Refurbishment of my Maserati Mexico
Discussion
Evening Mike
I'm still waiting for the UK registration proces to come through to allow the car to be used properly, but hopefully pictures will follow.
The horns are separate, with the 'country' air horns working from the centre of the steering wheel and the smaller electric 'town' horn working off the end of the indicator stalk.
I'll look to get you that photograph in the morning. Cheers
Paul
I'm still waiting for the UK registration proces to come through to allow the car to be used properly, but hopefully pictures will follow.
The horns are separate, with the 'country' air horns working from the centre of the steering wheel and the smaller electric 'town' horn working off the end of the indicator stalk.
I'll look to get you that photograph in the morning. Cheers
Paul
Hello Paul...
Thank you for the picture. Attached is a picture of my fuse box, in the same position. There are a few differences
which I find interesting. Correct me if I am wrong, but all the power TO the fuse box comes in the top, correct? If
so, I don't see how I am getting power to some of these fuses... Interesting that you have 9 leads connected up, but
I only have six. I know fuse position 8 on my car does not have a fuse as it keeps blowing due to a short. I think
this is due to one of the door switches, which I will get to.. You will also note that fuse positions 1 and 2 are
not powered in my picture. When I connected the red lead from 4 to 1 via a jumper wire, I got the main beams working.
My car is an early car, 112.074, probably the 33rd made with a 4.2L engine. What number is yours? Perhaps that has
something to do with the differences.. Any thoughts?
Mike
Thank you for the picture. Attached is a picture of my fuse box, in the same position. There are a few differences
which I find interesting. Correct me if I am wrong, but all the power TO the fuse box comes in the top, correct? If
so, I don't see how I am getting power to some of these fuses... Interesting that you have 9 leads connected up, but
I only have six. I know fuse position 8 on my car does not have a fuse as it keeps blowing due to a short. I think
this is due to one of the door switches, which I will get to.. You will also note that fuse positions 1 and 2 are
not powered in my picture. When I connected the red lead from 4 to 1 via a jumper wire, I got the main beams working.
My car is an early car, 112.074, probably the 33rd made with a 4.2L engine. What number is yours? Perhaps that has
something to do with the differences.. Any thoughts?
Mike
Hi again Paul...
Today I went after an issue I have always had with the fuel level indicator! On my car when the right fuel pump was operating, the fuel gauge showed the level
for the left fuel tank, and when the left fuel pump was operating, the fuel gauge showed the level of the right fuel tank. It looked like I was never using
fuel.
As I suspected, this is a wiring issue again! Anyway, after fooling around for a while, I decided to check your switch diagrams with colors you
provided. Looks like my wire colors are the same for this, so tomorrow I should have it working correctly! That switch is difficult to get out to say the least.
I disconnected wires as I was pulling it out.. I don't think it will be any easier putting it back either! Any tricks you have on this?
Here is another picture of my car I found on the internet! It reminds me why I put myself through all this grief! And, no, that is not me standing or sitting
behind the car!!!
Mike
Today I went after an issue I have always had with the fuel level indicator! On my car when the right fuel pump was operating, the fuel gauge showed the level
for the left fuel tank, and when the left fuel pump was operating, the fuel gauge showed the level of the right fuel tank. It looked like I was never using
fuel.
As I suspected, this is a wiring issue again! Anyway, after fooling around for a while, I decided to check your switch diagrams with colors youprovided. Looks like my wire colors are the same for this, so tomorrow I should have it working correctly! That switch is difficult to get out to say the least.
I disconnected wires as I was pulling it out.. I don't think it will be any easier putting it back either! Any tricks you have on this?
Here is another picture of my car I found on the internet! It reminds me why I put myself through all this grief! And, no, that is not me standing or sitting
behind the car!!!
Mike
interesting Mike.
Looking at the two, the pale green lead which supplies fuses 1 and 2 on mine at the top right, looks like it's connected to the bottom of fuses 1 and 2. Could it be that it's been connected to feed direct?
