Driving my Mondial 1100+ miles to FCA 2016 national meet in Ohio | FerrariChat

Driving my Mondial 1100+ miles to FCA 2016 national meet in Ohio

Discussion in 'Mondial' started by M. Brandon Motorcars, Jun 7, 2016.

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  1. M. Brandon Motorcars

    M. Brandon Motorcars Formula 3
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    #1 M. Brandon Motorcars, Jun 7, 2016
    Last edited: Jun 7, 2016
    As I've posted in another thread, I've decided to drive from Houston to Columbus for the FCA national meet next week. I've decided that I'm going to take my 84 Mondial QV Euro coupe. I'm judging at the Concours on Sunday, so I have to be there no later than Saturday night. I'm going to leave Thursday, to give myself 3 days to do a 2 day drive.

    I've put almost 1000km on the car (hey, the odo is in KM), and while I haven't taken an out of town trip in the car yet, I've done a lot of sorting. The major service was done right before I bought the car. I've fixed the car running on one bank by replacing the plugs, extenders, and wires. A/C system was changed to R134a (new compressor, dryer, hoses, etc.), and Ron Frohock's A/C vent mod installed. Lots of little fiddling around with electrical stuff: windows, switches, etc. New tires all around (Michelin PSS on 17" 348 wheels). And, finally, I took the original fusebox out and cleaned everything with contact cleaner.

    Gas gauge doesn't work right, of course, and I've already run out of gas because the gauge showed 1/4 tank remaining but the tank was empty. This isn't my first Ferrari from this era, so I know they jump around a lot, but I haven't had one just stick like this. And, yes, I've run a tank of fuel cleaner through.

    So, my question for the Mondial board is: am I nuts? Remember, my fusebox is original, and while everything works, I do notice that it does get hot to the touch after driving for a while (and things like the windows really slow down, probably because of the increased resistance). I was planning on keeping the plastic cover off of the fusebox, to allow as much air to circulate as possible, unless it rains of course.

    Otherwise, putting aside the fact that this is a 32-year-old Italian car, and old parts can just fail, I don't know what else I need to worry about. I'll bring tools, a tire inflator bottle, hose tape, the usual old car road kit. I'll also bring some extra relays and fuses. I'll use a Bluetooth speaker for tunes and audiobooks. I'm looking to have an adventure, write about my trip, and hopefully meet some other national meet-bound travelers along the way. I sell the cars from this era, and I figure if I talk the talk, I need to walk the walk. :)
     
  2. srephwed

    srephwed F1 Veteran
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    #2 srephwed, Jun 7, 2016
    AAA is worth it's weight in gold. Had my wife's BMW hauled 104 miles. cost 16 dollars. Had her Corvette hauled 71 miles cost nothing. Had her Jeep hauled 27 miles cost nothing. Notice my Ferrari has never been hauled. Never let me sit. Don't worry and enjoy your trip. I sometimes feel the cars that are run are less trouble than the ones left idle. You sound like me in a way. I bought my car to wear it out and start all over again. Ferrari are made to be enjoyed not stored
     
  3. M. Brandon Motorcars

    M. Brandon Motorcars Formula 3
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    #3 M. Brandon Motorcars, Jun 7, 2016
    Good advice. And, yes, I have AMEX Platinum roadside assistance. I figure, worst case, if the car breaks down, I'll have it towed to the next major city and either rent a car to continue the trip, or jump on a plane.
     
  4. MvT

    MvT F1 Rookie

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    #4 MvT, Jun 8, 2016
    That seems like a nice trip! I think it is a good idea to leave the cover from the fusebox off. I do this as well when I am in Italy where it is usually bloody hot. The only thing I would do is to replace all the relays if you haven't already. On my first long trip some got sticky and gave me a headache to get my pods up. Try to get something in Italy in the weekend.. forget it.. All car shops are closed for 2 days.

    Enjoy and have a safe trip! looking forward to your writings and pics.
     
  5. ronfrohock

    ronfrohock F1 Rookie
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    #5 ronfrohock, Jun 8, 2016
    Michael,
    This sounds like fun!
    The only thing that I would add is to be sure that all of your fluids are where they should be, but if you did your major recently they should be all set.

    I would like to do this someday. I'd bet that you will be reporting that your car will seem to run better after some excercise.

    Cant wait to live vicariously through you. Keep posting!
     
  6. decardona

    decardona Formula 3

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    #6 decardona, Jun 8, 2016
    When I purchased my Mondial, my wife and I drove it from central Florida home to northeastern Pennsylvania. 1300 miles total. No issues. A well maintained car should not have issues for such a drive. After all, that is what they are for, to drive! 😜
     
  7. Jeff Kennedy

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    #7 Jeff Kennedy, Jun 8, 2016
    Michael,

    You figure out your route to Columbus?

    Enjoy the trip!

    Jeff
     
  8. 1stFerrari@71

    1stFerrari@71 Formula Junior

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    #8 1stFerrari@71, Jun 8, 2016
    My car is not a Mondial - it's an '88 328 - but I commonly take 1,000 mile trips in mine. You should have a grand time!
     
