The BORA

Start be loosening the brake lines at the caliper. If no fluid then you know the problem is upstream.

Ivan

 

Yes Ivan, thanks. When I loosen the brake hoses at the caliper they drip LHM. I did crack that caliper apart and change the small seals inside and re-installed the caliper but haven't tried to bleed again. The original seals looked fine and I don't see any "crud" in any of the passages in the caliper. I was trying to bleed it with a stick pushing the brake pedal down. I may try again with a helper putting more pressure on the pedal.

Since the kit comes with seals for two calipers I removed the right caliper also and glad I did as there was oil leaking where the caliper halves meet on the brake pad side of the caliper so I rebuilt that caliper as well.

Can you think of any reason why I cannot bleed that caliper? Really no oil comes out the bleed nipples at all, although there is LHM at the hoses where they attach to the caliper.

 

After reading a bit, there could be a blockage in the bleeder valve or in this case BOTH bleeder valves and or an internally collapsed rubber brake hose at the caliper or in this case TWO of those. I have 4 new brake hoses and banjo bolts arriving in a week or so and will order 4 new bleeder valves and see if that solves the problem.

 

As I said before, loosen the banjo bolts. I should had also said; then have someone press on the brake pedal. You should see a geyser amount of LHM come out, not just a few drops. If not, there is a problem upstream; possibly collapsed hoses. Remove the hoses and try blowing air with your mouth. You will quickly determine if they are the culprit.

Ivan

 

Since the new hoses and bleeders are on the way I’ll install those and inspect the old hoses when I take them off and report back.
Dean

 

there is a small puddle of LHM formed when I removed the Banjo bolts. Just drips.

 

Gentlemen of the LHM/Maserati Society (underworld):

Thank You Dean & Ivan & all LHM owners and contributors, for this fresh educational/sharing tour with full 'hands-on" stories and great pics!!
And as ever always.. thanks to IVAN for his ever invaluable documentation, advice, and enthusiastic willing spirit !!

My 1973 US 4.9 Bora '626 (Silver/red) has now about 45k miles. I bought it in 1987, in Santa Monica, CA (where it had been delivered new in late 1973).
Time at last to heed advice from Bob and many others to overhaul the LHM system.. as I'm seeing leakage now under the front of the engine area.

Not much prior bother.. the small spheres were replaced again about 2019 and another replacement renewal Main Sphere is in hand but yet to be installed (while we're in there now). Unknown as yet where or which leak place(s), but likely best to just replace stuff... though not able to be hands-on myself, alas. Tough hereabouts to find local expertise in these Citroen systems any more, alas.

Wishing I'd done MORE a few years ago when replaced all pads&disks et al, chassis rubber, ball-joints, water-pump, etc. when MIE/jacques had had a huge discounted sale on all such, AND I had a greatly talented local mechanic then (Greg Armstrong).

Very hopeful that replacement or rebuild of the pump itself is not needed, but have no lift for the car in my garages. And fresh out of personal ability to do as Dean is now doing (though I have some otherwise talented (but Citroen-LHM-amateur) helpers that possibly can keep me thinking straight. Still searching for SoCal-remaining Citroen/LHM talent (or at least the kind one can work with meaningfully and be a part of the step-by-step decision process ..education). NOT a museum-restoration specialist.. as I intend continuing to drive it regularly (mostly SoCal weekend events).

Given Dean's great pictures and fresh experiences... soon time for a GREAT 'YOU TUBE' documentary and self-published book

Gratefully..
Ned Evans
[email protected]

 

It really is a PITA without a lift. I’m just looking forward to driving it soon (God willing). There’s a nice exotic car show and rally locally in about ten weeks. Fingers crossed.

 

I performed most of my major restoration work which included dropping the sub-frame and restoring everything in the engine compartment, braking system, clutch, transaxle in the garage of my the apartment house in SF on a pair of jack stands. Of course I was 36 at the time and now I'm just over twice that age.

So yes a swing arm lift would be best. Mine now sits on a 4 post drive on lift which is not as good for serious service work.

Hope you make the rally. You really do need to enjoy the car before you tire of it.

