Newbie needs edjamacating

Hi folks, I've been cruising this forum and I'm finally jumping in. I have been a big fan of the 400/412 for many years. I am finally looking to replace my daily driver in a few months and I seriously would like to consider a 400/412. I've listened to a few people in the past and I've heard some not so good things about this generation Ferrari as a daily driver. For me, I drive 6 miles to work each way on city streets. I want a 5 speed car for my driver.

I am very mechanical. I restore late 60's Mercury Cougars as a hobby so I know how to turn a wrench. OK some questions..


What do you guys think of these cars being daily drivers?

What about registering a car in California if I buy a car from any other state? DOT / EPA?

I see that the TRX wheels/tires is an issue. Is the 400 bolt pattern something common so I can put on some regular wheels?

Basic maintenance, are there good manuals out there?

I imagine there are some reputable independant ferrari service centers in so. Cal?

Series I and Series II, what's the difference and why should I consider one over the other?

Any other thoughts would be greatly appreciated.
Cheers & thanks

Zoli

http://i118.photobucket.com/albums/o104/Zogman_photos/Denver058.jpg

 

Dude, that Cougar ROCKS!

 

What do you guys think of these cars being daily drivers?

What about registering a car in California if I buy a car from any other state? DOT / EPA?

I see that the TRX wheels/tires is an issue. Is the 400 bolt pattern something common so I can put on some regular wheels?

Basic maintenance, are there good manuals out there?

I imagine there are some reputable independant ferrari service centers in so. Cal?

Series I and Series II, what's the difference and why should I consider one over the other?


They are very reliable; the down fall is common maintenance procedures can be very expensive. For instance both sets of fuel injection and the distributor and a host of other things have to be removed to adjust the valves, which are shims at that.

The tires are still available so the TRX wheels are really only an issue if you need to run snow tires. Which you can not get in TRX. The bolt pattern is not uncommon in after market wheels.

The factory shop and parts manual is very good and is readily available.

Series I and II cars are pretty much the same in regards to running gear. So it is mainly styling cues, dash and vents being the primary one. The series II use’s electric solenoids to open the trunk and gas flap for instance as opposed to cables.


Welcome to the forum and I hope you get and can enjoy one of these cars. I feel that you kind of cheat the Ferrari world buy being able to buy the most expensive production Ferrari at its time for the lease amount today. A lot of bang for the buck.
Most Ferrari’s are purchased for the skin that was made by other company’s Like Bertone and Pininfarina so here is a chance to buy the same Ferrari with out having to pay for that expensive “clothes” . Enzo would smile at the trick I think.

 

Thanks for the compliment Jim. I like cars that are different. The Cougar is just a footnote in the musclecar genre but people always go wow when they see a nice one. I think that's what attracts me to the 400i.

Fritz, how often do the valves need to be adjusted on these cars???? And is that something you've tackled?? Is that a weekend type job??? Are all the gaskets & such readily available??

What would that service cost at a ferrari independant or even a ferrari dealership?

Thanks for the initial info.

Z

 

Zoli,

The valves should be good for 15K miles if done right (that being said, I've heard of some much shorter adjustmnt cycles). It is a job that can be done in a weekend, if you know what you are doing, have all the right parts and spend the entire weekend doing it. You should consider a carb model, synchronizing 6 2barrel side draft webbers will be a fun challenge (and you need to remove and readjust them when you adjust the valves ).

The gaskets are availible from several sources. However, I've been told that if you need head gaskets, buy the ones from Australia, they are the best.

An extensive major will be half of the purchase price of the car. An engine rebuild easily exceeds the price of the car.

Regards,

Art S.

 

Thanks Art.

I'm kinda confused when you say consider a carb model. Sounds more like a pain in the arse than injected if you don't mind me saying. I don't mind tinkering but dialing in 3 carbs sounds more like trouble.

So a major is expensive, what is a major? Is that the valve adjustment deal or a valve job? or is the valve adjustment just scheduled service. Sorry if I sound ignorant, but I am when it comes to an exotic machine. more info is good. Thanks
Z

 

Yes - these cars can be daily drivers (mine is, in all four seasons, in NYC). Do a search on my chassis #, 049773 and you should learn all you ever wanted to about this - but short story is no worries a sorted car will be fine.

As to the TRX wheels, also no problem and I have done a thread on this as well. 308qv wheels bolt right on with only a small spacer, or 328 non-abs wheels can be fitted (as on mine) with just the small spacer and a machined ring to clear the front hub - once again, search is your friend.

A

 

Zoli,

I was somewhat joking about the carbs. They are tough to set up. There are six, not three, by the way (two barrel carbs, one throat per cylinder - no cross feed). Though once set up they are reliable and in many people's opinion, the carbed version of this motor is the best performing of the series and the best sounding of any Ferrari!

Alex could probobly tell you what is on the list for a major service on a 400. It addresses all of the cars systems, including a valve adjustment.

Alex'es car is very reliable (after some initial expenses) but it does need some top end work to stop it from producing a smoke screen. If I recall, the quote he was given to do this job was impressive.

Oh, one more thing, the car will likely not be fully warmed up by the end of your 6 mile commute, it you use the car primarily for this commute, you may run into problems (you'll need to take it on regular, longer excursions so that it can stretch its legs ).

Regards,

Art S.

 

Thanks Art. I have a Ferrari book by Batchelor and I remember reading that these cars need to be warmed fully up to run correctly.

I've hit a few searches since Alex's post (between dealing with real work) and I am getting edjamacated..... slowly. I really plan to buy the best that I can buy out there but it sure looks like the maint. can get real pricey. Looks like the the leveling suspension could become a money pit. I will do a bunch more reading here. Lots of good peeps and info from what I've read!!!

Z

 

Z, Engine parts are common since these engine were used in a few Ferrari's. Body panel's are a diffrent story. Windsheild's your looking at $2000.00 plus. Engine holds 17 quarts of oil and synth. is recomended $$. Changing the A/C belts took me a day and half , the most difficult ones I have ever done on any car. Really mind boggling.
But it is rewarding and fun to work on it.

 

no worries about the rear suspension. For a daily driver car, dump the KONI oil blowers and replace with KONI coil-over with ride height adjustment. I did and never ever looked back.

Your worry will be the SMOG in CA. Can be tricky, a carbed car is any easier choice because it real easy to mess with the "legal" jets and then go to the nice fat ones afterwards. Mine is a '73 so.... no smog worries.

And it is very true, sync up 6 dual carbs is test for any good engineer, gots to have a real ear for it. It's the reason bought my 365, because I can tinker with it.

cheers to your new ferrari !!! because once you feel the rumble of a Ferrari engine, your hooked, enough said. Your Cougar is real cool, but nothing like a V-12 at 5500 RPMS, man --- you will be amazed....

 

I used my 412 auto as a daily driver for the last three weeks waiting for my cayenne to get a window replaced. I also drove my 365 a couple of times. I would not drive a heavy front engine v 12 everyday in traffic w/o an automatice tramsmission. Maybe I've gotten too used to modern features on my daily drivers, but between the heavy clutch and limited power steering, etc... the added pis factor of shifting into and out of gear at lights and stop signs gets pretty old quickly.

 

Zoli IM me 400 for sale here Tustin

 

Gary, I sent you a PM. I can't do IM. Just in case, below is my cell & email address. Thanks

949-922-2553

[email protected]