Interesting that they drop the whole drive-train and rear suspension as one unit.

While it is all down, is there any preventative maintenance that could be done that would normally be in an area that is very difficult to access. After-all, the labor hours would not now include time needed to access the area. Just a thought...

 

I am sure that is going through the OP's mind and perhaps the dealership as well. "While we are here..."

 

The shocks were weeping a hair, I'm not sure it's worth holding up the install, I don't think shocks are that tough an installation. It already had a stock clutch put back in 2000 miles ago, I was going to have regular 10,000 mile service, I'm not sure what is not covered by the engine replacement. I'm sure they'll use new coolant, it should have fresh oil, brake lines are disconnected so I imagine that's half done, but I was planning on asking.

 

Hey...great it is going along. I figured they would stall you for months and months.

I am missing something... Aston Martin and FCkerbeck is doing all of this 100 percent for free...no cost to you?

 

All I've been told is my rental is not covered.


It was surmised it would take 2 months for the engine as that was how long the last one took. That it came in this fast he assumed it must have already been in country.

 

Cool pics. Seems like it would be easier to remove the torque tube and drive shaft and just drop the motor. Neat seeing everything out, though. The specially made carts to hold everything are spiffy.

I would have also guessed that the motor would not come with accessories, injectors, etc. Will save same install time. Probably also explains why the cost you heard was so crazy high.

 

That cost was a stripped long block they were expecting.

The engine sits in a "sub frame" [I can't remember the exact term] and the only way it comes out, is this way.

 

Ahhhh, NOW would be the perfect time to put in the faster rack and pinion! Anybody have one laying around?! LOL

 

Cool, that your nightmare is almost over. That set up looks like a fun time to do some extra cleaning.
Ron

 

It would be a great time to have a steam cleaner truck shoot the drivetrain, but I seriously doubt it would be allowed. It's not happening in the shop, The shops lot is full of Vanquishes, Bentley's and Rolls' and they're definitely not going to let anything happen there, which means, I could roll it all out in the street at best. But anytime it's being fiddled with is time away from getting it back in the car, and that's more important to me than having something I can only see on a lift temporarily clean, because it's just going to get dirty again.

 

I'm happy you got a new "free" engine but sad your Vantage is no longer numbers matching.
Hopefully you will be able to keep the original block with the car (just in case) for a future owner to decide.

If not maybe you don't care about such things anyways, causing no harm, no foul. Many buyers would prefer a new engine over matching numbers especially if it saved them money on the purchase price.

If you never sell the car also a complete non issue.
Wondering what your thoughts are on the subject...

 

Do modern cars even stamp the VIN on the engine? I thought that practice died out decades ago.

 

Sorry I meant to say engine serial number, which it definitely has. VIN stands for Vehicle Identification number. Aston knows what engine a chassis came with for theft and authenticity reasons just like they know what options and colours it had from the factory. Page 239 of the Grant Neal buyer's guide book explains it well. The number is left side near rear of block. First row is engine code followed by a five digit serial. For example an early 4.7 could read :
AM07 / 01234

Edit to add "it doesn't matter to me what H.O.'s opinion on matching numbers is, but I bet he will have one to satisfy my curiosity!"

Cheers,
Ryan

 

Highly understand your concern with numbers matching. But the Vantages were or area so massively produced that even in 30 years it likely wont make any difference. Maybe on a 5k mile garage queen in 30 years yes, but a driven one no.

Same for DB9s. The Vanquish or very very very low model special editions are likely the last of the value keepers. ie....the old early 2000 Vanquishes.

Some rare limited option Db9s, DBS, are possible to just hold value. IMHO

 

I am really happy for you to have this not be a catostrophic financial burden. Aside from that, I am extremely concerned with changing my own oil using AM filters. I have 4 now. Its just that obviously possibly 1 off situation. It would financially ruin me, and likely alot of members here. So the 1.2k cost of annual service seems almost like a small warranty so to speak.