| Author | Message | ||
| Henryk (Henryk)
Member Username: Henryk Post Number: 728 Registered: 8-2001 |
To all you skeptics out there, that thought a Ferari was something mysterious, and only "qualified" machanics can work on them, Jeff has just proven you WRONG. Jay: The valve adjustment can be done with the engine in the car, however it is tricky.......remember the 15,000 mile service, which I rarely read about in this forum? I recently replace a valve cover gasket, with engine in the car......but, a car lift REALLY helps. | ||
| J. Grande (Jay)
Intermediate Member Username: Jay Post Number: 1328 Registered: 10-2001 |
Jeff, will you do the cam adjustment yourself at the same time as well? I thought that the motor has to come out to do the belts valves and tensioner bearings... | ||
| Jeff Green (Carguy)
Member Username: Carguy Post Number: 304 Registered: 10-2002 |
Henryk...I'm already a step ahead of you. I'm planning out the next major service as I intend to do it myself. Since I pulled the right fuel tank and noticed the space that was opened up, I'm thinking of pulling both tanks for doing the cam belts. There will be enough roon this way without having to pull the motor. But the belts were changed last year so I have plenty of time to build up the nerve to tackle this project. Mechanically these cars are pretty straight forward. But you do occasionally encounter some parts and functions that are emotionally based rather than practical-engineering based. You just gotta love these cars. | ||
| Henryk (Henryk)
Member Username: Henryk Post Number: 727 Registered: 8-2001 |
Jeff: Now that you have learned how to solve some electrical issues with the car, I hope that it is trouble free........until you have to start learning about the mechanical issues!!!!!!!!HAHA | ||
| J. Grande (Jay)
Intermediate Member Username: Jay Post Number: 1324 Registered: 10-2001 |
Jeff, I know exactly how you feel! | ||
| Sean F (Agracer)
Junior Member Username: Agracer Post Number: 156 Registered: 2-2003 |
That is outstanding. | ||
| David McGee (Damcgee)
New member Username: Damcgee Post Number: 20 Registered: 2-2003 |
Wow, you seriously put tears in my eyes! I wish I had enough mechanical inclination to say with any honesty, "I'll do that one day"... but I'll just sit here and dream about it instead. Congratulations  I wish you many years of trouble free motoring | ||
| Robert McNair (Rrm)
Member Username: Rrm Post Number: 371 Registered: 5-2002 |
Great story. I love your enthusiam. Enjoy the fruits of your labors! | ||
| TR Heaven (Johndillinger)
Junior Member Username: Johndillinger Post Number: 130 Registered: 7-2002 |
Glad everything worked out for you Jeff - and if you ever bring her to Florida give me a call - i think the TR has the best looking ass | ||
| Paul Bianco (Paulie_b)
Junior Member Username: Paulie_b Post Number: 181 Registered: 1-2003 |
the story sounds like a love affair. the TR is a kick ass car. | ||
| Jeff Green (Carguy)
Member Username: Carguy Post Number: 302 Registered: 10-2002 |
You guys are choking me up......snifff...snifff! Thanks for all the well wishes! | ||
| adrian low (Audionut)
Junior Member Username: Audionut Post Number: 74 Registered: 4-2003 |
Superb story and congrats. You should be proud. Enjoy the car in good health, and may a thousand Vettes/Lambos/NSXs/WRXs see your tail lights. | ||
| Ryan550 (Ryanab)
Member Username: Ryanab Post Number: 332 Registered: 3-2002 |
Great work and effort, congrats! Just remember to drive it!! Ryan | ||
| Vincent (Vincent348)
Member Username: Vincent348 Post Number: 364 Registered: 4-2003 |
Jeff, That's AWESOME!!! Congratulations. Vincent | ||
| Mr. Doody (Doody)
Intermediate Member Username: Doody Post Number: 1114 Registered: 11-2001 |
great great story jeff. kudos. there ain't nuthin' like a black TR! enjoy her! doody. | ||
| Paul Hill (348paul)
Member Username: 348paul Post Number: 260 Registered: 12-2002 |
Jeff, Give yourself a pat on the back! Money can�t buy the feeling of achievement, especially when it�s something you haven�t attempted before. I have done similar things like your project before and unless you do something like this yourself, there are no words to describe the feeling when it all works out GREAT STUFF! (Yes - I was shouting!!) Paul | ||
| James Glickenhaus (Napolis)
Intermediate Member Username: Napolis Post Number: 1428 Registered: 10-2002 |
Jeff This is what it's really about. It's not about 0-60 times in Motor Trend. It's about taking them apart, putting them backtogether, driving them and sharing your experiences with others who understand what it's really about. Best Jim | ||
| Dr. Ken Lee (Kenster888)
Junior Member Username: Kenster888 Post Number: 52 Registered: 4-2003 |
Great story Jeff! And congratulations on a job well done. And yes please share with us more pictures. | ||
| Drstranglove (Drstranglove)
Member Username: Drstranglove Post Number: 422 Registered: 4-2003 |
Pics!!!!! DrS | ||
| Lawrence Yee (Ferrariguy)
Junior Member Username: Ferrariguy Post Number: 192 Registered: 8-2002 |
