348 DIY Major Service - Is it possible for slightly mechanically inclined newb?

You need to start here:

http://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/showthread.php?t=157854

has links to FatBillbob's stuff too.

pm lusso64 aka David for some feedback...AND parts

 

Yes you can!

All it takes is patience, guidance, and willingness.

Here is the "how to" for pulling the engine - http://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/showthread.php?t=102102
cam timing explained here - http://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/showthread.php?t=148604

 

I'm currently having my 30K done by a ferrari shop. In your shoes, I'd worry about what you would miss that trained people would find. What I mean is, that when the engine is pulled out, that is a great time to fix other things. If you just do the required items but don't know what else to look for, you might be putting a problem back into your car which will come down to haunt you down the road. Specifically, for me they found 3 things above and beyond regular 30K items:

1- Big leakdown on 1 cylinder found by a leakdown test and due to a worn valve guide -- This would be hard for the DIYer to find/fix
2- Wobbly belt pulley due to a bad bearing -- This one seems like a DIYer would have found, but then again, it depends on the degree of the wobble.
3- worn, close to breaking chain tensioners which also were not updated to the latest parts from an earlier ferrari recall -- This one does not apply to spiders since they had the recalled parts from the factory, but is the type of thing a DIYer might completely overlook.

I'd say go for it, but possibly get a leakdown done first before you start and maybe if you live close to any good ferrari tech, pay them a few hundred to swing by your garage and take a look once the engine is out to make sure you aren't missing anything.

 

Your friends are right... "if" you never do any maintenence on it......... I have actually met a guy at a party who "bragged" about never looking under the hood of a car..... ....... as if it were something that was beneath him .................. I could not lose respect for the guy any quicker ......

Just do your research..... read the owners handbook there is a chart on what to check for the different services.... buy some manuals and read read read until its understood.....then ask plenty of questions ! Its not a cakewalk but not impossible either !!

 

Have no fear, the Brotherhood is here.

Actually it will be cheaper than taking it to a shop, and that includes buying all the tools, on top of the parts needed. You have a great attitude, and I think you will do just fine.

Take your time and don't rush. If you have ANY questions post them and the boys will be more than willing to help you out. Then put this site in your favorites. http://club348.com/technical/Tech/348.html It's LOADED with good reading material for you.

 

Most of the guys who DIY have pulled the rear bumper first. That will give you additional clearance. The other thing you can do would be to drive the car up on ramps and then jack it up using a larger 4-5ton floor jack. Just suggestions, Scott

 

Yeah...but the scissor lift is just one of those "must have" how the heck did I get by without it tool. It makes working on cars fun, as opposed to a back breaking chore . Shop around, I have seen the Bendpak for $1500 shipped. I frikken love mine .

As an aside, most of the folks on here seem to do it with jacks... I would love some info from folks that removed the engine with a bendpak. I plan to do that with the testarossa next year. The weight shift concerns me though...

 

The two post lift has four lift points on the car and the foundation can handle that bit of weight bias in either direction .

 

That's EEEEEASY.

I have an Arcan floor jack. The lift height for it is 21". However, you can still get the engine out with one that lifts 18" all you have to do is move the floor jack a little further towards the front wheels. Either than or get a couple of big flat blocks of wood and put then under the floor jacks to raise then up off of the ground as heigh as you need then.

Seeeeeeeee........simple Simon.

No sissor lift required.

 

like this. Beer bottle not required, but it's more fun that way
Image Unavailable, Please Login

 

Good grief, do I sound like a dork or what? That spelling is terrible.

It should have read: Either THAT (not than), put THEM (not then), off the ground as HIGH (not heigh). I don't type as fast as I'm thinking. Man that was horrible.

 

This is all I can say, PLEASE buy the proper lift and tools with the money you save.......I know others are thinking this too I just couldn't hold back anymore......

 

If you decide to take on the task, don't forget to post some pics. The people on this forum is what makes F-chat great.

 

I did an engine out with a friend of mine (who did most of the work ).

It can be done by a competent mechanic, but will take longer and cost more than you originally thought.

Here's a thread of what happened to mine.

http://www.fgear.tv/forum/showthread.php?t=367

 

He doesn't need a lift. The only thing a lift will do is make it easier to get under the car. If he is looking for ease, then yeah sure, get a lift. But since he is looking to save money he doesn't need a lift. Which is why he asked about the lifting height.

It really is not difficult to pull the engine with two floor jacks. LOTS of guys have done it, me being one of them.

 

+1000

 

EGG-ZACTLY.

I did mine over a year ago with two floor jacks. No problemo.

Just take your time when you're doing the service work, and don't get distracted by wife, kids, nieghbors, etc.