Engine disassembly continues with even more shocking discoveries

As reported a few days back engine disassembly has begun in earnest with spades of poor workmanship and general lack of knowledge by the previous mechanic (and I use that term loosely) on display.

What we found today is nothing short of astounding and proof that some people should not even be given the responsibility to feed donkeys let alone work on high precision Italian sports cars. Behold the main oil pickup tube as we found it when separating the engine block from the oil pan.

At present all words fail me and I find it criminal that certain people continue to put out garbage labour like this. Luckily the engine is in the hands of an expert and we will be working together to make it nothing short of perfect.

A crate from Italy: Body panels arrive

Who does not like to get a package in the mail. When it is a wooden crate from Italy, the occasion is extra special. Yesterday we received the replacement body panels we required and they were quickly unwrapped and taken to the bodyshop for fitting.

Engine disassembly: The horrors of a $17K re-build

The last owner of our Dino was a well to do gentleman who placed his trust in a local mechanic to service his car. Having heard of the dangers of sodium filled valves, and not wanting to risk an engine failure, he commissioned this mechanic to a 'cost no object' re-build of the engine. This work was completed approximately 1000 miles before we bought the car at the extraordinary expense of just over $17,000.

During our pre purchase inspection, the engine ran ok and the compression and leak down numbers were acceptable (but certainly not to the standard of a fresh re-build). All of the receipts were in order, and we spoke to the mechanic in question, so this is not an issue of the seller trying to pull a fast one. Despite the previous owner thinking that he had gotten a professional job, we were cautious and knew that in short order a complete mechanical inspection of the engine was to come before it had our full faith.

Today the disassembly began and even we were not prepared for what was found. Having only gone as far as the removal of the heads, this is what we discovered:

- Valve clearances all over the place with no indication that they had ever been set. One valve had ZERO lash
- Timing chain tensioners that were seized
- Timing chains showed no sign that they were replaced and one was missing one of the circlips that holds the chain together
- Cams were out of time
- Plugs in head were wrong material and poorly installed
- Clutch return assembly was poorly assembled
- Gearbox drain plug butchered
- Cheap gaskets were used
- Some of the head studs were hand tight

These were merely the critical things, ignoring totally the concours correct details which were all wrong. All this for $17K when the owner said 'Don't cut corners. Make it right regardless of cost'. I shudder to think what the result would have been had a bargain been sought out.

Here are some photos to prove we are not exaggerating and if anyone in the Ontario area is looking for a mechanic, we can surely direct you as to who NOT to take it to. Feel free to e-mail dino246@live.com if you seriously want to know.

Needless to say we will be making it not only right, but concours perfect. Once done the engine will be the envy of any Formula 1 paddock.

Improving airflow by tidying up sloppy work

In an earlier post we criticized the British for supplying lackluster vent fans for the interior cabin. Truth is that the Italians are not totally innocent here either.

Behold photos of the original assembly that feeds air to the upper vents on the dashboard. As you can see the Italians were quick to assemble components that really did not fit well together. The result is an air passage that was about 10-15% blocked.

Easily corrected with an air saw however we are not expecting a massive improvement in ventilation. Either way every little bit counts.

Koni USA Delivers. Original shocks returned as good as new

Today our long awaited shocks arrived from Koni USA. As we reported earlier in a previous post we discovered that 01464 was still fitted with its original shocks as delivered from Ferrari. These were sent to the classic division of Koni USA for re-building and restoration.

I must say that the service and finish was first rate. Not only were the shocks re-built but they were painted the original Koni red colour (much more orange in tone than the new shocks which are more red) and with the period correct decals. Anyone thinking of replacing their shocks should consider having them re-built by Koni USA. The wait time was almost 2 months but the price was less than the cost of a new set of shocks with a better paint finish and correct decals. Also the quality of packing was first rate.

Thank you Koni.