Ferrari 246 Dino

Choosing the correct parts for your Ferrari can be a difficult task, particularly with older models such as the Dino. Colin Sowter runs Superformance in Hertfordshire and, as a true enthusiast, has built up a company that supplies most parts for the Dino and other classic Ferraris. Colin is proud of his team. Together they offer a very friendly and efficient service to customers worldwide. Here are some examples of the solutions Colin and his specialists have offered to all sorts of Dino problems. [QUESTION] Hello, please can you help? I have just started up my 246 Dino, as it has been in my garage over the winter, and I noticed a puddle of water on the garage floor. I have checked most of the hoses and, as far as I can see, there are no leaks. Talking to a friend, he said that it could be a water pump and, if this is so, do you sell a service kit? Or, since I have no mechanical knowledge, do you supply a new one on an exchange basis? Thanks and regards, Mike. [ANSWER] Hi Mike. Yes, I think your friend could be correct, as the water pump bearing and seal are a fairly common problem. There are two options. We can supply a repair kit, as the bearing is only £15 and the seal is £16.95, or there is the bolt-on solution, which is for us to supply a complete new pump assembly, available from stock at £225. Please let me know what you decide. With best wishes, Colin. [QUESTION] Hi, I need a clutch spring for my 1973 GTS. Sorry, I have not got a chassis number to hand. Cheers, Mark. [ANSWER] Hi Mark, that is not a problem. It is a fairly substantial spring as it returns the actuating lever back to its starting position. The cars use a common spring, which we carry in stock, and we would be pleased to send one to you. All the best, Colin. [QUESTION] My Dino still retains its original Dinoplex ignition system. Although it still works, I have been advised by fellow owners that it is well worth changing to upgrade the system. Do you have one in stock? Regards, Michael Hamilton. [ANSWER] Hi Michael, many thanks for your email. I wouldn’t suggest changing the Dinoplex as a matter of course, particularly as yours is still working. However, the original Dinoplex does appear prone to failure, as it is a part we often replace. My advice, therefore, would be that if your Dinoplex is behaving itself then there is no need to change it, but when you do need to change it, we offer an upgraded Dinoplex which is identical on the outside but carries modern electronics inside to replace the original unit. Regards, Colin. [QUESTION] Recently I took my Dino for its annual MoT. I use it during the dry summer months only and have covered around 2000 miles since the last MoT. However, to my surprise, although it passed, it has a few advisories: both front tyres are just on the limit (I can get these from a specialist tyre shop) but, on the passenger side, there is also play in the ball joint. My question to you is whether I should replace both and do you have these available, and, if so, what is your price for a pair? Many thanks. [ANSWER] In general, when replacing suspension components such as shock absorbers or springs, for safety these should always be replaced in pairs. However, with balljoints, if there is only play in one side, it is perfectly acceptable to change these individually. Regards, Colin. [QUESTION] I plan to do a bottom-end rebuild on my Fiat Dino Spyder. It is a 2.4, the same as a Ferrari Dino. Do you stock the necessary parts, ie gaskets, big ends, etc? Please let me know. Mel. [ANSWER] Hi Mel. Many thanks for your email. In terms of stock, we always aim to carry all parts listed on our website and so everything you need to rebuild your engine, from the smallest gasket, to pistons, con rods, bearings, even crankshafts, will be available off the shelf. We will be happy to help and look forward to hearing from you as your build progresses. With best regards, Colin.

[QUESTION] Good day. I live in Japan and need windscreen wipers for my car. Do you ship to Japan? Many thanks, Akai. [ANSWER] Dear Akai, we ship worldwide every day and so it is not a problem to ship to Japan. We have the windscreen wipers in stock for your car, which we would be very happy to send to you. With best regards, Colin. [QUESTION] My oil gauge reads zero on start-up. If I tap it, the needle starts to move, although I have not run the engine for too long after start up. I suspect it is a sender unit. The car is a 1971 Dino 246. [ANSWER] You are right in that it is most likely to be a sender unit, which is something we carry in stock and can supply. However, my advice would be to have the car checked by a specialist first, who can connect an external independent oil pressure gauge to the engine so that you can confirm the oil pressure is running at the correct level prior to replacing the sender unit. [QUESTION] Hi, I have promised myself this year to do a complete front and rear brake overhaul. I need both front and rear discs, pads, flexi-hoses, etc. Can you please email prices to me. My Dino is a series E. Kind regards, Stephen Slater. [ANSWER] Dear Stephen, thank you very much for your email. We would be pleased to help you with your brake overhaul. We carry all brake rebuild parts in stock. To give an indication of prices, front brake discs are £199 and rear brake discs are £98. There is a choice of brake pads starting from £14, and all brake hoses are £18.90. Caliper rebuild kits and all handbrake rebuild parts are also carried in stock. With best regards, Colin. [QUESTION] Can you please give me a price for a brake master cylinder for my Dino 246 GTS. Thanks a lot, Russell. [ANSWER] Hi Russell, no problem at all. Left- and right-hand-drive vehicles use the same master cylinder, which we carry in stock at £299. Best wishes, Colin. [QUESTION] I am near to completing a full restoration of my Dino. Annoyingly, I have lost the Dino script which fixes at the rear end near the boot lid. Is this something that you stock? Thanks, Matt. [ANSWER] Hi Matt, sorry to hear that. It is always frustrating when something goes astray while restoring your car. Fortunately, it is not a problem as we can supply the original badge at £99.95. With best regards, Colin. [QUESTION] I require a set of rear shock absorbers and I prefer the original type. Can you do next-day delivery service? I am in the UK. [ANSWER] We carry a full range of Koni shocks, which were original fitments for most Ferrari models and these are ready for immediate despatch. So, yes, no problem to get these out to you for next-day delivery. Best regards, Colin. [QUESTION] Hello, do you have a parts catalogue, or something online? [ANSWER] We do not use a printed catalogue as we update our product range on a daily basis and thus it would be out of date from the moment we sent it to the printers. For this reason, we always direct people to our website, which is categorised into vehicle type and product type for ease of use and navigation. We offer online ordering and all parts offered are carried in stock for nextday despatch, either to the UK or for worldwide distribution.