There are some myths around working on these cars, so just wanted to write a short post about it. 1. You can get the headers out with the engine in the car. On the right side you need to remove the starter to free up enough space. From what I can see left side should be possible as well, though you might have to remove the steering rack. 2. It's probably the easiest to remove the engine without the gearbox. If you take off the starter bracket, you have good access to the bolts on the flex plate. You need a lift for this though, it's a hassle doing this lying under the car. You don't need to move the gearbox a lot to get it off, maybe 2 inches. The engine and gearbox is a long unit, so is a hassle. We removed both though, since we are changing some seals on the gearbox as well. From what I can see I have to change two liners, heard a lot on how involving this is, will have to see if this is something we can do ourselves or not. Engine is currently on an engine lift, where we can turn it all directions to asses the situation properly.
Good idea! Here are some! Everything is beeing stripped, blasted, painted or zinc treated. We try to get the right treatment on the right places. If it's originally painted, we paint it. If it's zinc gold, we zinc treat it. Changing bearings, gaskets and so forth. Distributor, carbs, starter, gearbox is checked and refurbished. Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login
Hello Jarle… Welcome to this thread !!! Please keep the photos coming, and I promise I will try and do the same! Mine is 1982 model, what year is yours? I believe you are also active on the Biturbo Zentrum, correct? I have read many, if not all, of your posts on that forum! Mike
Here are some photos of my QPIII's brake master and Engine Compartment Fuse Box showing the wiring! The brake master looks very very similar to that of my 1972 Ghibli SS - may actually be identical! The wiring for the engine compartment fuse box looks pretty good - may just need to clean the box up good and check any and all grounds involved! Mike
Correct, same Jarle! I think about 5 people in the world with that name combination 1982 4900 Automatica!
Hello again Jarle… Since yours is a 1982 like mine, I would recommend you get the 1982 Parts Supplement, if you don't already have a copy... Ivan should have it on his site, as I loaned a copy of it to him to put on his site (carnut.com)… Mike
All pistons are out and we can now see what needs to be changed. So far 1 piston and two liners need to be changed. But considering the age of the engine, we will probably replace all liners. But the pistons, rods, crank are like new. Changing the liners will be interresting, time to find a dry ice supplier! Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login
Project continues. Gotten a lot of parts back from Chrome treatment, but need at least one more visit to that shop. Started to putting some of the refurbished parts back together. Changing bearings, painting, cleaning up everything. Heatshield refurbished with new asbestos on it. My mechanic friend has everything in his storage Here are some photos. 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
Hello Jarle… I just got back from a cruise and am looking at your pictures!! Everything is looking great !!! I especially liked the Carlsberg glass by the alternator... (you want to make sure you don't get dehydrated while working on these items ! )… Keep up the good work, and I will try and begin posting pictures and progress (although slow) soon! Also, where was the heatshield located? I don't think this was on my car, but my memory may be faulty! Mike
Heatshield is around the starter, to protect it from the headers. I think the wiring might melt unless it's there. In the long run though. Beers & mechanic work belong together Hydration is the secret, agree!! Currently putting the carbs together, they look smashing. Will post pictures closer to the weekend! Looking forward to seeing more pictures of your work!
I am also working on my carbs.. Attached are some pictures (before and in-progress)… I cleaned my carbs in an ultra-sonic cleaner. The results can be seen in the second picture where one carb went through the process, while the other 3 did not (at least when the picture was taken)… The cleaner did a good job, except for one thing. I did not disassemble the butterfly mechanisms, as I was afraid after so many years the shafts would be slightly warped. The butterflies did rotate easily before processing in the cleaner. Afterwards they were very difficult. I greased the shaft bearings located on the outside of the carb body, but this did not help a lot. I did note a lot of carbon buildup on the shafts where they pass through the carb body. I began cleaning this up, and the butterflies are rotating a bit more freely. Much work still required! Mike Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login
I thought I would also send a couple of pictures of other fuel system parts.. Attached are two photos of the fuel pump setup on my car. The first is of the main and emergency pump (both are the same make/model pump) attached to their bracket as removed from the car. The second shows the main fuel pump(s) and related components after some cleanup! Mike Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login
And finally, a couple of pictures of the intake manifold and fuel tank! The fuel tank has been boiled out and is now ready to go back into the car! I will send more pictures of the intake and the surrounding carb box in a day or two, as these have been cleaned up as well! Mike Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login
Liners might fall out if you leave in a heated spray shop booth to let the block get hot. I have a complete engine internals but only 4 liners 8 pistons & everything else. 4.9 qp3. John.
Hi I left the thread for a long long time - got tired of being ripped off by unscrupulous parties. Anyway, I cant really recall the exact issue as my weakest understanding is around electrical issues. I will keep reading to see how you made out..... Let me know. I am taking my 1981 now with no motor or ZF and will be putting a beautiful high power unit in it. I am leaning to the retro style unit. Will start a new thread........
Hi The Ohlins were good if you can get them to make you one. The MIE ones made the car too high IMO. I am going to look at a different system as I saw some options on a restoration show recently - coil over air ride customs - I will do some research.....
I have my fuel tank out too. Is it a service that "boils" the tank? Forgive me but I am not sure what it means to boil the tank. Also my fuel level sending unit from the tank is corroded and junk now. MIE does not have one in stock. Anyone know of a replacement ? Regards, Adam
Hi Adam... You raise a good question, and I am not sure if I truly know. But, I believe it is where they immerse the entire tank in either boiling water with special chemicals, or immerse it entirely in a tank of chemicals. The ultimate goal is to remove any rust and other gunk buildup that has occurred over the years. Mike
After doing a little investigating I think it is similar to a radiator boil, in fact, I read a post on a 4x4 truck forum about boiling a fuel tank at a radiator shop. There are kits for cleaning and sealing the tank and that is the route my mechanic is going. If anyone has a fuel level sending unit or knows of an equivalent replacement part, please let me know!
See pages 45-46 of this thread. Another forum member modified a Fiat sending unit to work in his QPIII.
Howdy, former reader here but finally ready to post. I have a Quattroporte III that is finally being handed over to me. Car has been in the family for years. As of late, it has sat dormant for at least 4 years (was said to have been started and ran before that), and hasn’t been on public roads for decades probably. Has spent years in an underground garage. I’ll post pictures as soon as I can, but I’ll preference it by saying the car is no time capsule, unfortunately. Paint has seen better days, and interior has some loose/missing things, but it’s all there. Introductions out of the way, my question is what steps should I take before trying to start this car again, anything special? Obviously fluids and checking condition of ignition components, etc. However this is the first carbureted car I will be dealing with (I have an ‘89 BMW 535i that I drive daily, to put things in perspective), and don’t want to screw anything up. Hoping to have a smooth introduction into the big Maserati club.