Bah! Was driving uptown, and the car just died! Engine stopped dead, and won't restart-any ideas? Fuel pumps click, engine turns over, but just won't catch.. Waiting for the tow truck-I'm sure my fellow new yorkers will be very patient while I block the intersection...
Yikes, Phil... I don't recall if you have the Dinoplex. If so, do you still have the 'emergency' coil? If so, open the trunk & unplug the rectangular plastic connector going to the Dinoplex and plug it into the backup connector that bypasses the Dinoplex. Also, unplug the primary wire from the top of the coil and plug it into the backup coil. Then try to start it. (Easier said than done in the middle of the intersection.) Keep us posted. Coop
Assuming you have the factory setup (silver box, blue AEC103 label) If switching to the 'Emergenza' mode as described by Coop won't get the Dino up and running again (the plastic connector in question is a white two terminal connector with a blue and a yellow wire) it might be worth to check out the points condition and the blue wire coming from the points connection and going to the ignition setup. The ignition itself can be easily checked by removing the king wire from the distributor and inserting a large screw or screw driver into the king wire socket, put the screw/screwdriver within one inch of the engine and then either turn the starter (or touch the screw terminal of the distributor/blue wire with a temporary wire going to ground/engine block), but don't touch them while doing this test. You should then see a healthy spark between the screw/screwdriver and the engine block if the ignition is ok. If the engine died instantly, it's usually the ignition, if it died down within seconds then the fuel supply/fuel pump/filter might be at fault (carbs running empty).
thanks....i think it must be the ignition-i was at the lights, and the car died on the spot-no gradual fade, or anything...any recommendations of who makes the best dinoplex replacement? thanks for the help... p
I admire your bravery in bringing a Dino into Manhattan. This past weekend, on Friday I blew out a tire on my F3555 on a pothole on the LIE going out to the Hamptons. On Sunday, returning in my Porsche 911, cracked a rim on a pothole on the Cross Bronx. Out of curiosity, who did you wind up taking the car to?
my dino is PARKED in manhattan-i drive it around all the time...i've developed a very keen eye for holes AND jaywalkers... i bring it to sport and classic, on 73&york, they've been doing my cars for years now..a bit insane, but good work..and not too expensive..
ok, so BOTH coils are broken in the dinoplex...can i replace it with this? http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/New-FERRARI-Dino-246-GT-MODERN-Gear-Reduction-STARTER-/230610969175?pt=Vintage_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&hash=item35b17c2257 anyone had any good experiences with it? thanks.. phil
Phil, if you are intending to replace the starter motor, I would encourage you to get in touch with Keith Gustafson. I bought 2 from him, have not installed yet, as very far from that, but others have and I understand with very good results, not to mention less $. I cannot provide you with a contact, but Tom Champion will. Send him a pm : champtc As far as the Dinoplex, Adrian will give you the best advice. Do the same: alhbln Regards, Alberto
thanks alberto- as it turns out, it's not the starter, but the dinoplex...so i guess i should get in touch with adrian-although, what about the dinoplex's from superperformance?
Phil, it's not so likely that both coils are broken, might be a defect of the distributor points, wire or condenser instead. You should check that before spending money on a new ignition setup. The Superformance Dinoplex replica is a good replacement, but it has no dwell/current control so the coil might get quite hot when the ignition is switched on and the engine is not running. Another good replacement available in the US is Crane's XR3000 (Crane 3000-0231) with a Crane PS50 coil, if originality is not a concern. If you don't mind the extra work, i created a conversion of the AEC103 to a modern high power Bosch ignition, runs in about >25 Dinos by now. Here is the original post: http://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/showthread.php?t=276251&highlight=Dinoplex Knock yourself out: http://www.dinoplex.org/overview_dino_ignitions.pdf Cheers, Adrian