3200gt end float

[Assetto 52]

Hi
Dose any one know what the end float tolerances should be on the 3200?
also what correction/remedy should be employed if there is a problem?
Regards Gordon.

 

[allandwf]

It is mentioned in an old thread here somewhere. I can remember discussing it. I'll try and find it. I think changing the thrust washers in time is the key.

 

[conaero]

Hi Gordon. End float from memory should not exceed 0.5-0.6mm. I had 0.9 and sent the engine to David Askew who has a fix where a stronger phosporous bronze washers installed and pinned. I took the engine out and shipped it to him. I had head gaskets, rear chains and all the crank shells replaced as well as the cambelt. Cost about £2.5k but that was 7 years ago.

Get a second opinion of the reading and don't take the dealers advice as gospel. Failing oil senders mimic crank issues. What to look for is the oil pressure needle moving when you press the clutch down and it does not affect Autos although there have been some cases reported.

Also get someone to pump the clutch pedal and watch the front crank pulley for movement.

 

[allandwf]

http://www.sportsmaserati.co.uk/showthread.php/543-3200-Crank-Endfloat-Explained?p=4292#post4292 8 thou.

 

[conaero]

There were also reports that crank thrust washers had been installed the wrong way round at the engine factory, hence the failures.

 

[allandwf]

I had mine measured annually when serviced. Peace of mind, as by the time excessive end float manifests itself with symptoms it is normally too late.

 

[Assetto 52]

Blimey that was quick i only nipped down stairs for tea!

Thank guys for your help lots info to go through, fortunately the chaps i have helping me rebuild this car are good friends
and 100% reliable which is a bonus there expertise mechanically and with the body work are second to none i have seen left with the electrical side of things which is there downfall i am not two bad as long as i have schematics i can follow!
Thanks again for your help
Regards Gordon.

 

[StuartW]

I do hope that you are asking just to check rather than because you suspect a problem. There can be conflicting reports on the amount of tolerance but if you follow Matt's pointers on post # 3 above, you won't go far wrong.
Good luck

 

[alfatwo]

Trouble is guys the 3200 thrust washers are no longer available in sets... just one or two odd sizes left..

Meridian did a dealer for me search last week, nothing came back, they said big end bearings are also going to be in short supply very soon

I suppose you could get some made if you knew the Clevite bearing spec..


Dave

 

[Assetto 52]

Hi Stuart
There have been a few things wrong with this car, the previous owner could not afford to look after it properly and as i am rebuilding it i must check everything for my peace of mind.
The car will be ready for the spring when it arrives hopefully better than new!

 

[StuartW]

Sounds like a great project & well done for saving another AC, they're rare beasts now for sure - look forward to seeing it back on the road

 

[Assetto 52]

That is exactly my view it had to be done and done properly.

 

[conaero]

Trouble is guys the 3200 thrust washers are no longer available in sets... just one or two odd sizes left..

Meridian did a dealer for me search last week, nothing came back, they said big end bearings are also going to be in short supply very soon

I suppose you could get some made if you knew the Clevite bearing spec..


Dave

I would fit that OEM rubbish, the issue will return. Phosphorus Bronze custom made ones are the way to go as long as the crank face is still good and not worn otherwise it will still come back with the PB washers.

 

[alfatwo]

I would fit that OEM rubbish, the issue will return. Phosphorus Bronze custom made ones are the way to go as long as the crank face is still good and not worn otherwise it will still come back with the PB washers.

Phosphorus bronze is a little too hard for thrust washer use... most of these types of washers on the market today are of the tri metal type... A steel backing coated in copper then a tin/PTFE alloy applied to the surface which acts as the bearing

Dave

 

[jluis]

I would fit that OEM rubbish, the issue will return. Phosphorus Bronze custom made ones are the way to go as long as the crank face is still good and not worn otherwise it will still come back with the PB washers.

I believe those are the ones fitted in LincsOSCA case and the issue also returned.

 

[alfatwo]

]

I believe those are the ones fitted in LincsOSCA case and the issue also returned.

It's the heavy pull clutch on the manual cars that cause most of the problems...as the clutch pressure plate wears with age the peddle pressure only gets heavier,acerbating the problem still further!



Dave

 

[conaero]

I believe those are the ones fitted in LincsOSCA case and the issue also returned.

I think the crank was bad on this one hence why it returned.

Its been 7 years and 2 owners since my car was done and its still good now.

 

[StuartW]

Yes, mine had the PB washers and the problem returned after only 5k or so miles and a number of years but as Matt says, it may well have been a bad crank on mine - I didn't see the rebuild process as it happened before I bought it.

There was a huge amount of movement on my crank, you really didn't need a run out gauge to see it, but that said - the crank remains in place & hasn't moved any further in the 9 months since I sold it and it is still getting occasional use. It has not started eating the inside of the engine and maybe this is the crank's 'new position' and the washers are holding & not allowing it to move any further? It can be difficult to measure the crank movement accurately so I would definitely seek second and third opinions before satisfying yourself that everything is ok.

 

[Assetto 52]

IF there is a problem fingers and everything else crossed there isn't!

I'm thinking a very low mileage engine from an auto would be a better/cheeper solution? as they are interchangeable. i know that some auto's have problems but most dont.

 

[StuartW]

That's true, it has been known to occur in autos but by far the majority of end float problems have happened in manuals