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Those of you with early 550s

Discussion in '456/550/575' started by wbklink, Jul 5, 2010.

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  1. wbklink

    wbklink F1 Rookie

    Sep 2, 2009
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    Bill Karp
    #1 wbklink, Jul 5, 2010
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
    It was pointed out to me that the drain plug on the radiator is the lowest point under the car (they were moved to the back on later models) when I don't know. Terry?
    anyway I had mine replaced at Auto Gallery when they were doing the hoses. I found the the new one had already been scraped when at Winn Vegas (still was O.K.) this is what I had done .....Once again thanks to the John and the guys at Winn for the excellent work !
    thought those of you that might have the same problem and would like to know. (it's made of SS 24x14x1/8)
    Bill
    Pictures are before I had the car detailed That's another story ...
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  2. tazandjan

    tazandjan Three Time F1 World Champ
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    Jul 19, 2008
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    Terry H Phillips
    #2 tazandjan, Jul 5, 2010
    Bill- Skid plates on a Maranello. Who would have thunk it? A much better idea than the horseshoes on the spoiler. That will probably protect your spoiler, as well.

    No difference in radiators that I can see from the parts catalogs and the 550 and 575M both use the same radiator. If it was a very early change, it did not make it into the parts catalog.

    Taz
    Terry Phillips
     
  3. Rifledriver

    Rifledriver Three Time F1 World Champ

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    Brian Crall
    #3 Rifledriver, Jul 5, 2010
    Last edited: Jul 5, 2010
    The real problem with that radiator design is when the plug bung strikes it can crack the cast lower tank of the radiator. I don't think your skid plate mounted on a rubber belly pan will prevent that. Additionally it reduces the ground clearance increasing the odds of an impact to the radiator bottom tank.

    For many years we were grinding the plug bung nearly flush with the surface of the bottom tank and installing an allen pipe plug for a flush fit. It increases ground clearance and makes the entire affair no more exposed to damage than any of the late radiators.
     
  4. darth550

    darth550 Six Time F1 World Champ
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    #4 darth550, Jul 5, 2010
    Do you also re-route the AC hoses?
     
  5. Rifledriver

    Rifledriver Three Time F1 World Champ

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    Brian Crall
    #5 Rifledriver, Jul 5, 2010
    Yes.
     
  6. wbklink

    wbklink F1 Rookie

    Sep 2, 2009
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    #6 wbklink, Jul 8, 2010
    Brian,I have been thinking about what you said and I do respect your opinion. so my question is should I have them grind the plug as you did ? also since I can't remove the plate should I have a hole drilled right under the plug so if there was a impact it would not touch the plug .
    what do you think?
    Thanks,
    Bill
     
  7. Rifledriver

    Rifledriver Three Time F1 World Champ

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    Brian Crall
    #7 Rifledriver, Jul 8, 2010
    I would modify the radiator. I don't understand why the plate cannot be removed. If it cant I suppose the hole isn't a bad idea.
     
  8. wbklink

    wbklink F1 Rookie

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    #8 wbklink, Jul 8, 2010
    Thanks for the response, it was put on with epoxy then riveted.
    I will have them grind the plug and drill the hole.

    Thanks again for you time.

    Bill
     

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