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Message |
Frank Parker (Parkerfe)
Advanced Member
Username: Parkerfe
Post Number: 2992
Registered: 9-2001
| | Posted on Thursday, September 18, 2003 - 8:45 am: | |
John, the folks at FOA also have an aversion of using synthetic oils in cars that originally came with petro oils. It may just be that old habits have now became vices ? |
John Delvac (Johndelvac)
Member
Username: Johndelvac
Post Number: 422
Registered: 11-2001
| | Posted on Wednesday, September 17, 2003 - 11:46 am: | |
Red coolant - They guys at FOA seem to have an adversion to swapping types in specific models. Ask Chris Hutton for the scoop. |
Frank Parker (Parkerfe)
Advanced Member
Username: Parkerfe
Post Number: 2981
Registered: 9-2001
| | Posted on Wednesday, September 17, 2003 - 7:21 am: | |
John, what is the problem with the red coolant on the track ? I note most of the racing and high performance coolants on the market are red in color. So is WaterWetter. I'm getting ready to replace my coolant for the upcoming winter and was thinking about using the red stuff. What should I know about it ? |
John Delvac (Johndelvac)
Member
Username: Johndelvac
Post Number: 420
Registered: 11-2001
| | Posted on Tuesday, September 16, 2003 - 7:16 pm: | |
Frank - I agree that the red coolant is better for newer aluminum engines; unless they are on the track, which mine is. There are numerous threads about this on FC. |
John Delvac (Johndelvac)
Member
Username: Johndelvac
Post Number: 419
Registered: 11-2001
| | Posted on Tuesday, September 16, 2003 - 7:13 pm: | |
Granted - Evan does know his way around a 308 well. He has the manual and has studied it. But, Wade is THE MAN on older cars. It's instinct with him. All of the folks at Old World Motorcars and Dr. Honda are also highly experianced (understatement). ER claims to have worked on The Collection's Challenge Team. Funny how when I was last in Miami (CG) no one there had ever heard of him. I hope you guys will not take my statments out of context (and I should be kicked for making statements in such a non-confidential place). I just don't want my fellow F-Chatters to waste time & money when they can get a better job with a warranty. FOA will stand behind what they do, and that's the bottom line. Now, if I had a pre-80's car, I'd probably want J. Weed's folks or Terry G. to have a look at it. With their rock-solid reputations, why would you risk using anyone else? I don't believe the electrical out-sorcing rumor for a second. Why don't you ask Enzo over at Jaguar East what he thinks? That's what I should have said in the first place. I'm sorry...I just can't take being lied to over and over and over and over again. Enough is enough. And before I get old FOA stories, that guy is not there anymore. Deal with Chris. He will make you happy before you leave. FCA members also get a discount. I have found FOA to be less expensive for everything but oil changes and tech inspections. But, then their tech inspection really means something too. |
Frank Parker (Parkerfe)
Advanced Member
Username: Parkerfe
Post Number: 2978
Registered: 9-2001
| | Posted on Tuesday, September 16, 2003 - 12:07 pm: | |
John, while I have no personal information on how good or bad a mechanic Evan may be, FYI the red colored coolant is far superior to the old green colored. As long as you flush out the green before replacing it with the red you are better off with the red. Most all new cars come with the red. In fact, trhe red was formulated to perform better in aluminum engine cars which most Ferraris have. So you wasted your money changing from the better red coolant to the old stlye green stuff. That being said, I too use FOA for most things and have not ever used Evan. |
Stephane Pedaggi (Scaledetails)
New member
Username: Scaledetails
Post Number: 12
Registered: 8-2003
| | Posted on Tuesday, September 16, 2003 - 9:34 am: | |
John,
Evan may be a little loose up there, maybe too much smoking in his youth, but that doesn't take away the fact that he is a genius when it comes to older Ferraris, I know some guys @ FOA that will back that up, and will also tell you they prefer to work on the newer Ferraris all day long....I don't care if he drives a Lotus or a Ford Escort, the guy knows what he is doing, sorry you had a bad experience with him....
