Ferrari Mailing List: Re: Hello from the South

[Rick Lindsay (richardolindsay]

Hello Francis,

> Have being doing work.

:-)

> Can't remember when I last reported but latest stuff has been replacing

> the outer headlights with new ones, replacing all headlamp bulbs with

> H1 nd H4 and completeley rewiring them direct from the battery with

> local relays tirggered from the original circuits. 

I replaced the headlights in my 308GTB with flat-face lens and reflectors, and halogen bulbs. I did not rewire or go to a relay switched system but the improvement was considerable. I also just replaced the headlight lamps in my Volvo 1800ES.  I used Sylvania blue-white sealed beam lamps and the improvement is astounding; weak yellow to crisp, bright white.

> They now work as intended and are a zillion times brighter1

> Tomorrow my friend and I are going to replace the original rather worn

> out  metal headlamp cup hoLders with some more modern plastic ones.

> Will then post some pics.

Please do.

> I know that is non original, but I would rather something that works

> properly. I will retain the old stuff in case a future owner wants to

> return to originality.

That is my work model as well. I try to avoid non-reversible changes.

> 1,000 miles so far.

Excellent. Running better all the time I would bet! These cars like to be driven. I could make up some physics to explain that but I'd rather just enjoy it.

> Next step is getting the carbs reset as it is running rich.

Do you have emissions testing as part of your MOT for old cars? That varies state-to-state here. In Texas there are no inspections required for old cars. (Old defined as >= 25 years.)

Running rich is better than lean. Lean translates to lower power and hot. And one might ask; Is it rich all across the power band or just at idle?

Do you plan to rebuild your 40DCNFs? If so, doing it yourself? The job is not hard or even complex but it is long and tedious. Fortunately, your carbs probably need nothing more than adjustment, since you drive it a lot and its running well.

I let my 308 sit unused for a long time when my mom lived with us, and before she died. We did little more than care for her for over a year. Once I got the 308 back out I noticed a 'stumble' when adding a little Wellie. Stomp it and it would go like stink but small throttle opening produced a very unsatisfying stumble-lag-then-go. The problem was gum built up in the accelerator pump circuits. The added air was not being enriched so the charge leaned out, and the engine stumbled.

If you choose to adjust and re-sync your carbs yourself, please let me know. There are numerous tricks that make the process much less tedious. But before you do anything, make sure you have a nice, clean, correct air filter. A clogged-up air filter can cause rich running!

Best regards,

Rick