Dry Sump Tanks

In the process of Rebuilding engine on my 1971 Ghibli SS, #1996, Oil Tank Inspection and Cleaning is a must. Got Template from MIE, marking place to cut open tank at top to access big Screen and at lower front of tank, there are 4 small screens at bottom , surrounding center tube. After spending much time cleaning tank in parts washer, screens are so fine, that fine particles will not come out, you cannot get air gun behind screens to blow it out properly, I found best way for me, was to air dry screens, then place masking tape over screens, I could pull out fine particles stuck in them. There are areas of the tank, that are difficult to access, so got good advice from Steve Claassen @ Tropical Sports car, to remove front panel of oil tank, glad I did, found more crud in corners , and have easier access to small screens. Clean inside of tank well with denatured alcohol before welding shut again, fill tank and check for leaks before painting and installing again. I hope this info helps, and similar type tanks are found in other Maser. models.
Image Unavailable, Please Login
Image Unavailable, Please Login
Image Unavailable, Please Login
Image Unavailable, Please Login
Image Unavailable, Please Login
Image Unavailable, Please Login
Image Unavailable, Please Login
Image Unavailable, Please Login

 

Omar...

Glad to see you on here!!! Also glad to hear it looks like you are working on your
1971 Ghibli SS... My '71 is waiting for me to get started on it... Please keep posting
here, every bit of info is of benefit to all of us...

Mike

 

Omar,

Thanks for that interesting post.

Did you determine what the particles were?

Best,

Jack.

 

Hi Mike,
I am trying to get a little done here and there, just overwhelmed with so many projects, Designing new accessories for Lambo, Ferrari, Maserati, Bentley and others, making Molds, making parts, et..

I wonder if it's worth replicating these tanks? I have a great Welder, Fabricator in house, and we are able to do. Wonder if there is a market for it? or even offering a service to clean tanks for others.

Hope to see you soon at Atlanta meet, are you going?

 

Hello Jack,

Found a Rocker in Cyl. Head bad, journal that rides on Shaft failing. I had driven my Ghibli for years without issues, even drove car from Denver to Monterey California for event at Pebble Beach, ran like clock! Once I had the car transported back home to Florida, and started car, it had ticking engine noise I had not noticed before, Oil Pressure was good, but eventually had a problem. I assume the transport truck driver revved the crap out of cold engine as my car was moved in and out of transported a few times across the country. When transported arrived, they has Model T Ford on top rack, leaking brake fluid over my hood and damaged paint, not a good experience overall.

I had restored most of the car before, Engine ran well, so I had only detailed engine Compartment, but it was time to rebuild anyway, old seals and gaskets leaking here and there already.

 

Hello Omar,

That sounds like a very disappointing experience.

Pity you didn't analise what the debris was, it would possibly lead you to where the engine was failing. Maser V-8's are not that cheap to re-build, and if caused by a nitwit, it is sore.

I was kind of shocked to see someone taking an angle-grinder to the tank, but after seeing the rest it made sense. What doesn't make sense is then that these tanks can't be serviced in a less destructive way, well done on choosing this route.

I'll take a look at my Khamsin tank and see if it is constructed in the same way, with filters not accessible from the outside.

Best,

Jack.

 

They can be,.... you just need access to the right chemicals and pressure tanks.

 

What I have done in the past is to have the tank professionally chemically stripped. I do not mean using the stuff that radiator shops use ... I mean the stuff that is used to strip a whole body to bare metal. Make sure to remove the outlet nipple from the Ghibli tank as it made of alloy and will disappear in the cleaning process (ask me how I know).

Omar's method is more thorough and if you want to be 100% sure, that is the way to go. Of course the advantage of the dipping method is it does not require cutting and welding.

A Ghibli will tell you when the oil meshes require service as the oil pressure will momentarily drop when you accelerate hard.

I've never heard of this being a problem on a Khamsin, perhaps those tanks do not have the fine meshes.

Ivan

 

Thanks much Gentlemen, I hadn't considered chemical cleaning.

Thing is, though, that the tank on a RHD Khamsin doesn't come out with the engine in place, afaik.

Of course, Ivan, it is quite possible that Maserati recognized the problem themselves, and changed the screens.

In any case, if the screens get so full of debris that they prevent the flow of enough oil, likely the engine has to come out anyway...

Best,

Jack.

 

Hi Omar...

Please keep the info coming as you work on your car... Also please
post pictures, as these are always helpful and appreciated.

Unfortunately, I am unable to attend the GA event...

Mike

 

If running with a modern oil filter conversion would removing the screens while in there make sense? Or do the screens offer another function?