Joe, Thanks for the response, I'm always interested to find out how time change and wear items fare. I think a car like yours that is impeccably maintained, garage kept, with very few miles between majors is a good car to validate the major service requirement interval. Good luck with the major! Jim
Hey Joe, Great pictures, Love that engine. I am happy for you and congratulate you on the work you decided to carry out. My belts looked good but dry, I also had a a tensioner that was leaking grease and looked like it may have failed. My car has been started today and after this trip I will be picking it on Saturday, I can't wait. Lino
Wow Joe, Your really did find the perfect TR. By the looks of the before photos and the internals its whistle clean. This is a great thread! Not only do you have the best workshop working on the car but you also have one of the best techs in the world actually doing the work. Doesnt get better then that!
Thanks! I could not be happier with everything. Tony and Mike knew exactly what I wanted to accomplish and have gone above and beyond to do everything they can to meet my expectations. Anyone who knows me, knows how particular I am. I can't even tell you the relief I have with these guys on my team. They have not only demonstrated exceptional workmanship, but integrity as well. I couldn't be happier. NOW MORE PICS!!!! The engine is going back in! Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login
Hello Joe; If I am reading/understanding this correctly....A major was done to your car 5 years ago.....& in that 5 year period was driven a total of 1,500 miles ( 1,000 from original owner & 500 by you), yet after only 1,500 miles upon inspection your tensioner bearings were "close to failing". How is it that a tensioner bearing with ONLY!!! 1,500 miles is "Close to Failing?"...I find this beyond belief.....Please I'm not doubting you.....just doubting a failed bearing after 1,500 miles.....For example....50 mph x 30 hours of running= "Failed Bearing"?......Mark
Hey Mark, I just deleted a long winded hypothesis on how this occurs, but in truth, how the heck do I know. Looking at my records by the time I brought my car in for service, it was closer to 6 years than 5. Ferrari mechanics have been telling us forever that you should do the belt services no longer than every 5 years and most advocate every three years. When I got this car, all my friends told me "just drive her!" My gut told me otherwise and after a few hundred miles the feeling of playing with fire just got to me and I parked her until she was ready for the major. All I can tell you is that the bearings were on there way out and the inner water pump bearing was even worse. This may not give comfort to those who want to wait 7 years between belt changes, but it is what it is. FWIW, it's usually not the belts that get you...its the bearings. Now everybody....PLEASE refrain from turning this into another belt thread!!!!
Could it be the belts were changed last major but not the bearings, and the bearings "appeared" to be servicable (visual/spin check) but were nearer the end of their life?? (sorry Joe, not trying to prolong the discussion but seems plausible). Great looking car, would like to PM you when complete to understand what needed to be changed/replaced/etc. to meet Classiche standards (if you don't post).
It's not the miles, it's sitting there not moving that does the bearings in. Seals get dry, corrosion can start, then when you finally drive it you start loosing grease. After that it goes down hill quick.
This certainly seems the most plausible. I've been told countless times by f-car mechanics much smarter than me that this is a danger associated with garage queens. In fact, its exactly what happened with my Mondial. Thankfully, as in this case, I did the service before the S&it hit the fan. Thanks Tim, As for your questions, the bearings were done at the last major. I cannot emphasize enough how particular the prior owner was. At least once every year he had the car shipped to Algar in an enclosed trailer to be inspected with an open order to fix anything they could find. He let them do whatever was necessary and never cut corners in any way. It is his care, above all else, which attracted me to this car. Beyond that, I really am not going to comment any more on the belts for fear of this turning into another belt thread, and I would ask that everyone else refrain from doing so as well. As for the Classiche, please PM me, I will gladly tell you everything I know, and I hope I will have photos to post as well as the process unfolds. If you would like to talk over the phone, PM your number and I will call you this weekend.