The yellow / black wire to the left which is missing from yours feeds throug a separate fuse holder although I'm not sure what that feeds. I'll check later although I think it feeds the engine cooling fans. Are yours connected to a different fuse?
Mine is body number 224, chassis ref AM 112 462, late 1968.
Took mine out today for a meeting with some other car clubs (TVR and Ferrari guys) and it ran beautifully, nice a smooth and I'll post some pictures later. Felt really good to get it out in the sunshine, although true to form, the drivers side electric window died again......
Cheers Mike, and thank you for the separate email.
Paul
Looking at the two, the pale green lead which supplies fuses 1 and 2 on mine at the top right, looks like it's connected to the bottom of fuses 1 and 2. Could it be that it's been connected to feed direct?
The yellow / black wire to the left which is missing from yours feeds throug a separate fuse holder although I'm not sure what that feeds. I'll check later although I think it feeds the engine cooling fans. Are yours connected to a different fuse?
Mine is body number 224, chassis ref AM 112 462, late 1968.
Took mine out today for a meeting with some other car clubs (TVR and Ferrari guys) and it ran beautifully, nice a smooth and I'll post some pictures later. Felt really good to get it out in the sunshine, although true to form, the drivers side electric window died again......
Cheers Mike, and thank you for the separate email.
Paul
Getting the switches out is a real pain, sometimes it's easier to switch the switch 'on' and partially rotate, but it's just time and wriggling them individually, it is easier if you take them out from the outside inwards so try starting with the interior light switch and work towards the fuel tank switch.
Your car looks great Mike. Here are mine from today:-
Thanks to Mark Lee for some of the pics,
Paul
Your car looks great Mike. Here are mine from today:-
Thanks to Mark Lee for some of the pics,
Paul
The Surveyor said:
It sounds like progress Mike, you'll be ready for that beer soon!
I typed a long response yesterday but got the dreaded 'Pistonheads has a problem' and the text was lost. Regardless, it sounds like you are getting to the bottom of the problem which is good. The wiring on mine is just as that coloured wiring diagram I sent you earlier, with fuses 1 and 2 serving the high beam, one via a grey wire and one being grey / black. At the headlight end, the black wires to the moulded plugs are 'earth' and the green / black wire serving the low beams.
The operation of the headlights on mine is correct (according to McGrath Maserati) although it doesn't appear to be logical....
With the headlight switch in the 'off' position, the outer lamps flash when the indicator stalk is pulled back, nothing happens when the stalk is pushed towards the dash.
With the headlight switch in the middle (side-lights) position, the rear lights come on, the under-bonnet and boot lights come on (when open), the side lights at the front as well as all the dash-lights. The indicator stalk operates in the same way as above.
With the headlights fully on, all is as above except the stalk operates differently. With the stalk in the middle position, both high and low beam (inner and outer) lamps are illuminated along with the dashboard warning. Pulling the stalk back flashes off the outer lamps, and when the stalk is pushed away them only the low beam lamps are illuminated.
Meaning, when you switch the headlights on fully to get the low-beam lamps, you also have to push the stalk away otherwise you end up with high beam. I'm going to call it 'character' lol.
Best of luck Mike
Paul
Reminds me of the Johnny Cash track, when I put on the lights all three came on!!I typed a long response yesterday but got the dreaded 'Pistonheads has a problem' and the text was lost. Regardless, it sounds like you are getting to the bottom of the problem which is good. The wiring on mine is just as that coloured wiring diagram I sent you earlier, with fuses 1 and 2 serving the high beam, one via a grey wire and one being grey / black. At the headlight end, the black wires to the moulded plugs are 'earth' and the green / black wire serving the low beams.
The operation of the headlights on mine is correct (according to McGrath Maserati) although it doesn't appear to be logical....
With the headlight switch in the 'off' position, the outer lamps flash when the indicator stalk is pulled back, nothing happens when the stalk is pushed towards the dash.
