Another Dumb Question

My plan is to do my 98 F1 GTS next winter which will put it at 5 years. Worst case, I might push 1 more year as I don't want to have 2 355's in pieces

 

You have to take the whole darn engine out just to change the belts? What kind of crazy Italian thought that was a good idea!

LOL

better yet who are the stooges buying these things HAHA

 

Dave, the gang from the 348/355 will get a collection plate going. If you go past 7 years (documented), $1000 for the milestone. If you push 10 years, we'll throw in $2000. incentive for being the first. 👍

 

Thanks but no thanks

 

It is your car and like others have said it is risk management.

I like others do about 5 years, mine will be next year as well.

That being said I have owned this car for a long time and my main reason for not going more than 5 is because my car is by FAR the highest temperature engine bay I have ever seen.

I feel all the parts in there take a **** kicking evrytime I drive it temperature wise and like others have said I am not worried about belts but more concerned about tensioners etc.

Parts on these cars quit working years and miles ahead of others with similar components.

Ie:
Headers
Gaskets,
Cv boots,
Cats,
Engine bay paint,
F1 pumps,
Actuators,
Hoses,
Bonnet struts
Etc
Etc

Just to name a few.

 

And engine mounts... All four
Connector boots, all of them
Water pump seal
Oil hose, the hard one to do with the engine in
Idle valve T hose
Shift shaft seal
TDC sensor

The only way for these to last 10 years is for you not to drive it.

 

The shift shaft seal is a piece of cake to replace - don't need a major to do it. It's a couple hour job and a $5 part.

Just did one this summer. Was planning to do a write up but have not had the time...
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It's a little trickier than a "piece of cake" on an F1. Doable as I did mine, but one of the few times I cursed the F1 system. Make lots of marks.

 

Wheres the write up?? I might need to do one.

Thanks

 

Yes it takes up way too much room.

 

One of these belts is new. the other came off my 308 after 25 years, 27000 miles. Got any idea which is which?
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the bottom one..?

 

I go with the bottom one off the 308.

 

top one is new.

 

The top is new although it's very hard to tell. The point here, I think, changing the timing belt at 3 years interval is premature. The last discussion was a flirtation at the 5 years interval. This discussion confirms it is normal to do so. Now, if we keep updating our data, we will see a 6 year belt change and so forth. It would be interesting to see who will hit the 7 year stretch first Michel or Dave since they have many 355's to play with. Anyone taking bets?

 

I don't subscribe to over servicing. But, I do subscribe to a major at 5 years. Will I tar and feather anyone at 6 or 7? Nope. Its all about risk management. 3 years, unless a race car, IMHO, is a waste of time and money but what others subscibe to is their own business

 

Roth,

It has been said several times that the timing belts are not the only components of concern. The tensioner bearings, water pump, drive gear seals, cam seals and orings are all in it together. The 5 year interval is a very good time frame, for me. You will never see me or Dave go past 5 years.... because we do our own work, it is really cheap insurance.

I let my 328 go to six years the last time because I simply forgot...

Your mileage will vary.