Viva Mexico - bringing #854 back to life | Page 2 | FerrariChat

Viva Mexico - bringing #854 back to life

Discussion in 'Maserati' started by lbird, Aug 3, 2014.

This site may earn a commission from merchant affiliate links, including eBay, Amazon, Skimlinks, and others.

  1. emsiegel13

    emsiegel13 Formula Junior
    Silver Subscribed

    Oct 9, 2007
    501
    Grayslake, Illinis
    Full Name:
    Elliot M. Siegel
    In the old days, I heard about a process where the engine was cleaned out using a paraffin wax system that was pushed through the engine after any work was done on it that was supposed to grab anything in any little corner or crevice but I haven't found anyone who does that type of system. I still like the baking soda system as it all dissolves in water so there nothing left that can do damage. I have heard of engine blocks done with glass bead where they had problems with some residual glass beads getting into the oils system and had cylinder wall damage. I just want to offer an alternative system that is absolutely safe. You'll be super careful anyway you do it. Great project!
     
  2. PSk

    PSk F1 World Champ

    Nov 20, 2002
    17,673
    Tauranga, NZ
    Full Name:
    Pete
    Acid bath for cleaning would be my suggestion. I believe that is what engine building shops do.
    Pete
     
  3. lbird

    lbird Formula Junior

    Aug 24, 2012
    288
    Germany
    #28 lbird, Aug 14, 2014
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
    The block was already bathed in an engine dishwasher, a procedure which will be repeated after blasting. At the moment we are in the process of removing the black crickle paint on the heads and valve covers with some chemical stuff, after that the heads and covers will go through the dishwasher too.

    The crank hast to be machined to the first undersize too because it shows some minor signs of wear, nothing major, but just polishing won't work.

    I probably described the head problem not properly (english is only my second language). The valve won't be welded, it is the section in the head next to the valve where some material is missing in the head (see picture).
    Image Unavailable, Please Login
     
  4. Mexico074

    Mexico074 Formula 3

    Aug 14, 2008
    1,225
    Harriman, TN USA
    Full Name:
    Michael Demyanovich
    Hi lbird...

    Thank you for clearing up those issues.. Looks like you and your team are doing
    an excellent job! I enjoy your posts, so please keep them coming.. Don't worry
    about your English, it is just fine... Most of us wish we could speak a foreign language
    half as good as you speak English! Where in Deutschland are you located?

    Mike
     
  5. PSk

    PSk F1 World Champ

    Nov 20, 2002
    17,673
    Tauranga, NZ
    Full Name:
    Pete
    +854
    Pete
     
  6. lbird

    lbird Formula Junior

    Aug 24, 2012
    288
    Germany
    #31 lbird, Aug 15, 2014
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
    Thank you for your kind words, i will try to keep you all updated regarding the progress. I am located approx. 100 km east of Dortmund in Germany, by the way.

    Unfortunately i received some bad news from the engine shop yesterday: The rusted liners on the front can not be honed enough to get a smooth surface again without taking much more material out than estimated. We would have ended up with totally oversized pistons.

    After considering all options we will definitely replace the liners. We can either replace just the two defective liners and go to slightly oversized pistons. The other option would be to replace all eight liners and revert back to standard pistons. We will probably go that way, because liners are not that expensive and this will leave all future options for another engine overhaul open, because we are on standard measurements. If we do it anyway we can do it properly...

    A picture of the crank is attached to visualize the signs of wear i was talking about earlier.
    Image Unavailable, Please Login
     
  7. staatsof

    staatsof Nine Time F1 World Champ
    Silver Subscribed

    Mar 13, 2005
    91,364
    Fuggetaboutitland
    Full Name:
    Bob
    +1 on the glass beads. I had valve covers powder coated in wrinkle and the stupid SOBs did not block the backsides. The only person I would trust to something as potentially dangerous as that is myself. Using low air pressure so that the beads do not shatter or embed is what I've heard is the correct approach.

    Way back before Noah loaded the Ark when I did my Bora engine I cleaned up the outside of the block with Duro Aluminum Jelly - basically a jellied acid. That made it look like new but then my engine was only 10 years old, low mileage and certainly not as distressed looking as this one.

    Why not call up one of the better well know restoration shops and ask them what they do? Gary Bobileff comes to mind. He does this all day long and I've always found him helpful. I don't think this is much of a trade secret.
     
  8. Sunshine1

    Sunshine1 F1 Veteran
    Silver Subscribed

    Jan 22, 2011
    7,760
    Miami
    Thank you for the details and pictures. It's a pleasure following the restoration.

    Finding 3 cars at the same time was very lucky!
     
  9. jojoh12

    jojoh12 Rookie

    Aug 16, 2014
    28
    Germany
    Full Name:
    Johannes H
    Any Progress on the Project? I am very interested in following your Project as far as I think about starting one myself during the winter.
     