With the headlight switch in the middle (side-lights) position, the rear lights come on, the under-bonnet and boot lights come on (when open), the side lights at the front as well as all the dash-lights. The indicator stalk operates in the same way as above.
With the headlights fully on, all is as above except the stalk operates differently. With the stalk in the middle position, both high and low beam (inner and outer) lamps are illuminated along with the dashboard warning. Pulling the stalk back flashes off the outer lamps, and when the stalk is pushed away them only the low beam lamps are illuminated.
Meaning, when you switch the headlights on fully to get the low-beam lamps, you also have to push the stalk away otherwise you end up with high beam. I'm going to call it 'character' lol.
Best of luck Mike
Paul
Hi Paul...
Your car looks great!! I am so glad to hear it is running well..
On the switches, I also thought about removing them from the outside in, and then install from the inside out. I will try that tomorrow..
Looking at the fuse wires.. You are right, there is a light green one connected on fuses one and two, but I don't think it was hot.. I will
disconnect it tomorrow, and see if it is hot. If it is hot I will connect it to the top of fuses 1 and 2 and see if I have main beams! If so,
I will be able to connect the fuse 4 lead back to fuse 4 (it was temporarily disconnected from fuse 4 and jumped to fuses 1 and 2)...
My car does not have the original fans.. They are some kind of replacement units. I will need to check on the wiring for it.
Regarding your window issue.. The problem may be the plastic gears in the window drive mechanism.. Have yours been replaced? When
I have your mailing address, I will send you two aluminum ones to try out.. The window drive mechanism is not really all that complicated.
Just disassemble, clean, reassemble with the new gears, and use a good quality grease! If it's a power issue, check the fuse, and clean all
contact points.. Now, if its the motor, then that's a whole new issue... Mine go up and down very slowly!
Mike
Your car looks great!! I am so glad to hear it is running well..
On the switches, I also thought about removing them from the outside in, and then install from the inside out. I will try that tomorrow..
Looking at the fuse wires.. You are right, there is a light green one connected on fuses one and two, but I don't think it was hot.. I will
disconnect it tomorrow, and see if it is hot. If it is hot I will connect it to the top of fuses 1 and 2 and see if I have main beams! If so,
I will be able to connect the fuse 4 lead back to fuse 4 (it was temporarily disconnected from fuse 4 and jumped to fuses 1 and 2)...
My car does not have the original fans.. They are some kind of replacement units. I will need to check on the wiring for it.
Regarding your window issue.. The problem may be the plastic gears in the window drive mechanism.. Have yours been replaced? When
I have your mailing address, I will send you two aluminum ones to try out.. The window drive mechanism is not really all that complicated.
Just disassemble, clean, reassemble with the new gears, and use a good quality grease! If it's a power issue, check the fuse, and clean all
contact points.. Now, if its the motor, then that's a whole new issue... Mine go up and down very slowly!
Mike
Forgot to add.....
It is so nice to have someone to bounce some of these questions off of.. Mexico's are so rare that it is hard to find knowledgable
people who are also willing to share info.. I think most of them go to restoration shops and they don't typically like to share,
although there are some exceptions...
So, thanks again Paul.. You have helped me tremendously already!
Mike
It is so nice to have someone to bounce some of these questions off of.. Mexico's are so rare that it is hard to find knowledgable
people who are also willing to share info.. I think most of them go to restoration shops and they don't typically like to share,
although there are some exceptions...
So, thanks again Paul.. You have helped me tremendously already!
Mike
Mexico074 said:
My car does not have the original fans.. They are some kind of replacement units. I will need to check on the wiring for it.
These are (apparently) the original fans. This is a photograph of them before any dismantling works commenced and as you'll see, they're different but they do match the drawings in the Ghibli parts manual from the same era.
Any help?
Paul
Hi Paul...
Sorry for the delay. Have been a bit busy as of late. I was able to get the fuel pump switch back in without having to remove any other
switches. I took my time and was able to move it into place carefully. I now have the gauge registering the correct fuel tank.
