend more money than me on the car, its as good as sold, had no time to look at it but I am not sorry it is gone. another one will surely come someday!
long time, no do... super busy, gotta go... Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login
The first two pictures of the engine on the hoist in that last batch made me think you were going to put it back in the car the wrong way round. Glad to see you got it right eventually, it really looks great. I am very jealous, my similar car is filthy under the bonnet!
getting really close...she'll run Monday... Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login
Really impressive. Must be a delight putting such a clean engine back together. I wish that was my engine bay....... Jan
thanks for taking the time. shows us all what a shop you run. looks as if i made the right decision to park.
not until Wednesday morning Jan...and it sounded incredible... an exhaust note to die for. the simple custom center sections pictured above with the Ansa 412 silencers is a fantastic (and inexpensive) way to achieve a glorious sound. like a slightly muted 70's race car...a really, really beautiful sound that took me a bit by surprise...there is some serious sound in those injected 12's.
