I went in for a 5k major, it cost XXXX more and here's what happened"

Let's see. $1200 for gasket set and tensioners (Hill), $450 for water pump, $40 for alternator bearing, maybe a couple of hundred for replacement coolant hoses and $2300 for labor. I might have put in $30 worth of spark plugs too. I did add about $200 worth of injectors, but this wasn't part of the job originally. Short of doing the work myself, this is about as skinny as I think I can get it.

 

I did my own major for around 1500 usd on parts. Filters, gaskets, waterpump included, HE tensioner bearings, alternator bearing, CV boots and some small rubber boots for the injector wires. I am sure I forget some things, but not much more than the 1500 usd on parts.
Now it took me a LOT longer than 2 days to pull and push the engine, but I do understand that a specialist can do that in 16 hours * 125 usd or so?
Then some fluids for 250 usd and were at 3750 usd.
Everything below that is hard to explain, and everything above that needs to have a good reason.
But that's my opinion.

 

Total cost $187 !

Before I bought my pristine 355, 15 years ago I was looking at another 355 for sale.

All the belt service was just done the Independent Dealer told me.

Here is the kicker......The service record that they emailed to me on their car showed: 1 timing belt R&R $76 and. 5 quarts of 30 weight oil.

LMAO !

I am going to look to see if I can still find it. They were a Dealer in Florida.

 

I hope none of u do the major taking the engine out...
U dont have to do this in the 355. U can just remove the fuel tank and it saves 2k or 15/20 hours labor.


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Most dealers don’t drop it, u can just remove the fuel tank and voila


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That is completely false. The 355 is designed to remove the sub frame. It's not difficult to do at all. Anyone who knows what they are doing does it this way.

 

Sorry but u are completely wrong. U can call francos in LA or roselli garage in the bay and they all do it like that for customers wishing to save money.
Do your research, of course it is by design meant to be an engine out but you dont have to do it this way and many use the trick to remove the fuel tank to save time and money to do the exact same thing.

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Oh dear...here we go! *grabs popcorn*

 

I'm not wrong in the least. I own 2 of these cars and do my own service. I happen to know many pro techs and do business with lots more. Sit back and wait for others to reply - removing the gas tank is stupid and you can't get a degree wheel fitted and actually check the timing. The car was designed with a removable sub frame for a reason.

Calling Brian Crall to set this straight

 

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As i said rule of thumb is engine out but i have owned one and did 2 like this and food mechanics totally know how to do it and it works just fine.
If you want to lose money or are not confident in the technic totally fine but u are incorrect in saying this isn’t done or cant be done any other way.
Wish i could do it on the TR but that is impossible.


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Any pics of an “Engine In “ belt service.

Without a Plasma Cutter and a 10 pound sledge ?

 

How about cam degreeing with the engine still in?

never mind, this thread is taking a different direction than was intended.
Does anybody in the UK has proof of a 1500 quid service with the engine out?

 

Here are photos of my 98's last major prior to my purchase. Major done by Tony D (when he was at Algar - Tony's one of the best pro's in the industry and he would laugh if I told him to remove the gas tank )

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Take note to the degree wheel

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Here is my 95 in my garage Removing the gas tank and trying to do a quality job is both not practical, it's just plain foolish

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I personally would never service at ferrari; let alone algar which serviced my TR before my purchase. It cost 11k and they didn’t put some clamps back in place properly which meant i had a leak and they didn’t test it properly.
So not impressed with them.
Like I said franco’s European is a big name in the business and he offers that; so does roselli in the bay area.
You would think it would be in their interest to respect to the T procedure and charge more but they give the option; that’s all i an conveying to you


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What can be done and what should be done don't always coincide.

 

Amen


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Maybe I can sell mine there and ship it....Naa, love it to much.

 

Algar service is not the same since Tony D and Anthony left to start their own shop: https://scuderiaperformante.com/

You made the statement "most dealers do not drop it" - that is false - end of story. Removing the sub-frame is a 5 hour job. It's not big deal to anyone who knows what they are doing.

But, I'm done debating with you - go ahead and remove your gas tank and keep thinking that's proper

 

Omg u are so stubborn lol
I told u the proper way is engine out; cheaper way exist end of the story.
No need to get flustered; its a 355 not a la ferrari we are talking about.


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If you want to save money its your car do what you want. I understand you did not say this but you could also cut frames to better facilitate the belt services. Is it correct, no. I see this being no different than dropping the fuel tank. As previously stated this is not the way to do it properly. Also this is why when buying one I would not consider the service done if done this way, and I would price the service into the buying price.
I know from doing my own engine outs there are generally many things that need tlc.
I know when i did mine it would have been over 10k for a shop to do it.

 

Very good point
As stupid as that sounds if you are going to keep it 20 years this approach would likely be a wash worst case scenario.

 

Exactly the same? Not in the least. People are free to do whatever they like with their cars but to do this as you describe = straight up hack.

If you don't understand why it's not even worth getting into the details.