So I chickened out on doing my own major this time around. The last one was done in 2008 on my car and while I've had no issues with her, I'd like to get a pro to look at her and do this one for my own piece of mind. I'll have spent a bit more time with the car by the time the next one is due and will feel more confident as I work through all the other issues that come up between majors. At that point I'll probably do my own major. Dropped her at Jim McGee's place in the Poconos yesterday after driving on some really terrible PA roads. Will also end up taking the fleshy girlfriend up there for a weekend when I pick up the "other" girlfriend so everyone wins. I'll post up some photos as the process goes forward. David
Good call. Run with your gut. I am pretty mechanical and have covered a lot of ground in repairing cars. I have had my 355 a part in my garage many times...but not the engine. However, when my major is due in 2014, I doubt I tackle that. Too many advantages of having someone else that has taken these cars apart a few hundred times versus me learning on mine. They know what to look at...I would just have a lot of questions...best they are there answering them Take lots of pictures and document the process. As we have seen, that pays huge dividends should you want / need to sell the car later. Best of luck. POST PICS!
I did the major myself last year and doubt I will tackle it again. Although doing it myself was rewarding the stress it caused me and time consumed are worth $6,500. When the time comes I'll make the decision how to handle it.
I wasn't aware my valves needed to be done? Are all 355's suppossed to have the valves replaced? I come from the school of "If it ain't broke don't fix it". The only indication I have ever had of my car not running perfect is the technician at ferrari who told me that his seat-O-pants meter detected my car wasn't as fast as it should be and they would be glad for me throw money at trying to figure out why. We’ll let me tell you that my seat-O-pants meter says it goes pretty darn fast and I'm not worried about it. Oh and did I mention that I have put 6,000 miles on her since the major with no issues. Perhaps the next major will be different.
Let's hope that by your next major things are NOT diffrent in that your car continues to run with such vigor as you describe. Yeah, I guess I just assumed they needed it. I am so partial to my 355 that my thinking is if I need something then others must also...:>) You are right. Best not to go looking for trouble...
What made you decide to take the car to the Poconos with places like Competizione and Radcliffe in MD? Just curious.
Didn't even look at Radcliffe although at the last minute someone mentioned them. Richard had serviced the car when it was on the east coast before going out to IL. I spoke to him when I was in the process of purchasing it and then when back to talk about my major. Jim came recommended by another of my friends in the PA area. Apparently he was was of the 1st Ferrari mechanics to convert the 348's to the speciale version when they came stateside. I think they are both super competent shops. I just felt more comfortable after talking to both guys and chose Jim. It was obviously a bit longer to go to the Poconos, but I'll make a weekend out of it when I go back to pick her up with the girlfriend.
I recall the GF at Reading last year was rather slender and petite....does this imply a new GF or do you mean homo sapiens GF vs Italian steel and alloy GF? Tannish GF vs Rosso Corsa GF? Bipedal GF vs 4 wheel GF? etc. etc.
awww.. that's so nice to talk about my 348 like that... LOL Yes, same fleshy, tannish, slender, petite G/F who's actually now the fiancee. There's a real love-hate relationship between the bi-pedal and the 4 wheel... She thinks at times I pay more attention to the steel g/f.
Major is moving right along, but hit a slight snag. Compression numbers all look good. fences look good as well. gonna fix my over-tightening of the gear oil dispstick here's the snag... the right side inner cam cover (134217) and the right side rear cover (134219) are both cracked and need to be replaced. located the 134219 part but haven't been able to locate the 134217 yet as it's NLA from Ferrari. Rutlands has the whole package available.. but I don't need the entire setup.
Since both parts are plastic and not of any major structural importance, can't you just use some JB Weld or an epoxy made for plastics? I have also heard of "welding" plastic using a stick of plastic and a heat source... I don't know what types of plastics can and can't be welded, but JB Weld fixes almost anything!
Well, I'm the new owner of not only 134219 but also the 5 piece kit. Place I bought the 134219 part from closed at noon today so I couldn't get to them to cancel the order before it shipped. Since I only need 2 of the parts I guess I'll part the others out and sell them. I thought about JB Weld.. but the idea of potentially sharp plastic parts moving around near that belt gives me heart palpitations. I will say if anyone else needs the 134217 part, I did find what may be the very last new one in the world.
