[SPGlass]

That’s funny. I wonder how much of a difference that makes. It’s certainly an easier solution than the MSD conversion that Lamborghini Dallas did on my car.

 

[Sledge4.2]

I am starting to work away at the interior pieces.

The center piece that holds the radio/climate control etc has a speckled finish which I believe was unique to the early cars, but not on all the early cars. Its a rather unattractive and unpractical finish - sort of like salt mixed in with paint. I am trying to keep this car 100% original, so i am going to attempt to refinish it with the same texture. Any thoughts on how to do that are welcome.

Can someone with an early car send post pictures of this? and i would be interested in learning when Lamborghini transitioned to the smooth finish (92 cars?). The paint appears to be a flat black, any comments on that would be appreciated as well.

Lastly, i forget what originally goes in the hole at the bottom, my last Diablo had a small diode type light which never worked.....

 

[Sledge4.2]

Moderately embarrassing but informative moment. The original treatment was a rubberized finish that failed almost immediately, accelerated by sun exposure. That is what you are seeing in my pictures, an original finish that has failed. Most Diablos have had it refinished, or if you have the original rubberized paint your car is a garage queen. The correct finish is satin black trim.

Thank you Steve @ Driven Exotics who saved me from wasting time trying to refinish the wrong application!!

 

[DiabloClyde]

I did not reply earlier because your car is an early car but your post makes sense even for my 97. Mine was also satin black but had turned gummy, so I stripped mine and finished it with satin black. So , early or later the finish was the same.

 

[Sledge4.2]

Mark good to see you. What did you use?

 

[SPGlass]

Mine must have been refinished before then. It is a satin black with almost sort of an iridescence to it if you look really close in the sunlight. I had a scratch on it from when my shift lever snapped and scratched the hell out of it right between the window switched. I thought I'd never match it but using Spraymax Hot Rod Black Satin the match was so perfect I didn't even repaint the whole piece. Just many very light dusting coats and the finish looks great and matched perfectly. Mine does not have the hole in the center. I'm also curious what that is.

 

[Sledge4.2]

You are the paint master! How is the shake down going

 

[SPGlass]

Still working through some things but I might be close now. It’s running with no CEL and not overheating so that’s good. I’ll give an update on my thread in the next couple of days.

 

[Sledge4.2]

i found a use for the fake lamborghini wing that came with my car!

 

[AngelOfMurci]

i found a use for the fake lamborghini wing that came with my car!

View attachment 317296

Sweet. Looks like an air force reconnaissance antenna 😝

 

[SPGlass]

That's hysterical!!! Does it have side exhaust too?

 

[Sledge4.2]

guys, i am not really mounting a fake diablo wing on a 1972 429 Country Squire low rider station wagon...that doesnt make any sense.

Yes, magnaflows into both side exit exhaust. Its a very rare special order 429 4V (which in american terms oddly means 4 venturis aka 4 barrel). But in the life of the 429/460 big block era, this is a low horsepower motor as emissions were taking hold, so the heads are horrible. I have been convinced to commission a 460 overbore long block, which I suspect will be in the 650-700hp range.

every wednesday at sonoma raceway (aka Sears Point, which is about 15 miles from me), they do drag racing. I am going to drag this wagon as is and see what time it pulls. Then, motor swap and see how many people i can embarrass with a 700hp wagon.

 

[Sledge4.2]

running a little rich

 

[DiabloClyde]

Mark good to see you. What did you use?

Rattle can satin black. Two coats and a top coat of clear. Has help up perfectly.

 

[DiabloClyde]

The small hole with LED light I’m almost positive is aftermarket security system.

 

[AngelOfMurci]

running a little rich




View attachment 317297

I thought the ashtray is also hooked up to that side exhaust 😎

 

[Sledge4.2]

i took the diablo for the first long drive, and the motor runs great - not as fast as my other Diablo, but much smoother, and particularly the gearbox is butter. I will do a final sync and check on balance, then done.

I took out the engine bay fuse box, attached pictures for reference, everything looks good and original, just going to clean it up and repaint.

 

[Sledge4.2]

I have already replaced the long vacuum hose from engine back to interior, and going to do all of them.

They are all labeled “Motorcraft KDV-2 Distributor Vaccum 5/32”. These look original as they are all over the place on my car, but motorcraft is a ford company….does anyone else with an early Diablo have these?

 

[Vet_Lars]

Yes, I recognise those on my 92.

 

[DiabloClyde]

Geno, those are on my 97, too. Not sure if OEM from factory or just replaced over the years.