| Author |
Message |
Mitch Alsup (Mitch_alsup)
Member
Username: Mitch_alsup
Post Number: 299
Registered: 4-2002
| | Posted on Monday, January 20, 2003 - 10:36 am: | |
Early 95's (before sn 102xxx) used bronze valve guides. Feedback from the 348 challange racers indicated a concern in the valve guide area, Later 95's (after 103xxx) used steel guides. (Sorry, I dont know the exact model number of the change).
If you don't visit the race trace, and don't spend significant amounts of time within 500 RPMs of red line, you may never notice this issue as a problem.
Other 95 aliments--headers--see the archives.
95 benefits--OBDIO-I with about 5 extra HP.
Oddities about 95's--seems Ferrari had trouble with the spark plugs. Based on research I have done, Ferrari changed the plugs twice and the gap twice as the year progressed. Then they changed the plugs again for 96+. |
Ken Ross (Kdross)
Junior Member
Username: Kdross
Post Number: 217
Registered: 2-2002
| | Posted on Sunday, January 19, 2003 - 4:20 pm: | |
Is there a production date or serial number where Ferrari switched to different valve guides? |
Stephen J. MacKellar (89gtb)
New member
Username: 89gtb
Post Number: 8
Registered: 12-2002
| | Posted on Sunday, January 19, 2003 - 11:56 am: | |
For what it's worth, my trusted Ferrari mechanic tells me to ONLY consider a 97 or 98 (99?) F355 when I decide to move up from my 328 because of this dreaded problem. He says it is only a matter of time for every earlier car to need valve guides. |
david handa (Davehanda)
Member
Username: Davehanda
Post Number: 437
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Friday, January 17, 2003 - 4:25 pm: | |
Charles, do check the archives. I was looking at a few 95 355 B and GTS and found conflicting stories on the validity of the valve guide problem. I think the real story is that some cars did have a problem, but not ALL cars. My own guess is that maybe 25% of the cars had the problem. The real problem as a buyer is being able to detect the problem during an inspection, and the usual compression/leakdown test will not determine this. I am not a mechanic and don't understand the details of the valvetrain, but have been told by two (FNA) dealers to be very careful with the purchase of a 95 355, that if the valve guide problem exists, and is not taken care of, further harm can come to the top end. One dealer claimed they have inspected 95 trade-ins and found some with extensive topend wear, and ended up wholesaling the cars.
There are owners on this list with 95's that have had no problems whatsoever...
Dave |
Rob Lay (Rob328gts)
Board Administrator
Username: Rob328gts
Post Number: 3245
Registered: 12-2000
| | Posted on Friday, January 17, 2003 - 3:50 pm: | |
Yes, heard this many times too. Are the replacements permanent? |
TomD (Tifosi)
Intermediate Member
Username: Tifosi
Post Number: 2353
Registered: 9-2001
| | Posted on Friday, January 17, 2003 - 1:20 pm: | |
yes, 95 had the problem - search the archives - while they acknowledged the prob I think you had to have it fixed on your own - not certain though |
Charles Dyer (Charles_dyer)
New member
Username: Charles_dyer
Post Number: 1
Registered: 1-2003
| | Posted on Friday, January 17, 2003 - 12:31 pm: | |
Been told I need new guides. Anyone else had this problem? Will dealer replace on warranty? Been told only problem on 95. This is expensive...comments please |