400GT
It’s been a couple of years since I last saw this 400GT, but it was nice to see she was doing well. There were a couple of issues we needed to sort out from a charging issue to a slight miss at high rpm. The alternator was removed for rebuilding after I confirmed it wasn’t working properly, so I set to the task of finding the source of the miss.
The 400GTs are very similar in layout to a 365GTC/4 and are both are not my favorite to work on. Their engine compartment packaging leaves a lot to desire, and after a day of working on one of these things, my hands are usually aching and cut up! Removing any part of the engine usually requires the removal of something else, and getting to the distributors is no exception.
With the distributors out of the car and on the work bench, it quickly became obvious what was probably causing the misfire of the ignition. One of the contact points that was riveted in place had broken loose and was rattling on the point plate. I can only imagine what this erratic point gap was doing to the tune of this engine!
Points sets for Ferraris have a couple of different manufacturers, and I’ve tried several. None of them are perfect, and manufacturing defects abound. As much as we check, tweak, and modify them to perform better, we’re always finding new ways for them to fail! I don’t know if I should blame poor manufacturing, poor design, or simple bad luck, but whatever the case, it keeps us on our toes!
Save the Date!
The Radcliffe/Tomyang.net Car Show!
May 7th 2016
I’m very excited to do this again, and look forward to see old and new friends at this annual event. Richard Garre and I have hosted this car show to celebrate all types of machinery, focusing on Italian Cars. There’s parking for about 100 cars and we will always try to accommodate late comers, but if you want a guaranteed spot call Richard to preregister!
Radcliffe Motorcars
12340 Owings Mills Boulevard
Reisterstown, Maryland 21136
Phone: 410-517-1681