Returning 1961 Vignale spyder 1341 to the road

staatsof · Apr 15, 2024

thecarnut said: ↑

The engine is alive!

Having learned from a prior experience, I placed a large wet towel on the front fender in front of the carb trumpets in case flames came out. Years ago I almost burned another Vignale spyder. To make matters worst, the garage was in the basement, under my bedroom. Luckily the firetruck came quickly and the fire did not spread but the Webers suffered damage and the right front fender paint burned. I recall my wife was out of town. "Honey I burned the house" would have not been a pleasant conversation.

Sure enough, until I was able to get the engine in tune the flames coming out of the carbs of this engine were scary. The wet towel did its job and all is good. Engine is now purring as it should.

Ivan
Click to expand...

Kinda gives a bit different meaning to, "throwing in the towel! Great idea though.
Sounds terrific.

So what were the mistakes the PO had made that prevented him from getting the car going? I know there was a lot of while your at stuff which you added on.

Ferraripilot · Apr 16, 2024

thecarnut said: ↑

The engine is alive!

Having learned from a prior experience, I placed a large wet towel on the front fender in front of the carb trumpets in case flames came out. Years ago I almost burned another Vignale spyder. To make matters worst, the garage was in the basement, under my bedroom. Luckily the firetruck came quickly and the fire did not spread but the Webers suffered damage and the right front fender paint burned. I recall my wife was out of town. "Honey I burned the house" would have not been a pleasant conversation.

Sure enough, until I was able to get the engine in tune the flames coming out of the carbs of this engine were scary. The wet towel did its job and all is good. Engine is now purring as it should.

Ivan
Click to expand...

Running and sounds super healthy! Love it

thecarnut · Apr 16, 2024

staatsof said: ↑

Kinda gives a bit different meaning to, "throwing in the towel! Great idea though.
Sounds terrific.

So what were the mistakes the PO had made that prevented him from getting the car going? I know there was a lot of while your at stuff which you added on.
Click to expand...

I would not call them mistakes. The only thing I found "wrong" was one of the cam oil line banjo bolts, which had the wrong hole size. It is possible the error was made at the factory.

What many times happens is that people stretch a restoration over too many years and things have to get redone. For example the brakes on this car were done perhaps 15 or 20 years ago but the car sat unused with brake fluid many years and the caliper pistons rusted. Similarly the fuel in the gas tank decomposed and the tank had to be cleaned and coated. The Webers were all gummed up with old fuel, etc. The best thing is to not let a restoration project linger. If you know something is going to take a long time best not to put any fluids in until the parts is ready to go into service.

Ivan

Ferraripilot · Apr 16, 2024

thecarnut said: ↑

I would not call them mistakes. The only thing I found "wrong" was one of the cam oil line banjo bolts, which had the wrong hole size. It is possible the error was made at the factory.

What many times happens is that people stretch a restoration over too many years and things have to get redone. For example the brakes on this car were done perhaps 15 or 20 years ago but the car sat unused with brake fluid many years and the caliper pistons rusted. Similarly the fuel in the gas tank decomposed and the tank had to be cleaned and coated. The Webers were all gummed up with old fuel, etc. The best thing is to not let a restoration project linger. If you know something is going to take a long time best not to put any fluids in until the parts is ready to go into service.

Ivan
Click to expand...

Spot on. Bertocchi would approve

Conversations

Alerts

Returning 1961 Vignale spyder 1341 to the road

staatsof Nine Time F1 World Champ
Silver Subscribed

Ferraripilot F1 World Champ
Owner Project Master

thecarnut F1 Rookie
Rossa Subscribed

Ferraripilot F1 World Champ
Owner Project Master

Share This Page

Returning 1961 Vignale spyder 1341 to the road

staatsof Nine Time F1 World Champ Silver Subscribed

Ferraripilot F1 World Champ Owner Project Master

thecarnut F1 Rookie Rossa Subscribed

Ferraripilot F1 World Champ Owner Project Master

Share This Page

staatsof Nine Time F1 World Champ
Silver Subscribed

Ferraripilot F1 World Champ
Owner Project Master

thecarnut F1 Rookie
Rossa Subscribed

Ferraripilot F1 World Champ
Owner Project Master