Busted Valves (w/first pic link)

I would suggest that instead of a different make engine sourcing different pistons at rebuilt time to make the engine non-interferance would be a better solution. The engine is primarily what makes a Ferrari a Ferrari

Pistons with valve reliefs and a high center dome (just high enough to keep stock CR) would keep the compression ratio but allow the engine to free wheel if the belt slipped/broke.

All the aftermarket piston manufacturers could make them for less than $100 ea in a nice forging or they could be sourced from another make with the same bore/wrist pin specs.

That's what I plan to do when it's time for a complete rebuild.
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Heck if I owned one of these cars I'd just learn how to do the belt myself and change every 2 years, and inspect and replace tensioner bearings as required.

The only reason why this very simple task is expensive is too many people pay a Ferrari trained and thus expensive mechanic to do it.
Pete

 

It takes a good 8 hours, more if you haven't done it before. There's a lot to disconnecting cables, the A/C pressurized lines, etc. You roll out the whole sub-frame to do the engine-out belt change.

Nor do you need to do it every two years (an endless and boring debate itself). The trick is that you install Hill Engineering tensioners insted of OEM, silicon coolant hoses instead of OEM, and ****** Jordan rebuilt waterpump instead of OEM new.

 

2 years is probably a bit much Pete!

Perhaps 3 or 5 yrs. Hell, some even go 6 and 7 yrs before changing the cam belt and tensioners.

 

Yeah no problem if I actually owned one .

And yes I understand the debate, and I've also owned plenty of engines with timing belts and never had problems ... I do think this whole drama around the belts is way over played.

Pete

 

Anyone want genuine Ferrari 348 valves?

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/FERRARI-348-INTAKE-EXHAUST-VALVES-AND-GUIDES_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQhashZitem1c06524363QQitemZ120365138787QQptZMotorsQ5fCarQ5fTruckQ5fPartsQ5fAccessories

 

Still too much. Eurospares is selling Ferrari OEM Mondial T (348) valves for less than $50 each: http://www.eurospares.co.uk/searchResult.asp?find=&M=&Mo=&A=&B=&S=137959


And race shops can make them new for $40 or so if you are willing to wait.


Why pay $100 each for the same thing?

 

...and better yet.... RebelBanker is getting Manganese bits, for much less than the OEM, and significantly higher quality. A well known Midwestern boobie aficionado is involved in the deal.