3500GT Barnfind | Page 28 | FerrariChat

3500GT Barnfind

Discussion in 'Maserati' started by mfletch, Jan 8, 2009.

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  1. wbaeumer

    wbaeumer F1 Veteran
    Consultant

    Mar 4, 2005
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    #676 wbaeumer, Sep 8, 2012
    Can you post some images of the engine compartment?
     
  2. mfletch

    mfletch Formula Junior

    Nov 3, 2008
    480
    #677 mfletch, Sep 9, 2012
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
    Here you go Walter. I still have some assembly work left to do. I need to install the new trim that goes around the edge, the ID plates, the new fresh air vent hoses, the heat shield, etc. I also need to clean up some overspray and body shop dust. I have previously posted engine pictures that probably look better.

    Today, I finally got the dreaded window trim installed. I am going to let it sit for a day, before I tighten the front corners down.
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  3. 3500 GT

    3500 GT Formula 3

    Nov 2, 2008
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    #678 3500 GT, Sep 10, 2012
    Nice looking Mark, way to go! I like the FISPA decal! :)
     
  4. mfletch

    mfletch Formula Junior

    Nov 3, 2008
    480
    #679 mfletch, Sep 10, 2012
    Hi Trev. That decal was a nice touch....thanks.
     
  5. mfletch

    mfletch Formula Junior

    Nov 3, 2008
    480
    #680 mfletch, Sep 24, 2012
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
    I saved the worst job on the car for last. The doors are assembled and the vent windows installed. I have a single shim that is left over from each side. When I disassembled the car, the shims fell out when I removed the vent window assembly. I figured out where the other shims went. These are a mystery. Everything fits and is tight. Does anybody know exactly where they go? They are about the size of a quarter and three times as thick.
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  6. tritone

    tritone F1 Veteran
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    Dec 8, 2003
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    James
    #681 tritone, Sep 24, 2012
    Car probably won't start without those pieces........Oh; you drove it already.........Okay, maybe they were just on the floor when you parked there...;-)
     
  7. mfletch

    mfletch Formula Junior

    Nov 3, 2008
    480
    #682 mfletch, Sep 24, 2012
    James, I appceciate the humor....I am seriously anal when it comes to trying to get everything right on this car. I actually lose sleep over such things. I should probably find a different hobby.
    The car is yet to go on it's maiden voyage.
     
  8. Portenos

    Portenos Formula 3

    Aug 20, 2004
    1,851
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    #683 Portenos, Sep 24, 2012
    Looks really good Mark. Don't know about the shims but if everything is tight don't beat yourself over it.

    I was at my toy barn today and fired up 101.708 and ran it for 15 minutes or so as to not let it set to long between runnings.
    I installed 7 gallons of leaded aviation fuel before running it in order to keep all the rubber parts protected during the long winter months of storage from the ethanol fuel we are mandated to use.
    Thank you for the carpet and headliner samples you sent me.
    Ciao,
    FGM
     
  9. mfletch

    mfletch Formula Junior

    Nov 3, 2008
    480
    #684 mfletch, Sep 24, 2012
    Thanks Frank. I like your leaded aviation fuel idea. I will invest in some before I drive the car. You are welcome for the material samples.
     
  10. Il Vecchio

    Il Vecchio F1 Rookie

    Dec 27, 2007
    2,572
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    Peter B.
    #685 Il Vecchio, Oct 6, 2012
    I've been away, but boy does it look gorgeous now!!
     
  11. mfletch

    mfletch Formula Junior

    Nov 3, 2008
    480
    #686 mfletch, Oct 6, 2012
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
    Il Vecchio, thank you very much.

    Yesterday, I took the car for it's maiden voyage. I had the transmission rebuilt by a local Maserati specialist who replaced second gear (which was trashed when we bought the car). I also had him install new synchros. Unfortunately, I just discovered that third gear does not work at all. The transmission will not go into third gear with the car moving or stopped.
    I have the car in a show tomorrow. The specialist that rebuilt the transmission will be at the show. Hopefully he stands behind his work.
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  12. MK1044

    MK1044 Two Time F1 World Champ

    Nov 6, 2011
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    #687 MK1044, Oct 6, 2012
    You rebuilt the whole car and have only two extra pieces? That's some kind of a record.

    The car looks absolutely fantastic.
     
