Did Ferrari dyno/test each engine after assembly (456M, etc…) ?

I recall reading once that Ferrari puts about 500 hours on an engine.

 

I’d like to know

 

More recently, about four years ago, during a factory tour, IIRC, the v-12s got an hour on the dyno, the v-8s 15 minutes and the v-8s for Maserati, no dyno testing, FWIW. Also, the v-12s are assembled by one person and the v-8's are on an assembly line.

 

Very interesting. Is there proof of it?

 

For engine assembly, it was out there to be seen. For testing routine, only what the guide said; can't think of a reason for her to lie. Maybe someone who has been on a factory tour more recently will have more up to date info.

 

enzo elevated v12s to a higher position in his heart. A Ferrari to him was always an engine first.

 

With the more recent increases in production I no longer know how its handled. When 456 and 550 were in production and prior every engine was dyno run for a couple of hours (I think 4. It took quite a while to get them on and off the dyno) the day after it was built, then the next day it was installed in a car. They had a large bank of dynos running constantly testing enough engines for tomorrows production. The engine was on a programmed run. The last half hour or so was at steadily higher RPM up to redline. Every engine had its test results recorded on a document that went in the cars permanent file. I stood there and watched for a while on one of my trips there. Back then they were only building 10 or 12 cars a day.

I have a copy of one from a 360.

 

No. Its a global conspiracy.

 

I have never heard of anyone putting that much test time on an engine. Even Mercedes with the 300SLs only put about 12 hours on them.

 

They were all tested too. Not on the track, just local roads. And they were not gentle with them. We heard them in class turning out the driveway and redlining them up the street.

 

The most planned amount of test time I have heard of was the Ford big block GTs. They were fanatical about reliability. The engines were tested for 24 hours doing simulated laps, RPM and power settings. Then they did it again with transmissions attached and an air shifter simulating laps, gear, RPM and power setting.

 

How can you find the permanent file ?

 

Ferrari keeps them for records and they are never made public.

 

What’s the point or purpose of the files

 

According to the official Ferrari website, the current engines are Cold bench tested.
https://www.ferrari.com/en-EN/magazine/articles/inside-the-factory-the-engine-assembly-plant

The process involves testing a whole bunch of parameters without actually starting the engine with fuel and oil, sounds strange but google it.
https://simpro.it/wp-content/uploads/data_sheet/engine_cold_test.pdf

This is obviously after the 550/465 era which I would assume was a dyno check before fitting in the car and followed by a test drive.

 

You dont think Ford keeps a record of the cars they build? For one thing its required by law for most of the countries the cars are sold in.

Just curious, how old are you?

 

Today, hearing about that sounds like it would have been phenomenal to see happen, especially as a smaller builder back then. I wonder if that was considered grunt work to do or was the senior job to have, monitoring a bunch of V12s getting break in runs... smoking a cigarette and sipping coffee.

I wonder how many valve covers were already leaking and just got wiped off and installed?

Did Ferrari ever have a road test driver of similar popularity to Valentino Balboni?

 

They used to take all the cars out on a "prova" run back in the day before the final assembly touches. One guy couldn't do it all by himself. I don't recall anyone of any particular fame like Balboni.

I am assuming they still do it today, judging from the number of new cars I've watched making their way back to the factory.

 

There is only one Italian that egotistical.
They are just driving cars. My mother could drive a car. So what.