Ferrari Mailing List: Re: Hello from the South

[francis newman (francis]

Hi Rick and Rob

Headlights didn't go according to plan The plastic holders just didn't work. So 
a trip to a local fasteners shop gave us all we needed, (sum total $3 ) new 
screws and all was well and I will refurbish the rusty wells over the winter.

Rob - yes there is rich and rich. Once again I had cylinder one not firing (wet 
plug) and changed all the plugs. Now fine. 

No Rick. Carburettor stuff beyond my competence to sort. So over to the shop.

Yes - pics soon

Onwards and upwards.

Got to prepare a talk on Ferrari have to give on Tuesday, so not much time to 
post further.

Best

Francis









On 30 May 2014, at 13:11, Rick Lindsay wrote:

> 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