part 7 - "Maserati has a history of beautiful sports cars and racing triumphs [...] The one constant? Drama"
(quote: Stephen Bailey, "From the sublime", The Road Rat issue 11)
In the mean time, the engine has been cleaned (looks brand spanking new!) and measured up.
Despite the title of this post, things are in fact not dramatic, and progress is exactly what I'd expect and hope for at this point.
The good news is
- Beyond main/big end bearings, no damages or out of spec dimensions for bearings (incl small ends - these are apparently 'as new')
- Main bearings will likely be able to be replaced by standard sized items and crankshaft needs no work (maybe a polish, not sure) so will be easy to source, and tolerances will be as per factory
- Valve guides need not be replaced, only needs the valve stem seals
- Nikasil liners look good
As it makes sense, the screws for the connecting rods will also be replaced.
Most parts for the rebuild are ordered in the mean time, with the following topics still open:
- Piston rings: Given that this engine has seen 60k miles (maybe more) and it is open now, it seems sensible to replace. Problem is that these appear very expensive for what they are (~200 eur per cylinder!). As I am not a powerfully built director (copyright pistonheads), @A.S. Motorsport is on the hunt for a 'better' solution
- Variators: As the engine is out, it could be considered smart to replace these, especially as there has clearly been an oil-related issue on the engine. On the other hand, they might be fine. No way to know now, so do we replace these? Not sure yet, as I don't want to do this in "1 month" and have to dismantle and rebuild everything required for it again, while on the other hand, these babies are not exactly cheap and (see above point about not being a powerfully built director), I am keeping an eye on budget as well. Answers on a postcard?
(btw, is there an 'improved' version of variators that anyone knows of?)
- Oil pump: if this one proves to be OK, which it seems to be, do we install the new one or not? Again not a cheap part, and I'm all for doing things properly, but need to think if it actually makes any sense.
So, all in all, things are moving forward and we are moving back in the direction of an engine that is in rude health (bit like renovating a house, first you have a house that needs renovating, then you have ruins after all the 'gutting' has happened, then it gradually starts to look like a house again, albeit a better one than what was there initially).
Additionally, when the opportunity arises, opportunities for sensible improvements can be considered...