jfrazar

Paul, Your comment about the Jalpa vs. Urraco is spot on. I have owned 3 older lambo's all at the same time for a 5yr run. The Urraco was light, nimble, fun to drive - really a great great car. Super Super easy to work on and very logical. My Countach was big, wide and a very nice drive - I always laugh at the magazine articles that make it sound so ruff and unbearable. Very exciting car. The Jalpa was blaaah. The car never did it for me. It almost was trying to be a compromise between the Countach and Urraco. Your comment about the 3.5 vs. 3.0 I can confirm that the Urraco motor was much better and the Jalpa motor was modified to make it more powerful with less than good results. When I had my Jalpa motor apart and saw the spacer plate between the head and block I was not very impressed. The cyl heads are crap, big heavy things, piss poor design. Regarding the timing belt on the Urraco - Do not rely on the spring in the belt tensioner to set your belt tension you need to adjust this by feel and you can change the belts with the motor in the car. My Verdict is Urraco yes, Jalpa hell no. - 308 much better car for same money. I worked on a local guys 512 last month and I can tell you Countach Vs. 512 - Countach ALL DAY LONG. If anyone knows of one I would be interested. Cell 912-667-1704 If any of you need older lambo work in the south I just bought a 10,000 sq ft. 20 bay shop in Savannah, In the final stages of getting it set up. My techs are really good and very reasonable. Joe Frazar

For the most part yes, parts can be a pain or just expensive. I loved mine and it was a total driver. It was one of the early P250's I took the car on a trip believe it or not and my wife really did not complain at all. One day I will get back on the lambo bus. Currently a garage full of Ferrari's. Joe

I miss the hell out of mine and would consider another. My fav of all that I had - I know that is hard to believe but true. Joe Frazar

I had a factory G cover on my Jalpa - perfect.

You took the words right out of my mouth, Good offer = sell the car. Sold - car is going to Switzerland. Don't know what I want next. Every once in a while I just get the urge to clean out the garage and start over. BTW. The new owner did not want the wheels - I just put them on ebay. Joe Frazar

You need to see the other ones of the car on the road. It sounds so good! Search Urraco Savannah Joe Frazar

Sorry for long delay, in replying. You need to check the bearing for the cam drive chains at the bottom of the timing cover by the oil pump. This is my first guess. - Some questions for you? 1. Have you lost compression on any of the cyl? 2. Have you removed the Water Pump/Dissy Drive belt and turned the water pump shaft to check for a failed bearing? 3. Have you Done a mechanical oil preasure check? Is the oil preasure much lower than before or no change? (Sometimes you can have a failed rod bearing and still have oil preasure.) 4. Does the noise come from the timing chain area. You can remove the lower timing cover with the engine in the car and have a look. Lots of little nuts and bolts in this area that might have failed or come lose. A note to some of your comments. Jalpa motors do not have cam bearings they ride in machined heads. The rod bearings are the bearings that are at the end of the connecting rod around the crankshaft. PM for my cell number if you want to discuss. Joe Frazar

Send him a pm, I don't think you need to worry. I know the shipping companies are slammed right now. Jfrazar

The special tool is a very narrow socket to get the head bolt nuts off on the far ends of the head. Take a standard 17mm socket and grind it down. (see Pic) No special tools other than that. I loaded some pics for you of me putting the motor back together. (The Carreaper is in one of the shots) The heads I did have done by Mike @ evans. I did not know they would sell the stainless valves. Btw. The valve job is a pain. That does require special tools. (they can be made) It sounds like you lost a rod bearing. Did the machine shop rework your rods? Did they ream the rod bushings or replace them. Did they regrind your crankshaft? Weld on it. Can you give a very detailed outline of what you hear and when? Hopefully you don't have to go back in to the motor. Joe Frazar

I just finished fixing a sick Jalpa. It is not that big of a deal. These cars are very low tech. The parts cost are insane. I have had the motor out of my Jalpa 3 times at my house - Takes about 1 hour. Now I do have lift and a cart that I built to pull motors out of Porsches. Roll cart under car. 5 bolts drop entire drive train out after undoing lines and electrical connections. I like this set up - very easy. Now before anyone asks why 3 times. Bought car with poor shifting transmission. - took 3 tries to get the transmisson right. When a "PRO SHOP" puts late shift forks in an early gear box it will not shift right!!!!!!! The transmission had a hodge podge of late and early parts in it from damage done at the port when imported to the US. I fixed that problem - Some of my biggest nightmares fixing old cars have been undoing the FU of crap "PRO" mechanics. Did valves and headgaskets as well. Please check that your acorn nuts are not topping out on the studs!!!!!!!! The gasket will not last long. George Evans - Said he had only seen this one other time and me. Sorry I did not take pics - but if anyone needs Jalpa/Urraco advice I have done a lot to these cars. Joe Frazar

Peter, Thank you for doing that. I can stop telling everyone and send them to this thread. Joe Frazar

Got my joints yesterday, very happy with them. Jfrazar

Leo sorry I came across as such a ****** to you. It is obvious you think I own a junk car. I am honestly quite happy with it. Every person that has driven it has been very pleased with the car and quite taken with how well the car drives. I am just an a car guy having fun, if the car does not sell, I will just keep it. Yes I am a dealer by profession but this is not a "Flip" as you put it. Had to defend my honor after that slapping I just got!!!!!! Joe Frazar

All I can say is my god!!!!! I really feel for you, man I was horrified looking at those pictures. The cut off rod bolts blew me the most. Is the guy that did this work the fat guy on the 40th aniv. video who was trying to come across as the Lamborghini expert?

I ran a general ad in Hemmings with all three of my cars listed, Countach, my Urraco, the Jalpa and a friends Jarama. I was surprised at the calls that I got. Lots of dealers looking to steal them. They all told me after they realized I was not in need of cash to hold on to them. They all felt that pre Diablo Lamborghinis were going to be "Blue Chip collector cars." The Jarama sold pretty quickly for a good number. $35,000 and the car was nice but did need some cleaning up on the underside. I still think it was cheap. The real shocker was the calls from those that said they had always wanted a Countach and were looking. The bottom line is that demand is in the market, down some but there, future demand is clearly in the Countach's favor. I heard from a lot of guys "that car was always a dream of mine." I agree with Peter, now is the time to hold. JFrazar