HELP! 348 GEAR BOX/TRANSMISSION WHINE

Just had the oil changed in my 348 Challenge gear box with Micheloto gears. One the way from Atlanta the Gear Box began to whine. When I got home after 400 miles of driving it was much louder. It makes no noise while clutch is in and coasting or not under a load. When I drive it in 4th or 5th at low speeds, it makes a swishing sound, almost like a slow moving orbital sander.

I hope this is not a gear rebuild. Gears still change fine, and no clutch slipage. I know I should not drive it, but I wonder since they did not put the heavy race oil in it (something they were supose to do) that the Micheloto gears are just louder? I am afraid I know the truth but hope for the best. (South Carolina's state motto is "While I breath, I hope".)

 

http://ferrarichat.com/forum/showthread.php?t=32989

The above post will take you to a video of the car with the open Challenge exhaust. Also, I forgot to mention that the gears are drop gears, and someone I just spoke to said this sound may be normal.

 

I checked it last night when I returned. It was very thin, but full.

 

It has drop gears, but not straight cut. FOW said that it has an upgraded Ergoes or something like that for SCCA racing. Cost 17K to do the unit.

This car was Jim Kenton's 27 that won the 1996 348 Series, it can be seen under the Petite Le Mans post under general.

I saw your rebuild post. FOA said that they would have to drop the entire engine to get the Trans out. Looks like from your previous rebuild that may not be so.

 

FBB:

Thanks for the reply, I could tell from your previous post that you are quite an expert in these matters; one of the reasons I find this site so appealing.

The person I bought the car from advertized the car as having Michelotto drop gears. I spoke to FOW raceing div. yesterday and they said they thought the gear box was built by Emnco, and are reseaching that now. Apparently, after the Challenge series, someone went SCCA racing. The gear ratio is very short, in fact, I can almost pull away in 5th.

I have only had FOA work on the car. They are the ones that told me about the engine out service, but I must have totally misunderstood the situation. I do remember that they said the total removal and instalation would be around 16-20 hours.

I am going to change the gear oil and see if that helps, but I am afraid that more may be wrong. I really wanted to go to the Italian Car Show in Atlanta this weekend, a round trip of nearly 600 miles. But, I don't think it would be worth the several thousands if I destoyed or damaged the gear box substantially. I have reciepts for over 9K in parts alone from the seller for the gear box, and I was told a recent box like this one including labor was around 17K at FOW.

 

Just drained the gear box oil, and although it was just changed at FOA, the plug looked like it was caked in grey sludge with plenty of small metal shavings. Break out another one, another ten thousand ones...(sang to the 1950's or maybe it was the 60's country song about bottled beer)

So what, it's the price of ownership. I would not throw out a beautiful woman because she ran up my credit card...I'm driving her now, I understand the price...will post later. It's a drug.. I cannot put it away.

 

My guess is 5K should jsut about cover a gear box, as I found one at GT Auto Parts without a core for 5,500. With a core it will be less.

Aparently mine is a short ratio SCCA style box, and the figures quoted are by FOW and the previous owner. Who knows the real cost.

Get it looked at now rather than later.

 

As you can tell, I have no idea, the lightweight light covers on the car had SCCA stikers froim various years on them. Could it be that the car was legal in previous years?

I have heard of other 348's being driven in SCCA events in the past, I just am not sure which ones. Of cource, I know you can drive in club events like SOLO 1 or 2.

 

I have just completed a "scapebook" from Ferrari of Washington's matterail including time sheets from the Challenge Events in 1996. I was told it is umcommon to find these since no one really kept records. I have a picture of the car infront of Ezo's Home. This was from when the car raced Mugello.

David Seibert was also very, very helpful in getting me many photo's from it's race days in the Challenge, even a couple of the car sliding backwards (woops)!

Although it means nothing to most, I rather enjoy the fact that it won the 1996 Challenge, and I drive it today on the street and track events. The passion and funds these men put into the sport...