308 V12 conversion begins

I found that link, he claims he got it to repeat within 1g, my setup/method repeats within 1/3 grams so I don't think that's it. I found a few others with and without flex members too. What I do is put the rod on the fixture, then lift the the end that's sittle on the fixed support (not on the scale) about 1/4" and drop it so any side loads should be gone. The main issue seems to be friction at the supports and the dropping helps with that. If you just set is on you can watch the numbers change slowly for up to the 10 minutes I was willing to wait the first time. When you do the drop it settles out almost instantly.

I'm using a height gage for the fixed support which is very easy to adjust for height, so I matched it to the height of the fixture sittng on the scale....but it doesn't much matter I don't think. If the rod is not dead level the total will be wrong but the relative rod to rod numbers will be fine as long as the set-up isn't changed.

 

2 would be faster, but all the same problems would still be there...friction is a bugger.

 

I'd never tried before...but it's much harder to get good readings than it seems like it should be I've found.

 

I'll speak for the group here and say that we're dying for some more updates here. Any word on the cams, or updates on the pistons?


This is a great project. Thank you for sharing it.

Peter

 

Sorry I let a week go buy....a lot going on. I had some work to do to the milling machine and I agreed to do a couple 308 EFI side jobs with one beening a whole car showing up tonight that some shop butched the install on I'm told. I also thought I need to buy a 1957 Isetta project this week but Lana nearly has me cured of that since sleeping in the street doesn't seem too appealing with winter coming.


Any way, no word on the cams.

I need to find a local shop to resize the connecting rods but I haven't gotten to it yet nd I guess I need to replace the wrist pin bushings first anyway so they can hone both ends at the same time.

The flywheel isn't started yet

 

Dude.....

 

I know!

I had to get my fall work done, pool closed up and such.

I got my milling machine back on line tonight so that’s something.

I've had a little delay because I sold the 400 heads on ebay and needed to create them to go to England so 3-4 hours boxing them. Drive to UPS and they ask if the heads where professionally cleaned, it seems residual oil is a hazardous waste and if the box is opened in customs it may come back or I my be cited. Bring the heads back home and un-create them and clean the heck out of them for 3-4 hours tonight and tomorrow after they are good and dry I need to re-create them so I can take them back to ups. I should have just left them on the shelf.

Tomorrow I need to get back to the EFI manifold conversion I promised another f-chatter for his TT 308. That will probably finish out the week.

Then I let myself get talked into completing and tuning an EFI conversion on a 2Vi 308 and after the car got here there is of course more work then I had in mind so that will kill 3-4 weeks I’m guessing before it’s ready to go home. The guy dropped the car off at a shop to do the work 2 years ago, he moved it to a second shop a year ago and still there is nearly nothing actually done so I had a hard time saying no, plus the V12 account is very much empty and I haven’t got a bill for the cams yet, so…..EFI conversion it is.


Then I can get back on the V12.

 

That's odd. I've shipped an entire transmission to Sweden, though by FedEx, and they didn't ask anything at all. I've also sent heads to Sweden using USPS and they didn't ask either. Though in that case they were clean already.

 

I remain distracted, but if you want to follow what I'm currently building here's a link:
http://www.thebestemployee.com/forum/showthread.php?t=218913

 

It's been a long time, but something actually happened today. The flywheel is under way. Pictures tomorow.

 

You can tell who's employer has blocked F-Chat..... Mike: keep up the good work, this conversion looks to be an outstanding example of personal creativity.


Art

 

I'm telling you man, they say 2-3 weeks which translates to 4-5 months.

I have to call a couple of people too now that you mentioned it.

Flywheel looks awesome. Excellent work like always.

 

Boy, I know how that feels.
Please tell me you didn't use Dema Elgin...you may never see your cams again. I didn't.

 

How is that possible? I heard he was a good guy but ive never dealt with him.

 

Short story:
Took my cams to re do, which he said he could.
Bent them beyond repair.
Never returned any calls or emails
Never returned cams or made it right.
He still owes me the cams to this day.

He is a crook based on my experience, and I would not recommend him to take out the trash, much less any Ferrari cams.

Laurie at WEBCam was wonderful - delivered on time, knowledgable, responsive and easy to deal with.

 

no, Joe at american custom cams. Much cheaper than Lauie so I figured it was worth the risk. He came recommended by the guy I bought the heads and engine from.

 

Well, that is re-assuring at least. With 48 cam lobes, I'm sure I would be cost comparing as well!! Laurie quoted me $60/lobe.
Good luck!

 

The first rough quote was $1500 to harder, straighten, grind the jounals and grind the 48 lobes.

 

An amazing thread that deserves a bump!

 

Thanks. Iv'e been crazy busy the last couple weeks and just haven't been able to get into the shop. one more night the the manifold I'm EFIing will be done and out of here.

The flywheel is just waiting it's turn on the lathe and ready for a test fit by the end of next week.

 

Still crazy busy but a quick update.

The flywheel is finally on the lathe and should be done this week as planned, pics to follow.

I heard from the cam guy ad he says he'll have a look at everything over thanksgiving weekend when the shop is quite.

That's it for now.....grandama left a couple weeks ago and the little guy is requiring a lot of time and no long naps when it's my turn to what him and that has slowed me down a bit

 

Looking at the manifold arrangement on the 'other' 400i 308, are you going to keep it a low plenum as he has or have longer runners and a different bonnet?

 

I managed to buy a good used clutch shaft and gear from a guy in Switserland, he sent me this, maybe you are interested:

"No I am not interested in parts but you sound like you're rebuilding/modifying a 308.
If that is the case let me tell you that we have many parts available for 308 Group 4 and Group B cars.
Some can be fitted to normal 308 like the variable ratio cascade gears such as in the photo below.
Maybe you would like a kit like that to limit your max speed and increase your acceleration instead of the original parts which look to be in good condition.
Let me know as we have many ratios available."
You can contact him he is the webmaster of www.rallycars.com
Image Unavailable, Please Login

 

I wonder if they have a kit to increase max speed?

 

If they can lower the gearing they should also be able to increase it I think, that is what Mark needs. I do wonder how one can change the gearing without repositioning the middle gear.