  10. lbird

    lbird Formula Junior

    Aug 24, 2012
    288
    Germany
    #35 lbird, Sep 12, 2014
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
    Hello, long time no see. As i said in an earlier post, my backlog of articles about the restauration is exhausted and we are more or less in real time right now. Therefore i can only write something new when there is actual worthwile news and pictures.

    Last week was busy, i got the car and engine back from the blasting shop. Everything is squeaky clean now, and there were no more defective areas found on the car body - apart from the few spots we knew about (one spot on the bulkhead and the bad welding in the trunk area). And even more important: There is not a single spot of rust on the car anymore, everything which was visible before was only surface rust.
    I attached a couple of pictures before and after blasting. The car was first blasted with ice and the remaining areas were very carefully sand blasted.

    The engine is already at the engine shop, we are waiting for new liners and pistons. New timing gear, new bearings and a new waterpump seal are already here.

    Next stop: Welding shop. As you can see on one of the pictures, a previous welder who worked on the car was obviously educated by somebody loosely connected to the Frankenstein family, because the welding seams were a little substandard. These will all be rectified by a good friend of mine who is an expert welder.

    Stay tuned - if my plans for tomorrow work out i will post some more on sunday.
    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
     
  11. lbird

    lbird Formula Junior

    Aug 24, 2012
    288
    Germany
    #36 lbird, Sep 12, 2014
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
    A little question in between: I know where to obtain the big rubber parts i need for the car: Windscreen seal, trunk seal etc. But i have never seen anybody offering the little rubber parts like the ones in the rear lamps or the indicator housings up front (see pictures as example). Is there a source to get them from or what do you do for replacements? In my lamp clusters i found some greasy sealing stuff which don't belong there. Cutting new parts myself from appropriate rubber material does not sound like a lot of fun to me.
    Any hint is appreciated big time!

    I am still kind of spoiled from my english cars where these parts are just a phone call or ebay click away....
    Image Unavailable, Please Login
    Image Unavailable, Please Login
    Image Unavailable, Please Login
     
  12. lussoman

    lussoman Karting

    Sep 7, 2008
    130
    Great project!!
    Almost all of the small rubber pieces are available from MIE, if it is not on the website then call Stuart and he will most likely have it in stock or even have an original part on the shelf.

    Love watching the progress and the pace is impressive.

    My one comment is that I would not have bead blasted the engine, it may come back to haunt you.

    I am restoring 032 1967 Mexico but at a much slower pace!!

    Chris
     
  13. lbird

    lbird Formula Junior

    Aug 24, 2012
    288
    Germany
    I know bead blasting is always risky, but we will clean the engine in a bath multiple times. Until now it always worked out fine - knock on wood :)
     
  14. lbird

    lbird Formula Junior

    Aug 24, 2012
    288
    Germany
    #39 lbird, Oct 27, 2014
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
    After quite some time i have got some news about the state of the Mexico restoration. Progress has been somewhat slow during the past month, but some stuff has been going on on the side of the main restoration path. The body is in the process of beeing welded, especially the lower back of the trunk has been completely remade. The straight part behind the exhaust in front of the spare wheel space was the only part in a really bad condition. Water and wet gunk will be trapped there all the time and with the exhaust running right in front of it it will stay there and do its ugly work. The metal has been treated with a lot of filler and sealing material, the part we cut away was almost three times as heavy as the replacement part of pure metal. See the pictures for details.

    Thursday and friday we went to Padua to visit the moto d'epoca, Italys biggest car show. I went hunting for parts and found some carello side indicators, which were located in a parts bin dirt cheap. A pair of tail light lenses were also found and bought there.

    The seats will be bolstered up, the upholsterer will repair the undersides and clean some rough edges. But the original leather can stay due to my revival work and there are just some minor things to repair.

    I recently bought all the leftovers from a scrapped Mexico in the Netherlands (thank you Jan), including fuel tanks and covers, front bumper, instruments and three Quattroporte alloy rims. I had 2 of them before, the whole set of five rims is derusted, cleaned and will be rotofinished next week. Lots of spare parts, i will pick the best for my car.

    At the moment I am waiting for my new pistons, the new liners are already here. As soon as the pistons are here the engine work will begin.

    And by the way: Yesterday a friend dropped by and i had the chance to test drive his Mexico for the first time. What a fantastic car, it somehow ticks all my boxes. Thank you Rainer, now i am really looking forward to drive mine for the first time even more!
    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
     
  15. au-yt

    au-yt F1 Veteran
    Silver Subscribed

    Aug 13, 2006
    5,834
    Burradoo... Actually
    Full Name:
    Graeme
    Mexicos are lovely elegant cars and i thing better looking than S1 Qports, how ever they have been languishing in the background for some time. I know of 5 in Australia
    3 of which are undergoing restoration the other two are waiting to be done. things have changed.
    Best wishes with the car look great from whats on here and great to see you have preserved the seats!
     