Stephane |
John Delvac (Johndelvac)
Member
Username: Johndelvac
Post Number: 418
Registered: 11-2001
| | Posted on Tuesday, September 16, 2003 - 7:54 am: | |
I'm not going to say any more (in writing). But, you guys will see what I'm talking about eventualy. I will say that he quoted me $3K to $4K for a valve job on my Benz that I got for $800. I also had him flush my coolant (which I had to have reversed to remove the "red stuff" he used). I also had him fail to correct my lack of air conditioning (after $200). Wade at FOA found the problem in about 30 seconds and did not charge me to reconnect the 1" connection that had come completely apart on top of the compressor. VC - Didn't you have a belt tensioner lock up right after he did your belt change? Then there is the blatent lack of honesty..."I own 20 something cars including a yellow Boxer, two Lotus, a Lola/Cosworth, a new Alfa Spider". Then there is the 740iL his wife has - not. Then there is the 1/2 assed tune up done on my Ford. Then there is the whole Quattroporte story. You guys have been warned. |
Frank Parker (Parkerfe)
Advanced Member
Username: Parkerfe
Post Number: 2969
Registered: 9-2001
| | Posted on Monday, September 15, 2003 - 1:32 pm: | |
FYI, when I was at Road Atlanta yesterday I met a fellow with a 1965 330GT. He told me that when he recently carried his 330 to FOA for some electrical problems that FOA had his car towed to Evan Ross to do the repair. After the repair the repair the car was towed back to FOA for him to pick up. I thought that sounded odd but stranger things have happened. |
Stephane Pedaggi (Scaledetails)
New member
Username: Scaledetails
Post Number: 11
Registered: 8-2003
| | Posted on Saturday, September 13, 2003 - 8:45 pm: | |
John,
Quick story for you.....Maybe you will realize there are better Ferrari surgeons for the older cars in our area....
I had a brake problem on my way to FOA 2 years ago, hardly any brakes at all, so I left it there....They called me 2 days later with an estimate of $4500 for the master cylinder....I went to Evan for a second opinion and had the car towed to him.....He bled the entire brake system for $75 and the brakes have been perfect ever since, going on 2 years, and 8K miles.....According to him, when a car sits for a while, this is a common problem.....Had I not called him, I would have spent $5K for absolutely nothing.....Don't get me wrong, I still use FOA for other services, and I spend a lot of money there as Harold will tell you, but believe me, there are more experienced technicians for the older cars out there, you should know that owning a 328......When I do get my 360 later, I will gladly let FOA take care of it.... |
Mitchel DeFrancis (4re308)
Intermediate Member
Username: 4re308
Post Number: 1053
Registered: 6-2001
| | Posted on Saturday, September 13, 2003 - 7:03 am: | |
I just had Old World Motorcars put my new throttle cable in my car, and it took them only 1 hour and cost me under $100!! NO ONE came even close to Terry's price. |
Vince Canipelli (F308vc)
Junior Member
Username: F308vc
Post Number: 80
Registered: 2-2002
| | Posted on Friday, September 12, 2003 - 8:59 pm: | |
I agree with Stephane..Evan is very good. He is the only mechanic that touches my 308GTBi. I have always had excellent work from him. |
John Delvac (Johndelvac)
Member
Username: Johndelvac
Post Number: 415
Registered: 11-2001
| | Posted on Friday, September 12, 2003 - 12:13 pm: | |
You have got to be kidding me! I have found none of the below statements to be true. |
Stephane Pedaggi (Scaledetails)
New member
Username: Scaledetails
Post Number: 8
Registered: 8-2003
| | Posted on Monday, September 08, 2003 - 6:14 pm: | |
Matt,
You should also consider Evan Ross (formerly from Enzo's Jaguar), this guy is a genius, and has his own place now in Norcross....I have used all the Ferrari mechanics in Atlanta for all my ferraris, including Dr. Honda and others, but I have found Evan to be the best.... FOA is much more advanced with the newer Ferraris, not so with the 328's etc....Evan can take any older Ferrari apart and put it back together without any manuals or computers, and he is straight and honest.....
Just trying to help you out, hope your problems work out when you do take it in.....
