You could borrow my tailer next week and weekend to haul it if you want.
to weld with engine in or out depends on the nature and location of the crack. post a pic of the cracked frame.
Haven't been home over the past couple of days, but will attempt to get the car in the air on Monday to document the damage. It is currently driveable, perhaps not in an aggressive fashion, so I could take Tim up on his gracious offer to try the welding at his place. I'll keep you all up on our progress. Henry
So knowing that I have to get a few parts ordered sooner rather than later, what's my best source for motor mounts and CV boots? Do you all recommend challenge-type, or higher quality parts or OEM? Ricambi? Does anyone make a polyerothane replacement, or some type of material that can handle the engine compartment heat any better? How about a gasket set for the oil leaks, or should I go with some silicone sealant? If I'm going to do this, I want to do it right. Thanks in advance guys... Henry
Not entirely sure Bruce, but cam seals are a definite possibility along with a couple of other places.
Grant and I attended the CNC open house in Ontario yesterday and saw a lot of friendly faces. Great turn out! Anyway, I'm driving my car down to Grant's house tomorrow and putting her up on his lift. He'll help me better identify the issues and I'll take a few photos to illustrate for the gang. Cheers, Henry
Let me guess Henry The crack is at driver side, forward up-right member of the subframe. 2 inches above the suspension fork connection. Cracked all the way through.
So here's a photo of the crack in the subframe. It looks as though it could be welded from underneath as well as accessed from the wheel well. The header may have to be removed to allow total access however. Henry
Ouch! Time to get a 348, dude. Those subs never crack. Okay, lets get this bugger welded. Think it's best our of the car. Bring it down.
I am sure it is better out of the car but i would do it in the car since he has 3 more years to a major. Also since it has not completely failed everything is still lined up perfect. Thats up to Henry of corse.
Yikes What you do??? !!!! LOL Can you measure the tubing size for me. It should be 30x40mm or 40x40 mm. Its metric tubing. So I can check the shop to see what I have. Yes, very very bad spot. I would under no circumstance drive it hard and stay away from potholes. This will need to be sleeved internally, just welding it up will cause the same failure. I may be to get in there with a small mini-mig gun I have after it's has a sleeve. All I need is about 3-4 inches all around. Did you guys look for another sign of fatigue on the other mounting points?
I agree just welding is "no es bueno." I would not sleeve internally but Plate externally. Both accomplish the same job but I am not an ASE certified body guy. What I would do is ping Mitch Alsup. He has done the analysis of the 355 craddle. He might be able to plug it into a FEA program and recommend where and how much to plate the area moving the weak spot to an area more able to take the load by triangulation from other tubes or whatever. In other words if you plate the crack or sleeve internally you just move the weak point to then end of the plate or sleeve. That might be OK or not you are just guessing. What should happen is move the weak point to a good spot where it might be fortified by other tube intersections. The 355 had other issues with too thin metal specifically in the front shock areas. With heavy springs or lots of tracking or challenge trim the thin metal ripped. The Ferrari solution was not just welding the cracks but plating the area over quite a large surface area to distribute the forces. It seemed to work. The 348/55 chassis is very flexible and encourages these kinds of failures. I think coming up with a more engineered solution is a good thing that can be applied to the fleet as it ages if this crack is a known issue. It is also easier to to the other side before it cracks.
For automotive frames internal is best, done with structural plug welding and cosmetic welding, this disperses the load over a larger area. I will show you its pretty sweet and the only repair that was "acceptable". New cars any frame "section" welding is unacceptable by court standards even outside of the crash zones. Better design? Thats why I have 2 cradles sitting here on my "honey doo" list Like to do one in aluminum and the other mag or inconel.
OOOOHHH!!!! That thing has had it! If you can't get it out yourself, best get it down the mountain on a trailer and let the Stooges pull it. I would NOT drive it anymore as you may cause more damage.