 

wow, you really are a glutton for punishment! I'm also too old for that crap anymore LOL. All new brake hoses and banjo bolts arrive Saturday. My Sunday post could be full of explaitives or joy. One of these.

 

I did it alone too!

I finished the car the morning we were traveling to Monterey for Concourso Italiano and I was running late. My garage was a bit below street level so that water runs into it from the side walk and there's a center drain in the garage. So I'm working on putting the rear bumper and lower valence back on and it begins to rain draining into the garage as I'm laying on my side parallel to rear of the car. My body begins to act as a dam while I'm trying to assemble everything. My wife is handing me tools and we're both giggling at the absurdity of the situation. Meanwhile I'm getting soaked, Neptune is having his joke. We finished up, I got cleaned up we packed and a little over an hour later after driving down highway one we arrived in the garage at the club hotel.

I took 2nd place that year in the Maserati super concours class losing out to fresh completely restored Ghibli SS with a beautiful fresh paint job. Mine had it's 10 YO original paint job but originality wasn't such a big deal back then.

 

That’s an awesome story and evidence that us Boranistas are more than a little cuckoo

 

Guys, thanks to all, and especially Art for that new brakeline parts list. That should be a sticky somehow. I installed it all and with my neighbors help bled the primary and the six caliper nipples to a nice firm pedal with that weird kickback when you first press it - like it should be I beleive. No pulling to either side. Tomorrow a nice long cruise - I haven't done that yet. Lets see what else give trouble. There is a brief grind when shifting from 3-2. The Pantera guys recommend a few different gear oils to try and quiet that. Hopefully just tires and detailing for a little while now.

as far as the problem, not sure because bleed nipples and brake hoses were all clear. There was a weird combination of spacers on the banjo bolt on that caliper and I suspect the flow may have been blocked.

 

Went on a little 20 mile cruise today. First chance to get the car fully warmed up on the road. Brakes work great. No issues. Let the enjoyment begin!

 

I've had Swepco oil in mine for quite a while But I'm sure Redline has a nice oil. I used that on several of my cars. If you don't speed shift the trans-axle you won't wear out the synchros prematurely.

I have similar problem with the 1-2 and 2-1 shift in my Biturbo which is also a ZF. Redline MTL helps with that.

This should work well for you https://www.redlineoil.com/mtl-75w80-gl-4-gear-oil

As far as things like stickys this is not the website for that. It's a social media website not a how to repair and parts list website. I asked Rob about this years ago and was thoroughly rebuffed. Ask Ivan if he'd like to put that reference on there. Much of his Bora and other models info originated on the old Yahoo Maserati website(s).

 

Now that you're feeling good about the car due to some success ...
do the other brake line.

 

This is how I feel about that:

(note change the red wine spill to a green LHM spill)

 

I'll assume that's sarcastic humor.

 

You’ve assumed correctly

that’s my standard reply when one of my staff says “there’s a problem”. Let me know when it’s a catastrophe.
Dean

 

The 4.9L Bora on BaT comes with a dyno sheet from Hesselgren's rebuild circa 2003. Cams are slightly altered but specs not provided. Shows a massive 340lbs tq at 3400rpm and 302hp at 5400-5500rpm. Impressive torque figure. There's another dyno sheet in there noting a 4.7L which made 299lbs torque but some 40hp or so less.

 

stupid question of the day from. your favorite Bora student. I want to change the engine coolant ala Ivan's online instructions but theres an issue. The radiator is not stock. I have no idea where the drain is. I tried to look from below and feel around but couldn't really feel anything. I'm thinking if I could remove the safety grill above the fans it would be helpful but I cannot seem to see how to do that. Anyone know the best way to proceed?


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after reading this comment by staatsof: "Yes pulling that carpeted air exit housing out and reinstalling it properly WO getting your fingers sliced up by that horrible screening is an awful job." I don't think I want to do that now.

 

Oh I hate that design but I didn't have to pull that out to drain the radiator. On my car there's a round cutout in the lower front valance that aligns with the drain plug.

Wait till you get to the joys of filling it properly again.

 

Crapspackle!
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