When I bought my Mexico, it had one original fan and some kind of non-original, not even close to original looking fan. I replaced both
with what you see in the picture below. Your question on the different fan blades is interesting. There is no information in the Mexico
parts manual regarding the fans. So, I went to the Quattroporte I parts manual, for which the Mexico parts manual is a supplement of. In
the cooling section illustrations, it shows one motor and fan blade unit, but shows a quantity of 2. This indicates to me that the fan motors
and blades should be identical. But, from what I have seen and heard about from those days, Maserati sometimes used whatever was in the parts
bins. Thus, it is not impossible for the two fans on your car to be different. Do you have the shroud that goes along the top of the radiator,
basically enclosing the fans? I think this is needed to ensure no fan air is easily moved over the top of the radiator...
Mike
Sorry for the delay. Have been a bit busy as of late. I was able to get the fuel pump switch back in without having to remove any other
switches. I took my time and was able to move it into place carefully. I now have the gauge registering the correct fuel tank.
When I bought my Mexico, it had one original fan and some kind of non-original, not even close to original looking fan. I replaced both
with what you see in the picture below. Your question on the different fan blades is interesting. There is no information in the Mexico
parts manual regarding the fans. So, I went to the Quattroporte I parts manual, for which the Mexico parts manual is a supplement of. In
the cooling section illustrations, it shows one motor and fan blade unit, but shows a quantity of 2. This indicates to me that the fan motors
and blades should be identical. But, from what I have seen and heard about from those days, Maserati sometimes used whatever was in the parts
bins. Thus, it is not impossible for the two fans on your car to be different. Do you have the shroud that goes along the top of the radiator,
basically enclosing the fans? I think this is needed to ensure no fan air is easily moved over the top of the radiator...
Mike
Having followed this thread for some while as it's been a real interesting read I find myself the proud new owner of a 60s Maserati myself.
It's in need of a total restoration eventually but initially I'd like to recomission and run it for a year, allowing me time to sell a few body parts to finance said build.
I have a feeling I'm going to be asking a fair few questions over the next few months as the project progresses if that's ok chaps.
It's in need of a total restoration eventually but initially I'd like to recomission and run it for a year, allowing me time to sell a few body parts to finance said build.
I have a feeling I'm going to be asking a fair few questions over the next few months as the project progresses if that's ok chaps.
Hello xpuffin...
Welcome to the world of classic Maserati Ownership! Congratulations on your purchase!!!
Now you must tell us which 60's Maserati you bought, along with some pictures..
You have a choice.. If it is not a Mexico, you may want to start a new thread for your
car... Just make sure you reference 'Maserati' along with the model in the thread title.
And of course, we will try to assist as possible. Paul will be a very good resource for
you, as I believe you live in the UK as well...
Looking forward to seeing your car!
Mike
Welcome to the world of classic Maserati Ownership! Congratulations on your purchase!!!
Now you must tell us which 60's Maserati you bought, along with some pictures..
You have a choice.. If it is not a Mexico, you may want to start a new thread for your
car... Just make sure you reference 'Maserati' along with the model in the thread title.
And of course, we will try to assist as possible. Paul will be a very good resource for
you, as I believe you live in the UK as well...
Looking forward to seeing your car!
Mike
Hello Paul...
Just a quick note to let you know I sent you something on Monday. I have absolutely no idea
when it will arrive. In it, you should find two window winder gears and a bunch of 1982
articles on the Maserati Mexico. You may already have these articles, but thought I would
send them to you anyway!
Mike
Just a quick note to let you know I sent you something on Monday. I have absolutely no idea
when it will arrive. In it, you should find two window winder gears and a bunch of 1982
articles on the Maserati Mexico. You may already have these articles, but thought I would
send them to you anyway!
Mike
Mexico074 said:
Hi Paul...