  13. mfletch

    mfletch Formula Junior

    Nov 3, 2008
    480
    #688 mfletch, Oct 6, 2012
    Carmine thank you. I actually found where they went. Brian suggested that they might be used to change the angle of the window track. He was correct.

    I wish that I could say that the car is finished, but there are still a couple items left to install. I went to install the air vent hoses and discovered that the small ones are the wrong size. I still need to install the vent hoses, do some touch up paint in the engine compartment & wheel wells, and have about 1/3 inch removed from the passenger door panel.

    I should have plenty of time to resolve the little issues, while the transmission is being repaired. On a positive note, all of the electric systems are working fine....including the interior lights and horn.
     
  14. PSk

    PSk F1 World Champ

    Nov 20, 2002
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    #689 PSk, Oct 7, 2012
    +3500!

    Pete
     
  15. Portenos

    Portenos Formula 3

    Aug 20, 2004
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    #690 Portenos, Oct 7, 2012
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
    Mfletch,
    The car looks stunning! Except for those body color wheels which I have always been opposed to, you have turned the metaphorically speaking Sow's ear into a silk purse.
    You have my compliments.

    I am however very sorry to hear about the transmission.
    In my 18 years of Maserati service and repair when I owned MIE Corp I arrived at the following conclusion. That once the transmission has been disassembled and reassembled by what I will call a "non expert" It will not be possible to fix it correctly.
    There are just to many variables. The Tech will say that he needs this part and that part all the while looking in a parts book that has part numbers that will not correspond to the box he is working on.
    It is the old question of not knowing what part you have or need because these boxes used different parts all along the mfg. life.

    The parts book is a snapshot in time and simply does not show all the correct parts used in every box. It takes a true expert to know which parts are required for each different box.
    The next problem has to do with shims and spring pressure which push against the small ball bearings that engage the syncros.
    In my case some of these springs lacked the proper pressure, but looked good and in some cases were outright wrong.
    Certain size shims go on one side and other size go on another. It is easy to get them reversed which again was the case with my box.

    The only answer for me was to send the box back to Modena and have it repaired by the best guy in this field, who for the last 40 years has done nothing but ZF boxes.
    He has all the correct parts and the correct special tools and can do them blind folded, well that's stretching it a bit but you get the point.
    When done you will know it is correct.

    ZF now has a classic repair department which will repair these boxes and supply parts, but it is my understanding from talking with them that the cost would be 2X the Modena solution.

    I am very sorry to spill it to you all like this, but sadly there is no easy way out.
    I will challenge anyone to prove me wrong and I hope that they can, but If there is a guy here in the USA who can take a disassembled S-4-17 or a S-5-17 and repair it correctly I would like to hear about it.
    I predict that your tech will start down the "need parts" path and then in the end through up his arms and beg off.

    It may make sense to purchase another good used gear box. There are some on this list who may have one. Not cheap but a lot less wear and tear on your nervous system.
    If you want to discuss this offline please feel free to call me.
    I offer this all buffet style Ie "take what you want" and leave the rest.
    Ciao
    FGM
    PS the photos show the disassembly which took 1 hour and the reassembly and if you notice the date stamp the job was finished in 4 days not counting the weekend.
    Upon return, I installed the box in the "Latina" and it shifted like butter.
    FGM
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  16. Quattroporte3

    Quattroporte3 Formula 3

    Nov 13, 2010
    1,060
    #691 Quattroporte3, Oct 7, 2012
    Stunning car, what an amazing job you've done. She looks factory fresh!

    Sorry to hear about the transmission. I'd like to find that Frank is wrong, but one way or another I hope that all this automotive and mechanical know-how doesn't disappear. Are all these old experts in Italy training a new generation of young mechanics to become specialists on hardware that was current long before they were born? Or will the skill and expertise eventually become 'unobtanium' as all the real experts pass on?

    Just some random meanderings on a Sunday evening.

     
  17. thecarnut

    thecarnut F1 Rookie
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    Apr 22, 2006
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    Atlanta
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    #692 thecarnut, Oct 7, 2012
    Love it ... looks great!

    Best of luck with the tranny. Hopefully the specialist finds out that it is a very simply thing.

