Glad I did the major

Me too After seeing your picture I had to go take a look again. 23 & 29 are missing.

 

Parts 23 and 29 are backing plates.

They were used on the Challenge cars mainly.

I had them installed on my last major and got them from Dan but you don't really need them unless you are 'fussy'.

I will take pic of mine and share with you guys.

 

ah ha, interesting. So did they not come installed from the factory? I kind of like having the back open so I can peek in there for a quick inspection, not that it means much

 

In the 328 parts manual it shows that only the U.S. spec cars got rear timing belt covers. Other markets did not although the front covers have the threaded holes for the installation of rear covers. Maybe something similar going on with the 355.

 

Hi .. Brothers, Brothers-to-be, Brothers-past, and of course, _ _others

Here's a closeup of my 348TS cam covers... doesn't seem to be anything missing there. But, as I figured, they are the plastic ones. Based on cracks that some have found... does anyone think this could, in part, be from careless engine removal during servicing? IE, bumping them, dropping them, etc?

Since I have a major coming up, I may want to retrofit the aluminum ones, if I can find any. Anyone know how easy these are to come by? I see No Doubt got his at Eurospares.... just interested in any input.

Thanks
Rick
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The cracks seem to be unavoidable.

I coated those bolts with Liquid Wrench overnight, and **gently** turned each one the next day...and the cam cover caps still splintered as the bolts loosened.

It's cheap Italian black plastic, and it simply can't handle the heat cycles over time/miles. It becomes very brittle.

 

just checked my car today and I seem to have those nice metal covers. Perk of an early car !

 

my 98 (sept 97 build) did not have rear covers since new

 

When I perform my major, I plan on installing this 1999 Challenge lower shield (No. 3). Daniel, is there any way Hill Engineering could manufacture aluminum covers for the F355 economically?


EDIT: How about stamped sheet metal? Not very pretty, but better than plastic.
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Very interesting thread, a lot to learn !

 

Even in hindsight, that's a good point.

 

I have a pair of belt guards off of a CH car need to go next door and get a quote from the Waterjet guy. If anyone has the bottom shield I can probably produce those in carbon relatively cheaply.

 

What about using a fine siv when draining the oil to check for metal fragments? (or is it called a food strainer?? whatever the heck this thing is called)

Saint B. - good work on the major and hope everything else turns out good. Keep us posted when it is complete.
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Very old thread, turned out great. The following year I rebuilt the gearbox to fix a toasted Synchro and make sure everything was copasetic. Ring nuts were starting to back off just a little. Scarry thing to see.

Now she's mechanically perfect.
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Oh...and to reply to your Siv post. Here's my gearbox strainer. Not to worry, just housing shavings. Twas a heart stopper when I saw it though. Did you know you could use tasers as defib's?
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other than removing the guards, what would make those covers break during normal engine use?

 

I struggled with that myself. Still don't have a decent answer other than debris or poking around with a stick. The plastic is very brittle. I assume that is due to thermal cycling.

 

Resurrected from the past. LOL I didn't even bother to look at the OP date.

 

LMAO!! I didn't even look at the date of the OP!! I thought this was from yesterday...oh well, still a good read