Maintaining your own V12

There are a number of guys here who have done a lot of their own work on TR 12's I know that.

Most of the vintage 12 chat stays in that section.

Not much heard about people working on the modern 12's... too complex for the home mechanic.

 

If you're talking about vintage cars, go visit Tom Yang's site.Many vintage owners who maintain their own cars chat there. If you own a vintage Ferrari, it's hard to avoid doing some of your own maintenance! I even had to get my wrenches out the other day, and I'm no DIY'er!

The nice thing about old cars that even a know-nothing like myself can see that this doohickey which apparently hooks into that doodad came unhooked. A new car, who knows, it's probably some pinhole leak in a vacuum hose buried under a plastic cover!

If you're talking about modern cars (550/575/612), then I'm not surprised. Of course, I haven't heard of too many 360 or 430 owners working on their own cars either.

And isn't there a thread in the technical section about a guy doing his own major service on a BB?

 

I do a lot of my own stuff but also take it in for an annual checkup and complete fluid change. Early 60's V12's are easy to work on because they're simple by today's standards, and have plenty of access around the engine and drivetrain.

If I ever get a car lift installed, I can eliminate the shop fluid changes and simply take it in for the yearly once-over and tuning tweaks...that's something for the pros.

 

The only thing with the old 12's is shop technique from what I gather. There isn't much margin for sloppyness on old high revving engines.

That's the same as my 4 banger TC engine: you need to be precise or you'll have oil leaks in the best case and a pile of scrap metal at the worst. Tolerences are really tight on torques, fittings, timing, etc. and you need some skills with gaskets and gasket goo.

Ken

 

That's the reason I take it into Norwood's every year...there's plenty that an owner with good all-round mechanical skills, average knowledge, and a patient approach can do on the old 12's, but when it comes to engine/drivetrain I have neither the knowledge nor equipment...worth the $$$ to let the pros do it.

 

I maintain my own done a clutch plugs oil filters and brakes but not the belts as its to big a job

 

Adnann

V12's are very similar to V8's to work on.....there's just 4 more cylinders .

If you mean what’s a 456/550 like to work on there really is no simple answer as it depends on what you need to do, these are far more electronically controlled than your current 3.4t and to do various checks and some repairs you'll need to interrogate the cars OBD system, which of course means you need a reader capable, for some things an off the shelf OBD will do the job for the bespoke bits SD1/2/3 ST05 etc which are wallet crushingly expensive for home use

As far as doing the simple things like changing the plugs, oil, filters etc. you shouldn’t have too much trouble doing it all at home, but don't be too cheap on parts (OEM bits should do)

 

I do not do ALL of my own maintenance.... but I do most. I am in fact picking my Daytona up today from getting a full tune up and fluids change.

But the only reason I didnt tackle the job myself is because I have Porsche RSR scattered all over the garage, basement and driveway! Too many projects....

I have done a good bit of stuff to the Daytona myself. Before this car, I had a '77 308GTB. I did TONS of stuff to that car including cam belt changes and more.

I honestly find the Daytona EASIER to work on than the 308. Mostly because the Daytona is a packaging snap compared to the 308. Most stuff isnt hard to get at on the Daytona.

These old cars are also pretty simple. Electrical stuff, suspension, brakes, trim... all of it is very straight forward. Anyone with some automotive experience and tools can fix most things. The engine tuning is time consuming due to all the carbs and dual distributors and such, but its not rocket science and there are lots of good resources out there for detailed instructions and help.





Terry

 

My experience has been the 12s are easier to work on and maintain than the 8s due to the greater/easier accessibility...at least with the older ones I have owned, a 400GT, TR, 330GTC and BB512i...that may not be the case with the newer 550/575/612/599 computer controlled models though.

 

To be truthful i would not waste my time on a V8 as proper ferrari's have 12 cylinders














cant see them being any different have worked on a 355/348/328 but i think the front engined 12 cylinder cars are not east to work on not enough room in the engine bay

 

I think once you've learned multi carb set-uos, I agree it's just time, but I don't think anyone can do them right from just a book the first time. The 'tricks of the trade' on Webers are essential to get them right; you can screw the tune up with bad assumptions pretty easily. If I had a Daytona, I'd get an expert to do them with me the first time and take a lot of notes, or do what you did and leave them to those who know.

Ken