    Ivan
     
  18. mfletch

    mfletch Formula Junior

    Nov 3, 2008
    480
    #693 mfletch, Oct 7, 2012
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
    Thank you for the kind words guys, I really appreciate it. My brother and I spent two days and one night trying to finish everything on the car, in time for the show. As usual, a few things did not cooperate and took an inordinate amount of time to complete. I got frustrated at the end (after the transmission problem and a fuel starvation issue). I finally gave up and decided to not worry about the few things that were not completed....like the fresh air hoses, windshield squirts, hand brake, touching up overspray, etc. The judges at the show were kind and awarded us second in class. My first concour was a great experience. I was worried the car would not make it up on the podium because either the fuel pick up screen is too fine or the floats need adjusted. It did fine. The three mile ride home up some pretty good hills was a challenge.

    Frank, thank you for taking the time to share your expertise on the transmission issue. The gentleman that rebuilt the transmission was one of the show sponsors. I told him about the problem and he was very gracious. He told me not to worry and that he will make it right. That is all that I can ask for. He is the owner of Stewart's Automotive, formerly John's Maserati. I believe that he has the expertise to fix the problem. Since it will not go into the gear while the car is on or off, it should be a pretty obvious problem. My back up plan was to take the box to Symbolic Motors, since you had your's done there. If not there, I was going to ask you about your Modena connection. Hopefully I can get it resolved with Stewart, if not, I will definately call you. Thanks for the offer.

    I sure appreciate all of the help that I have received here. Thanks guys. I met Larry Reuben at the show. It was a pleasure finally getting to meet you in person. What a great guy.

    Does anybody know how to get the large fresh air hose through the oval hole in the driver's inner fender well?
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  19. Il Vecchio

    Il Vecchio F1 Rookie

    Dec 27, 2007
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    #694 Il Vecchio, Oct 7, 2012
    Where was this show? What/when are you entering next??
     
  20. mfletch

    mfletch Formula Junior

    Nov 3, 2008
    480
    #695 mfletch, Oct 7, 2012
    Peter, the show was http://www.nielloconcoursatserrano.com/index2.html, in El Dorado Hills. I plan on listing the car on Ebay, as soon as we get everything finished and working 100%. I doubt we will be showing the car again. I am happy that I got to do it once.
     
  21. mfletch

    mfletch Formula Junior

    Nov 3, 2008
    480
    #696 mfletch, Oct 8, 2012
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
    My buddie's son was at the car show. My car was at his dad's shop and he told all of his friends that his dad had "Finn McMissle" at his shop. My kids are a lot older, so I am not current on the kid movies. There is definately a strong similarity.
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  22. mfletch

    mfletch Formula Junior

    Nov 3, 2008
    480
    #697 mfletch, Oct 9, 2012
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
    Frank, here are the pictures that you requested. I was concerned about the battery tipping over and damaging the rear fender. It had done so in the past, as evidenced by damage that we repaired. The Optima red top battery wedges perfectly between the sides of the battery tray and can not tip over.

    Frank, can you tell me how you were able to install your large fresh air hose on the driver's side, where it passes through the oval hole in the inner fender liner?

    Here is a link to professional pictures of the show that my car was in. There are some nice Maserati pictures. http://singlelens.net/2012/serrano/
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  23. Portenos

    Portenos Formula 3

    Aug 20, 2004
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    #698 Portenos, Oct 9, 2012
    Mark,
    That is a very nice original trunk. Trunks lined with the correct original material are very few and far between so when you see one, I for one can really appreciate it.

    I would be willing to invest $10,000 or more to have this material reproduced and am currently searching for a company that can do it. But it must be absolutely correct.
    I would also be happy to partner with someone on the project.

    Re the 100mm fresh air hose, simply insert it through the hole in the fender well with the tire removed and connect it up. It was actually very easy.
    Great result, given all the time, money and effort you put into the car.
    Ciao,
    FGM
     
  24. mfletch

    mfletch Formula Junior

    Nov 3, 2008
    480
    #699 mfletch, Oct 9, 2012
    Frank, thanks for the compliment on the trunk. Have you ever seen the hole in the trunk , next to the battery box, before. I have an aluminum plate with an aluminum bar, that covers the hole. It is over the fuel pump and is pretty precise and the cover appears to be too intricate to have been home made.
    The hole for my fresh air hose is very oval. I do not see how to pass the round 100mm hose through it, without destroying it.
     
  25. 3500 GT

    3500 GT Formula 3

    Nov 2, 2008
    1,398
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    #700 3500 GT, Oct 10, 2012
    Frank, I'm having the trunk material reproduced at this exact moment. I'll send you a sample when it arrives if you are interested.

    Ciao and best.

    ~Trev
     
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