Stephane |
John Delvac (Johndelvac)
Member
Username: Johndelvac
Post Number: 414
Registered: 11-2001
| | Posted on Sunday, September 07, 2003 - 7:21 pm: | |
There is nothing wrong with Deutschland (aka: Old World Motorcars). You could also go to Dr. Honda in Tucker too. It's all going to cost you the same. I'd go to Ferrari of Atlanta and speak with Chris Hutton (very important). At FOA, they may find other things that need attention. They are pretty good about looking for little stuff. The only reason you should consider going elsewhere is if you think there is a chance the car is stolen. Most people keep the paperwork you mentioned in their car. FOA would know right away if it had been. The ignition wire thing brings this to mind. |
Branko Medenica (Branko)
Junior Member
Username: Branko
Post Number: 127
Registered: 3-2003
| | Posted on Saturday, September 06, 2003 - 9:32 am: | |
I love Germany. But then I am a litte biased since I was born there. Only lived there 2 years before moving to the US. But I have been back there a number of times since then. |
Matt Mechling (Dawgfan)
New member
Username: Dawgfan
Post Number: 4
Registered: 9-2003
| | Posted on Saturday, September 06, 2003 - 7:21 am: | |
Thanks Guys - What do y'all think of Deutschland? The guys at FOA sure seem like great guys, though. BTW: I live in North Buckhead Sandy Springs near Chastain. |
John Delvac (Johndelvac)
Member
Username: Johndelvac
Post Number: 413
Registered: 11-2001
| | Posted on Saturday, September 06, 2003 - 6:56 am: | |
Ferrari of Atlanta, when it arives. Until then, post in Tech area. Congrats on your purchase. |
Branko Medenica (Branko)
Junior Member
Username: Branko
Post Number: 123
Registered: 3-2003
| | Posted on Friday, September 05, 2003 - 5:20 pm: | |
Matt, welcome to the world of Ferrari. Why don't you post this thread in the technical Q&A. I think you will get a wider response. |
Walt Pfirman (Waltp)
Junior Member
Username: Waltp
Post Number: 60
Registered: 7-2002
| | Posted on Thursday, September 04, 2003 - 9:39 pm: | |
Welcome Matt!
What part of Atlanta or the Atlanta area do you live in?
I'm sure you will get plenty of responses about a good mechanic from the more experienced guys in the area. |
Matt Mechling (Dawgfan)
New member
Username: Dawgfan
Post Number: 2
Registered: 9-2003
| | Posted on Thursday, September 04, 2003 - 8:11 pm: | |
I just purchased a 1987 328 GTS. It's a Black US Spec LHD car that was exported to the UK from NY back in 1990. It's got 22k on it and is in very nice condition other than some minor blemishes. I have the entire history on the car including the original buyers order, etc. I went over to Manchester a couple weeks back to purchase it. The car checked out great, ran extremely strong, and was frankly better than I anticipated. There was one problem, but the seller fixed it while I was there. The ignition was always a little tight, and so the seller replaced a small plastic component located in the ignition line behind the ignition switch. While these were apart you could place the key in position II and turn the ignition with a philips head and it started fine. He then replaced the plastic component with a new one and the car and ignition worked great. We played with the car for a day and then took it to Liverpool to be shipped out. The car was parked in a secured area of the dock until it could be put on the boat the next week. During the course of the week, the guys in charge of the compound area moved it and everything worked fine. Then when the guy came form the shipping company to take it through inspection, he couldn't get it started. I don't have much info as to what the car did, but I was told that the ignition lights worked etc. Because they couldn't get it started (????) they called over a mechanic that works on their trucks. Well, he fiddled with it, who knows what exactly. I can't get a straight answer, but now the ignition lights won't come on and it won't crank. When you put the key in the ignition and have the door open, the door chime works, the lights work, flashers, etc, but it won't turn over and the ignition lights won't come on. The guy who I purchased it from went down today and checked it out and discovered they had messed with some fuses, etc. He is quite experienced with the mechanics of cars and can't figure it out. He tried taking the ignition a part and starting it with the philips head, but that wouldn't work. The battery is fully charged. Obviously, as some of the electronics work, but it seems the ignition is not getting any positive feed form the battery. It has a Clifford Alarm on it with ignition disabler, but that should only break the line to the starter and not disbale the ignition lights, etc. Any body ever have anything like this occur? Any ideas or advice? The car is still in Uk and will be shipped within week, running or not. I may need a good mechanic in Atl area. Any independents around?
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