Is the F40 Clutch Housing Defective? | FerrariChat
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Is the F40 Clutch Housing Defective?

Discussion in '288GTO/F40/F50/Enzo/LaFerrari/F80' started by 512Tea Are, Feb 20, 2008.

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  1. 512Tea Are

    512Tea Are F1 Rookie

    Apr 22, 2004
    2,742
    #1 512Tea Are, Feb 20, 2008
    Dear Comrades,

    Is there someone with the necessary technical expertise available to comment upon what it is that is occasionally defective within the Efforty clutch housing that seemingly necessites the requirement for it to be painted with something or other - is it an epoxy resin of some sort? But why is this necessary, please?

    With kind regards,

    512 Tea Are
     
  2. wingfeather

    wingfeather F1 Rookie

    Feb 1, 2007
    3,653
    rock bottom
    #2 wingfeather, Feb 20, 2008
    The coating is derived from space shuttle technology - it aids in allowing the clutch to re-enter the Earth's atmosphere after a high speed run.
     
  3. joe sackey

    joe sackey Five Time F1 World Champ

    May 23, 2006
    57,525
    Southern California
    Full Name:
    Joe Sackey
    #3 joe sackey, Feb 20, 2008
    This magnesium-based component develops a porousity upon degradation of the original material applied to its inner lining by the factory. It appears to fail randomly from car-to-car. The received wisdom is that it will eventually happen with all cars. The material used to re-line the internals of the bell-housing (after the original material is completely stripped) is said to last forever. We shall see...

    Joe
    www.joesackey.com
     
  4. 512Tea Are

    512Tea Are F1 Rookie

    Apr 22, 2004
    2,742
    #4 512Tea Are, Feb 20, 2008
    Dear August and Omniscient Comrade Joe Sackey,

    Thank you for your kind response.

    Is it that the gearbox oil then seaps through the micro-porosity and from there onto the friction surface of the clutch?

    With kind regards,

    512 Tea Are
     
  5. RufMD

    RufMD F1 Rookie
    Owner

    Jan 31, 2004
    3,246
    USA
    Full Name:
    Jas
    #5 RufMD, Feb 20, 2008
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
  6. 512Tea Are

    512Tea Are F1 Rookie

    Apr 22, 2004
    2,742
    #6 512Tea Are, Feb 20, 2008
    Dear Comrade RufMD,

    Thank you. However, more information and expertise is being generated all the time. Therefore we cannot rely entirely upon retrospection, but must look onward, upward and forward to the future.

    With kind regards,

    512 Tea Are
     
  7. joe sackey

    joe sackey Five Time F1 World Champ

    May 23, 2006
    57,525
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    #7 joe sackey, Feb 20, 2008
    Correct. For example, Ferrari North America has only recently contracted with an entity that normally does coating and surfacing work for the aerospace industry, because their previously-reccomended sublet produced ineffective results that had to be tended to again. Several cars have had their bellhousing refurbished by the current outfit (mine included) and we are told that the car's bellhousing will likely never need attention again. We shall see.

    As you state, there is newly-received wisdom presenting itself on a regular basis and important topics such as this one will never be 'closed'...

    Perhaps your bell-housing will one day take a trip over here?

    Joe
    www.joesackey.com
     
  8. 512Tea Are

    512Tea Are F1 Rookie

    Apr 22, 2004
    2,742
    #8 512Tea Are, Feb 20, 2008

    Dearest Comade Joe Sackey,

    Yes, and sooner than you think. For my friend who flies the Airbus is to fly myself and my English F-40 Lightweight into Washington. Wherefrom it is to be conveyed by covered wagon to Naples in Florida and where I am to live. And please, how far is California from Naples? For it is my intention to pay personal visits upon all my American friends upon this Forum. I shall be sending an urgent request to RufMD for a special dispensation to obtain a carbon copy of his Trailer Queen Covered Wagon. I shall of course require it to be air conditioned and centrally heated as I understand that parts of America can be particularly cold during the wintertime. I shall seek the advice and counsel of both yourself and RufMD regarding my participation upon the concours circuit of The United States of America. Where is Piddle Beach, please?

    With kind regards,

    512 Tea Are
     
  9. 2NA

    2NA F1 World Champ
    Consultant Owner Professional Ferrari Technician

    Dec 29, 2006
    18,221
    Twin Cities
    Full Name:
    Tim Keseluk
    #9 2NA, Feb 20, 2008
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
  10. RufMD

    RufMD F1 Rookie
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    Jan 31, 2004
    3,246
    USA
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    Jas
    #10 RufMD, Feb 20, 2008
    put on yer boots.....
     