Jeff, great story and congrats on sorting out the car yourself! You should be proud! It brings back memories of when I've taken out my car. I have to say I like the knock-offs better than the 5-lug version of the TR (I'm biased of course) | ||
| david handa (Davehanda)
Member Username: Davehanda Post Number: 793 Registered: 5-2001 |
Congradulations on all your hard work Jeff. What a sense of accomplishment you must have. I hope you spend as much time behind the wheel as possible and enjoy the pleasure of driving that wonderful car. All the best, Dave 87 328 GTS | ||
| Jeff Green (Carguy)
Member Username: Carguy Post Number: 301 Registered: 10-2002 |
Many may recall that I've "worn out the welcome mat" regarding Testarossa threads and posts. My car was bought with stories...but it's all I could afford. I went into it knowing it needed work, and since I've owned many muscle cars and vettes in the past I figured I could handle this one. Well, there were times when I asked "what have I gotten myself into here?" I have redone and/or repaired so many things in the past eight months that I've become quite knowledgeable about these cars now. But it all would have been IMPOSSIBLE without this website and the terrific people here. There has been so much help and advice that I can't begin to thank everyone properly, it goes beyond words. Last night I worked till just past midnight installing the right side gas tank, and finishing up some odds and ends. I wanted to drive it so bad that I was tempted to rush things. But when I felt that way I stopped and went into the house to cool down, and then resumed again later. I finally let her down onto her own four feet, man I forgot how low this car is! It looks so menacing in black...kinda reminds me of Darth Vader. I was going to take her on a "shake-down" cruise, testing many different systems. I had four major areas that I'd repaired: the dash lights, the center console controls, the right gas tank, and the fan controls for the cooling system. Now I was praying all of these worked. There were so many little setbacks along the way I had serious doubts. I carefully put in 2 gallons of gas, turned the key and it fired right up and idled at 1000rpm. I let it run for a couple minutes while I picked up tools and got ready for the road. Turned on the lights and walked around, all are working-good. I hopped in (more like fell in...) and buckled in with my standard-conversion seat belts, it felt good so far. Into 1st gear and off I go taking it very easy. The low fuel indicator reminded me to get to a station. I pulled in and shut her off. It's after midnight and a crowd of young kids swarms around the car! I couldn't believe it! Some knew what it was and some didn't. But they all really liked the car and asked tons of questions. Time to go...I get in and hope the thing starts without embarrassing me-it fired right up-GREAT! I pull out onto the main road and start cruising, while closely watching all gages, and listening for any signs of trouble. It was a cold night with temps in the forties, but I had the windows down so I could hear that motor. But the chill was a bit much so I fearfully turned on the heater...voila...everything worked again! I was very scared since the wiring in that console was a real mess! Everything functioned fine. Then I waited for the temps to kick on the cooling fans but it wouldn't get hot enough in the chilly air. A long stop light would do it, so at the main intersection at just below 190F the fans kicked on....ahhhhh...I'm so glad to hear that sound! I finally relax a bit and look around. Everyone at the light is just staring and pointing to the car! I couldn't help but smile! The light goes green and off I go...with a bit more zest this time. The motor is so smooth, and the hollowed out precats and cats have resulted in a nice "growl" sound. This is sooo cooool! A bunch of kids on motorbikes motions me into a parking lot...so I pull in...and same story...oooohs and ahhhhs and questions. I'm just soaking it up. I pop the engine bay open and the newly detailed/painted engine looks great in the night lights. I give them an education on the finer points of Ferraris as I understand them and off I go. I cruise throught town a couple of times....just listening, looking, feeling, and smelling the car. I then realized it has all been worth it! My car may not be a concours car or totally correct, but it's a decent one now. It's all sorted out and I know every inch from front to back. I was very proud of the car, and of myself for doing what seemed impossible at times, fixing up a Ferrari without any prior experience. I drove home, opened up the shop and turned on the lights. As I was backing in...several cars going by just stopped out in the road to watch! I was stunned, just couldn't believe it. I have the only Ferrari in my small town, and I think there are only a couple within a 50 mile radius of here. So they are a very rare sight. As I locked up, I looked back and shook my head in amazement. What a cool car. I went in the house petted my cats, and hit the sack. I slept better last night than I have in weeks. I am so happy, and just wanted to share this with all you good people here. Thank You. |