Frank, Thank you for the numbers. By my calculations you have reduced the original rotating assembly weight from 9,450 Grams, to a new weight of 6,438 Grams Original weight: 9,450 Grams New weight : 6,438 Grams Therefore, reducing the overall rotating weight by almost 1/3! That really is something. From my basic calculations you should be seeing results in increased horsepower by at least 20 from just that. Not to mention being able to increase maximum RPM safely by 500. And the bonus of very little strain on the huge Maserati crank, which translates to less overall stress on the mains, etc, which equals much less harmonic vibration. You may end up with one of the smoothest running 3500 engines on the planet. Would Mr. Pink and his technicians car to comment on approximate horsepower gains from the reduced rotating weight??? Ciao and best!
Work on rebuilding the engine in 916 progresses It has now been 9 months since I delivered the project to Ed Pink Racing Engines in Van Nuys. All the parts are now back from the balancer. I sent the shop 42ft of original "Black" 5mm wires purchased in Italy at the Imola Swap Meet along with a new re-chromed tube. The bent camshafts are back from straightening and the shop is now working on fixing the cylinder head cam bores. The top surface of the head was warped and the cam bores were out of alignment. The cam bores will be bored out and honed back to straight and in alignment. I was told that the head has been extensively machined on the deck surface, but is within tolerance. The warped head was in all probability not caused from the heated bearing issue, but probably happen in the past, maybe due to the head sealing method leaking. The cam journal bores looked bad, but the straight camshafts now really highlighted the issue. I mention all of this in order to pass on to others what you can look forward to when rebuilding one of these 50 year old engines. Everything needs to be inspected and checked using precision measuring tools that only a top quality shop would have access to and know how to properly use. Ciao, FGM Image Unavailable, Please Login
The head has now been placed into a fixture and the cam holes line board. The machine they used is very interesting. You can see the process in the photo below. They then checked the cam cover surface and and found it off by a few thousands. You can see the milling machine cleaning up the surface so now everything is precisely flat. This will make for a good sealing surface. I continue to be impressed with the quality of work these guys devote themselves to. It is my hope to have the bench tested engine back into the car by the end of Feb or the first part of March. Ciao, FGM Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login
I am happy to report that Ed Pink is now in the assembly stage. Here you can see the block being assembled and the webber all spread out for cleaning and reassembly. It has now been 14 months since I dropped off the damaged block to them with instructions for them to fix it and build a great motor. Ciao, FGM Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login
BTW. The reciprocating mass also includes the crankshaft, flywheel, clutch assembly, front pulley and Harmonic balancer. To remove real weight the fly wheel and crank would also need to be trimed. Although any weight savings is benificial. The big beifit here is reduced drag on the puston by replacing the 4 ring original pistons to modern 3 ring set up- Your engine looks fantastic Frank! Congrats on the progress - the Pink's people are great! Im sure they will dyno when done, im keen to know how that turns out. As you know i am also sorting out my engine it'll be interesting to compare notes John We should trade info when my engine gets assembled-
Frank, Have the guys at Pinks recommend an alternative to the standard distributor? MSD ignition or an alternate ? I'm sure they would want to give the car a bit more spark? John
Thats an interesting thought, I will ask but do not want to add to the 13 months already into this rebuild. They will be testing the engine under load on their dyno which I plan to visit and watch. i will be happy to share any and all information with you or any other gear heads. Ciao, Frank
Looking forward to your dyno info, and really appreciate all the info you've shared with us all. I was the guinea pig for Pertronix to develop their system for our 3500 dual distributor. Mine works fine, although I have it on a tired, old, wheezing stocker. RF.
