DIY 348 engine out question | FerrariChat

DIY 348 engine out question

Discussion in 'Technical Q&A' started by ShanB, Mar 8, 2004.

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  1. ShanB

    ShanB Formula Junior

    Jul 9, 2003
    547
    Tejas/Europe/Desert
    Full Name:
    shanb
    Greetings. For those brave souls who drop their engines at home, what's the easiest way to support the engine & cradle while out of the frame?

    Do you put the wheels on and put a moving dolly under the front of the engine (sort of like a tricycle), or leave wheels off and just put the dolly in the middle and just let the whole engine & cradle sit on the dolly? Also, how do you keep the engine from moving off the dolly - i.e. how do you center the load? Ernie? Billybob? Rexracr? Anybody?...

    Thanks guys,
    Shan
     
  2. fatbillybob

    fatbillybob Two Time F1 World Champ
    Consultant Owner

    Aug 10, 2002
    26,288
    socal
    Personally I use a twin post lift. but to do the dolly method you leave the wheels off and make a 2x4 and 3/4" plywood frame and get 4 caster from harbor freight and tool.com. You put the who subassembly and motor on the dolly and just tturn the motor 35 degrees on the dolly to acces the timing covers. It is really easy.
     
  3. ernie

    ernie Two Time F1 World Champ
    Lifetime Rossa Owner

    Nov 19, 2001
    22,574
    The Brickyard
    Full Name:
    The Bad Guy
    Shan just go to Home Depot, or any hardware store, and get a 1000 pound moving dolly. They are flat with four casters, the wheels are solid rubber, and two of the sides are wrapped in carpet. It cost me a whopping $19.95, plus tax. LOL. Then all I did was center the dolly under the subframe, so that the frame sat on the carpeted sides. The big ones, not the little cross beams, same for the dolly. Then I removed the rear wheels, and sat the car down on it. I didn't use anything to hold it in place. The engine is plenty heavy and the weight keeps it still. Removed the retaining bolts, lifted the car, and *presto*, rolled the engine out. The dolly's are so cheap, you could get two of them if you want to feel better. I used just one, and it held up with no worries.
     
  4. ILuv4Res

    ILuv4Res F1 Veteran
    Lifetime Rossa Owner

    Aug 8, 2002
    6,529
    Full Name:
    Fred
    Ernie, fatbillybob, where are you guys located?
     
  5. ShanB

    ShanB Formula Junior

    Jul 9, 2003
    547
    Tejas/Europe/Desert
    Full Name:
    shanb
    Thanks guys. I have the dollies, and everything's disconnected, just wanted to be sure before I unbolt and drop. So far a very simple process - about six total hours of work so far and I'm ready to drop the engine. Thanks for the support.

    Shan
     
  6. bigbaddad

    bigbaddad Karting

    Oct 31, 2003
    135
    Arizona
    Full Name:
    John Roberts
    It'd be great if you took some pictures, documenting your adventure. I'd love to see it!

    Thanks - John
     
  7. vincent355

    vincent355 F1 Veteran
    Rossa Subscribed

    Apr 8, 2003
    6,321
    Wine Country
    Full Name:
    Vincent

    Me too! I may be attempting this next winter.

    Vincent.
     
  8. ernie

    ernie Two Time F1 World Champ
    Lifetime Rossa Owner

    Nov 19, 2001
    22,574
    The Brickyard
    Full Name:
    The Bad Guy
    Any time Shan. I'm more than happy to give FREE advice. Besides thats what we are all here for right. To help each other out, that and the little dust ups (flame wars) are fun too, heheheeee.

    ILuv4Res I live in So Cali. But you probably figured that out already. You do know how to read the profiles right. LOL.
     
  9. ShanB

    ShanB Formula Junior

    Jul 9, 2003
    547
    Tejas/Europe/Desert
    Full Name:
    shanb
    Thanks Ernie. I am going to use Gates Green-Stripe II coolant hoses as replacements. What sizes and how much hose length did you end up using? Thanks.
     
  10. ILuv4Res

    ILuv4Res F1 Veteran
    Lifetime Rossa Owner

    Aug 8, 2002
    6,529
    Full Name:
    Fred
    ernie, <sigh> now I feel stupid. For some reason I didn't think to look at the profiles.

    :)
     
  11. khayes

    khayes Formula Junior

    Nov 1, 2003
    591
    Austin, TX
    Full Name:
    Kelly Hayes
    I use the Home Depot dollies to move my Jet Ski around on. They are surprisingly sturdy and water doesn't seem to bother them too bad. Mine are slightly warped in the middle but they are three years old now. I have the trailer stored on it's side and the Jet Ski sits on the dollies next to it during the winter in my garage. So the dollies get used about 2 or 3 months out of the year.
     
