Bill took a few pictures from around the shop today that show both the range and the beauty of some of the cars that we are working on. Sometimes I fear that there is too much “range” and not enough beauty! Bill takes outstanding photos that look super pro. Have I written a post on Bill yet? Bill, can you write a post on yourself, introduce yourself?

Upstairs: the Osca, Whitehead Special, and a silver Ferrari

Downstairs: The rare green 330 GTC and a deep inventory of stored classics, projects, and restorations.

Ferrari 750 Monza at Restoration and Performance Motorcars in Vermont

Here is a lovely Ferrari 330 GT 2+2 that just came in for some minor work and to put on the market. The owner has asked us to sell the car and we are happy to oblige since it is so incredibly nice.

It is a late model 2+2 with the 2 mount engine and power steering. It does not have A/C but would be an easy retro-fit since it has the rocker switches located to the left of the steering column allowing room for the evaporator under the center of the dash. We installed A/C in an earlier car with the rocker switches in the center of the dash and it was an effort to make the evaporator fit properly.

330 GT 2+2

330 GT 2+2 interior

This engine had low miles on an complete overhaul. It came in for us to check out, but after finding that the compression was low and the leak down numbers were terrible, we pulled it apart.

The cylinders were polished like a mirror and piston rings had lost their temper. The main and rod bearings are wiped out, and due to major detonation, the rod bearings were hammered to the point that they fell right out of the cap when they should be held in firmly with spring tension.

What a mess. I am doubting that it was actually overhauled because the whole engine was “buzz-bomb” painted right over dirt and all of the hardware.

Ferrari 209

Main bearing

330 Ferrari GTC

Ferrari 1967

Two cars that I took to New Jersey last week, one is going overseas and the other is going to CA. I cannot remember if I delivered the correct car to the freight forwarder to put in a container.

A California man is the proud new owner of the 330 GTC that was in a post a month ago, http://www.ferraricraft.com/2009/12/a-nice-photo-of-a-330-gtc-that-we-have-for-sale/ and now it is time for me to market another dark blue GTC. Similar to the last car we sold, this one had lots of cosmetic work done by another shop and when we acquired it, nearly every mechanical component needed attention!

There was a large oil leak at the engine when we first got the car, here is what we found jammed between the timing chest and the head! Once we removed the heads, we noticed bad bearing wear, terrible sand cast “el-cheapo” pistons and a plugged up cooling system. Needless to say, now the engine is completely overhauled and after a few years and 2-3000 miles, it is sorted and runs beautifully.

Here is another post I did on the transmission to this car. http://www.ferraricraft.com/2007/08/ferrari-330-gtc-transmission/

With a new radiator core, all new A/C components, axle boots, tires, clutch hydraulic components, this is an outstanding car!

Dark Blue GTC

Here’s a video from the summer of 2009. A test run of a Colombo V12 from a 330 GTC on an engine stand after we performed a full overhaul, and a ferraricraft.com post to describe its previous condition here.

We took the Ferrari 330 GTS out to make sure it was ready to deliver and made a little video while we drove. The engine sounds great, so turn it up – of course there is some additional noise because the of the GTS soft top. Comment to let us know if you want to see more videos like this on FerrariCraft.

Ferrari 330 GTS and the 330 GTC in the background

The Ferrari 330 GTS is being picked up this week and we found both 330’s in front of the main RPM barn. We took the 330 GTS for a test drive to make sure that it was ready to deliver, and upon starting what amazed me was how instantly the engine started with just a momentary bump of the key.

This dispels any myths of carburetors being unreliable. When the three carbs are adjusted and synchronized properly they operate very well and with excellent drivability, exhibiting none of the “cold blooded” attributes that have been assigned to cars with worn-out and out-of-tune carburetors. More pictures after the jump and a video to come.

» Continue reading “A pair of 330’s”

The link below shows the first start up after we overhauled this 4.0 liter Ferrari V-12. There is always lots of assembly oil to burn out of the combustion chambers so some misfiring is normal. Once the carburetors are tuned and ignition timing dialed in it will be time to run her some more to inspect for leaks or problems. We ran this engine more that day and found everything to be in check.

I am thinking of a chassis dynomometer run on a Porsche 911 with a recent overhaul and the GTC that this engine goes in.

Keep an eye out for more dyno run posts here.