Hi All, I had posted some pics of my project car for the winter in the Ottawa thread and have been working at it since late December and thought I'd share my progress with you. Here are some pics of the car as it was purchased (in July) and of the engine out that was done in October... As you can see from the amount of dirt on the engine/gearbox/suspension, I have a lot of work to do... this car was obviously neglected for a long time. Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login
More pics of the teardown... one thing that is extremely odd about this car is the rear window... it's a simple flat window... I haven't seen this on any other 348. BTW, this is a 1990 348tb that is originally from Kuwait from what I can tell. Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login
Removal of the rear suspension, gear box and engine from the subframe.... Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login
Parts being sent off for powdercoating and ceramic coating (for the headers) Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login
Gearbox cleanup... Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login
Engine cleanup... I have spent about 6 hours on the engine alone... and I'm not done. It's tedious work as I've got to be careful the dirt doesn't end up in the cylinders... Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login
Flywheel disassembly and cleaning... had to make my own tool to remove that damn ring nut... Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login
Coolant tank came back from the powdercoating shop with pinholes... inside, the tank is pretty rusty. Tomorrow, I'll be going to a friend's shop to see what it would cost to have one custom-made of aluminum. I already phoned a rad shop and it'll cost 200$ to have it recoated... Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login
My wheels are in!!!! They look fantastic!!! As far as I'm concerned, these are the wheels to have on a 348... Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login
very interesting Dan! Good luck with your project, and don't forget to post more pics when it's done. =)
Have you done any research on why your rear window is so peculiar? I like it I certainly have never seen another 348 with one who knows you might have a collectors, I never liked the back window on the 348 it aways looks like plexi that is one of the reasons I bought a spider, but I think yours looks much better more refined.
Wow, i hope you got the car for free The time and effort and $$$$ your gonna put into that will be astronomically........im assuming your doing the interior and the paint as well ? IF this gonna be a full restore, or are you just planning ot take it apart and clean and replace ? Its definetly a love affair a project like this..........good luck and continue to post your progress.........thank you for sharing, if you need help, there are many on here in Canada that can help you if need be. Cheer !
How do you know a car is Italian? It leaks oil! Very ambitious job! Just be forewarned, even with new gaskets and o-rings you will get leaks the second you start it up! Ask me how I know... It's not worth having the coolant tank fixed. I had mine fixed and it leaked within a year. Just buy a new one. I got mine from TRutlands, you know it will be correct and that it will fit and you'll usually get it in a few days.
Interesting that you see it that way Roberto... it had a plexiglass window but it will be replaced by a glass window... I should get it this week or next. I was looking to replace the weatherstrip around it but Daniel at Ricambi has no part # for it... he also has never seen another 348 with a simple flat rear window. JQP
Dan, very cool. I've been waiting for these pics since you told us about the project. This should be a lot of fun. I love these projects! All the best and keep posting pics!
Well, almost for free... I have budgeted about 20k for the restoration... if I don't go with carbon fiber parts for the interior, I should come in pretty close... The interior is in bad shape as well... I have been quoted about 1500$ for restoring and re-dyeing a lot of the components... but I'm also considering updating with CF seats and CF interior parts as well... I will get to it in late Feb or early March. JQP
I think a previous owner didn't want to fork over the cash for a rear window and had some body work done to adapt a flat window. That's the only explination...Any signs the car was in an accident?
Well I will be trying a few tricks to plug those leaks... maybe it's a lost cause but at least it'll look good for the pics BEFORE I fire it up for the first time.
I agree, for a regular car user this car would out price the entire resale value. It would only have to be a project that a mechanic can accomplish correctly and cost effectivly. I think it will be more than 20K even doing all the work at your own shop, but its definitely one more saved....GOOD LUCK on the fix up, and keep posting, welcome to Fchat !!