Hi all - I was just looking at Dave's posting about engine stickers/labels and it got me to wondering -- With what serial number did the "Press for emergency engine starting" begin appearing on the Dino? My 1973 (titled as) 246GTS (build date September 1972) doesn't have that, but I believe I have seen some later and earlier cars with the function. I don't remember seeing anything about the emergency start button in the Dino Register list of changes. Anyone here know the answer? Thank you - Mark Nerheim
Shown in the lower right corner of the first image of this thread. http://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/showthread.php?t=121021 I expected to see a Shell Oil plate there and I believe I see the remnant hole/rivet, just to the right of it. Perhaps this was an aftermarket addition? I believe it would be used for "bumping" the drivetrain when shimming valve lash.
Mark, I can't say exactly when the emergency start plate was first used, but maybe we can narrow it down by asking everyone who is reading this and has one on his/her Dino, please report your VIN to us. We'll see how low we can go. I'll start with my '74 Dino, VIN 8118. It also has a fairly rare Shell oil plate mounted on the underside of the "rain drain" on the engine cover vent, right side. Parker Hall had not seen one of these, so I loaned it to him about a year ago and he now has those in stock. He did a perfect job of reproducing it despite a severe blemish on mine. By the way, I was also told at the 2006 FCA Annual Meet Concours that I'm missing a plate on my air box. That was news to me since I've had the car judged many, many times and it's never been mentioned. I'm also a Senior Judge for FCA -- often in the Dino Class -- and I still don't know what was missing! Couldn't get an answer from the Chief Judge via e-mail. Go figure! Bill
Some early 308 GTBs have a cylinder firing order plate on the air box. I'm not sure if the 246s had them at any time. Here's mine: Image Unavailable, Please Login
As I remember the emergency start button came in on many cars in 74 only. The button was to bypass the seat belt interlock system. On 74 cars in the States the starter was locked out until the seatbelt was latched. It was quickly found that the system had far too many flaws and was dropped. 08496 has the button and an Agip plate under the rain drain.
From an earlier thread by WSpeer with the change from shell to agip in late 1973/early 1974 (i do not believe this year model specific, but have been unable to pinpoint when the change happened), the type of oil/tack cloth changed. The "official" change point from Shell to Agip is at least narrowed a bit with 8118 having Shell plates and 8496 having Agip. Sounds like it was in early 74 Dave
Oops! Sorry guys. Had a Brain Fart! My plate on the underside of the right engine cover vent is Agip, not Shell. Just checked. 8118 is an April 74 car. Bill
