| Re: 512TR | <– Date –> <– Thread –> |
From: Steve Jenkins (steve stevejenkins.com)
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| Date: Tue, 21 Dec 2010 22:27:08 -0800 (PST) | |
I hate to sound like a fanboy, but I concur with my good friend Chairman Clydie McManpad. These cars are VERY reliable for a Ferrari of that vintage, plus a WHOLE lotta fun to drive. During the major I did on mine when I got it in 2000, I discovered a warped spline shaft, which I replaced with the 512M version. I also changed to the the 512M T/O bearing at the same time for good measure while I had the engine out. The only other chronic potential issue is a function of the way the starter and solenoid are combined in a single assembly. It generally happens after a very long period of time on oft-driven cars: the solenoid starts to fail due to heat exposure. This is what is referred to as the “hot start” issue among TR owners. The solenoid (and starter) will operate fine first thing in the morning when the engine is cold (or after work if you parked your car all day). But after driving for a while (especially “proper” driving near the rev limiter… if you still have one… which I don’t…) the solenoid can get heat soaked and the car doesn’t even go “click” when you turn the key. This usually happens at gas stations for me. This can be remedied by: 1) Wiring a short, simple “hot wire” from the solenoid with a rubber cap on the end to insulate. Then when this happens, you simply take the car out of gear, turn the key ON, pop the engine cover, expose the wire end (I have a spade connector on mine) and touch the hotwire to a certain bolt on the starter. 2) Bolt an aftermarket solenoid (AC Delco works) near the starter and use it instead of the stock one until the starter dies, too. (Help me out here, Clyde – is the stock one a Nippon Denso or Bosch?) As I said, I use the first method (although I’ve seen the second one done well, too). My plan a few years ago when this started happening was to just wait until the starter motor needed to be replaced, because that would CERTAINLY happen eventually, right? RIGHT? R I G H T? Wrong. I’m still waiting. I don’t think that darn starter will EVER die. So now I’m considering option 2. I guess option 3 is to replace the entire solenoid/starter assembly – but that’s a waste of money IMHO. You don’t get rich WRITING checks. Again – I consider all these corrections reasonable. So to answer your original question, no – I can think of no weaknesses that can’t be reasonably corrected. J You in the hunt, Dale? SteveJ P.S. Go for the 512TR. Don’t let cLyDe talk you into a 550 instead. That’s basically a supermodel in a Laura Ashley dress, right Clyde? J From: clyde romero [mailto:clyderomerof4 [at] bellsouth.net] Actually there are no major weakness with the car that have been unveiled to me with the car. I have over 90k on my 93 512R and have had no major issues with the car Early TR’s have the tranaxle/diff problem but my car either has the improved transmission or I drive it right The only problem I see is that the A/C system uses R-12 and I just bought a 30lb jug of the stuff that should last me 30yrs. Hope this helps "scars are tatoos with better stories” CLYDE Capt. Clyde Romero Jr. MANPAD SME Clyderomero [at] bellsouth.net Mobile 678 641 9932 Confidentiality Notice: This e-mail (including attachments) is covered by the Electronic Communications Privacy Act, 18 U. S. C., Sections 2510-2521, and is intended only for the person or entity to which it is addressed, and may contain confidential or privileged material. Any unauthorized review, use, disclosure, dissemination, copying, forwarding or distribution is prohibited. If you are not the intended recipient contact the sender by reply e-mail and destroy all copies of the original message. If you are the intended recipient but do not wish to receive communications through this medium please so advise the sender immediately. Electronic Transmission Security Notice: E-mail transmission cannot be guaranteed to be secure or error-free. The sender does not accept liability for any errors or omissions in the contents of the message that arise as a result of its electronic (e-mail) transmission. From: dale sailors [mailto:sailorsdaleedward [at] yahoo.com]
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- Re: 512TR, (continued)
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