Ferrari Mailing List: Makin' stuff and fixin' stuff

[Peter Rychel (dino308gt4]

It’s picture time.

 

In the lead up to the FCA meet, because I want to do the track runs, a fire extinguisher is required and I have been meaning to install one in the Mondial in any case. I finally got around to making a simple bracket and I’m really happy with how it turned out. I’m even more happy that at the end of the seat rails, there were two unused holes drilled which made it perfect to use as attachment points. Cut out on an industrial band saw and the bends on the ends were bent on a hydraulic brake, I made this out of 0.188” thick 5000 series aluminum sheet. I also painted it a semi-gloss tan color, so it would blend in with the surrounding upholstery.

 

Second project was modifying the door key. My car only came with one set of factory keys, I wanted to have a second aftermarket set to use on a regular basis. The ignition key was no problem, my local locksmith had it and at $8 with the cutting included. The door key however was not in stock. I ordered one from the Ferrari dealership(!) and when it arrived, I had it cut (at the same store). I go to use it... No go. It wouldn’t enter the tumbler. Lots of back-and-forth with the locksmith, the car and the dealer, I went through several sets of keys (all aftermarket), none of them fit! No matter what brand (S.A.F.E., Ilco, JMA, etc). I looked closely and every single key was made wrong! The linear grooves were not machined properly. Feeling absolutely frustrated, I figured, what do I have to lose, I clamped the cut key in the vise for my bench-top milling machine and cut away. A few strokes of a file to clean up the edges and like a hot knife through butter, the key glides in no problem. This is a notice to anyone thinking of getting replacement keys, either find an uncut expensive NOS factory one, or be prepared to do something like this, because I would not be surprised if other people have this problem (these keys were used on a whole range of Italian cars).

 

Peter

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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