"Enrico, Maybe you or your readers can save me some time. 1980 Quattroporte III runs great as long as the Fuel Pump switch (pompa elettrica di emergenza) is on. When it is switched off the car soon "runs out of fuel". Where is the normal fuel pump located?

Mille Grazia,

Ernie."

"Enrico,

Great site! I just went thru the replacement process of the starter on my (new project) QP III. As suggested by other owners I used a starter from a 91 Dodge Dakota 3.9L.

It works fine. The only reservations I have are the vent holes end up on the top when in place. Other Dodge starters may not result in this situation but I didn't notice it until I started to put it in place. One should shop for a starter that normally mounts on the passenger side to avoid this.

Time will tell if this is a problem.

Best Regards,

Ernie."

"Enrico,

If I may trouble you further. On my QP 3 (1980) when I engage drive or reverse with the automatic transmission, I find that there is a pronounced jolt and clonk. This can be diminished by applying the footbrake. When the car is first started up the jolt and clonk is much less pronounced.

Have you any idea as to the cause and its possible rectification, or is this normal ?

Many thanks for any possible advice.

Ian."

"Regarding the QP3 gearbox:

There are a few reasons for clonks when taking up drive. The first thing to do would be to check the transmission fluid level and cleanliness. If it has not been serviced for a couple of years and had the fluid changed, then do so first. Checking the level is complicated but the procedure is described in the owner’s handbook. If you establish that the gearbox level is fine and the car still clonks, you then need to make a physical examination of the drivetrain, starting at the most likely end – which is the rear and the two driveshafts, the joints of which wear. If you have any play in these joints, then get them overhauled because they also form a suspension link and a failure could be catastrophic. If satisfied that the joints are OK, then look at the propshaft joints. If these are also OK, then check for backlash in the rear axle.

Andrea."

"Hi,

The side terminal battery in your picture is the correct type for the car and the two connections are also correct to the positive terminal.

The fuel pipe should go under the battery tray.

The chassis oil plates are available as a repro from MIE Corporation in Seattle.

The rust hole does look like a simple repair.

No, I don’t think that the quilted material is available anymore.

Regards,

Andrea."

"Hi,

1984 Quattroporte a/c.

I have just been driving this car for a friend who has tooooo many cars and this needs to be run a little. It's in immaculate condition with only 40k miles;

To the chase, I've manage to get the vacumn straighten out but am unable to get the a/c charged it has been converted to r134a but I notice a spicket on the low pressure side of the compressor just below the r134a connector.

What is the precedure for charging this a/c unit?

TIA.

Lorris."

"Hi,

Not sure what you mean by this.

Regards,

Enrico."

"Hello Enrico:

Your site is great! I am the owner of an 1984 Quattroporte (US model w/ California emissions). I have a few questions:

1. After running for about ½ hour, 3 of the 4 catalytic converters turn red hot. The only one that does not is the one on the driver’s side closer to the engine. I saw the post on your site recommending a fix for red hot exhaust headers (I think they are talking about the exhaust manifold right off the engine). Is this the same problem and/or fix?

2. How do you open the glove box? I found a small button under the dash lip (right under the clock). It didn’t open the glove box right away, but I was able to open the box with a little pull after pressing this button a few times.

3. Where would the original tools be stored? The trunk is made up of 3 main compartments. And I did not see it in any of those.

4. In order to keep the car from stalling, I usually need to keep the “emergency pump” button pressed in while driving. Any idea what the problem and fix is for this?

Thanks!

Ray."

"Dear Enrico,

First and foremost .....What an Amazing site !

I have recently bought a 1989 Maserati Quattroporte Royale and as far as I know it is a very Rare Car with only 55 ever made.

I would like to know what price this car would sell for and what its value is , as it is in showroom condition with only 55000 km.

Any information on the car would be greatly appreciated.

Kind regards,

Dayle."

"Hi,

I'm sorry but I can't do any valuations by email, difficult enough to do when you have the car in front of you.

How much did you pay for the car? Do you like it? If you do, it was worth every penny!!!!

Regards,

Enrico."

"Scott,

I also have an 84 Q III. Front pads are Lamborghini. Rear pads are Jaguar.

Both are easy to find by calling "Gino" at AW Autoparts NJ at 800-631-5589.

Tell Gino, Bob Rickner sent you. I can be reached at rhrflyer@hotmail.com if you want to chat more about Q IIIs.

Bob."

"Sir,

I am hoping you can help.

I am in dire need of tie rod ends for my 1982 Quattroporte.

Any info such as source, part numbers or any availability would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,

Sol."

"Greetings,

I need advice and direction. I recently purchased a 1984 barely running Maserati Quattroporte III, automatic transmission, engine Vin # ZAMBC1105EA305***. At first the starter was slipping, but I got it running after multiple tries. After 5 minutes of running, the 2 back exhaust engine headers turned red hot, as if they were going to melt. I immediately turned of the engine. I then continued to remove the starter to check the ring gear. The ring gear teeth are striped and at some points there are no teeth. The starter spindle seemed OK. Someone must have installed the wrong starter and it striped the ring gear teeth (flywheel). I was informed, that transmission on the 84 Quattroport is a Chrysler Torqueflight with a modified torque converter (possible the heavy duty police car Torqueflight). He also informed me that the starter could be from a 1974 - 1978, 440 Dodge engine. I now need to replace the Ring Gear with the Torque Converter, the starter and to look for the cause of the red-hot engine headers. My questions are:

1) Do I look for a new starter at a Dodge Dealership? What is the correct starter model for the 1984 Quattroporte, Auto.

2) Do I look for the ring gear with the Torque Converter at a dodge dealer ship. What is the correct Ring gear and torque converter for the car?

3) What could be the problem of the red-hot engine headers? I purchased the car in Colorado and shipped it to NY. Is it possible the deference in the altitudes will cause the wrong air mixture?

Your help will be greatly appreciated.

Jake."

"The transmission is Chrysler Torqueflite A727. I do not know if the torque converter is modified or not because we do not have much experience with American cars here. The ring gear (flex plate) is a Maserati part for sure so available probably through people like MIE. The starter is definitely of US origin but I don't know the make or model. We just take to a US car spares place here to get matched up. Again, MIE will no doubt help you and their pricing may surprise you!

The problem with hot headers is usually that the ignition timing is too retarded or the choke device is stuck on. If you are saying that only the rearmost four cylinders are making the headers hot then it is likely you have carb problems but I don't know if your car has Cats as well (none in the UK have them) which may also cause that if they are partially blocked. You should check that the choke device is completely shut off on all carbs individually - you can disconnect if you want as it is never needed. Then you should check ignition timing anyway. It may be that you are running with a good deal of retard anyway as this was used by Maserati to comply with Smog laws. In Euro spec you should have 6 - 8 degrees BTDC static, whereas you could already have 11 degrees ATDC. If it is more than that, adjust it.

Hope this helps,

Andy."

"Hi,

I just stumbled across you site and find it quite intriguing.

Unfortunately, however, I can't find anywhere on it to help me find reasonably-priced front & rear brake pads for my '84 Quattroporte.

I'm located in the U.S. and am looking for some interchange pads for the originals, which are hard to find and VERY expensive.

Any thoughts?

Thanks for any help.

Best, Scott."