new guy with 348

Hello all. We recently moved back to Florida and inherited my wife's late father's 1991 348TS black/black. I don't know much about it other than it has what I assume is a bad alternator based on the symptoms of the last time I drove it.
Has a hot start issue, but i've already found threads on fixing those issues.

Can't wait to learn everything I can. I have a few american cars under my belt, so im not a complete newb.

I've seen people referring to either a 2.5 or a 2.7 in the 348, how do I tell which one this is?

Thanks in advance.

 

2.7 didn't debut until '93, I believe.

Congrats on a very cool inheritance! Is the major service current?

 

A 1991 348ts has the Motronic 2.7 system.

A bad alternator should be pretty easy to diagnose and repair. You need to find out if you have the Delco alternator (early 348) or the Nippondenso alternator (later 348). DON'T let a dealer or repair shop tell you that you HAVE to spend thousands of dollars to upgrade from a Delco to a Nippondenso, it ain't so.

A hot start problem can be several different things, including a problem with an unbalanced flywheel (that's what I had to fix to get my hot start issue corrected).

Welcome to Ferrari Chat!

 

I stand corrected, didn't realize that!

 

Welcome to FChat! Good luck on getting your 348 sorted out. There is a lot of support around here for people who want it.

 

Welcome to the 348 Brotherhood. Although you did get in the old fashion way, you inherited it.

Anyhow, if you are handy with a wrench you'll have NO problem working on the 348. As for your alternator problem it's a $50-$100 fix. This thread has all the info you need. http://ferrarichat.com/forum/showthread.php?t=142329 Before you tear into it make sure you read the ENTIRE thread, as we made some findings. As for what kind of alternator it could be, external fan = AC Delco, Internal fan (like the one in the how-to thread) = Nippondenso.

About telling what Version you have 2.5 or 2.7, that is way easy. Have a look at the throttle bodies. If you have a only 1 throttle position sensor it's the 2.5. If you have 2 throttle positions sensors, 1 on each TB, then it's a 2.7.

 

If you don't mind me asking who the original owner was? maybe he was a member here from before.

 

Welcome to the Brotherhood, and welcome to FChat

 

My late 90 ts has the 2.7. As far as the hot start issue, mine had that problem when i
first got it. It starts every time now after replacing the red top battery with a
conventional one and replacing the two piece positive wire with the quick connector
with a single piece one from the local parts store. I still disconnect the battery to avoid
discharge as i don't drive it enough. Good luck!

 

Welcome.

Now go and install the GCK...


Kai

 

Welcome to Ferrari Chat!

 

thanks for the warm welcome!!!

major service - belts were done about 3-4 years ago, oil change has been not too long ago, aside from that, I don't know. It's been sitting for over a year now, ever since my father in law passed away. I've been living in kentucky and didn't have access to it.

I'm almost positive its a bad alternator, based on what it was doing. I'm not new to wrenching, just wrenching on italian cars, so all work will be done by me, no dealership's gonna steal my hard earned cash.

The original owner, my late father in law, im almost 100%positive he was not a member on here.

We took a trip to Italy back in 2004-05 and thats when i introduced him to ferrari's. We were on some highway over there, going from rome to florence and a 360 passed us. At the gas station/rest stop down the road, we stopped for drinks, and there she was. The 360 was stopped at the same place. We all went inside and Dave sto0d out there smoking a cigarette just walking around it. He said to me ... hmm, I kinda like this.
So, like 3 years later, he purchased this 348 from someone in Cali. he always told me it was my fault, haha.

I plan on upkeeping this car in his memory. Thanks again for the warm welcome and info.

 

Nice story! Congrats and enjoy mate.

 

Congrates on getting the car and joining Fchat, sorry for your loss.
Enjoy it like you stole it, he would have wanted that

 

Welcome to the brotherhood !

 

It's a 2.7 then, 2 TB's, 2 TPS's. So what does that mean? What does the 2.7 mean?

Now that we got another pasture up and runningfor the grass eating ponies, the next project is to get the prancing pony taken care of. Soon ... soon.

 

It's a Motronic ecu version 2.7.

 

This is the place to be for a new 348 owner. Check out "No Doubts" contribution. Extraordinary. http://www.my348.com/348.html. I'll say, "Mucho kudos to this guy." again. Listen to Pap too. Congrats on the 348, enjoy. As someone I know says, "Drive it like you stole it."

 

The main difference between the 2.5 and the 2.7 is that the 2.7 incorporates the technology for self-diagnostics, so that without any special equipment you can read stored fault codes in the Motronic system, via the "check engine" lights.

 

ahh, ok, i'm all to0 familiar with the counting the flashes of the CEL. In my case, it was a spare bulb temporarily attached into my harness so I could troubleshoot/diagnostic the EFI install into my '66 mustang.

Ferrari is nearing the top of the To Do List ...

 

Here's some pictures that were taken back in November of '07. My father-in-law had his lung cancer come back pretty bad/fast, so his cars got kind of neglected, but not abused. It sat under the portico for a little while not sure how long to be exact.
I cleaned out a bay in their garage when I was down for thanksgiving 2 years ago so it would have a home inside from the weather. We helped him out so he could see his baby was now inside, made him smile a bit. I really wanted to take him for one more ride before he passed away, but alas it wasn't to be. But everytime I see it, it makes me think of him, and makes me smile. Knowing it was "my fault" that he got to enjoy this wonderful automobile.
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That looks lovely, I'm a sucker for the black plastic bottom bumper, not entirely sure why but I've always like them like that.

Great stuff that you're doing this in memory of your father in law. I'm sure he would've appreciated it, and I bet the car does too.

Enjoy it in good health!

 

Great looking car mate! I hope you enjoy.