1995 F355 GTS: Restoration and Major Service

Thanks gents! Today marks 1 year to the day that I drove down to pick up the car! I didn't even test drive it or do any inspection, I was getting it no matter what! Glad it has worked out so well and I'm very happy with the progress I have been able to make with the car over the last 12 months.

As a treat the car will be getting Tubi headers to celebrate!

A pic from the day I drove down to collect her with a friend in his C63. I will get the car out for a drive today.
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I swapped out my HVAC overlay panel for the new improved version from sticky RX:Ferrari F355 HVAC Overlay ? Sticky RX Refinishing Solutions

The finish is smoother and much more OEM like. The graphics, font and line thickness are all factory correct.

Here are the pics of the new overlay and side by side with the old HE version.

I'm really happy with the difference it has made to the look of the centre console, especially the brightness of the blue and red dots - they are much more vibrant as per factory.
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Had my first mechanical hiccup last outing. When sitting in traffic I noticed the temperature gauge would climb and fall back to normal once moving. Which hinted to a radiator fan problem. Only the RHS was kicking on and the LHS wasnt working despite the water temperature reaching the threshold for activation.

I looked first up at the fuse board in the footwell and the 30amp fuses were fine for both sides.

So it was either the fan switch or the fan itself.

Jacking up the car, removed the wheel and front fender liner to take a closer look. I stuck a paperclip into the fan switch connector to trick the fan into powering on. It did, but is was just the sound of the motor spinning!

Upon removal of the fan the fan blade itself was detached from the motor with the internal spline having stripped out the fan blade housing. Not sure how this has occurred?

The date marked on the fan is 3/95 so it is likely the original fan. I can buy a replacement used fan blade component and refit or I can take this as an opportunity to buy a new fan unit to be safe. The last photo is what the inside of the fan should look like.
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No worries, may I ask what you replaced the fans with, which model Spal? Just reading about the differences and might source from the Fan man as per a post on here.

 

Following this great thread on radiator fans: http://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/348-355-sponsored-bradan/300662-new-updated-f355-radiator-fan-information.html. I purchased two SPAL fans with part number 30102113.

I figured if I replace one the other will probably let go and the shipping price was the same for 1 or 2. Better to be safe than sorry. At $200 USD each its good insurance for a cool running motor and protecting the fuses from blowing with the increasing resistance as the electric motors age.

 

A few bits and pieces tackled today.

The rear leather trim covers were needing attention in the creases to remove the 20 years of dust and grime that had accumulated and the only way to do the job to my satisfaction was to remove all the trim.

I had the help of this video from Dave:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VSBdaBqRHE4

Its not too hard to remove, but its tricky to put back in. The hardest part is fitting in the engine bay to remove the 5 nuts that secure the 2 long centre trim covers as they are secured from the firewall from the engine side and via self tapping screws accessible from the interior.

I used AMMO leather cleaner and moisturiser - I normally use leatherique but I love Larry's other products so I gave these a go. His products all smell great too.

While the interior was out I used AMMO shag fabric cleaner to remove the dirt stains in the carpet, came up a treat.

The rear windows could now be properly accessed and cleaned at the rub line where the leather trim cover normally would sit. I also took the opportunity to use 303 aerospace protectant on the rear window rubber seal which was looking a bit dry.

After leather was cleaned and moisturised I re-installed it and I'm very happy with the result.
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Another item addressed today was to remove the aftermarket pioneer head unit. I never listen to music in the car and the radio did not look right for the age of the car.

The 95 models in Australia were not delivered with a factory radio, it was a dealer fitted option. I have the rare leather covered OEM radio plate that came with the car on delivery so I decided to fit that. I really like the clean look. The wiring harness was tucked away and I can refit, if required the head unit.

Another couple of pictures of the newly mounted HVAC overlay with comparison. The interior is nearly completed now, its a lovely place to be.
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The radio is a nice to have item for sure, especially on an 8 hour trip! I will be taking the car for a 3 hour journey if I need music I can listen to my iphone I guess. I made the switch mainly for concours judging for when I show the car later in the year.