456M GT timing belt change - Indianapolis

Paging @Aerosurfer

 

I wish there was a nearby conclusive shop to recommend....

I'm ultimately in the same situation. I imagine Graham Rahal can do it, but they definately are into the higher dollar builds and newer supercar/hypercar servicing. They did do great work modifying my 550 Tubis to fit my 456GT.

I have talked to Jordan at Midwest Autosports in Carmel before. He has some previous Ferrari work. His shop will likely do the Vanos/Rod bearings on my M3 someday.

We have a guy in the local Ferrari club up in Lebanon who has been doing work on the older V8s.. 348-430. But talking to him at the last meet up, he said he hadn't yet worked on any front V12s on the era. I don't have his info, and can't find a website, but can reach out to someone in the club.

@Auraraptor, over in St Louis, uses a shop that has done extensive work on his fleet he speaks highly of... and Omar is someone I would trust his recommendations on just about anything. When the time comes when I will need service beyond my needs, there is a good chance ill lean that way.

I think there has been some past recommendations near both Cincy and Columbus, but would have to research more.

I have done my own work to this point, but wouldn't offer to do a full service on someone else's car at this point. A simple Oil change or installing a cooling fan harness, I'm happy to help.

I'm located on the Southeast side on Indy and would love to meet up and see another 456 locally!

 

Following recommendations found here in FChat, I took my 456 GT to NJB Automotive and I only have good things to say about my experience working with Susi and Kevin there. https://www.njbautomotive.com/
It's a 3h drive from Indianapolis, but they work with Mike's Transportation for enclosed pick-up and delivery of the car. I drove there for the first time, which is about 2h45m, but then had Mike bring back the car to Cincinnati.

I'm only doing the timing belt major service next year, but this summer did the regular service (oil/filters change, flush brake lines, etc.), plus fixing passenger door checkstrap pin and installing a new AC compressor and belt, and everything is working great. One thing that needs done is to replace 8 31-year old cracked rubber steering bushings, but new ones seem to be made of unobtanium at this point.
If I had an example or schematic, I could machine a bunch in delrin, like people have done for 308 GTBs, but can't find any schematics or used ones (and I don't want to take them off my car...).
Kevin did tighten up the steering components and the car feels a lot more sure-footed in tight corners, so hopefully we'll find a solution before next year's visit.
When I got there, they were working on a black 456M GT in the central bay, that then got moved so they could assess my car, shown in the picture below. Also in the picture, you can just about see the taillights of another 456 behind the 348 TS, so they have quite a bit of experience with our cars.

 

You want this done by people experienced in this exact procedure.
Haven't heard their name in awhile but Braden in the Philly area has a great reputation working on these V12
These are rare cars. Ferrari dealers don't see many.

 

Can you spin a wrench? It's time consuming but not too hard top do a lock and swap unless you degree the cams which I am guessing your service provider won't.