Ivan, You will find an infinite source of information on that Yahoo web site. These guys are all gearheads. Very very active site. Enjoy you new toy! Ciao, George
George, I joined the Yahoo group and hopefully I will not need their advice too many times. There is a French car club in Atlanta, hopefully there is a sorted out SM near for me to compare. Ivan
The SM is one of the most intriguingly beautiful cars of all time in my opinion! I'd love to try one someday, but since the mere presence of a weekend car in my garage is still a fantasy at this point, I don't expect to get one of these knowing what I know about its running costs. This SM is an absolutely beautiful example of the breed though!
I have a 72, 2.7L 5 speed. It's my second and I bought it because I wanted a real challenge as working on F-cars was getting to be too straightforward It is an amazing car with unique looks and incredible technology (for the time). I am doing a resto-mod on this one, black on black, I have shaved the door handles, side lights, rain gutters, lots of time has gone into the body work to correct the door and rear trunk lid gas. I am putting a new interior (different seats and center console). I am also rebuilding the engine and fixing inherent flaws (poor oiling of the primary chain), rebuilding the heads with SS valves vs. sodium filled (absolute must if you don't want to lose your engine), pistons, bearing etc... Parts are rare and usually expensive, but not worst than Ferrari. I also, bought a complete new Euro nose ($$$$) that has been fully restored with the original covered headlight glass to complete the package. It's long term project with not urgent completion target, but I am hoping to have it back on the road by year's end! PS; I am an engineer too...
Something is off on your steering, it should be really stable all the was to 140MPH (or so). The suspension cannot be changed, it is supposed to feel like a magic carpet
Good point. The alignment can be off, which would cause the car to float around the highway. I keep reading about the problems with the sodium filled exhaust valves but there are many Meraks running with their original sodium filled valves without problems. Why is this issue so prevalent amongst SM owners and not so much amongst Merak owners? I have the 3.0 liter engine ... if that makes a difference. Ivan
Hi Ivan, Sodium valves are a big issue with Merak owners. Especially with the SS heads, they fall into the unobtanium catagory. The sodium valves that Eaton made, I am told, had some quality control issues back in the 70s with corrosion occuring from the inside out. Why play Russian Roulette when you don't have to. Ciao, George
Hi George, My understanding is the problem is mainly the exhaust valves ... correct? Did you replace the valves on your Merak? How big of a job was it? Ivan
Hi Ivan, You are correct, the exhaust valves are sodium filled. The intakes are not a problem. I will be replacing the valves once I determine if they are in fact sodium filled. Maserati did change over to solid exhaust valves at some point with the late issue SS Meraks. That change over point however, to the best of my knowledge has as of yet not been determined. I have been told by several C114 experts that low rpm driving should [no guarantees] be OK. Once you push into the higher range 4000-6000, the risk become exponentialy higher. Just my .02 worth. Ciao, George
...yes, strangely the sodium valve discussion is reminiscent of the belt change interval for Ferraris, feeling lucky?
This poor SM gets a beating from Burt Reynolds. Pay attention to the suspension as the car goes through it paces ... Interesting that she calls it a Maserati, which we all know it is not. [ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sgcGQx_Efow[/ame]
One SM -owner more, and also electrical engineer... My SM was original sold to France in 1971, there it had some "little problems" like small crash to front and rear. Also engine had failed head gasket what might been the last straw... Last time when the car had been on the roan in France was in 1983, then it was sold to Germany where I bought it. There it went to Finland in summer 2009 and finally got finnish license plates in autumn 2011... 2.7 carb engine is now full rebuilded, by myself, and has some upgrades like hydraulic tensioner and so on. 5-speed gearbox did need nothing to do. All elecrics are updated and hydraulics are rebuilded, so everything is working now great... Still I can't say this car is perfect, always there is something to improve. Paintwork isn't good, but it is "enough" now, it will need some attention in some while... And photos, some when car came, some from rebuild, and some when car was "almos" ready..: 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
Even with this engine in it - its not a Maserati!!! To discuss the SM on the Maserati forum is the same as if you would discuss a Lotus on a Toyota-forum. Ciao! Walter
This example looks nice enough to have bought if had room for it. Unfortunately it's an automatic. https://bid.goodingco.com/lots/view/1-8MNOCM/1974-citron-sm
The SM is such an incredible automobile. I had the chance to drive one in Europe for a few weeks several years ago. The European version is the most attractive one imo due to the front (6 headlights under glass).
