400i

cosloan · 07-25-2007, 02:39 PM

I am new to ferrari having just taken ownership of an 82 400i. Before I bought the thing, she had sat a while and the old owner spent well over $5000 getting the old gal back on the road. Fluids, belts, tires, plugs, ect. One question I have is being new to ferrari, just how mechanical sounding are these motors? Synth. oil? Platinum plugs? Fancy plug wires? Any help please!

Ferrari328GT · 07-25-2007, 08:47 PM

I owned, and restored, a 1980 400i. The engine should be dead smooth and as I recall, very quiet. It was definitely the largest and most complicated engine I've ever done. Working on it is not so easy because of all the stuff crammed into the engine bay. Two complete K-Jetronic fuel injection systems, two alternators, two oil filters, two of almost everything except one crankshaft. Very nice cruiser, though.

The crankcase holds, I believe, 17 quarts of oil. I did not use synthetic oil, given the car is not exactly a hotrod. I did install platinum plugs, and the original wire set was still good. The distributor cap on mine was cracked into three pieces - that was an expensive part. Did you replace both fuel filters?

Have fun and enjoy that V-12. Is it an automatic, or manual?
Steve

cosloan · 07-26-2007, 10:09 AM

Thanks for the info, the noise sounds as if it is from the cam chain. How can I tell it the chain is tight enough? Is the Chain adjusted by oil pressure? Who, on line sells the best shop manual? So many questions my head is about to explode. No, I am not two years old.

dstacy · 07-26-2007, 02:07 PM

I track all of the 400's by serial number in the US. Send me yours and I'll send you what I have on it. dave@circlesvineyards.com

For the chain tensioner, the adjustment is located on the side of the engine, under the head, right at the front. There is one bolt that sticks out; this is the tensioner. It is not automatic and should be done every 15,000 miles or so.

For the shop manual try:
http://www.ferraristuff.com/
http://www.ferraribooks.com/home

Don't run synth oil in it, you'll start it leaking like crazy.
The motors are pretty bullet proof, its the other small stuff that is going to drive you crazy.

cosloan · 07-27-2007, 04:56 AM

Thanks for all the info guys. My chassis # is 41805.

dstacy · 07-27-2007, 03:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cosloan

Thanks for all the info guys. My chassis # is 41805.

#41805
1982
ZFFEB06B000041805
400i Auto
Brown/Ivory
9/99 for sale (CA) $28k 40k miles,
1/01 for sale Kruse auction (AZ) 64k miles,
5/07 for sale Ebay (IL) 65k miles

cosloan · 07-27-2007, 06:24 PM

I paid 15000. Needs some electrical work ( windows, dash lights ). Mechanically it is in good shape for 65000 miles.

Ferrari328GT · 07-27-2007, 07:56 PM

Good luck with the windows. They are operated by a piece of cable 13 feet six inches long, that is wrapped around a drum at the motor, then goes across the door, along the window, across the door again, through pulleys and back to the drum. I spent days on mine. On the other hand, maybe they changed designs from my 1980 to your 1982

. -Steve

dstacy · 07-28-2007, 10:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cosloan

I paid 15000. Needs some electrical work ( windows, dash lights ). Mechanically it is in good shape for 65000 miles.

In California still?

cosloan · 07-28-2007, 11:00 AM

Colorado Springs. The car found its to Arazona were a death had it shipped to Chicago, and on to e-bay. I bought it from the deceased daughter. This car will stay in my garage for along time to come.

07-25-2007, 02:39 PM	#1
cosloan Owner Join Date: Jun 2007 Ferrari Life Posts: 14	400i I am new to ferrari having just taken ownership of an 82 400i. Before I bought the thing, she had sat a while and the old owner spent well over $5000 getting the old gal back on the road. Fluids, belts, tires, plugs, ect. One question I have is being new to ferrari, just how mechanical sounding are these motors? Synth. oil? Platinum plugs? Fancy plug wires? Any help please!

07-25-2007, 08:47 PM	#2
Ferrari328GT Owner Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Phoenix, Arizona Ferrari Life Posts: 366	I owned, and restored, a 1980 400i. The engine should be dead smooth and as I recall, very quiet. It was definitely the largest and most complicated engine I've ever done. Working on it is not so easy because of all the stuff crammed into the engine bay. Two complete K-Jetronic fuel injection systems, two alternators, two oil filters, two of almost everything except one crankshaft. Very nice cruiser, though. The crankcase holds, I believe, 17 quarts of oil. I did not use synthetic oil, given the car is not exactly a hotrod. I did install platinum plugs, and the original wire set was still good. The distributor cap on mine was cracked into three pieces - that was an expensive part. Did you replace both fuel filters? Have fun and enjoy that V-12. Is it an automatic, or manual? Steve Last edited by Ferrari328GT; 07-26-2007 at 05:35 AM.

07-26-2007, 10:09 AM	#3
cosloan Owner Join Date: Jun 2007 Ferrari Life Posts: 14	400i Thanks for the info, the noise sounds as if it is from the cam chain. How can I tell it the chain is tight enough? Is the Chain adjusted by oil pressure? Who, on line sells the best shop manual? So many questions my head is about to explode. No, I am not two years old.

07-27-2007, 04:56 AM	#5
cosloan Owner Join Date: Jun 2007 Ferrari Life Posts: 14	400i Thanks for all the info guys. My chassis # is 41805.

07-27-2007, 06:24 PM	#7
cosloan Owner Join Date: Jun 2007 Ferrari Life Posts: 14	400i I paid 15000. Needs some electrical work ( windows, dash lights ). Mechanically it is in good shape for 65000 miles.

07-26-2007, 02:07 PM	#4
dstacy Join Date: Mar 2006 Ferrari Life Posts: 8	I track all of the 400's by serial number in the US. Send me yours and I'll send you what I have on it. dave@circlesvineyards.com For the chain tensioner, the adjustment is located on the side of the engine, under the head, right at the front. There is one bolt that sticks out; this is the tensioner. It is not automatic and should be done every 15,000 miles or so. For the shop manual try: http://www.ferraristuff.com/ http://www.ferraribooks.com/home Don't run synth oil in it, you'll start it leaking like crazy. The motors are pretty bullet proof, its the other small stuff that is going to drive you crazy.

07-27-2007, 07:56 PM	#8
Ferrari328GT Owner Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Phoenix, Arizona Ferrari Life Posts: 366	Windows Good luck with the windows. They are operated by a piece of cable 13 feet six inches long, that is wrapped around a drum at the motor, then goes across the door, along the window, across the door again, through pulleys and back to the drum. I spent days on mine. On the other hand, maybe they changed designs from my 1980 to your 1982 . -Steve

07-28-2007, 11:00 AM	#10
cosloan Owner Join Date: Jun 2007 Ferrari Life Posts: 14	400i Colorado Springs. The car found its to Arazona were a death had it shipped to Chicago, and on to e-bay. I bought it from the deceased daughter. This car will stay in my garage for along time to come.

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