Differences between f129b and f129c engines

My 96 is an F129C.? I believed that the start of the 5.2 series was the start of the 129C? Could be wrong though.

 

My understanding also is that F129B is 95 OBD1 and F129C is 96-99 OBD2 engines.
I beleive that the Challenge cars are all 129B, so this might be the reason for an extended production date of the F129B?

 

My very early 95 is F129B. Early 95's had different cylinder heads than later cars. Not sure if the later cars with different heads have a different engine number.


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My 95 is a June production. Has a "B" engine.

 

Challenge cars have the 129C engine returned to 129B specs by using pairs of 2.7 ECUs, 2.7 wiring harness, changing the fuel injectors, using the 95 air boxes and MAFs; and probably a few other things. {Hint: it is in the challenge WSM on how to change the street car into a challenge car.}

 

Hint: $$$$$$$

 

Where can one obtain such a manual?

 

I think I have one not sure the year, I think it was in the 98-99 Manuel not sure about the 97. I'll look what I have

 

I have this information somewhere and will dig around to find the backup documents.
The first 3-4 months of 355 production (in 94) had the 129A engine. These engines were found to have casting issues with the heads. The water jacket walls were too thin and prone to cracking. They redesigned the head and put out the 129B engine for the rest of the 95 MY. 96-99 all had the 129C engine which had all the changes to mount only one sensor where the OBD1 cars used two for the two ECUs.

 

I have an early 355 and my heads were replaced under warrenty by first owner in 96. Rumor is Ferrari wanted those heads for challege cars. Dont know if that is true or not.

 

Brian, my car has those heads and it's a B not an A engine (and a very early 95 - build in 94)

 

I’m looking for where I read that right now. I was pretty sure that’s how it was but my memory is far from perfect these days.

 

How can you tell which heads are on the car, Dave (rocks it man )?

 

The casting is different. On the early heads, the corner bolt hole area is open - no webbbing. Later heads have webbing. When I'm at a PC, I will post a photo.

 

Here you go, John


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Argh, I’m coming up empty. I did a bunch of research when I had that 129A engine and that info stuck in my head and now I can’t find where I found it. Of course.

 

The C engines appear to have 2 knock sensor bosses cast into the valley area between the heads where the B engines have nothing.

 

My car is 0ct 94 build date and F129B engine. (can't clearly see the entire engine number at the moment)

Noticed the left cylinder head has "I 84" engraved into the left rear. There are a few other spots on the engine that have these kind of markings but no idea what they would mean.

 

Does anyone have a photo of an A engine? Only a few months of production before the ones we have posted