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330 GTC

Discussion in 'Technical Q&A' started by pchop, Jul 11, 2005.

  1. pchop

    pchop Formula 3
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    John
    #1 pchop, Jul 11, 2005
    I went a friend's place this weekend to check out his newly restored 330 GTC. It's a georgeous car and we went for a nice drive on the windy road in Bedford.

    Here're the problems:
    1. The car back fired quite often. especially when it's cold. The Mechanic who told my buddy that this is normal.
    2. I heard knocking...which I know is not normal and probably due to some loose ignition wires. I know the older Ferrari engine was designed for leaded gas, so my buddy did put some lead additives to the gas.

    I told him to stop driving the car until I check with F-Chat... Could anyone elaborate on this?

    The mechanic who did the restoration is Autotourismo Sport (Danbury, CT). I think John/Steve Masastraiani are the father/son owners.
     

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  2. Tinbender

    Tinbender Formula Junior
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    Terry W. Phillips
    #2 Tinbender, Jul 11, 2005
    I have owned my 330GTC for over 20 years and have never had knocking from the unleaded gas. I am guessing by knocking you mean spark knock. Also do not have backfiring problem and have not heard of this as being a problem. Leaking exhaust can cause backfiring but with the knocking it sounds like a timing problem.
     
  3. Ken

    Ken F1 World Champ

    Oct 19, 2001
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    #3 Ken, Jul 11, 2005
    Too much advance will cause knock. If the car has a funny hesitation when you start it up that would be an indicator. Backfiring also can be caused by too much advance. I would not be driving such a valuable car when it's noticably out of tune; it can't be doing the engine any good.

    Ken
     
  4. pchop

    pchop Formula 3
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    #4 pchop, Jul 11, 2005
    Terry & Ken, thanks so much for the input. I just got off the phone with Luigi from Ferrari of Long Island, and he concurs that it's most likely a timing related issue coupled with non-updated electronic ignition.

    Terry: I think the 330 is such a pretty car and I can't believe how comfortable the car is. Hope you'll have many more happy occasions with yours.
     
  5. johngtc

    johngtc Formula Junior
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    Mar 4, 2005
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    John Gould
    #5 johngtc, Jul 15, 2005
    I've had a GTC for 24 years and have to agree that the 'mechanic' is talking cobblers! (sorry, 'balls' if that doesn't translate well!)

    I am pretty sure that when these cars were built, 105 octane leaded fuel was recommended. I have run mine on 97 octane and, for the past 4 or 5 years, unleaded, and it runs as sweet as a peach!

    I have had 'pops and bangs' twice. Once, on over-run (decceleration) when a silencer box developed a hole and once when a plug lead was cracked.

    What you need is a guy who knows 60s Ferraris. The GTC is straightforward mechanically and i have to agree with pchop - it's a lovely car (and undervalued in today's market!)
     

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  6. Glassman

    Glassman F1 World Champ
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    #6 Glassman, Jul 15, 2005
    The so called back fire could be coming from the carbs also. If one carb is acting up or a valve out of spec it might seem like a backfire. My 250 will pop for a while until it gets warmed up, and sometimes will backfire through the carb intermittantly.
     

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