Ferrari Mailing List: Testarossa update (conc.

[Richard Lindsay (richardolindsay]

Hello Friends,

Today I installed the balance pipe on the Testarossa and it appears to
have solved the idle instability problem! I ran the car at idle for
about 15 minutes and it remained smooth as silk the whole time, idling
at about 1000rpm. I have now shut it off to heat soak. In another 15
minutes or so, I'll start it again and retest. But before I write up
the idle-fix details, let me offer an overview to replacing the
starter.

With all the air cleaner assembly off and now scrubbed clean, I
removed the old starter and replaced it with the new one. Easy job:

1. Switch off the battery
2. Verify that the battery is really switched off.
3. Disconnect the two push on connectors and the main battery lead.
4. Remove the three bolts securing the starter to the bell housing.
5. Slide the old starter out.
6. Slide the new starter in.
7. Replace the three bolts and reconnect the wires.

Done! Really easy, once the air cleaner assembly is off. Now for the
balance pipe.

Here's where I started.

http://aubard.us/TR/HPIM1738.JPG

:-P

Remember please, this is an early Euro. Testarossa. Yours may be quite
different.

Remove the air cleaner top. It comes off with four screws. Well, mine
has three because I've never put the front one in.

http://aubard.us/TR/HPIM1740.JPG

Here's how it looks with the air cleaner top removed, along with the
rubber air ducts.

http://aubard.us/TR/HPIM1741.JPG

I believe there are supposed to be clamps around the air ducts where
they attach to the air dam housings, but I have never put them on. The
fit is adequately snug. Besides, getting to them is a ROYAL PITA.

Next off is the lower part of the air cleaner and the air intake. It
attaches to the plenums and to the heat shield. There is no need to
remove the big rubber flex because the whole thing comes off as an
assembly. Lift the air intake to clear the studs, then pull back then
up.

http://aubard.us/TR/HPIM1739.JPG

Once its off, the heat shield just lifts off giving full access.

http://aubard.us/TR/HPIM1743.JPG

With all these bits off, the Control Pressure Regulators are
accessable. Here's what they look like, one on either side.

http://aubard.us/TR/HPIM1745.JPG

Notice the two banjo bolts. The balance pipe goes between the larger
ports of the two CPRs. Here's how they look with the new pipe
installed.

http://aubard.us/TR/HPIM1749.JPG

This is the other CPR, just to show both.

http://aubard.us/TR/HPIM1746.JPG

The balance pipe might interfer with the throttle mechanism, as I have
it installed, so I added a clamp to hold it away from the moving bits.

http://aubard.us/TR/HPIM1748.JPG

It's also visible here.

http://aubard.us/TR/HPIM1750.JPG

That's it for the balance pipe. I trimmed the idle speed back down to
1000rpm and verified that the airflow was balanced across the banks.
Next up, a few more details about the starter.

Here's the new starter on the workbench awaiting installation.

http://aubard.us/TR/HPIM1752.JPG

http://aubard.us/TR/HPIM1753.JPG

And the reverse side. This part could never be used on a British car -
OBVIOUSLY! See lable!

http://aubard.us/TR/HPIM1754.JPG

Here's a look at the new starter, now installed. Three wires and three bolts.

http://aubard.us/TR/HPIM1755.JPG

http://aubard.us/TR/HPIM1756.JPG

And the whole package awaiting reinstallation of the air cleaner.

http://aubard.us/TR/HPIM1757.JPG

So what are the verdicts?

First of all, the idle instability appears to be gone. That said, the
engine has only been run for 10-15 minutes, and at idle only,
forgiving a few blips. I'll run it again after I finish this note,
then reinstall the air cleaner. Then, one might imagine, its time for
a road test. But no.

The new starter spins the engine quite a bit faster and it starts
easily. However, sometimes it fails to operate! I traced the problem
to corroded harness connectors - I think. I'm going to go replace them
then test for reliability. More on that once I learn more.

So, back to the garage to replace connectors - with the battery
switched off. :-)

I'll report my findings.

-rick