When I bought my Mexico, it had one original fan and some kind of non-original, not even close to original looking fan. I replaced both with what you see in the picture below. Your question on the different fan blades is interesting. There is no information in the Mexico parts manual regarding the fans. So, I went to the Quattroporte I parts manual, for which the Mexico parts manual is a supplement of. In the cooling section illustrations, it shows one motor and fan blade unit, but shows a quantity of 2. This indicates to me that the fan motors and blades should be identical. But, from what I have seen and heard about from those days, Maserati sometimes used whatever was in the parts
bins. Thus, it is not impossible for the two fans on your car to be different. Do you have the shroud that goes along the top of the radiator, basically enclosing the fans? I think this is needed to ensure no fan air is easily moved over the top of the radiator...
Mike
Hi MikeWhen I bought my Mexico, it had one original fan and some kind of non-original, not even close to original looking fan. I replaced both with what you see in the picture below. Your question on the different fan blades is interesting. There is no information in the Mexico parts manual regarding the fans. So, I went to the Quattroporte I parts manual, for which the Mexico parts manual is a supplement of. In the cooling section illustrations, it shows one motor and fan blade unit, but shows a quantity of 2. This indicates to me that the fan motors and blades should be identical. But, from what I have seen and heard about from those days, Maserati sometimes used whatever was in the parts
bins. Thus, it is not impossible for the two fans on your car to be different. Do you have the shroud that goes along the top of the radiator, basically enclosing the fans? I think this is needed to ensure no fan air is easily moved over the top of the radiator...
Mike
Back from Le Mans (which was excellent) and I'm picking up on thread. My car doesn't have the radiator shroud so i'll need to look at getting one fabricated to ensure I get a proper flow of air through the radiator. I knew mine should have had one based on the screw holes, and from the attached photo I took of John Jacksons RHD Mexico a few years ago. Should be easy enough to replicate!
Also, here is the extract from the Ghibli Parts Manual which shows two different types of fan being used on those, and the fan blade pattern looks to match the two 'original' ones on mine. This was why i'd assumed mine were original, although as you say it may have been simply what they had on the shelf on the day that the car passed that section of the production line!
Regards, Paul
Xpuffin said:
Having followed this thread for some while as it's been a real interesting read I find myself the proud new owner of a 60s Maserati myself.
It's in need of a total restoration eventually but initially I'd like to recomission and run it for a year, allowing me time to sell a few body parts to finance said build.
I have a feeling I'm going to be asking a fair few questions over the next few months as the project progresses if that's ok chaps.
Ask away and we'll try and help if we can.It's in need of a total restoration eventually but initially I'd like to recomission and run it for a year, allowing me time to sell a few body parts to finance said build.
I have a feeling I'm going to be asking a fair few questions over the next few months as the project progresses if that's ok chaps.
Looking at your profile, is it the 1962 3500GT that you've just bought in which case have you seen the other thread started by SprintSpeciale on the restoration of his 3500GTi:-
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
It may give you some inspiration or scare you half to death! As Mike said before, lets see some pictures and it may be worth starting a whole new thread so others can find it. Also, don't underestimate how helpful the specialists can be, my refurbishment wouldn't have progressed without the help and guidance from Chris McNabb (parts manager) at McGrath Maserati. They may not always be the cheapest but the knowledge of such specialists is often worth paying that little bit more for IMHO.
Cheers, Paul
Mexico074 said:
Hello Paul...
Just a quick note to let you know I sent you something on Monday. I have absolutely no idea
when it will arrive. In it, you should find two window winder gears and a bunch of 1982
articles on the Maserati Mexico. You may already have these articles, but thought I would
send them to you anyway!
Mike
Package arrived Mike.Just a quick note to let you know I sent you something on Monday. I have absolutely no idea
when it will arrive. In it, you should find two window winder gears and a bunch of 1982
articles on the Maserati Mexico. You may already have these articles, but thought I would
send them to you anyway!
Mike
Those window gears are beautifully replicated and I'll put them in when I have the window gear out sorting out the limit switches. Still waiting for the DVLA to sort out a UK registration so the Mexico isn't getting much use, but the sun is out today so I may well give it a run.....
I hope yours is coming along nicely and thank you again for sending those gears out. Very much appreciated.
Paul
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