Refurbishment of my Maserati Mexico
Discussion
williamp said:
The Surveyor should have said:
It was too tempting, so plugs out, it turned over fine, made a rudimentary fuel hopper on top to feed the carbs, started it up and then , overcome with emotion on old fashioned fumes, welled up with pride...
Paul
Just saying... Paul
Well it sounds like a good plan, I got the plugs out and turned the key that final click....... And...... Well it turned over on the starter. It didn't spin, just a nice steady turn until the battery started to die. I think on that performance I may need to go shopping for a new battery!Oh and the indicators work as do the reversing lights
Edited by The Surveyor on Thursday 3rd July 23:17
Today I got the brake lights working on the Mexico, a significant step forward as it means that the brakes are now finished, full of fluid, and working. They took an age to bleed and the pedal is still spongy so there is still some air in there somewhere. I'll let it settle and pump some more fluid through in a day or two, check for leaks and see if the pedal pressure comes up.
The handbrake also works a treat now too. The new pads and cable fitting perfectly.
Exhaust still to be fitted then I'll be dropping it off its axle stands for the first time in ages.
Small steps....
The handbrake also works a treat now too. The new pads and cable fitting perfectly.
Exhaust still to be fitted then I'll be dropping it off its axle stands for the first time in ages.
Small steps....
Productive day, re-bled the brakes giving a much better peddle pressure. Dropped the car off the axle stands putting the car back on its wheels for the first time in ages. Finished tightening up the suspension and anti roll bar and started fitting the front bumper which didn't...... Still, it does look rather handsome in the sunshine 
Paul
Paul
Due to my inability to upload a video, you'll just have to take my word for it....
It lives..... It blooming lives..... Checked that fuel was getting through turned the key and after an initial splutter that wonderful 4.2 Quad-cam V8 burst into wonderful noisy life.
A happy day and big step forward
It lives..... It blooming lives..... Checked that fuel was getting through turned the key and after an initial splutter that wonderful 4.2 Quad-cam V8 burst into wonderful noisy life.
A happy day and big step forward
Despite the best efforts of Google and BT Broadband, I've been able to set up a YouTube account and here is the video, noisy as there is no exhaust and ticking over too fast as the accelerator cable was too tight, but jolly exciting:-
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zDA-6K8-yCs
Paul
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zDA-6K8-yCs
Paul
Delivery of some new Weber needle valves and gaskets today from the very helpful Fast Road Cars today. Small job for the weekend that will hopefully stop the petrol pumps continuing to prime and petrol from weeping out of the Carb bodies.
Even came with instructions on how to set the float level.....
Another small job to be ticked off.
Paul
Even came with instructions on how to set the float level.....
Another small job to be ticked off.
Paul
It's been a while since the last update and things have been moving forward at the same glacial pace.
The little details are taking forever. For example, I've had to have some new stainless oversills made as the old ones were too badly scratched and damaged to re-polish. New ones arrived and were perfect, one fitted beautifully, one was 10mm too short! The reality was that one of the new structural sill was longer than the original
It's also running much better now, actually on all 8 cylinders after finding that 2 plug leads were wrong on the distributor. I had set it up exactly as it had arrived from Italy which was wrong....
Loads still to fettle but it's looking more and more like a finished motor
The little details are taking forever. For example, I've had to have some new stainless oversills made as the old ones were too badly scratched and damaged to re-polish. New ones arrived and were perfect, one fitted beautifully, one was 10mm too short! The reality was that one of the new structural sill was longer than the original
It's also running much better now, actually on all 8 cylinders after finding that 2 plug leads were wrong on the distributor. I had set it up exactly as it had arrived from Italy which was wrong....
Loads still to fettle but it's looking more and more like a finished motor
TooMany2cvs said:
There were probably variances like that when they were new, too...
That is one bloody lovely car.
Cheers, it is beautiful and I feel privalaged to have it. The error in the sill was my fault, I should have checked that both originals still fitted before sending them off to use as patterns... Doh!That is one bloody lovely car.
It's been closer to 4 years, so much for a quick refurbishment....
To cold to be in the garage today so looking at whether the rear number plate trim is salvageable. Somebody has clearly used it to push down the boot lid and cracked the mazac casting. The chrome isn't perfect but it's presentable but can anybody advise if this can be repaired?
I was thinking of maybe making a steel sub-frame to sit behind it to reshape it and hold it in position if it can't be straightened.
To cold to be in the garage today so looking at whether the rear number plate trim is salvageable. Somebody has clearly used it to push down the boot lid and cracked the mazac casting. The chrome isn't perfect but it's presentable but can anybody advise if this can be repaired?
I was thinking of maybe making a steel sub-frame to sit behind it to reshape it and hold it in position if it can't be straightened.
P5Nij said:
I read somewhere that there are (or were) only six RHD Mexicos built, which market they landed in though I'm not sure.
Beautiful car OP, just beautiful
Thanks, Beautiful car OP, just beautiful
There are 7 RHD Mexico's listed on the Mexico Registry, of which 2 are thought to be later conversions. Makes them a very rare indeed. Mine is also one of 11 listed as being last known in the UK and of those I'm not sure how many are being used. I like the fact mines a LHD car as it gives me further justification to take it over to the continent once it's ready
Yours looks lovely Mike
Have you had much work done on her, or has it always looks so nice?
Mine has hit the buffers again whilst I wait for the final sections of carpet to be made, which will finally allow me to get the interior fitted. I've been twiddling my thumbs doing little jobs whilst I while I'm waiting but the last 3 months of little-progress has been killing me.
Sadly at this rate it'll certainly not be ready for Le Mans this summer
I just can't wait to get it finished and usable so I can start to enjoy it.
Have you had much work done on her, or has it always looks so nice?
Mine has hit the buffers again whilst I wait for the final sections of carpet to be made, which will finally allow me to get the interior fitted. I've been twiddling my thumbs doing little jobs whilst I while I'm waiting but the last 3 months of little-progress has been killing me.
Sadly at this rate it'll certainly not be ready for Le Mans this summer
I just can't wait to get it finished and usable so I can start to enjoy it.
uk66fastback said:
Now here's a lovely one in the US ...
The pics are pretty big with good detail and may help in some way ...
http://hymanltd.com/vehicles/5387-1969-maserati-me...
And that price! Wow!
That's a beautiful example and somebody has clearly spend a huge amount of time and money getting it to look like that. Nice set of record photographs to help with the final carpets on mine too.The pics are pretty big with good detail and may help in some way ...
http://hymanltd.com/vehicles/5387-1969-maserati-me...
And that price! Wow!
Ignoring the air filter which isn't connected, it looks pretty much perfect
Paul
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