Suggestions for Engine Out Major Service Providers

Hello out there.

I am a retired mechanic and own a 94 348 Spider. It is getting time soon for a major service. I am comfortable doing all the grunt work and own my own shop with lifts and tools and have worked extensively on my own 348. But I am a little reluctant to tackle a major service on my mill. And, I don't own a tray of those shim pucks needed to properly adjust valve clearances. And then there is cam alignment and belt tension and so forth. I probably could do it myself with someone looking over my shoulder who really knows what they are doing. But experience wrenching all these years has taught me that there is NO substitute for experience, so pulling the propulsion unit, separating the engine and transmission and crating it up is probably as far as I would competently go.

I have had the front covers off the engine and it looks as if someone already buggered the two toothed pulleys with fences on them, when they tried prying off or putting on the belt. Obviously they had not realized that the proper way is to remove the pulleys with the fences, and when reinstalling, rock them back on and bolt them down. I will have to replace those two pulleys. Anyone have good used ones?

As I know from hard experience, with all the finicky work required, there is NO substitute for experience and I am considering pulling the engine myself and crating it up and sending out to a professional engine builder with specific Ferrari experience. I will also have the engine run- in on a test rig too, to make sure the cam seals and cam cover seals don't leak. the last major service done locally in my area, they bodged that and it leaked a bit afterwards and still does when I run her. Messy engine! I will clean it up myself, but I definitely want that problem sorted.

In any case, I am looking for referrals for experienced Ferrari engine builders and specialists with dyno capability who can do a major service (plus- plus) if I crate up the engine and send it to them.

Anywhere in the continental USA. The car resides in western Canada, but the talent pool out this way has thinned out in recent decades, and I wouldn't let the authorized dealers change my spark plugs! LOL!

Any suggestions?

marbroman

 

Where in western canada?

 

First, do not buy any used sprockets. They now have updated new sprockets where the fences don't fall out and give you a $25,000 enema.
Second, you need to update the heads for additional drain hole, AND you need to line up the cam carrier properly to take advantage of the drain holes.
Cam cover seals, well, there is that trick during installation.
Cam timing needs to be done especially with that single belt driving everything.
Replace that water pump, now that the timing belt is out.
There are some of us in California that know how to deal with the 348 engines. I can name at least three persons. Send it to one of them. Although, that shipping cost to and from Canada is a real killer.

 

Yeah where? Look over your shoulder and ski at whistler or steelhead trip!

 

Of you good mechanic your questions could be answered in real time on zoom or facetime

 

Probably better to ship the entire car.

 

All the pullys have fences, some in front some in back some on both sides but they all have fences. I bought my car from a shop that stored and works on cars for people. dozens of super high end stuff, Ferraris to muscle cars. They did the last 2 majors on it. I did this last one my self and the number of things done wrong, done questionable, used hardware, stripped studs, lock nuts that don't lock, stripped threads etc it really surprising. Send it to a Ferrari specialty place or do it your self, its pretty easy actually.

 

Tony and Anthony are arguably the best and most honest Ferrari mechanics in the World. Give them a call.
https://scuderiaperformante.com/

 

Where are you located?

 

The shop I use in Va Beach, Virginia, Abacus Racing, is very, very reasonable and they have plenty of Fcar experience. PM me for details if you like.

 

"The car resides in western Canada"

 

Yes I saw that. I live there as well. Western Canada is an area that spans a few thousand kilometers over a few provinces. Would help to know which specific area he is from as there are still a few trusted people that can do a proper job this side of the border.

 

Makes sense. I think nick forza is in the NE US.

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The best is supposed to be Donnie Callaway (way) outside of LA.

https://instagram.com/ferrari_1966

https://journal.craftandtailored.com/meet-donnie-callaway-one-of-the-worlds-preeminent-vintage-ferrari-restoration-specialists/

 

Sorry I meant NW USA not the NE. So if your western Canada that may be a convienent location.

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Never heard of him. Classic coach in NJ does full frame off bate metal rotisserie restorations. Last time I was in there there were 3 getting done, 500k jobs. Ferrari dealers send cars there. The place is bonkers. You can see semi trucks from dealers all over out front time to time. If your ever in this part of the US stop by and get a tour.

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The folks that are in the know know Donnie. All word of mouth. No hype. No marketing. Just high-end clients and results. That’s my understanding. Of course, I’ve never used him so I can only relay what I’ve heard.

 

That's awesome

 

I love the OP’s attitude. I often thought this myself. Why limit yourself to local shops when you can ship you car across the county for a few thousand dollars which, in the world of Ferrari maintenance, is a drop in the bucket.

The only issues I see are 1) warranty work; what happens when a repair has a failure? 2) what happens when you get your car back and a new issue crops up?

it’s very difficult and risky for a remote mechanic to put enough miles on your car to fully shake it down. For instance, I just got my car back from having its alternator replaced only to discover on the drive home it now has a hot start issue.

 

Well I can recommend Ferrari of Denver - Despite the somewhat "general" mindset that Dealers don't/won't do this type of thing at a fair cost, I have seen engines sent to FoD for work like you describe. Probably not the fastest or cheapest option but at least a recommendation.

We also have a well-renowned independent here in CO but for some reason he/they got sideways with F-Chat so I can't post the name without it being starred out and won't disrespect F-Chat by trying to wiggle around the filters but PM me if you are interested and I will send via personal email. Again, this option will not be fast as he/they are (as most good indies are) backed up a ways.

Best of luck - Hope it works out - Cheers

 

No businesses will do the job the same way the owner would do it themselves

To an owner it’s about having a reliable repair and car and labor is out sweat equity

Plus add in the fact that real mechanics that have a heart and expertise with these cars are far and few between

There’s enough info here and other places on what updates are needed and support from enthusiast who are about helping each other the right way

So if you are willing to do the heavy “lifting “ of pulling the engine go the next step and do the rest

It’s only “nuts and bolts” the guys here got your back just ask no one what’s you to fail


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I built a bunch of engines and wrenched several cars when I was younger (1970-80s).
By the time I got my F355, I understood why I was willing to pay a race car mechanic to take care of it for me.

 

Do the major yourself. I did it twice on my former 348. Plenty of guys on here have all done their own majors. Here is the play-by-play when I did the last one. https://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/threads/348-engine-out-major.438576/

Besides, what is the going rate now for a major service? $15,000, $18,000, $20,000???

 

I had my major done this year in Ottowa before shipping it to the USA. Smaller shop out of his castle. They did my PPI, and major. 4k on the odometer and still very happy.
Pantuso Automotive. Pic is at the shop. Image Unavailable, Please Login He also is kind enough to answer all my little questions by text. Kind of like a FerrariChat, but more personal.