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Movie shoot fried my points

Discussion in 'Vintage (thru 365 GTC4)' started by AndruetBiche, Jul 2, 2008.

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  1. AndruetBiche

    AndruetBiche Formula Junior

    Oct 7, 2006
    427
    #1 AndruetBiche, Jul 2, 2008
    Last week my 250 GTE was used in a movie. Somebody left the ignition on and 3 cyl are not firing due to some fried points in my Marelli S85As. The cyl not firing are #4,5,6 on the right bank this corresponds to #6,2,4 on the numbered dist cap. Points were new and cyl#123 are firing fine - so one set of points is OK. They both look good on inspection. I don't really want to replace both. Can somebody tell me which set fires #456? The long wire or short wire set? Thanks
     
  2. kare

    kare F1 Rookie
    Consultant

    Nov 11, 2003
    3,824
    #2 kare, Jul 3, 2008
    I've heard of toasted coils, but not points. Maybe there is a problem with one of the leads? Best wishes, Kare
     
  3. xs10shl

    xs10shl Formula 3

    Dec 17, 2003
    2,037
    San Francisco
    #3 xs10shl, Jul 3, 2008
    Funny, I hear more horror stories about people lending their cars to movie studios than pretty much anything else. I hope they offered you enough cash to make it worth your while!
     
  4. AndruetBiche

    AndruetBiche Formula Junior

    Oct 7, 2006
    427
    #4 AndruetBiche, Jul 5, 2008
    I guess nobody uses points anymore.
     
  5. PWehmer

    PWehmer Formula 3

    Oct 15, 2002
    1,733
    Surrounded by Water
    #5 PWehmer, Jul 5, 2008
    a bad set of points should be easy to tell visually.

    check the plugs and swap coils.
     
  6. alberto

    alberto Formula 3

    Aug 25, 2001
    2,404
    San Diego
    Full Name:
    Alberto
    #6 alberto, Jul 5, 2008

    In a moment of weakness, I agreed to put my Miura to be put on a dyno for taping of the sound for Microsoft's Gotham game (the engine noises you hear on the Miura in the game is my car). They did not offer to pay me, but I was supposed to get a free dyno run (which I did) credit on the game, a letter from MS certifying that my car was used for the game and a free copy of the game, none of which I got (well, I've not checked on credit in the game, I don't have an XBox and don't want to pay to buy the game, which was supposed to be given to me for free). NEVER again will I offer to do anything like that. My advise to anyone with a car that is asked: Don't do it, even if they promise to pay, it's absolutely not worth it.

    Alberto
     
  7. kare

    kare F1 Rookie
    Consultant

    Nov 11, 2003
    3,824
    #7 kare, Jul 6, 2008
    I would say that very few Ferraris are driven enough to wear out points. If they are properly set and lubricated, they will last for tens of thousands of kilometers. So, as most vintage Ferrari owners have shops doing everything and the cars are not driven enough to wear out points, most people have never experienced problems with iginition. Would be interesting to hear how you diagnosed the problem. Best wishes, Kare
     
  8. AndruetBiche

    AndruetBiche Formula Junior

    Oct 7, 2006
    427
    #8 AndruetBiche, Jul 6, 2008
    I'm setting aside Tuesday to change the points - but first I'll determine which set by slowly rotating the rear wheel (in gear) and observing the points. Will keep you posted. BTW the film was shot where I store my car ( I was unaware they had to move it).
     
  9. Ed_Long

    Ed_Long Formula Junior

    Nov 11, 2003
    686
    Salem, Oregon USA
    Full Name:
    Ed Long
    #9 Ed_Long, Jul 6, 2008
    In routine tune ups of my MGB some years ago, I discovered some evidence of arcing between the points. I cleaned it up with emery cloth, very fine grit. And it worked perfectly.
     
  10. AndruetBiche

    AndruetBiche Formula Junior

    Oct 7, 2006
    427
    #10 AndruetBiche, Jul 9, 2008
    Found the problem : the concentric pivot adjusting screw was missing om one set of points - thus the point gap would move after say 30 min of driving. Now shes screaming on all 12 again.
     
  11. Motob

    Motob Formula 3
    Professional Ferrari Technician

    Nov 11, 2003
    2,355
    Frederick, Maryland
    Full Name:
    Brian Brown
    #11 Motob, Jul 9, 2008
    That would be an eccentric adjusting screw. If it was concentric, when you rotated it, nothing would change. Good find!
     
  12. kare

    kare F1 Rookie
    Consultant

    Nov 11, 2003
    3,824
    #12 kare, Jul 10, 2008
  13. John Vardanian

    John Vardanian F1 Rookie

    Jul 1, 2004
    3,077
    San Francisco Area
    Full Name:
    John Vardanian
    #13 John Vardanian, Jul 10, 2008
    Kare, I'm impressed as hell with your work.

    I have used this drill and file trick to replicate the piercing screws inside the distributor cap.

    Santa Claus has promissed me a lathe for as long as I remember. Some day...

    john
     
  14. BigTex

    BigTex Seven Time F1 World Champ
    Owner Rossa Subscribed

    Dec 6, 2002
    79,351
    Houston, Texas
    Full Name:
    Bubba
    #14 BigTex, Jul 10, 2008
    "ANYBODY can do it, with all the right stuff!!!" :D :D :D

    Glad you found the problem, and got it all sorted.....
     
  15. Knockoff

    Knockoff Rookie

    Jun 3, 2007
    18
    #15 Knockoff, Jul 11, 2008
    Isn't that how they do it in Monella?
     
  16. Jack-the-lad

    Jack-the-lad Seven Time F1 World Champ
    Owner Silver Subscribed

    Jun 22, 2004
    77,446
    Danger Close at Moot Pointe, Gulf of America
    #16 Jack-the-lad, Jul 11, 2008
    I'll bet those words have never been used in that order ever before.


    Jack.
     
  17. Modeler

    Modeler F1 Veteran

    May 19, 2008
    7,330
    State of confusion
    Full Name:
    a.n.other
    #17 Modeler, Jul 11, 2008
  18. kare

    kare F1 Rookie
    Consultant

    Nov 11, 2003
    3,824
    #18 kare, Jul 20, 2008
    One more thing: I don't think that the eccentric adjustment screw has much to do with the points getting loose; it is only used for adjustment. It seems that my car has suffered of the same problem as most of the screws securing points have been ruined by over tightening. This is the first time I have heard of such thing though. Best wishes, Kare
     

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