Valve guides

There's likely not a short answer to this question. Tons of threads on this topic that you can sift through and form your own opinion. I've seen many people post that it's only the early cars, but I've also seen owners of later cars post that they've had issues with guides so my own view is that it isn't limited to just the early cars. Here's a link that I found to be the most helpful when I was looking into this issue in the past, but as you can see from the thread opinions vary....

http://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/ferrari-discussion-not-model-specific/132778-95-f355-valve-guides-fact-vs-fiction.html

 

From all the posts I have read, this issue continued until the end of the run. Supposedly one car had the bronze guides on one side of the motor and the sintered steel on the other. I think Ferrari started changing the guides in the later cars but there seems to be inconsistency on that.

 

This issue / topic comes up all the time and people run from potentially awesome cars based on the fear of bad guides. But, people don't seem to talk about the effect of bad guides. My understanding is the car will burn a bit more oil. If that's true, it's not a death sentence...

 

I've heard of a Fiorano with bronze guides. You should be 'safer' but not immune with a '99 IMO.


That said I own a '97.......when/if the guides become a problem I will fix them.

 

A compression & leakdown test is the gold standard of initial diagnosis.. If you're close to an engine out service (30k, etc).. AND you have the budget in my opinion just go for it. I forked over the cash to have the valve guides done, and refinished all the valves.. From this point on, i KNOW my car is sorted fully with no opportunity for guides going and causing a precipiteous event of other damage to the engine.. It runs absolutely fantastic, and i haven't looked back.

If at least 3 of the 8 banks are looking crappy on that test, and youre gonna keep the car and actually drive (like i do) figure 5k in machine work. I used John Tirrell in Mass and have nothing but fantastic things to say about his shop.

Best of luck

 

..Just assume it's possible with every year.

 

Million dollar question.... what's the best valve guide (brand and material) for the 355?

 

I had steel guides for a 360 put in my 98.

 

How about a part number

 

Yes. If you buy a 355 your valve guides will go bad the first time you drive it, right when the cam belts fail and your headers blow leaving a molten heap in the road.....
Don't believe everything you read from someone who's brothers friends cousin once had one that blew up.

 

Yes, I was killed by one! Now I'm a zombie. Penniless..

 

Johnny, another member had his guides redone in sintered steel. I believe he purchased them from Ferrparts.

Intake # 176437.

Exhaust# 176438.

 

My car needed valve guides and my sneakers came untied, truth

 

Wow.

Cool story bro.