  16. Mexico074

    Mexico074 Formula 3

    Aug 14, 2008
    1,225
    Harriman, TN USA
    Full Name:
    Michael Demyanovich
    Hello au-yt.....

    Interesting information about the Mexico's in Australia....
    It might be good to see if they are on the Mexico Registry..
    If not, perhaps you can get the owners to add them!

    Mike
     
  17. au-yt

    au-yt F1 Veteran
    Silver Subscribed

    Aug 13, 2006
    5,834
    Burradoo... Actually
    Full Name:
    Graeme
    Mike

    I'll do that if they don't Ill get the chassis numbers for the register so at least there is a record of where they are.

    Graeme
     
  18. lbird

    lbird Formula Junior

    Aug 24, 2012
    288
    Germany
    #43 lbird, Nov 3, 2014
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
  19. lbird

    lbird Formula Junior

    Aug 24, 2012
    288
    Germany
    #44 lbird, Nov 26, 2014
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
    Another small update: The car is finally at the paint shop and will receive its primer very soon. Some more grinding inside the wheel arches and then it should be ready.

    And another task is done: I received my carburettors back from the shop today completely overhauled. They look like new. It was awfully expensive and a lot of laser welding was necessary to rectify all the micro corrosion in the material, but hopefully it was worth it. We will see....
    Image Unavailable, Please Login
    Image Unavailable, Please Login
    Image Unavailable, Please Login
    Image Unavailable, Please Login
    Image Unavailable, Please Login
    Image Unavailable, Please Login
     
  20. Dr. K.

    Dr. K. Karting

    Mar 23, 2011
    115
  21. JulianMerak

    JulianMerak Formula 3

    It all looks amazing, well done
     
  22. red27

    red27 Formula Junior

    Sep 7, 2010
    829
    London UK
    Full Name:
    Mark Oliver
    Great stuff!! That's a good pace you are setting.....
     
  23. lbird

    lbird Formula Junior

    Aug 24, 2012
    288
    Germany
    Well thank you. We will see if i can keep up the pace when all the little shiny things need to be found, prepared and attached back onto the car again. There is a lot of devil in these details.....
     
  24. lbird

    lbird Formula Junior

    Aug 24, 2012
    288
    Germany
    #49 lbird, Apr 19, 2015
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
    Oh well, you probably thought i gave up on the Mexico because i did not post anything yet this year. Not so. There was a lot of activity during the past months, but i was short on time and neglected to update this blog. But i will try to make up for that.

    Here is a short summary what happened since the last update:
    - Car went to the paint shop, received primer and the black body protective coat on the underside, engine bay and trunk
    - A myriad of pieces was cleaned and rebuild, like axles, brake calipers and lots of other parts
    - The car is now close to be on her own wheels again
    - After the installation and trial fitting of the technical stuff (including engine) the car will be going to my body specialist who will make sure the doors and hatches will fit properly
    - Then it is off to painting
    - For the rest see pictures...

    But i have a serious problem right now: We delivered the parts of different Maseratis for blasting. We were searching for the steering arms of my Mexico with power steering and found only one set of steering arms (the red ones in the picture below). But we are not sure if these are the right ones. The offside arm is correct and fits, but is the steering arm on a power steering car the same like the one on a non power steering car? If you have any information about this, please post!

    Another thing: I mentioned before that i have all the parts for my 4.7 engine and everything is ready to be assembled. A friend of mine recently stumbled upon an original Mexico 4.2 engine, which would be the right engine for my chassis number. If anybody needs an original Mexico 4.7 engine, then please contact me and we can probably work something out. It is in parts right now, for details see previous posts about the engine rebuild so far.

    Wish me luck for the steering arms....
    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
    Image Unavailable, Please Login
    Image Unavailable, Please Login
    Image Unavailable, Please Login
    Image Unavailable, Please Login
    Image Unavailable, Please Login
    Image Unavailable, Please Login
     
  25. red27

    red27 Formula Junior

    Sep 7, 2010
    829
    London UK
    Full Name:
    Mark Oliver
    #50 red27, Apr 19, 2015
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
    Hello lbird. That is very good progress. Regarding the steering arms, I have a manual steering LHD Ghibli which I am converting to power steering. The Ghibli parts manual has two different part numbers for the offside steering arm, they both begin 107.....so from Quattroporte, but I suspect valid for both Mexico and Indy too.
    Because of this, I bought a new power steering one from Franco Tralli. Having received it and compared with the manual one still on the car, they appear absolutely identical. The only thing I haven't checked is the spline pattern, but I fail to see any reason why that should have been changed by the factory.
    Here is a picture of the new 'power steering' arm for your reference. It certainly looks like yours. Hope that is good news!
    Keep up the good work.

    Mark.
    Image Unavailable, Please Login
     

Share This Page