so i'm driving the dino through the streets of manhattan...i don't have to go anywhere, but i can't NOT drive it when i have the chance... i'm on the west side highway, and i go over a little bump (i'm talking little, not an new york style house-eating pothole) and i hear this loud bloody CLUNK, as though something either snapped, or fell off the car...i look in the rearview, nothing.. so i continue driving (nervously), and i notice that when i step on the brakes, i hear this terrible grinding sound from the front right-as if something's mashing against the tire...when i put the car in reverse, and step on the brakes, i hear a THUNK sound...... i know i'm going to have problems here and there with a car this old, but really, can't i have it for a month without something happening? i'm the woody allen of cars, totally neurotic, so this isn't helping my disorder...(although, i have to say, the dino is so beautiful, i'm willing to put up with (almost) any of it's shenanigans...)
sounds like an issue with the caliper/pads of the front right........ wouldnt drive it anymore till you can at least pull that wheel and visually inspect for something amiss. doug
Phil, You'll continue to sort out issues as they occur, or... You can undertake an overhaul of the major systems that can fail and avoid much of the drama. Probably cost you $10-20K, but then you can rest somewhat easier. 1. Rebuild suspension. Replace bushings and all shocks/springs. 2. Rebuild brakes. Bleed em, replace the lines, check the pads/rotors for unreasonable wear. 3. Rebuild gearbox/replace clutch. 4. Rebuild carbs 5. Check steering rack 6. Tear out engine 7. rewire electrical system with new harness 8. replace wheels and tires. 9. oops...make that $60K 10. Replace starter with modern gear reduction starter 11. Replace/rebuild alternator and regulator 12. check all fuel lines 13. oops.. it's never ending. See, that's the problem. You can either chase 'em one at a time, and do what pops up, or you can restore the car. I chose tear it apart and rebuild everything, and had a trouble free car for the better part of three years. But it was expensive. Remember, your car is 35+ years old. Try driving a 72 Chevy Nova for a while. all the stuff on that car will break too, only difference is the price of the parts and labor is exponentially higher with your Dino. However, and I think I speak for all of us, we feel your pain. Literally. I had a gas tank start leaking 50 miles from home. Had an alternator quit. Had the brake balancing valve/brake warning light sensor fail during a Ferrari parade. Had it overheat, twice, while trying to get home one day. Alternator failed. Starter wouldn't, on and on. It's part of the fun. besides, beautiful women can be high maintenance, too. DM
Forget Uro's offer, I will take it off your hands for free, I will even pick it up from you so you don't have to worry about it. Or fix the few things and drive the daylights out of it like I do with my Fiat Dino and would do with a real Dino.
i had no idea that people were so generous on the fchat site...i've been trying to get rid of this car ever since i bought it a month ago...and to think, i just had to ask...
Agree wholeheartedly with Dave. S___ happens with these cars (and, again, with most cars this old). That's just the way it is, so remain philosophical and enjoy the ride. Despite this last comment, I rarely take my Dino further than 30 miles from home, for fear something will break, catch fire (which did happen once), etc, and leave me stranded. Admitted paranoia.
i have always been cautious with my cars. i am more concerned about someone on a cell phone hitting me, but figure the repairs are part of the fun as they allow you learn about the quirks opf the car. regardless, the dino is a good car, don't be discouraged from saving a car and putting into use vs living in a garage.
Buy a fire extinguisher, give the car a proper and comprehensive service ... stick a cell phone in your pocket and go for a nice long drive! Best Pete
The farthest I've ever driven each of my Dinos was to the Watkins Glen road course, about a 2-hour drive. Any farther than that, and I'd want a flatbed as a chase vehicle, a discreet distance behind, of course! Fred
I would disagree with all of you! I drove my 246 from London to Forence and back for a 5 day trip, and a year later, I drove it from London to Madrid to meet my bride to be. We then drove to accross the south of France all the way to Marseille and put the car on the train back to Paris. But these guys were on strike (France remember?). So we decided to go straight home: Marseille to London in 2 days! The car did not fail once...
And remember John Corbani whose Dino had 100,000 miles on it, he was not shy of driving it in his younger days, these cars can be very reliable.
Hey Mike, As I recall, John's Dino had nearly 200,000 miles on the clock...all but 51k logged during his ownership. 'you & your fellow SBA residents OK, now that the dust (ash) has settled? Coop
the way i see it, there's no point having the car if i can't use it as a proper car.. so that means driving it, as i would any other car, parking it outside (not for the night!) if i'm going somewhere for an hour or two... and of course, (if i have to be honest) enjoying other people's reaction to the dino! if something breaks, well, it's a pain in the arse, but cost of membership...
This is all a matter of personal opinion of course. Obviously anybody, including me, would never leave home in a car this old, Dino or otherwise, without fire extinguisher, cell phone, etc. But like I said before, s___ still happens. Stanzeman, I tip my hat to you on you Dino journey!
I have taken my Dino as far as 150 miles form home, with just a fire extinguisher (and my cell phone, which doesn't count!) That's as far as I drive in any car. A properly sorted Dino has always seemed to enjoy a reputation for reliability, not problems. Next winter, do what needs doing (I think the starter and voltage regulator are must-dos). I'm a bit leery of parking lots, and would never park it on a city street. Too easy to steal (maybe hard to sell a stolen one, but fun to joy ride) or ding or key.
