Inclusive To Do List..?

After getting on my soap box about trying to be a responsible owner in another post...I started to go back over "my list" of things that will be done when I do my upcoming engine major, which will be soon. I was wondering what things I might have forgotten to put on the list. I was wondering if there's a comprehensive checklist besides the standard 30K service stuff to include all the upgrades that can be done to imporve the original design a little and maybe prevent meltdowns.

Here's what on my list so far and have begun the parts procuring process:
1) Hill tensioner/bearings
2) Timing Belt...not sure if brand matters? I've had good luck with Dayco belts (and degree wheel...thanks guys)
3) Valve cover gasket set
4) Front cover gasket
5) Oil tensioner kit (ouch...the price is robbery but take a short cut and you'll be back in there and maybe with damage)
6) Alternator tensioner bearing
7) Alternator and AC belt
8) Thermostat
9) Cooling hose kit
10) Cam seal kit
11) Alternator rebuild (bearings, regulator and brushes)
12) Water pump and bearing
13) Center pulley bearings
14) Spot weld belt guide
15) Retourqe heads
16) check valve clearances (no ticks what-so ever at the moment)

Although my car leaks nothing (and I do mean nothing that I have found yet) I'll be replacing all the above so I have a good starting baseline. It's a 1991 348 TS with just 40K showing. Has some cometic blems from use but still a very nice car that I hope to make even better. I don't see the need to replace head gaskets as there are no signs of trouble ie smoke ect. If I see any signs (oil or water getting where it's not supposed to be) I'll add head gaskets to the list but I don't think it's common practice to change them yet....?

MarkG

 

Ahh yes the key ;-) I'll add it on the bill...the number is growing exponentially fast, what's a little more LOL....right?

How hard is it to check the tranny bearings and lock nut? Tranny dissassembly is not something I feel real comfortable with...I did some muncies back in my GM muscle car days but tranny work is not my "strong suit". There's too much going on in the Ferrari gearbox for me to be monkeying around in there. If no major disassembly is required I'm good with it but if it's deep, I'd feel better someone that knows what they doing in there deal with it. I've read some posts on the input shaft and am aware of the gernading problem. The proceedure I saw looked to be fairly involved...I don't want to have my head in the sand either if it should be addressed. It's had a new clutch put in it recently and no flywheel issues at the moment. I was hoping to maybe do this when the clutch replacment is due. It can all be done without dropping the engine, but agreed, it's MUCH easier to do when it's out. Maybe it's better if it goes on the list now and have a look at the clutch too while I'm in there.

Your other links were very helpfull BTW. I want to do this job right and hopefully not be in there there again for awhile.

 

I just did Redline in my tranny. Old fluid didn't look bad ABSOLUTELY NO chunks of metal on the magnent only very small particles as you'd except to see from a healthy tranny. Doesn't look like impending doom but I'm sure the other with problems didn't see it coming either. Looking the other way can be a false out of sight out of mind sense of security. Not saying he unfortunate looked the other way as sometimes there IS no warning sign but I'd like to at learn from the experiences of others and avoid an expensive show stopper if there is an inherant "problem" with the tranny. The input shaft lockdown ring is a known weak link. What were they thinking...selling tranny parts is my guess LOL. I'm going to look over the posts again...Thanks for reminding me. It's better to do it all at once. MarkG

 

I feel the same way...I would think you'd notice something (maybe not) but I would think new noises would present themselves and possibably the shifting would feel "different". I do believe in don't fix it if it 'aint broke and there's a fine line between prevenative and getting into something where you could cause problems for yourself.

 

Some had mentioned checking the torque, I didn't know if it should be messed with or not. The CAT advice is well taken...didn't know they were subject to blowing. I've seen some folks mention busting out the factory CAT guts and making test pipes out of them ;-) I missed out on a real sweet deal a month ago on a set of new free flow cats for $250. The guy just wanted to get rid of them. I took too long to think about it (stupid me) and they were gone once I decided to go for them. My car shows 40K miles...my guess is CATS are due, not sure what the recomended service interval is.

Good point on having the exhaust gas anayized...I was wondering what those bolts were for .-) I assumed it had to be something along those lines...Many thanks for the info. I'm getting lots of great info that I didn't consider. Collective thinking is great...this has been a great help to ensure I cover all the bases.