Hello Joe; I am EXTREMELY CURIOUS!!! if in fact you have the previous owners repair/upkeep receipts, & if so what would the totals be of the period of time & especially mileage he drove, meaning I would like to know $=mile (cost per mile),,,,really,really, curious.....Thanks....well not really....All this deferred maintenance,ie bad tensioners, has me afraid to drive my 91 Testarossa....I'm according to Ferrari.....Loooooooong Over due........at least I'm not worried about dryed up seals....I DRIVE MY CAR/S!!!!!.....Mark
Hey Mark, I wouldn't sweat it too much. It's not like you can turn back the clock, and the maintenance regime of my car over 25 years is of no moment to the current condition or cost to own of your particular car. If your car has deferred maintenance, as you seem to imply, maintain it to the level you feel appropriate. As my car was sold and serviced by the same dealer since new, I have all the records for my car, including the PDI, window sticker...you name it I have it. However, to be candid, I don't think any of these records alone or in their totality would be terribly helpful to you. The cost of ownership of my car shouldn't sway you either way. You have been here long enough and read enough service threads to know everyone has an opinion about how you should or should not maintain your car. There are also more than a few bonafide Ferrari mechanics on here who have offered their opinions as well. I don't see how one man's experience with one car is going to sway this long running debate either way. I only offered the bearing info up because I thought it was interesting, I'm beginning to wish I hadn't. At the end of the day, you know your car better than anyone. You drive it and you maintain it. Do whatever you feel comfortable with, and don't let my experience keep you up at night!!! If you have any further questions, feel free to PM me and I will discuss any questions you may have off line. Thanks!
Correct, along with constant washing and putting back in the garage - garage queens haVe this overall - if one operates there car monthly, even just start ups over winter months, 7 yrs is fine for belt and tension changes. Sitting is a killer for these cars.
Awesome thread and pictures. Make sure you've got video mode on though when you drive her out of the garage.
The major was completed last week. Unfortunately the weather has not been cooperating with us, which is holding up the final stages of the Classiche process. Hopefully, I will have her back Friday with a full report and some more pictures!!!!! If I get any more in the interim I will be sure to post.
SHE'S BACK!!!!!!! First, I cannot stress the importance of finding a shop with exceptional mechanics who understand your goals and can accomplish them effectively. I could not be happier with Algar's workmanship. I turned my car over to Algar with instructions to essentially return the car to me better than it left the factory. Mission accomplished. They gave me back a car that I did not even recognize. The clutch is lighter,The car shifts smoother than any Ferrari I have ever driven, new or old--even when cold. All the controls and mechanisms are smooth. The car just has a spring to it...I don't know how else to explain it. Everything works with precision, immediacy and a fluid like quality. There is no slop anywhere. I feel like I have been transported back in time. Don't even get me started on the engine...it's a fricken work of art. The car is incredible and my mind is simply blown! I've called the service manager 2x just to gush over how wonderful a job they did. I really can't believe it. As for the Classiche process, it went off without a hitch, but I was surprised at how involved it was. Among other things, Ferrari requires that photos be taken of countless components to demonstrate their authenticity. I included some outtake photos from the process below. Hopefully, I will hear something from the factory in a few months. Thanks everyone for following this thread. I am looking forward to driving the wheels off this car for years to come! I can't believe I own this car...I really can't Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login
Print this post out and frame it. Hang it in your garage and read it the next time something goes wrong with your car. It helps.
Can't believe I missed this thread for so long...great stuff Joe!! Hey, while they were in there - did they take a close look at the master link in the oil pump drive chain to make sure it had been replaced?
Thanks so much! Looking forward to enjoying the car for the next couple of weeks before the snow comes! Regarding the master link. I mentioned it to them prior to the service. It had previously been replaced.
Love the car Joe. They did a great job. I understand how you feel about your car. I think that a tr is the true Ferrari V12 no bells and whistles just awesome looks and motor. I owned a 355B in the past but I was looking for a car to track and I didn't want to destroy it so I fell in love with my Lotus. I have just started looking for a 512TR to add. I cannot get the Ferrari blood out of veins. I live right outside of Philly and if you would like to go for a drive let me know. Franco
