1990 348 clutch - convert or no?

Hello,

I have a 1990 348TS, which my father has owned since new. We recently took it in for it's first major. The clutch had also started slipping.

Our mechanic is suggesting to convert from the original twin disc to the "updated" single disc. According to him, it will be much better, and easier to shift/drive.

Any suggestions? Is it an easy conversion or is there a kit to do so?

This is my first post. Any help is greatly appreciated.

 

Welcome - there's probably much information about the change in the 348/355 section here and also at My Ferrari 348

 

Hi mine is a 1991 348ts, dual clutch, down under in Australia. had clutch problems last year also, but the price to change over to single clutch was very very expensive. I found it much easier and cost effective to get the clutch plates relined and pressure plates checked for flatness (mine were okay0 so just clutch reline. Very easy to remove by yourself many many videos online on here.

 

Welcome to the forum mate. Pretty amazing this is the 348s first major service in 23 years.

May I ask how many miles on the car itself?

Don't bother switching to the single disc clutch. I have driven both and have not noticed any difference in either of them.

As Larry mentioned, have those clutch plates relined. There is a place in CA that can do it for around $200-$300 from memory.

Contact forum member Ernie, he had his clutch plates relined there.

Do that, refit them and enjoy another 20+ years of happy motoring.

 

Might be worth asking these folk as to whether its worthwhile or not. The howto guides are worth a read too.

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I notice in your first post your mechanic has suggested it would make gear changes easier etc which sort of implies you've been having difficulties. Putting aside your clutch slip its well worth changing your transmission oil to the superlight shockproof. I've gone from not being able to use 2nd for first 5 to 10 mins and the odd gear crunch to being able to use 2nd straight away. I put a little bit of info here:

Transmission/Gearbox Oil Change using Redline Superlight Shockproof Oil

Also, check the serrated inpspection plate at the bottom of your bell housing for any brake fluid or transmission oil. If its not dry you most probably have a leak of one sort or another which may be as simple as triple seals or more seriously the slave cylinder housing. If it wont brake the bank I'd upgrade it with a Hills clutch bearing kit and once again in my case the gear change has been vastly improved so its almost (but not quite!) like a normal car ie. can use any gear immediately with no crunching and gear changing is easy. Few pics etc here:

348 DIY "Restoration" - Page 124

BTW Mine is a 1990 with a Twin clutch

 

Thank you all for the advice. I am new to actually posting here, but do enjoy reading many of the threads.

To answer your questions:
PAP 348 - it has just over 18,000 miles right now.

348Jeff - I never had issues with the clutch, it was just his suggestion from him talking to different people.

After hearing your responses, and reading different threads, I am going to try the re-lining option, and see where that goes. Seems like the most cost effective and simple way.

 

This truly it's first major service? 20 odd years on one belt? Amazing if that is so! By the way I went from twin to single, differences well maybe just a tad bit softer? Costly at first to do the conversion, was it worth it? I don't think so.