Gearbox and diff problems.... | FerrariChat
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Gearbox and diff problems....

Discussion in 'Boxers/TR/M' started by dogdoc97, Sep 10, 2012.

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  1. dogdoc97

    dogdoc97 Formula Junior

    Aug 2, 2011
    711
    Atlanta, GA
    #1 dogdoc97, Sep 10, 2012
    Last edited: Sep 11, 2012
    So I speak to Steve Barney of Sport Auto today(original partner in Foreign Cars Italia in Carolina) and the boys on the North Carolina section on this forum say he is the best to buy from....anyway I call him today about a Testarossa he has for sale; and trying to educate myself I refer him to the long thread and comments about the diff,and gearbox issues.............he says " never seen that in all my years"...??????????????

    So is this only a few or am I missing something. I know it could be like the 355 section that makes folks think that all 355's had valve,cat and header problems but it was hit or miss.

    I am about to sell my Lotus and looking at the Testarossa as maybe my first F car....thnx, dog
     
  2. Melvok

    Melvok F1 World Champ
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    #2 Melvok, Sep 11, 2012
    Last edited: Sep 11, 2012
    Hi friend, use "search" about it; many, many threads about buying a Testarossa or 512TR ... do you know the differenses ? (do also a search on that ;))

    " never seen that in all my years"...?????????????? ? Oepps this gives me a very uncomfortable feeling ........

    I have seen that once and hope never to see that again ... look for instance at these threads:

    http://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/showthread.php?t=366206

    http://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/showthread.php?t=343161

    http://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/showthread.php?t=349142

    and a VERY interesting thread to learn a lot:

    http://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/showthread.php?t=172024

    Good reading and if you have any questions: feel free to ask !
     
  3. dogdoc97

    dogdoc97 Formula Junior

    Aug 2, 2011
    711
    Atlanta, GA
    #3 dogdoc97, Sep 11, 2012
    Last edited: Sep 11, 2012
    That's why I asked after reading here on the old posts; his reputation is excellent according to the North Carolina boards and has been around F cars for 30 years plus so I too questioned the comment?????
    So....how likely is the car to have the diff/tranny issue, high mileage, any milegae, etc and cost, thanks Melvok!
    Dog
     
  4. BigTex

    BigTex Seven Time F1 World Champ
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    Bubba
    #4 BigTex, Sep 11, 2012
    Last edited: Sep 11, 2012
    Hi Doc,

    I wouldn't worry too much about it.

    He is an old school guy, and he was most likely being honest.
    He simply responded HE had never personally dealt with it.
    That may well be true!

    And if he doesn't hang around the Internet (also common, in old school guys) he may not be aware of all our discussions here.

    The failure pattern (now well known to all of us here) can go in two ways:

    The welded differential HOUSING gives way, trashing the whole rear end gear set and casing (and making a big mess) or,

    The quill shaft breaks. This is a relatively thin shaft joining the engine to the gearbox, and actually was intended (IMO) to be the 'fuse link' of the system, as the TR has GIANT rear rubber.

    The quill shaft is the cheaper failure of the two, and there are upgraded differential housings that are stronger than OEM, not welded.

    There is a '86 Flying single mirror TR in Florida that just hit the market at $55K, that has the uprated diff housing already done, if all of this is going to keep you up at night.

    512BLU here in Houston had a quill shaft problem, repaired at the dealer, and then the NEW one failed!
    'Bad part' was the consensus, as Ferrari made it good.
    Mature operator too, he doesn't dog it, although I have seen him track the car once.

    It all goes to prove that ancient Ferrari adage, back when Mike Hawthorn was destroying clutches in the race cars:

    "You don't ever slip a Ferrari clutch, you dump it, and slip the tires!"

    But that type of driving on the modern wide rubber is what has brought the issue to light in the TRs, again IMO.

    It's a rare failure, statistically, but like dropping a sodium valve in an old 308GTB, it will ruin your whole day.
     
  5. Melvok

    Melvok F1 World Champ
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    #5 Melvok, Sep 11, 2012
    Find the gearbox number under the car and read the posts !
     
  6. ktr6

    ktr6 Formula Junior

    Mar 25, 2011
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    #6 ktr6, Sep 11, 2012
    I spoke with Steve about this car as well (assuming the black 86), sounds like a very nice stock vehicle. Just had an 11k engine out a year ago at FCI, it needs some interior work including the dash to be perfect.
     
  7. dogdoc97

    dogdoc97 Formula Junior

    Aug 2, 2011
    711
    Atlanta, GA
    #7 dogdoc97, Sep 11, 2012
    He said the dash needed repair as well as a few other things, incuding seat bolsters/dye job; he quoted me $2500 on the dash work and thanks big tex for the clarification. Steve Barney did say he does not read the boards so you are right!


    BTW, I called Cats Exotics today and asked about their Testa, he(Jonathan) says it had a major about 1000 miles ago but its been a few years so they were going to do a fluid and "belt service", can you educate me on this; I thought all belt services were engine out services, when I asked him he seemed to not know the difference but said they were not doing an engine out....thanks, dog
     
  8. UpNorth

    UpNorth Formula 3
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    #8 UpNorth, Sep 12, 2012
    If he's doing a belt service on a TR without the engine out then he's probably servicing the safety belts...I'd pass...
     
  9. BigTex

    BigTex Seven Time F1 World Champ
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    #9 BigTex, Sep 12, 2012
    TR belts ARE engine out IIRC, and it's a good time to inspect and maybe replace the water pump and alternator(s) too....they are hard to get to, in situ.

    Call back and talk with Roy.

    Did you see the car I was talking about in Florida?
    An Fchatter...
     
  10. dogdoc97

    dogdoc97 Formula Junior

    Aug 2, 2011
    711
    Atlanta, GA
    #10 dogdoc97, Sep 12, 2012
    But the PM I got from the owner said "it is due for a major now"...which leads me to my next thought.....why in an ad don't folks just say what they need to say KNOWING that the "big question" will be asked; I have learned that IF the ad does NOt address the last "major" but talks about how wonderful and pefect the car is it is likey due for something.....dog
     
  11. UpNorth

    UpNorth Formula 3
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    #11 UpNorth, Sep 13, 2012
    I rest my case...Pass.
     
  12. curtisc63

    curtisc63 Formula 3
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    #12 curtisc63, Sep 13, 2012
    Dogdoc - you are learning a lot in your search as we all (hopefully) did. Regardless of how good the car looks you have to ask all of the questions AND proper follow ups. Example from above:

    Seller: It had a major just 1K miles ago.
    Buyer: Great! Sounds good.

    Seller is thinking he pulled one over on the starry eyed Ferrari dreamer...

    Buyer: When was it done? Miles are one thing but time is another consideration.

    Remember that people are always selling for a reason and their goal is to get your money. Ask lots of questions and keep reading. Please be careful and know what you are getting into with these cars. They can be a lot of fun and rewarding but can also bring a lot of heartache.
     
  13. Melvok

    Melvok F1 World Champ
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    #13 Melvok, Sep 13, 2012
    Did you find the gearbox number ? It may tell a lot .... read all about it in the postings .... ;)
     
  14. ago car nut

    ago car nut F1 Veteran
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    #14 ago car nut, Sep 13, 2012
    Mel what is the reason for finding the gearbox number unless it is a late 512 with upgraded diff.



    Ago
     
  15. Melvok

    Melvok F1 World Champ
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    #15 Melvok, Sep 14, 2012
    THAT is it David .... finding the gb number will tell if you have a reliable diff or not ...
     

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