In case I ever get one of these, good to know. A friend of mine has one, I happened upon this video which explains why it’s worth every penny. I’m surprised that the firing order would be like this.



https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=xD0b-GwFRro

__________________
Te futueo et caballum tuum

1986 300SDL, 362K
1984 300D, 138K

I am no engine designer, but it seems like a reasonable balance across the block longitudinally and side to side.

Engine balance is a complicated thing. I have to confess to only barely understanding it.

__________________
Te futueo et caballum tuum

1986 300SDL, 362K
1984 300D, 138K

That plate simply identifies which plug is which. Firing order is another thing. I have some books which will tell that, I am sure. I'll dig them out if he needs them..

__________________
[SIGPIC] Diesel loving autocrossing grandpa Architect. 08 Dodge 3/4 ton with Cummins & six speed; I have had about 35 benzes. I have a 39 Studebaker Coupe Express pickup in which I have had installed a 617 turbo and a five speed manual.[SIGPIC]

..I also have a 427 Cobra replica with an aluminum chassis.

The words: 'CYLINDER IGNITION ORDER' seems to cover it?

Upon closer inspection, there is a series of numbers under those words. You can read it easier under the Italian:

1-7-5-11-3-9-6-12-2-8-4-10

I think Tom is correct on this one.

__________________
Te futueo et caballum tuum

1986 300SDL, 362K
1984 300D, 138K

???

Your friend has one, wow! Very cool looking engine

__________________
I'd rather argue against a hundred idiots, than have one agree with me. — Winston Churchill

I haven’t ridden in it, no way am I going to ask. We’ll see. He says it is his favorite driving Ferrari ever. He previously owned a 275GTB and a 330GTC.

At the second meetup, he showed up in a Ferrari F50. He’s kind of a showoff, but it’s fun, it’s great eye candy. And he has a great attitude. It’s a money making hobby for him. Great work if you have the ante.

__________________
Te futueo et caballum tuum

1986 300SDL, 362K
1984 300D, 138K

try Viagra

I’m telling you man, the software on this forum. I corrected that, yes thank you very much - “risen,” oh boy. I had the same thought. Don’t wanna leave that word in the post. I corrected it, I could’ve sworn. I did it again, maybe this time it will take. And no, I don’t get wood from Ferraris. They do have an undeniable mystique however. This guy has shown up with three of them, the third one was a blue 308. Kind of neat to pop the hood and check them out.

He seemingly has a knack for finding expensive cars that need a little bit of TLC to up their value. One day he drove up in a 911 and showed me how he had sanded off some rattle can paint using sandpaper up to 3000 grit.

__________________
Te futueo et caballum tuum

1986 300SDL, 362K
1984 300D, 138K

After looking again I see the big numerals in the center which tell where the cylinders are. The smaller numbers on the left and right are the firing order. There are two distributors, one for each bank of cylinders. It will run on one bank. the separte banks have the disadvantage of making it possible to have one bank retarded and one advanced or right on. It will run with them that way but the power is not there.

The cam timing also must be dead on or the valves will be bent. Don't ask how I know that. The timing advance is marked on the edge of the flywheel.

__________________
[SIGPIC] Diesel loving autocrossing grandpa Architect. 08 Dodge 3/4 ton with Cummins & six speed; I have had about 35 benzes. I have a 39 Studebaker Coupe Express pickup in which I have had installed a 617 turbo and a five speed manual.[SIGPIC]

..I also have a 427 Cobra replica with an aluminum chassis.

Four years before I bought my first E30 I saw one that had suffered a broken timing belt, rather I saw the heads off. Numerous valves bent at funny angles. I’ve read that people are often reluctant to even try to salvage after that, too much chance of impact damage in the rod or crankshaft apparently.

I’ve read about electronic ignition retrofits for older Ferrari V12s. I asked my friend about that. He said it will lower the value. Anything nonstock will do that, even a paint job. He says that the various models in yellow are worth more than in red because it was much less common, but don’t you dare repaint your car. Doesn’t work that way.

That would be a tough. Really liking the way your car runs when it’s running well but being reluctant to get rid of the problematic points and breaker set up. And two of them no less, what could go wrong with that?

Ah, I found this discussion on the topic, the consensus was that devices are perhaps oversold. It can be pretty hard to out-engineer the big boys.

http://www.tomyang.net/cars/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?t=4248

__________________
Te futueo et caballum tuum

1986 300SDL, 362K
1984 300D, 138K