Ferrari Mailing List: Re: Francis's 308GT4

[francis newman (francis]

So Guys

A few updates.

Canlt remember exactly what or when I last posted.

1. Did I tell you I fiitted 2 x 9" Kenlowe fans? Can't remember. Didn't have to 
remove the original brackets and have the orginal fans so can be restored to 
stock if a future owner so wishes. But the new fans work really efficiently as 
does the A/C The radiatier temp sensor/sender seems to have a mind of its own 
so have bought a new one but it's a bit of a bugger to access so a lot of 
swearing will take place.

2, Have sourced a neoprene foam strip to seal between the radiator and bonnet 
(hood) have got the clean of the remnants of the original foam before fitting.

3, Bought a load of rubber door and window seals and felt window strip to fit 
over winter.

4. Had two half hour sessions on track at Silverstone on Tuesday. First with 
instructor ex FOC GB sec Peter Everingham who is an experienced racer and 
really pushed me. Great fun. Abbey (turn one) in 4th with just a dab on the 
brakes before entry was epic. Love it. Bit scary the first two times I did it 
though.

5. Then when readjusting before driving home the interior mirror fell off. 
Luckily local race preparer FF Corse sorted me out with some double sided and 
duct tape to get me home. Then on the way home I got a load of vibration 
through the steering between 40 and 60 mph.

So today I had the  front wheels rebalanced- one was 35 gms out, and bought 
some sticky stuff for the mirror. Spent a lot of time cleaning the old stuff of 
the windscreen, and took the mirror apart as the actual mirror surface was 
pretty dirty and it is now really nice and won't annoy me when I look in it.

6. My indy shop (QV) agree that my ride heigh needs to be raised. That means 2 
x 10mm nylon spacer for a few dollars. Quoted 4 hours. Friends have been 
persuading that I can do it myself. Means buying a spring compressor ( $40-$70 
depending on spec) This is a bigger job than I have ever done so having to 
think hard.

7. I was going to have the car totally resprayed over the winter. A number of 
freinds have said I should preserve the patina, the car was last repainted in 
1990 - original colour. There are a few corrosion points that HAVE to be fixed 
but a lot of the other bits are just paint reaction problems (a few crack 
lines) This will never be a concours car - I just want it to look good, not 
perfect, So got to decide.

8 Had lunch at Silvertsone with Antony Shine. One of my original friends from  
the Ferrarilist - and still a friend after all these years.

9. I just love my GT4 so much. Sorry Clyde - carbs rule :-)

Best
Francis