355 F1 gearbox problem

I recently had the alternator replaced in my BMW 540. It was around $1,100. The Bosch part is around $650, the rest is labor. I checked on line and the exact same Bosch oem rebuilt alternator is $380. Only difference is the one online comes with a 2 year, 24,000 mile Bosch warranty, BMW warrants it for "life"...whatever that is.

As my buddy said, "the BMW dealer must be awful proud of that alternator to charge that much for the job". I needed the car back immediately (my daily driver for my sales job) so I paid it.

 

I have rebuilt a number of the electric motors on 355 and 360 F-1 pumps.some even had to have the armatures rewound.We got in a 355 with a motor tossed in the storage bin in a box in pieces.The car was purchased by a dealer at auction or from a dealership.Not only was the motor beyond toast but the pump assy itself had been dismantled and attempted to be reassembled with vise grips,a big hammer and a killer bench vise.Time for new bits.This was a number of years before the non dealership/factory pumps were located.All there was available was the Ferrari approved/Dealer supplied-$16,000 dollar . pump.We tried many alternate sources and or makers,etc,phone calls,internet,old friends..But found nothing.Since dealers snivel about spending $16,000 on cars they wanna sell,we did some real creative brainstorming and by using creative machine shop skills we adapted a 360 pump we hadin stock, using modified bits off of the trashed 355 pump.It worked out beautifully and more than one knowledgeable test driver commented that it was the slickest and quickest shifting 355 F-1 they had driven.It cost him more than these now available new pumps but not nearly $16,000. P.S. I know some people will say "hey,those two pumps are nothing alike"I am well aware of this but it can be done.Thank god for another source of new parts. I wonder how many $16,000 dollar pumps Ferrari burned owners for. All I could say at the time was"WHAT?NO WAY!"

 

Most later model Ferrari alternators and nothing fancier than a japanese built Nippon Denso or Hitachi unit.One problem that I have found when having them rebuilt by your local rebuilder is the fact that they buy low buck made in China replacement parts for these units.They fit the same, however the RPM and power spun thru one in a Ferrari is a bit more than it is on a Toyota Corolla and these parts dont hold up.I replaced one in a 355 for an owner who really flogs his car.I test drove it after installation and all was well.He drove it away and was back in less than 5 minutes saying the alt light comes on.I drove it and saw no light.he then took me for a drive and when he spun the motor up to the frightening RPMs he spun it to- the light would come on(lo R's=no light/Interstellar overdrive R's-light).I then started ordering O.E. Japanese built parts from a supply house,rebuilding them my self(Really quite simple)and the comebacks went away.Insist on O.E. regulator/rectifier parts.Tim

 

hi i would like to know if anybody has a problem with their Ferrari F355 F1 transmission gearbox my car was ok when i drove it but then a red light lit up it looks like the bonnet or the back of the car was not closed so i closed both still the light was on then i started the car but it was stuck on neutral would not move sent it to the dealer and his estimate was dollars around $50,000 just to replace the gearbox could anyone advice me what to do or how to deal with this problem.
thank you

 

Your first post might get a little more response if you could give a hint as to where you are located

To be honest if a dealer quotes you USD 50 000 for the repair you need to get your car to someone sensible

 

Take your 50,000 and buy another 355 with a six speed.

 

hi,,,

i would like to know regarding your problem with your F1 , what did you do ? what was the problem ?
did you really paid 50,000 USD !

regards

 

Gapkid, first post and a $50,000 question..mmmm. me thinks someone is playing games.