Need direction - 1989 Mondial T Engine | FerrariChat
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Need direction - 1989 Mondial T Engine

Discussion in 'Technical Q&A' started by AAmsden, May 2, 2022.

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  1. AAmsden

    AAmsden Karting

    Sep 24, 2017
    58
    Washington
    Full Name:
    Andrew
    #1 AAmsden, May 2, 2022
    History
    1989 Mondial T 20k miles - I did a preventative maintenance in April 2021 had the timing belt done - cost 4500. I get it back drive 60 miles and then get a major loss of power and scary engine noise. Tow it to mechanic, he says oh.. maybe it's some cables / lines got bent putting the engine back in...He fixed and I got it back no charge.
    Drives great for 9 months (1400 miles.) Then one morning getting gas I start it and get this horrible engine noise on start up, tow it to the mechanic, he says I've probably thrown a rod and doesn't want to work on it. So I just got it towed back - $800 roundtrip.
    Car never revved high or never driven above 70 miles an hour.
    Oil pressure always great / had oil change when belt was done. Always 92 Chevron gas, never old gas.

    Questions and comments welcome.
    Does this sound strange? Does anyone think the belt change service and following issues could have done this?

    What do I do now? Buy a new block?- there's 2 on Ebay right now? I'm going to fix her.

    Any recommendations on a honest and good Ferrari mechanic on the west coast?

    Thanks for reading. Appreciate proper direction.
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  2. Ferrarium

    Ferrarium F1 Veteran
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    Jul 28, 2018
    5,728
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    Eric
    #2 Ferrarium, May 3, 2022
    Describe the horrible sound. Did it sound like a metal baseball card in bicycle spokes?
    My recommendation is fix it yourself if you can. It no different than working on any other car really.
     
  3. 360modena2003

    360modena2003 Formula 3

    Jul 11, 2009
    2,460
    #3 360modena2003, May 3, 2022
    The first thing I suggest is to stay far away from your previous mechanic, nothing worse than dealing with mechanics that are unmotivated.

    There is an entire series on youtube that does a step by step rebuild of a Mondial.

    Sent from my MAR-LX1M using Tapatalk
     
  4. Ferrari Tech

    Ferrari Tech Formula 3

    Mar 5, 2010
    1,233
    Georgia
    Full Name:
    Wade Williams
    #4 Ferrari Tech, May 3, 2022
    I have had a 348 engine break a rod bolt and "throw a rod". There was zero anyone could have done to know this would happen. Close inspection of the bolt found it had been cracked for a very long time and when it reached a point where the load was too much, it just snapped. Having said that, it does not mean this has happened to your car. First thing is drain the oil and see what is in it. If it has debris, then drop the pan and see what happened. If it is heavily damaged, then buy the Ebay unit and drive on. Feel free to message me if you have further questions. I am happy to help guide you through a difficult situation.
    I am curious as to what cables or line were bent before that caused the noise. That sounds odd to me. Having had more of these out than I can remember, I don't know what would make that sound and power loss. Having said that, the answer may teach me something I didn't know and it is always good to learn.
     
  5. AAmsden

    AAmsden Karting

    Sep 24, 2017
    58
    Washington
    Full Name:
    Andrew
    #5 AAmsden, May 3, 2022
    Yes it did sound that way.
     
  6. Ferrarium

    Ferrarium F1 Veteran
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    Jul 28, 2018
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    Eric
    #6 Ferrarium, May 3, 2022
    Ok yes that's valves hitting the pistons and yes prior service is likely related. Note the bent valve to the right of the heads on the towel. I'd rebuild the heads, guides, seals everything. Just got my heads back after 6 months. Cost $2500 for the full head machining and rebuild and setting valve clearances to factory specs.

    Had same issue -> https://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/threads/engine-repair-thread.649442/

    [​IMG]
     
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  7. yelcab

    yelcab F1 World Champ
    Consultant

    Nov 29, 2001
    13,674
    San Carlos, CA
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    Mitchell Le
    #7 yelcab, May 6, 2022
    You are in Los Angeles. There must be someone who can work on a T engine. Contact @plugzit. He owns and works on many 348 in Redondo Beach.
     
  8. plugzit

    plugzit F1 Veteran
    Silver Subscribed

    Dec 1, 2004
    7,794
    Redondo Beach, CA
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    Bruce Bogart
    #8 plugzit, May 6, 2022
    Stop by the Stoogefest at Vince's saturday. Details in the 348 thread.
     

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