Rear Bulb Retainer Plastic FOUND !

Dear Ferraristi,

I just ordered a new TO bearing and some other small parts from T Rutlands. I've always asked about used rear bulb retainers as they aren't a separate part from the taillight harness.

Every time they would check old taillights, they were missing. Well ,Ted Rutland was walking by heard the phone conversation and said...."sure, I keep them in my desk".

YES ! You can get the bulb retainers from him. They only have 10 and I bought 2. They are not cheap at $100.00 dollars each for a used piece of crap plastic....but opening up the engine bay with all retainers in place....priceless!

....better hurry.

Ask for Billy

T Rutland's

770 493 8853

Remember, this is not a separate part but a piece of a larger assembly.....you CANNOT buy it by itself.


Shamile

Freeze...Miami Vice

 

I fixed mine for free and cant tell the difference when they are mounted. I think I need 4 soooooooooooooooooo...thats not gonna happen! hahahahah

New TO bearing huh? ouch!

Ski

 

Shamile
That is great and not great news. Great that they have them, not so great they are 100 bucks. They really know how to take advantage of the situation. I guess under the circumstances I am going to have to pony up and get one. Thanks for the good tip.

 

How did you fix yours-any pics?

 

Try this....I got pics on it

http://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/showthread.php?t=240393

Ski

 

Nice! I am checking a couple of other sources before I commit to the $200 but will pony up the cash if I can't find them anywhere else or a cross reference. Thanks for the info... I agree "priceless" for an engine bay that is free of broken parts.

 

ahhh Yes- I remember that thread(I even posted in it)-just had a slight mental lapse.

 

hahah..it happens....

I used a piece of aluminum I got from Lowe's. Bend it over a screwdriver handle, cut it, then cut the little ears and fit it. After that I used JB weld to make it permanent in the socket. Like I said, it looks perfect while in and it's definately stronger too!!! This one will never ever break. You could buy the old stock but how long will that last ya? A day, a month, a year??

Ski

 

My thoughts exactly, hence my hesitation to shell out the 100 bucks

 

I am going to pass on those as well.. I am searching for a alternative socket that will work. Just taking my time..

R

 

Dear Ferraristi,

While I agree, the price for a crappy piece of plastic is a bit much....but you cannot buy this part alone. I have been searching for 5 years to replace one and about a year ago, I bumped one and broke it myself.....that really hurt!

If everything else in your TR is really nice, why skimp on one small piece?

Well, don't wait too long till they're all gone.

Honestly, I was so excited when I was told they had some....finially, a part off my list.


Shamile

Freeze...Miami Vice !

 

I cut a section out of another plastic socket (from a BMW) in the shape and dimensions required, (including locking tabs) and grafted it to the Ferrari socket with JB Weld. Perfect fit and stronger than OEM.

I used a Dremel with a mini cut-off wheel. So far I have repaired two of my sockets this way.

1.00 /2.98 fix better than new.

 

Dear Ferraristi,

Ugg......stop with the non-concours (polite way of saying half-a$$ed) fixes.

This is about making the car perfect and proper....not just getting by.

This is a Testarossa, the baddest mid 12 cylinder Ferrari out there. Do the repairs the way it should be.....not just what gets by.

BTW,

this is not a slam on anyone in particular but come on guys, I found an absolutely rare part that our TR's need.....y'all should be happy they're available.....dispite the price.

...I can hear Newman and the boxer girls laughing.


Shamile

Freeze....Miami Vice !

 

Check this thread for more info on alternatives for us "half-assed" owners..........

http://ferrarichat.com/forum/showthread.php?t=240393

Kerry

 

Dear Ferraristi,

The owners AREN'T half a$$ed, just some of the repairs.



Shamile

Freeze....Miami Vice !

 

I stand corrected.

Check this thread for more info on alternatives for us owners who perform "half-assed" repairs and upgrades..........also known as cost effective, real world fixes!!

http://ferrarichat.com/forum/showthread.php?t=240393

Kerry

 

Dear Ferraristi,

I read the thread but don't understand?

The conclusion of the thread was the OEM twistlock could NOT be found....only something that would "work" in it's place but not function as it's supposed to.

The OEM twistlocks are made to access the bulbs from the back negating the removal of the grill and lens covers.

What I found was that with the engine heat, the rubber inside the twistlock would stick to the plastic housing and with unsuspecting normal force would crack the brittle plastic internal "tab" or break the extension ear.

What I did was to pull both taillight housings and clean everything to death. I then put "sly glide" on the tabs and in the lock channel with Q tips. Now, my twistlocks slide easily and look perfect....concours perfect.

Like I said, I was very happy to cross one of those irritating NLA parts off my list.

Shamile

Freeze....Miami Vice!

 

This has nothing to do with "just getting by" like it's a Chevy truck or something.

There is nothing half-assed about REMANUFACTURING a part to OEM specs and dimensions. It's done all the time during restorations when parts are un-obtanium. The parts are REMANUFACTURED or REPAIRED. Better than using a NON-Ferrari part that DOESN'T FIT from the rear as referenced in the other thread.

