Dino Restoration

Still hanging a few parts until my wiring harness arrive. Should of just had Jim S. make me one. I put in all the cables for the emergency brake, the throttle control and am now ready to start closing the bottom. I got a new airflow device to sync the carbs and now that the water leak has been solved I’ve ran the motor for 6 or more heat cycles. I’ve had a few oil spots on the ground the following day so I traced all those down. One was in the head where the small aluminum plugs are. I took it out and coated the thread with hi temp sealer. The few others around the oil filter just needed a little more torque. Definitely fun starting it up every day.

March 21, 2010

Installing some random parts

Jon's 246 GT 04946

I haven’t had much time to work on the coupe lately but I’ve made time to get the GTS ready for Bella Italia. There were a few minor things that needed fixed.
1. Small leak in the right rear caliper where the O rings are.
2. Extend the spare tire hold down for Campagnolo wheels
3 Seal the cabin better with some new aluminum pieces near the steering linkage
4. Adjusted the doors for a better fit
5. Water temp gauge quit working (bad ground)
6. Install a heater valve in the engine compartment
7. Fix a chip in the paint on the front left fender.
I did hang a few parts on the coupe. I decided to get a new wiring harness so there is only so much I can do until that arrives. I put in the emergency brake, gear shift and I’m experimenting with some expandable foam in a few places to better seal the cabin. Floor pan next week and at that point it can go off the rotisserie at any time. Jeff is busy designing Tee shirts hopefully ready for Bella Italia.

March 21, 2010

Making a new pan

Jon's 246 GT 04946

I’ve run the engine now through 4 heat cycles. The water pump leak has greatly diminished but not 100%. I’ll run it a little more before I take it off to solve the problem. In the meantime I began cutting some new aluminum to replace the old pan. It’s too big for my powder coat oven so I’ll be taking it to Electro tech in San Marcos. With Bella italia coming up it’s time to spend some time detailing the GTS.

March 4, 2010

Wrapping up the engine

Jon's 246 GT 04946

Okay enthusiasts, it’s back to work. After fun and sun in Mexico I mellowed out after all I’ve been called worse than that. For those of you who find this a bore or redundant just tune out, it’s really that easy. There are others here who would get way more praise than I do if they would post. Jim S. made a whole new wiring harness on his own. Now I find that amazing. John C. bless is soul showed how things could be done on your own and inexpensively. We all have something to give here if we take the time. My contribution is photos of every part on our cars. I wish I had the knowledge that many of you have on here. I’m SLOWLY learning. Okay enough of that. I really thought I was going to start the engine today. I put the last parts on and connected the battery and then filled the radiator. Guess what?? Wouldn’t you know it a slow drip drip drip from the water pump. I spent the day taking it off and taking it apart and back together again. I couldn’t see why it was leaking and so reinstalled. I filled the radiator again in great hopes. The Dino Gods were not with me, probably because of all the hubris here lately. The same drip drip drip, only a little slower. Will have to sleep on it.

February 18, 2010

Engine almost done

Jon's 246 GT 04946

The engine now is very close to hopefully starting. I’m waiting for the headers to come back from being ceramic coated and that’s about it. Mexico vacation starts next week, so it will have to be the week after.