  9. M. Brandon Motorcars

    M. Brandon Motorcars Formula 3
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    #9 M. Brandon Motorcars, Jun 8, 2016
    The Mondial has been leaking brake fluid. I put it on the lift tonight to finally figure out what was going on. Turns out it's the clutch slave cylinder, apparently a common issue with these cars. I have a slave cylinder coming in tomorrow, and will have it installed.

    I'm still worried about the fuse box. I'm thinking of doing the bypass wiring of the fuel pump relay and fuse, to get it separate from the fusebox. Is that worth it?
     
  10. M. Brandon Motorcars

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    #10 M. Brandon Motorcars, Jun 8, 2016
    The Interstates take me through Texarkana, Little Rock, Memphis, Nashville, Lexington, Cincinnati, and then Columbus. But I'm willing to modify the route to meet up with others driving to Columbus.
     
  11. Wade

    Wade Three Time F1 World Champ
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    #11 Wade, Jun 8, 2016
    I put a SRI fusebox upgrade in the 3.2 Coupe. Made a night and day difference for drivability, reliability, and that's just for starters (well, and that too). ;)
     
  12. Jeff Kennedy

    Jeff Kennedy F1 Veteran
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    #12 Jeff Kennedy, Jun 8, 2016
    There will be a rendezvous point in Indy. You already know Greg McKibben in Chicago, Smitty and/or Joe Adams in Indy?


    There may be groups in the more southern route but I am not aware of them.

    Jeff
     
  13. petrolheadjeff

    petrolheadjeff Karting

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    #13 petrolheadjeff, Jun 9, 2016
    What's a SRI fuse box?
     
  14. David Lind

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    #14 David Lind, Jun 9, 2016
    Scuderia Rampante, a/k/a Dave Helms. I have an 88 1/2 Mondial and I bought the other guy's fuse board (not the SRI board). They say confession is good for the soul, so here goes ... The board I bought is a complete POS. It never worked properly, was replaced for "free", and that one didn't work either. I had to modify a brand-new $1,000 fuse board to get it to work!! If I had known about SRI, I would have bought their's. And one day I may need to buy an SRI board anyway.
     
  15. davemqv

    davemqv F1 Rookie

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    #15 davemqv, Jun 9, 2016
    +1. SRI box is the way to go.
     
  16. davem

    davem F1 Veteran
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    #16 davem, Jun 9, 2016
    Short term fix if fuse-box is running hot, put a small fan on it!? Like from a PC, though you need one that is 12v. Have the SRI upgrade on mine too.
     
  17. PV Dirk

    PV Dirk F1 Veteran

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    #17 PV Dirk, Jun 9, 2016
    My understanding is the fuel pump and A/C were the biggest issues on The board. My fuel pump has been taken off and a/c is inop. Set up this way I've driven my 87 all over the country with the original board. I e seen a testarossa board go bad due to a/c on a road trip. We fixed it side of the road.
     
  18. David Lind

    David Lind Formula 3

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    #18 David Lind, Jun 9, 2016
    Dirk, what do you mean the fuel pump has been taken off? Do you mean you circumvented the fuse board when you wired it up (or, essentially, rewired it)?
    BTW: what part of AZ do you live in? I'm contemplating an early winter Route 66 drive ...
    PS: how's the kid???
     
  19. drfink

    drfink Karting

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    #19 drfink, Jun 10, 2016
    Scuderia Rampantes' solution to our fuse panel. $1500 - $2000 depending on the model car and if you get the ”The Source®“ option also
     
  20. M. Brandon Motorcars

    M. Brandon Motorcars Formula 3
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    #20 M. Brandon Motorcars, Jun 10, 2016
    Clutch slave cylinder has not arrived yet (was supposed to be here yesterday). Hopefully it will be here today. I'm starting to get a little worried that I won't have the Mondial ready for the trip. But, hopefully, everything will work out...
     
  21. M. Brandon Motorcars

    M. Brandon Motorcars Formula 3
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    #21 M. Brandon Motorcars, Jun 15, 2016
    Clutch slave cylinder has been installed and bled. Fusebox has all new relays and fuses, and the fuel pump relay/fuse circuit has been removed from the fusebox. A/C was recharged. I drove the car about 120KM today around town, and in traffic, the temp started creeping a little above the 1/2 way mark (90C). Then again, the ambient temp here in Houston today was mid to high 90s (F), with "feels like" numbers around 105F. So, tonight, I installed the foam piece above the radiator, which was missing. Hopefully that will help temps.

    The car is ready to go. I'm all packed. I'll leave tomorrow morning. I'll be posting my updates here and on my Facebook page.
     
  22. Roward7

    Roward7 Formula Junior

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    #22 Roward7, Jun 16, 2016
    Enjoy the adventure, I am sure both you and the Mondial will settle into a seamless team on the road..
    Sounds Like a great trip. :)
    R.
     
  23. MvT

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    #23 MvT, Jun 16, 2016
    Enjoy and be safe! looking forward to the updates.
     
  24. David Lind

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    #24 David Lind, Jun 16, 2016
    Good travels to you!
     
  25. paulchua

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    #25 paulchua, Jun 16, 2016
    after getting my car sorted from previous owners/storage - I've put over 10K miles on it - only further issue was a bad alternator - but I got warning signs of this with the light blinking...

    overall - much more reliable then I was scared into thinking before ownership!

    Have a great time!
     
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