MY PARTS FIT AND LOOK LIKE THEY DID WHEN THEY CAME OUT OF THE FACTORY
Only the closest inspection would show the seam between the plastics.

Screw your Concours attitude.
My "half assed" fixes would easily pass the scrutiny of your judges.

Next you'll be telling us that we need to use original Ferrari air in our tires..................

Go ahead and pay 200.00 for the brittle plastic pieces in the yellow box. Mine will still be working and looking great the next time you break one.

 

Gee, I must have had some really bad judges last Sunday at the Italian Concours when I picked this up with my "Half-assed", cobbled together TR.
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I think there must be a shortage of meds across the country. There is way too much sniping going on around here. Picking on Shamile and his plastic pieces; Kerry and Sparta49 sparring over in the other thread.

Geez - the TR guys are starting to look like the boxer guys comparing the size/style of their fuel introduction methods.

C'mon guys - we all have different reasons to be here and thoughts about our cars. Let's be a little more tolerant. I mean it. If you don't stop I am going to put carbs on my TR and then we can really tear it up!

 

Sorry guys, I never meant to start a debate here. I want my car to look as original as possible, but have two ongoing Ferrari restorations on my hand (my 308 & the TR). If I can repair an item in an area that no one will ever see, I need to draw the line somewhere.

Here are just a few of my quotes in the last month for items I have needed to repair (just on the TR):

Expansion Tank $1,200
2 Dist Caps $1,800
Cigarette Lighter $100 ??? How can this be???
Pre Cats $1,800
Test Pipes $500
Tubi / X-Ost / Larini $4,500

I am not poor by any means, but where do you draw the line.

The expansion tank paint is peeling and the lip around the top where the cap goes is half missing. A radiator shop is going to baise a piece of metal onto it and I am going to media blast it and repaint it with Eastwood Chassis Black (satin) or Underhood Black. Shop is going to charge me $75 for the welding work and media + paint is <$25. All that will be needed is to replace the sticker or be really carful in masking it off. The fix all in is <$100. I would have gladly payed $250 for a brand new tank (which is still outrageous), but no way I am lining someone elses pocket for $1,200 (that is not the way I accumulated my wealth).

My money is much better spent on the $7K for a new header back exaust system which is somehting people can see, hear, and appreciate. I think that is a better use of hard earned cash.

We all have our priorities and level of restoration quality. No disrespect is meant to anyone and never wanted to start a debate. I may still spring for the $200 if my half a$$ed attempt fails miserably.

 

The points I have tried to get across are,
A) Not all of us have bottomless pockets.
B) Ferrari designed and built parts are NOT always the best, (see item C)
C) Hill Engineering has done a fabulous job in designing and improving well machined parts (Bearings etc...) for our Ferraris. (see item D)
D) Verell Boan has done wonders for the community in REMANUFACTURING unobtainable plastic parts and bezels for our Ferraris. (Possibly tail light holders?)
E) When all else fails there ARE acceptable methods of repair and modification of a part when the replacement cost is ridiculous and uncalled for. This is how the world of rebuilding a car works. I will continue to repair my tail light bulb holders for as long as I own the TR rather than pay 100.00 a pop for a crappy brittle obsolete part. That's what works for me, maybe not you and that's okay.

With that said, I have seen some fixes here on Fchat that are not well thought out, not of the highest quality and don't agree with how they have been done. It is not my place to judge these people because of that but possibly suggest a better way.

I am quite sure that some of MY fixes and mods are looked down upon as well but I do my best to use sound methods and try to prevent IRREVERSABLE modifications to my car.

I did not intend to pick on Shamile for wanting to buy the correct tail light bulb holders for his car but I DID take offense to any insinuations that other decent methods of repair were unacceptable in this instance.

Everybody would like to have a perfect car but this isn't a perfect world full of perfect wallets.

My apologies for my previous posts..

 

Dear Ferraristi,

Spasso,

I see no reason for you to yell and scream at me.

To say "screw my concours attitude".....is just plain rude. I don't think I have ever spoken to anyone here in that manner and I don't think I deserve it.

You do what you wish. I just like everything on my car and in my life at the best I can do. I run my business and my life the same way....no compromises.

It's just that there are never....never these kind of conversations on the Lambo boards. If we find a fuel regulator that is the same....at a cheaper price, great !.....but no one glues a cracked dash facia back together.

Kerry's connection to relining the emergency brake shoes is a great one. Gluing back a twistlock....where the seam can be seen....I question that. (do what you wish, I'm speaking for myself)

I say, if something can be repaired....like a shock be rebuilt and repainted to OEM....great !

BTW, the expansion tank for the Testarossa was $450.00....5 years ago....ask me how I know.

Yes, I could have had a racing company build a better one out of aluminum for less but it would just look half a$$ed.

It's a Ferrari....what else should be said?

Where do you draw the line?

I don't know.

What about guy that spend $100k to restore a $30K mustang or any other domestic classic....

I will always post the things I find but.....very disappointed in the response.


Shamile

Freeze...Miami Vice !

 

Lets all make nice and put this thread to bed..

Robbie