  11. 512Tea Are

    512Tea Are F1 Rookie

    Apr 22, 2004
    2,742
    #11 512Tea Are, Feb 20, 2008
    Dearest Comrade Joe Sackey,

    I crave your indulgence good comrade. Is 'Piddle Beach' in California? And how far is it from RufMD's messuage, please? And do you live within close proximity to RufMD, please?
    Where is 2NA's place of residence and CARSINSX and SSNISTR's. Please supply a complete litany of names addresses and telephone numbers. And find out how much garage space they have available. I am wishing to make a precise itinary so that I do not increase my carbon footprint by taking circuitous routes. And, please, which is the best Satellite Navigation System? And will you ascertain, please, that all my friends where I shall be staying have swimming pools? I am sorry that I have not mentioned the names of all my American friends as the list is far too exhaustive. But fear not, for I shall not miss anyone out for I shall be staying with you all at some point. Joe, can you set up a meeting with RufMD and inform him of my plans, please? And will you surreptitiously establish what polish he uses as his car does look just that little teeny weeny bit shinier than yours. And Joe, where does Napolis live. Is he close by to Washington? How far is Washington from California as I could come to your place for a month after staying with Napolis for a few weeks?

    With kind regards,

    512 Tea Are
     
  12. joe sackey

    joe sackey Five Time F1 World Champ

    May 23, 2006
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    #12 joe sackey, Feb 20, 2008
    You always make me smile...

    Joe
    www.joesackey.com
     
  13. DM18

    DM18 F1 Rookie

    Apr 29, 2005
    4,725
    Hong Kong
    #13 DM18, Feb 21, 2008
    Will your prized Classiche certificate be at risk if you avail yourself of technology that was not available when your car was constructed? Porosity adds to the authenticity of your F40 experience
     
  14. joe sackey

    joe sackey Five Time F1 World Champ

    May 23, 2006
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    #14 joe sackey, Feb 21, 2008
    Sure. Roadside experience...

    Joe
    www.joesackey.com
     
  15. RTB

    RTB Formula 3

    Sep 5, 2006
    1,071
    UK
    #15 RTB, Feb 22, 2008
    The 288 GTO is the same........
     
  16. 335s

    335s Formula Junior

    Jan 17, 2007
    870
    SF Bay Area
    Full Name:
    T. Monma
    #16 335s, Feb 26, 2008
    For the purpose of clarity, I shall grossly oversimply what is happening: as relayed to me by an MIT PhD.(Chemistry)

    This is a magnesium alloy bell housing, the hydraulic fluid employed is hydroscopic to boot....(refering to a specific factory bulletin suggesting a swap to a very specific brand of DOT 4+ fluid)

    As time marches on, there is a reactivity condition where-in the brakefluid and magnesium react(corrrode) with a byproduct which is a gaseous compound...sort of a sulphuric acidy affair............
    This gaseous cloud within the hydraulic system is the "lost" pedal....

    The arresting of the process requires the removal of ALL ferrous components from said housing, the boring/removal of all of the alluminum galley plugs, and a line bore of all of the passages.
    The subsequent greenish hued, quasi iridescent appearance is a plating-more properly stated-and NOT a green, painted, surface.
    The plated surface has changed the chemical characteritics of the surface of the housing-where ever the liquid dip has contacted-into...well lets again oversimplify...manganese permanganate...sort of.....

    It is essential to understand that ANY prior "mag rot" within the hydraulic lines which was NOT augered out will simply start the "corrosion" process all over again.
    An F-40 housing which had a less than a 100% effective plating proces will behave much as 288GTO housings do..
    There exits a factory internal memorandum as to the condition, and the attempt at a remedy....

    Please, remeber that I have GROSSLY oversimplified for the purposes of illustration what is occurring at the aotmic and mollecular level...

    The process is a patented DuPont affair, which requires a lisc. to perform.
    It is typically in the aerospace industry-magnesium, remember...San Fernando Valley was a favorite spot years ago...now I think it is in the midwest somewhere???
    Or....if you are feeling lucky...you can send the unobtainable part back to Italy!
    Last time(1994-the bill for the 288 plating was $100.00 or so....it lasted only 8 years...
    before condition resurfaced(sorry for the pun).

    "But, but...The Emporer is not wearing any clothes...."
     
  17. joe sackey

    joe sackey Five Time F1 World Champ

    May 23, 2006
    57,525
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    Joe Sackey
    #17 joe sackey, Feb 26, 2008
    Exactly :)

    Joe
    www.joesackey.com
     

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