Exactly How Hard Is It To Perform a Major Yourself?

OK look for it in the 550 section in the near future.

 

Hey you fatass! How come you didn't call me? I was supposed to come down and give you a hand when you decided to do the belt change.

Oh you are so going into the wall at the next race.

 

That was so fun Ernie. You beat my a$$ but I loved running you into the wall. I'm ready to re-assemble sorry. I'm taking pics for DaveH to try and work up which electrical connectors I need. My 550 ran great before I took it apart and now I expect even better running with Dave's new electronics. About 1/2 of my injectors had failed spray patterns which are all fixed so that should help a bunch too. I'm making some new plug wires next as those where very marginal. The old engine timing was perfect. I'll gain nothing there. Timed it two ways and chalk up another Ferrari with perfect timing marks. Some people have crappy eyeballs. The marks are 0.80mm thick and 0.30mm is about 1 degree of cam timing. It is pretty easy to nail the assembly marks perfect. Then if the timing checks out you are done fast!

 

I'm guessing you took them to RC Engineering and hand them tune the injectors?

 

I'm surprised anyone here would discourage someone from performing their own service. I realize that some here are better equipped than others (i.e. lift- equiped garages full of tools). And obvioulsly some are blessed with a better mechanical aptitude than others. I think it's safe to assume that anyone willing to attempt their own major service would at least have at his disposal the bare essentials.

I believe there is a huge difference between performing a well documented task that has been done by many people here, (who are more than willing to help) and diagnosing or performing complicated repairs that require specialty tools and training. I drove around in a car that spewed coolant after every drive. In spite of help from fellow F-Chatters, I was unable to determine the cause and decided that a visit to the mechanic was in order. When it was determined that the engine needed to be removed and rebuilt, I decided that I could handle the removal myself. I was encouraged by some here to tackle the entire project myself, but I knew that I was at the threshold of my abilities (and patience) and decided that the internal engine work was better left to the skillful hands of Guiseppi.

I leave the diagnostics and most repairs to the pros but I believe I can handle most "maintenance" issues myself. FWIW I fall into the catagory of those that have a decent mechanical aptitude and a respectable set of tools at my disposal.

 

A bit off topic.

That VIN is 34681. Mine is 34641. 40 numbers is 20 cars apart...... R_I_G_H_T ???????

 

Hey Carle,

I wish you would have mentioned that a while back I would have it done with and learn from you as well and save a lot of money too.

Sam

 

there is always next time. sam are you yellow 355 and 360 from the track? I have not seen you around for a while. I've been racing with SCCA and the Z06 and doing vette challenge with speed ventures. Where have you been?

 

No I stopped using RC because they were getting stupid expensive for what they do. So stupid in fact I forget how much they wanted. I'm used to about $15 bucks a unit. I just used Mr. Injector in Idaho and the guy is awesome and fast. He is my new favorite send a report with balanced injectors etc.... I got 1 day service and return fedex. He was so fast I'm not ready to install them yet. Later I find out a bunch of local racers are using Mr. Injector. Brian's guy wanted to charge me $60 bucks an injector for the ferrari tax! For that kind of money I'll buy them new.

 

308 belt change was a snap compared to an NSX belt change.
No engine out of course.
550's and front engined cars no engine out.
I did pay to have my Boxer major done even though I could have done it myself.
No time, cost of having a motor rebuilt if something went wrong, no lift, and back problems prevented my doing it.
Hopefully next time it rolls around I will have plenty of time. Got the lift.

 

If you can pull an engine and do timing chains, your half way there.

Do you fully comprehend hemi head interference engines? You realize that turning the engine without the valves being timed reasonably close WILL bend them? Thats correct, there is NO if, they WILL bend.

If you can answer that honestly in the affirmative, and swear you wont F it up, you are heretofore approved for Ferrari belt service. And if you want the optimum performance from the car, degree the engine. Do not accept mediocre service, and dont try to perform it. It only spreads mediocrity.

I would suggest you download a 308 parts book, 308 owners manual, and a 308 GT4 service manual, and study them in detail. You'll figure it out if you really want to.

 

On the contrary - I have seen numerous threads where someone who asked about a major was strongly encouraged to do it themselves, and they were given several links on FChat pertaining to the topic, and also encouraged to ask questions if needed during every step of the process.

 

Mike
Sorry if I wasn't clear, but that was exactly the point I was trying to make.

 

Carle, are you going to Willows this coming March with west coast? B/C I haven't signed up yet.

 

Don't know how hard it is to perform the service myself but I'll be finding out. I took two weeks of vacation, most of the parts are sitting waiting in the shop. I have off work from 2/26 to 3/15. Full 30K, replace all coolant, fuel, evap lines/hoses, reinstall and get a/c working. It will be done on jack stands and if I botch it, y'all will probably never hear from me again out of shame. But there is a lot of support, my neighbor has done it on a 308 he used to own and I may be here asking questions. Oh yeah, cam seals will have to be replaced and one of the oil cooler lines is leaking from both ends so I'll need to get that rebuilt. This one will be in car. I have dreams of a two post for the next major where the engine comes out, it's awfully dirty between the engine and final drive. The biggest challenge may be telling my wife her car will be out in the weather for that period of time, I'm pretty sure I haven't told her yet.

 

No. I was just out yesterday doing vette challenge and I got an SCCA race this coming weekend then another SCCA race on 3/13 weekend. I can't got to the track 4 weekends in a row. But maybe I'll do westcoast in november in the F550 with you or another weekend later in 2010. It is all in pieces now and I'm thinking about aftermarket higher performance/lighter shocks and springs.

 

have you heard ephistrophy backwards?

 

No, I haven't... and thinking about playing it backwards makes my brain hurt...



Mike

 

Ahh...no worried John.

 

Do it ....you will feel alot better about your car (better understanding) and yourself when it is done. Now if you don't genuinely enjoy working on cars, then leave it to someone else. I don't think it is about the money savings for the guys who do their own work as much as it is the satisfaction.

 

I'd liketo pull the my 308's engine and do the next belt service, super detail the engine and compartment, and replace all brake lines. My guess is doable with car lift and hoist.

 

308 all you need is a cherry picker. engine comes out top

 

Exactly 3.52

__________

 

Agree and disagree.

yes, it has to be right.

No, there's always room for artistic license, in the sense of intuition...that's what separates the talented from the hacks in any occupation.

However, you still have to install the belts correct side down and with the proper tension.