3/27/08
512BBi, Gauges, and a 275GTB
Work continued on the Boxer major service. The water pump was
reassembled, the new belts installed, tensioners installed and
tensioned, and the cam covers were put back on. Special care was taken
to make sure all the timing marks were lined up after the toothed belts
were installed. The cams turned very easily so getting the teeth to
line up without moving anything off its marks was very important.
Making sure everything was tensioned correctly was also checked and
double checked. I then checked the valve lash and all but one needed an
adjustment.
Some of the fasteners that would be in plain view were sent out for
replating so we set this project aside for the nuts to return to the
shop and moved on to another car.
The gauges to the 250 California Spyder came back from D&M
Restorations, our gauge rebuilder. Mike silk-screened new gauge faces
while we sent the bezels out for new chrome. With all the pieces
collected at the shop, it was time to put it all back together.
One of the tricks I learned from François when I did my gauges
years ago, was not to bend the tabs that hold the gauge bezels to the
gauge body. After a couple of bends, these tabs will inevitably break
off without an easy way to repair the damage. Instead, take a strong
small screwdriver, and pry the frame away from the gauge to get the tab
past the lip of the gauge body. Do this carefully one at a time
without putting the screwdriver through your hand and once you get half
of them clear, the bezel will slide off the gauge. Be ready to catch
the glass that is held in by the bezel!
Having done this with my gauges before, I was a lot more comfortable
doing this job than the first time, but I guess that is why experience
is invaluable in restoring these irreplaceable items!
This week I had the opportunity to work on Ferraris spanning over 20
years of its history from a Cal Spyder to a 512BBi. To fill in the span
was a very nice 275GTB with reworked nose. I understand that this car
was modified by a previous owner, and although not correct, a very
tasteful mod.
This car was in for an oil change and a radiator refurbishing, but
while it was in the shop François and I fixed some of the other
little details to make an already beautiful car perfect.
Just a reminder, I'm looking for a
new Vintage Ferrari Project. If you have, or know of a restoration
project, please let me know. It would be great to restore another car
on this website! My E-mail.
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