Valve Guides

There were good and bad sets of F355 valve guides, just like there were good and bad sets of 456, 456M, and 550 valve guides. Some of them had too high a copper content and were more like brass valve guides. If I had an F355, I would not be changing the guides until I saw some symptoms of a problem.

Are you sure Ferrari changed to sintered steel guides on the 99 F355? Although the parts catalog recommends sintered steel replacements for the 456, 456M, and 550, Ferrari never fitted them at the factory. Has someone confirmed 99s with sintered steel valve guides?

 

Yes.
Image Unavailable, Please Login

 

I had a 99 Fiorano #34 and it had bronze guides.

 

And what do you know... Bronze guides according to my assembly number... How lucky am I! Not...

 

Sweet, so I'm safe at 28183!!!!

 

Can you email me a copy of that letter?

 

Just save the image like I just did.

 

Quoted for the record. Don't think that buying a 98 or 99 means you're in the clear.

 

Else- Thanks, will save that one.

 

As said we have seen cars with much later assembly numbers with bronze guides.

Bill was well intentioned but it was typical Ferrari bad information.

 

"What, Mario, say we're out of the new valve guides? Don't stop the assembly line, just grab a handful of those over there!"

 

Been building em that way for 60 years.

Just so no one misunderstands, once something is paid for it is going to get used.

 

Again. For the record...

 

I always appreciate when Brian Crall shares his considerable expertise, but will provide two quotes from the similarly qualified Dave Helms as a counterpoint.

"I have not seen a mid 98 through 99 to ever have a OE brass guide installed." (davehelms 2011)

"It is fully accepted on this site that all 355's post mid season 98 will not need guides, they already have the steel ones." (davehelms 2012)

 

That notice mentions assembly number 27689 onwards and is dated late '97

That is right around when my car would have been built (original owner took delivery in Jan '98) yet my engine number is 48235.

Am I looking at the right thing? Where would I find the "assembly number"?

 

Here ya go
Image Unavailable, Please Login

 

Excellent. Thanks, Bruce!

Whew!
Image Unavailable, Please Login

 

I'm curious if you had the car you were looking at inspected, did it have valve issues? I am looking too, and wonder how widespread the issue is.

 

My well versed Ferrari mechanic with 30+ years feels the same. Opinions are like aholez..... everyone has one! I'm gonna side with my mechanic and feel I am safe as I am after that production run number!

 

"Safe" might be pushing it a bit. I would tone that down to "the odds are on your side". I personally have not seen the OEM navel bronze guides in the later cars but have seen the aftermarket bronze guides installed in later cars... why I do not know.

The big thing now days is replacing the damn after market guides that were billed to be the end all answer... and were far from that!

 

Uh Oh. The LEGEND is back!

 

Nice!

 

Excellent!!!

 

Dave, would you please elaborate on your concern with the aftermarket guides?

 

All I want to here is what part number valve guide to use and where to get it

I don't need any explanations

Thanks Dave, nice to see you around

Tim