Just thought of sharing... I took my F355 to the local dealer here in Dubai for 80K service and cam belt replacement. after a compression test we found a leaky exhaust valuve in one of the cylenders. head is out and being reconditioned. so far they recommended changing : The oil heat exchanger Hydraulic cam belt tensioner Gaskets Water pump bearing Engine mounts Do minimum rust proving on the frame. I agreed after seeing the condition of these parts. And so far the cost is around US$8,500 .. ouch Anyone's been through this lately? any other parts I should consider replacing now that the engine is out? Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login
Hey Mate! Nice. Im doing all this myself at the moment in my shop here in Aus. Check the cylinder bores for any deep marks. Replace your cylinder head nuts,put at least 3 spot welds on the lower cam drive pulley fences on each side, pay the money to have them dial in your cams upon reassembly. Upgrade to hill belt bearings. Oh and service your alternator! All the best mate,keep us posted. love the pics too!
Thanks Andy. the cylinder bores look good. Good point about the alternator. I didn’t get the spot weld purpose, can you explain? And why is Hills bearing better than OEM? Sorry about the questions but this is my first engine out service. I have read all that is out there about this and every day there is something new.
Spot welding the fences keeps them from falling out and destroying the belts leading to a engine failure. Not a must but a good recommendation.
Your welcome mate! Seems im doing the exact same job. repainted valve covers look stunning. Ive just done mine. Hill bearings are supposed to be superior and i used them in my build. Good time to look at your clutch,especially if its f1. Ive built a lot of exotic machinery over the years but the 355 is just my favourite!
I'm in the middle of this right now. Heads are out getting redone at the moment. I am resealing everything and changing out the seals. I am also painting what needs refreshing, once I got into it more and more needs work so I'm down to bare bones now.
If it's $8500 with parts and labour you're getting a good deal.If that was in states or canada at the dealer im sure it would be $ 15k if not more.
I have a 95 so updating the tensioners and the tensioner bearing brackets. I can't recall the name but in order to use the hill bearings I had to update them. Those are the big things I'm replacing. I am doing a lot more than a engine out service, I will be re-plating all hardware. Repainting the car because someone in the past painted it the wrong yellow. Also repainting the engine bay and the engine cradle all suspension so on. Car will be brand new when I'm done.
Yeah I really started working on it last month, slowly going as I have other cars to work on as well but I'll keep updating as I go. Btw I was going through Dubai quite a bit the last couple years when I was working in Afghanistan. If you ever come across some cars with issues like older Ferrari's or lambos like a countach I'd love to get my hands on one haha! Where is the shop located your using? I don't know the city very well just around the airport for the most part.
I use the dealer here... check them out. Al Tayer Motors L.L.C., Official Ferrari Dealer in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. They are a fantastic Ferrari and Maserati specialists. they also do few more brands line Jags and others. The do a lot of classics including. i have seen an E-type, 512 TR and a 250 GTO in the shop. There are few collectors in Dubai with exotic collection that I just hear about but never seen. Never seen a classic lambo here.
Ah ok was hoping you where in the west but never mind. Sounds like you are pretty clued up on the 355 motor! Unfortunately everyone over here wants a kidney to work on these and I don't think they are that knowledgeable to be honest. You might be my new helpline when I do my major at the end of the year!!!
Changing the heat-exchanger. Not leaking yet but it looks like it is about to... Not taking any chances ,.. Another $1300 ... Image Unavailable, Please Login
Ouch .. I found the exchanger for much cheaper at euros pares... http://www.eurospares.co.uk/searchResult_one.asp?M=1&Mo=692&A=1&B=41071&ID4=&S=180846&SO=1&SB=3&SM=&SMo=&O=0&added=1&added=1 I hope I can stop the dealer ordering this .. I will order it myself !
My Baby is back today. purrrrrrring like a cat. I had the car for 3 years but never thought a major service could make a huge different in how the 355 feels to drive. very smooth very fun to drive. I have driven many cars in my life but a 355 is simply the most enjoyable ride ever. spent $20K for a major timing belt service, 50K service, cylinder 3 exhaust leak solved. heads reconditioning new parts here and there, oil/ water heat exchanger replaced, all sticky interior done (even the ones that are still ok) and body polish. Image Unavailable, Please Login