The new wire loom is being built with original black 5mm wire and a new chromed tube. The rebuilt webers are now installed as the engine nears ready for the test firing and dyno testing under load. FGM Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login
I was informed today that my engine will be moving onto the dyno tomorrow and be set up for a 1 hour break in where it will be mapped by a computer program that will run it at various RPM's at first then a load added while it runs up and down the rpm range. They will adjust the webers at idle, and then again at speed to simulate road driving conditions. The cam covers will then be pulled and valve clearances re checked. A camera will be put into the cylinders to inspect liner walls and the first of 2 oil filters cut apart and inspected for any contaminants or particles. The engine will then be put through another computerized run up for 1 hour more and the 2nd oil filter cut apart and inspected. At that point I will pay the final invoice and bring the engine back to the desert to be reunited with 101.916 after being separated for some 30 +years. An amazing journey. Wish me luck. Ciao, FGM
BON CHANCE! What a road..... I'm sure you will receive an engine ready for some real work.........although I guess the real fun starts putting it back in..... John
And luck is indeed warmly wished! Thanks a lot for sharing, Frank, for me it's a big source of knowledge as you know! Looking forward to more photos. Dalin
Stopped by Ed Pinks today and this is what I saw. 916 being tested and tuned. FGM Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login
I am delighted to report that the engine is now back in my possession. I went over to LA last Tue and picked it up along with all the spare parts left over from the rebuild. On Wed I had the car flat bedded from storage to the shop that will be doing the installation. These are the same guys who removed the engine back in Dec 2014. When I opened the door I got that strong smell of new leather. It has been a long road but well worth the wait. AM101.916 will be united with its original engine at long last after 30+ years of separation. Stay tuned... Ciao, Frank Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login
Let's just say the HP and torque numbers were dramatically improved. The torque was especially spirited, and very impressive. I was there to witness the dyno testing and saw all the numbers. The real test will be when the pedal hits the metal and how it glues your ass to the seat. Stay tuned... FGM
As a hobbyist, I really enjoy finding rare and hard to find parts for my several 3500GT's. It is always a great moment when I stumble across an exceptional vendor who specializes in a particular service or supplier. One such occasion happened last Sept when I was introduced to this father son team of auto electric specialist in Modena. A visit to their shop turned up exactly what I was looking for. In this case the fresh air ducting with an enclosed little fan. 101.916 had long ago lost his ducting during a thoughtless restoration. I bought the complete unit including rebuilt motors. Not cheap, but the right stuff. They specialize in all things electrical for the cars and their shop was spotless. They even make complete wiring harnesses. Great guys. I look forward to seeing them again in Sept when I return to Modena for my 40 + time. I first visited Modena in 1971 wow! that's many moons ago. Ciao, FGM Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login
The engine is now installed and running. Tunnel cover back in. 2350 cfm electric fan installed in front of radiator (cheap insurance against overheating) with a switch under the dash and a warning light. Other items on the punch list being sorted out. While servicing the fuel system look what we found in the bottom of the fuel filter. This reaffirms the need to start all tuning at the gas tank to be sure you are getting good clean fuel. We installed a fuel pressure regulator set to 2.5 lbs and a fuel pressure gauge to confirm the pressure is correct. Note the Radiator overflow tank in front of the windshield washer bottle. Ciao, FGM Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login
You don't have by any chance the chassis number of that silver Quattroporte in the the work shop? Would be great tio have it in our registry with 486 cars to date.: www.tipo107.com
Here is a shot of the hoses laid out for installation and the wiring harness for the electric fan which includes a relay, toggle switch and warning light. Ciao, FGM Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login
Lets see where did we leave off? I believe the last post was on April 30th. of this year. Thats when the freshly rebuilt and dyno tuned engine by Ed Pink Racing Engines was installed in the chassis. The next thing that happened was a gurgling noise coming from the front of the engine when we started it up. Not good. To their credit, the guys at Ed Pink came over to the Desert to have a listen to it and determined it should be sent back for evaluation. This of course was a big let down for all involved. A few days later janet and I packed up and headed north to our home on Mercer Island. As it turned out the noise was coming from a failed ball bearing found behind where the external oil pump is mounted on the engine. This was a very easy fix. No removal of the oil pan was required. This was a new bering and very strange that it would fail. It is a "caged" bering, which means the balls are held in place by a metal or plastic cage. In this case the plastic cage broke and the balls were rattling around making a horrific noise. I am pleased to say the engine was returned and reinstalled and is running fantastic!! In fact this is the most powerful and responsive 3500 I have ever driven. This thing winds up really fast and wants to go go go... This thing is a rocket ship, and very smooth. It is all that I had imagined. Having arrived in Palm Desert Last Sat I was able to drive the car for the first time with the newly rebuild machine engine now reunited with the chassis. I am extremely pleased with the guys at Ed Pink and highly recommend them. They are in my opinion "The Best of The Best." Here are some photos taken yesterday during a drive to LaQuinta for coffee. Ciao, FGM Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login
