To solve this problem answer this question: WHO HAS BROKEN A CAMBELT WHEN THEY DIDN'T CHANGE IT AT 3 YEARS? Sorry for the caps, but trying to get the question noticed... Let's see who has suffered breakages. If there are none or nearly none, then we know who is right...
Dang- expand your request for any evidence of a broken belt. Have not seen any on Co part or here yet.
Why can't they make stronger belts? Maybe make them thicker? Surely with modern materials that are available nowadays, it would not be beyond man's ability. Last question, are there any timing belts on the Space station that need changing. That must be a pain in the ass.
That was for belts in the 80’s, I read it’s climate change now. Sent from my iPhone using FerrariChat
Yeh are the belts of 2019 really no better than the ones from 20+years ago? Thats nuts if so. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
It'll be interesting to test a used and new belt on a tensile strength machine to see what the results are. I'm willing to donate a new belt for testing if someone have access to the machine.
Why do you own a Ferrari if you don’t enjoy redline? Not trying to be an ass, but I don’t understand?
I have done two intervals of 5 years on my 360. 2k miles a year only (multiple cars and live in MI) but drive it like it should be driven.
Of course several have been posted here and every mechanic is aware of others. Some people just choose to ignore what doesn't fit their narrative.
Skid- if what you say is true I’ll ask my mech ... Btw— my question is from an engineering and materials science perspective... not a can you afford it angle. I suspect you could perform some type of annual belt and tensioner inspection to safely extend service intervals. But perhaps by the time you pull these parts off to inspect the cost is in the labor.. so you might as well put new on.
Jeff, From a purely academic interest: I am sure materials have improved and manufacturing has changed. How much does that change the life expectancy? I really can not even venture a guess but I am sure it hasn't doubled it. As I stated early on, I was in the 5 year camp for myself. Longer wasn't good for me because I wasn't willing to put $15K down and throw the dice every time I drove over less than $500 per year. Different story if I was putting $2K at risk, I mostly wouldn't care. Really, belts are very strong and quieter than chains. Belts also don't stretch as much as chains so they hold the cam timing to a tighter tolerance. Chains are heavier so they have more mass that impacts rotational mass. The 360 has a VERY light crank and 5 valves so that may have been the motivation for the choice but I am only speculating. Ferrari has jumped back and forth several times over the years as have many other makers.
Back in the 355 days, owners complained about the timing belt change interval because the engine needed to come out and it was expensive to do. For the 360, the belts are changed with the engine in the car at half the labor rate. So, why are you complaining now?
Tell any normal car driver $3k for a belt job every 3 years regardless of miles. Yaya, but Ferrari is special and people don’t hammer their mini vans the same way
From the Boxer Berlinetta owners manual "if your any reason you remove the engine, change the timing belts."
Because it’s mine and I can do whatever I want with it. Not trying being an ass too. Redlining is pointless to me on the streets and no offense here but it is not fast at all even at redline. That’s just 2 cents. I like how Ferraris look, I think it’s a work of art, that’s why I bought them. I have other supercharged track built cars for that redline hunger.
Drest- I can relate I’m building ls swap m3 to beat on and track... I don’t treat my 360 like I stole it.
Those last longer, since the space station uses Honda engines. I believe it is 30 years or 3,000,000,000 miles, which ever comes first.
Look 18 year old timing belts and didn't snap. ,,,"It had 18 year old timing belts".. https://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/threads/360-roadtrip.598673/ Just sharing here, not that I'll be doing it or justifying waiting that long.
Everyone has different opinions on whether the belts will break on a longer than 3-year period. So let's see how many belts have broken and at what intervals, otherwise it is all just speculation and rumour-mongering...