Quattroporte III catch-all thread

My very early 1980 both qii and even merak has the two air pumps to purge the vapors on decel into the big canisters (btw, of the 4 masers I've had, none of the pumps ever worked).... the cast box probably did a better job of sealing the vapors up. Looked nice but in reality, the earlier version is much easier to get at the carbs.

 

If I recall correctly, I think the main pump is on the passenger's side. But I'd use a test light to be sure. Or feel them while they are running. The way these cars are wired I would question consistency.

The only problem I ever had was a weird whining noise on the main pump when it was VERY cold out. The noise only lasted for a minute or so. So I took them off and cleaned them up. We’ll see how it goes this winter.

Attached is a before cleanup photo. Forgot to take an after shot! It seems on this, what I think is original setup there are no short runs. Maybe that's why I'm not having the failure's you are experiencing. The longer lines may be absorbing vibration?
Tony
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Here's a shot of and original part number. I doubt that helps but ya never know...
t
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The top number "12V 9 169". I'm guessing 12 Volts but don't know what the 9 169 could be.
The lower Number "PE-20118" Maybe that's the part number?
I'm almost certain these are the originals but I could be wrong.

I've seen previous postings somewhere that say the original pumps can no longer be found. The replacements suggested look similar yours.

 

Looks like your originals were replaced with facets. they do the job but tend to be noisier than the original vane type pumps. Forgot which was the regular side.. easy to find out if you can get under the car with the pumps on. On one of my cars, i ditched the whole system and put in a single Holley red top (vane type pump). it fit into the same brackets and was quieter/cheaper than the facets MIE sells.
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Hi

I am having some issues re registration on one of the cars. The vin number on the plate by the motor starts AM330 and then has some zeros and then an M more zeros and a number. On the body it is stamped AM330/40 then a star then another number and a star. No zeros. What does this all mean?

Experts to the rescue please.

Thanks so much
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I'm definitely not an expert but here is what little I remember:

AM = Alfieri Maserati
330 = Quattroporte III (for example, 122 is the Merak)
49 = engine capacity 4.9 (and 42 for the 4.2 engine)
M00 = don't remember (this was various "check digits", like M for built in Modena, Coupe body, engine type with carbs, and production year, changes between models!!!)
5714 = car number, usually 4 digits but if less then sometimes padded with zeros (44 becomes 0044)

At some point in the early to mid 80's all VIN numbers changed to the long format which starts with a Z, like "ZAM...." the Z stands for Italy, so all VIN numbers from Italian car and bike manufacturers have Z in front of them. So this VIN is clearly of the early format.

If anyone knows the details about the missing part that I can't remember (M00) then please let us know.

 

All my cars that are Auto (three running and three parts cars) have an A including one Euro car but manual transmission has a M on my
Euro car.
This was verified by the NC DMV inspector who had to inspect the car prior to having it titled and licensed in NC.
Take that for what it is worth.
Mort

 

Mort. This is a euro auto M from 86 so M and A theory is a ???

 

Yup the starters are a Mopar Chrysler product on the automatic models as the torque converter has the ring gear welded to it. Here's a link for taking it apart and cleaning. They are widely available.

http://www.allpar.com/history/mopar/electrical3-starters.html

Clicking is usually just weak voltage getting to the starter but the solenoid may be worth cleaning.

Charles

 

Almost always not enough charge in the battery. Check the alternator is working and get a new battery. I had the same thing a few times and if it goes down all you get is a click. I had the wrong alternator on once and had lots of trouble. So new battery and alternator checked.

 

Just rescued a manual Maserati QP3, before being robbed of its gearbox.

It´s one of the first batch (7/79), totally original with 56k kilometers and has the digit M=manual.

Displayed in a showroom of a Citroen dealer for almost 24 years it got many offers, but the owner only wanted to sell to someone not breaking it.

Never thought running against one beside my Maserati Ghibli SS, but to my surprise it´s a great car.

Some minor electrical issues (usual italian problem) and faded first paint, but the rest is really good.
Hans

 

Great. Can you send us all some photos and the vin details etc. Let me know what it needs!! Great Also lots of pics as I have never seen one that early in the production run. My 81 is I think the earliest I had seen.

 

Does anybody know/have what colors the QP III came in? A color chart with names and swatches would be great.

 

Mine also has an M and is Manual. It's also a 79. How do you know its "7/79"?
Tony
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I replaced the battery, rebuilt the alternator AND the starter (manual trans type starter that I brought to a local rebuild shop) and am still having that click/nothing problem most of the time. I keep trying and then she finally catches. I'm gonna wear out my ignition switch if this keeps up.

The wire that runs to the starter solenoid has a crimp male/female spade plug connection that happens to be close enough to the positive battery terminal. When i unplug it and touch the solenoid wire directly to the positive battery terminal, the starter catches EVERY TIME so it's not my battery, alternator or the starter. I've started the car this way several times now when the key just will not work.

I then tried replacing the small ignition relay above the center fuse box and it still happens! When I find time I'm going to start jumping temporary wires in to replace existing wires in that primary circut until I find the culprit.
Tony

 

Hi all,

the VIN is: AM330 / 42 / M00 / 0088.

I got the information ref. the production date from Fabio Collina.

He is sucessor of Ermanno Cozza, head of the Maserati Archive.

The car was produced in July 1979 and later the month sold through the official dealer Walter Bordese in Torino.

It´s argento with naturale, the only option these years (no democracy).

In 1983 the car found its way to Germany, was then seized by the government (Mafia!?!) and later bought at an auction by the Citroen dealer, who put it in its showroom.

I´ll try to make some pics.

How could I manage to post these?
I´m old fashioned, but my son could help me.
Hans