  12. ShanB

    ShanB Formula Junior

    Jul 9, 2003
    547
    Tejas/Europe/Desert
    Full Name:
    shanb

    Here's two engine bay shots showing everything disconnected and the engine ready to drop. I used multi-colored zip ties to help me remember where everything connects upon replacement...
     
  13. ShanB

    ShanB Formula Junior

    Jul 9, 2003
    547
    Tejas/Europe/Desert
    Full Name:
    shanb
    Using two jacks and a little care, the engine's out with no problems, now comes the fun part...
     
  14. vref

    vref Karting

    Dec 18, 2003
    214
    1 Hr North of Housto
    Full Name:
    Jim
    Do you have a lift or are you using the Jack method? Thx for the pics.
     
  15. ShanB

    ShanB Formula Junior

    Jul 9, 2003
    547
    Tejas/Europe/Desert
    Full Name:
    shanb
    I used floor jacks to raise the body. The car really does not need to be raised very high at all and the engine rolls out quite nicely once everything is disconnected. Glad you like the pics.

    Shan
     
  16. vref

    vref Karting

    Dec 18, 2003
    214
    1 Hr North of Housto
    Full Name:
    Jim
    Nice job! What do you charge for a cam belt service? HA Do You have pics of the car itself without the engine? While you are there are you going to do the water pump?
     
  17. ShanB

    ShanB Formula Junior

    Jul 9, 2003
    547
    Tejas/Europe/Desert
    Full Name:
    shanb
    Thanks. I plan to replace the timing & accessory belts, tensioners, hoses & clamps, cam cover gaskets, wires, oil seals, water pump, and whatever else pops up. I will try to post pictures of the empty engine bay tomorrow.
     
  18. vincent355

    vincent355 F1 Veteran
    Rossa Subscribed

    Apr 8, 2003
    6,321
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    Vincent
    Awesome!!!

    thanks for the pics.

    Vincent.
     
  19. ernie

    ernie Two Time F1 World Champ
    Lifetime Rossa Owner

    Nov 19, 2001
    22,574
    The Brickyard
    Full Name:
    The Bad Guy
    ATA BOY SHAN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
     
  20. jkuk

    jkuk Formula Junior

    Nov 3, 2003
    259
    Wirral, UK
    Full Name:
    John K
    Fantastic.

    I wish I had a larger garage to do this.

    I just paid £1200 to have the belts done

    Well done
     
  21. bigbaddad

    bigbaddad Karting

    Oct 31, 2003
    135
    Arizona
    Full Name:
    John Roberts
    Ooooh! That's great! I hope I can get that brave when the time comes.

    -John
     
  22. Exoticbro

    Exoticbro Karting

    Nov 1, 2003
    203
    St.Louis, MO
    Full Name:
    Chuck Ligon
    Hello Shan,

    Looks like you are having fun, I guess you are headed for a second
    career as a Ferrari tech in Texas.
    Have you had any real problems with the work you are doing or has it been pretty straightforward.

    Chuck
     
  23. GeorgW

    GeorgW Karting

    Jan 31, 2004
    102
    Germany
    Full Name:
    Georg
    It´s great ! Thanks for the pictures and for sharing the job. I have also read your thread about replacing the clutch and rebuilding the flywheel and I wish to have the ability to do the same with my 348 if its needed.
    Regards from Germany, Georg
     
  24. 348uk

    348uk Karting

    Feb 1, 2004
    60
    UK
    Full Name:
    Andrew
    That sounds expensive for a cambelt change alone.

    Did you have it serviced at the same time?
     
  25. ILuv4Res

    ILuv4Res F1 Veteran
    Lifetime Rossa Owner

    Aug 8, 2002
    6,529
    Full Name:
    Fred
    I wish someone would document a step-by-step process for the entire service from start to finish. Although there are a lot of pictures and small tidbits to find by searching, I wouldn't feel comfortable yet. I would love fully documented instructions that include every little detail and pictures of each step. That way, a fairly layperson could do the service without too much pressure of doing something wrong. (or forgetting to do something right!) (I'm referring to myself!!!)

    By the way, awesome idea of the multicolored zip ties. I usually use tape and write numbers on the tape when doing wireing. I will try the zip ties next time since it will be cleaner (wont leave sticky residue) and will probably go faster!!!
     

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