Ferrari 512 BBi Full Mechanical Refresh

My 1984 Ferrari 512 BBi recently went through a complete mechanical refresh after showing classic signs of aging. The car had become laggy, felt weak under load, and would cut power at full throttle. It even backfired at times, most likely running too lean. The clutch engagement also felt rough, almost “teethed,” and the entire drivetrain showed symptoms of seals and gaskets past their lifespan.

To bring the Boxer back to proper health, a full overhaul was done addressing leaks, ignition issues, cooling system wear, clutch components, drivetrain boots, and multiple engine gaskets. Below is the complete list of all parts replaced, using correct OEM or OEM-spec part numbers.

Engine Gaskets, Seals, and Covers

Valve cover gasket (M) — 147696
Camshaft seal (M) — 163987
Plate gasket (M) — 150075
End plate gasket (M) — 147633
Oil drain plug — 148860
Valve cover gasket (M) — 147813

Cooling & Water System Hoses

Coolant hose — 121258
Breather hose — 122828
Coolant hose — 121258
Water hoses — 106392
Cooling hose — 112028

Water Pump, Seals, and Gaskets

Water pump seal — 100433
Water pump gasket (M) — 152481
Water pipe gasket (M) — 147699
Water pipe gasket (M) — 152352

Clutch System Replacement

The clutch previously felt inconsistent and harsh. The refresh included all major wear items and seals:

Clutch O-ring (M) — 104747
Clutch pressure O-ring (M) — 104756
Clutch release bearing (M) — 111307
Clutch kit (M) — 109460/c

Distributor Service

The BBi ignition system depends heavily on a healthy distributor assembly. All the seals were replaced to eliminate timing inconsistencies and oil seepage.

Distributor base gasket — 147642
Distributor oil seal (M) — 108009
Distributor O-ring (M) — 100015

Spark Plugs

Spark plugs (M) — 171629/a

CV Boots, Differential & Axle Hardware

CV boot with clamps — 95860404
Differential & axle screws (M) — 104183
Transmission plate (M) — 104184

How the Car Feels After the Refresh

After completing all of the above work, the transformation was immediate. The engine is no longer lean and unstable, the throttle response is smooth, and the car pulls strongly without hesitation. Full-throttle power no longer cuts or backfires. The clutch is precise and smooth instead of biting harshly. Cooling performance improved and small leaks that were previously ignored are now gone.

The 512 BBi finally drives with the character it was meant to, strong, clean, responsive, and reliable. This refresh brought the car mechanically back to a standard worthy of its heritage.

Spent a full week daily driving the car this summer, and the difference is immediately noticeable. She feels far more reliable now; previous issues like occasional engine cut-offs, fuse problems, and a heavy clutch are completely resolved. The car is smoother and more enjoyable to drive than it’s been in years.