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348 Major Service Question

Discussion in 'Technical Q&A' started by Wanna_Fcar, Jun 8, 2005.

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  1. Wanna_Fcar

    Wanna_Fcar Rookie

    Jun 1, 2005
    2
    #1 Wanna_Fcar, Jun 8, 2005
    Is it possible that after 200ish miles after a major service that some residue would be left over around the cam seals? A mechanic mentioned that it looked like there was a very minor amount around the area and said it may be leaking, but they I said the service was just perfomed and he said it could be residue.

    Any thoughts?
     
  2. tbakowsky

    tbakowsky Two Time F1 World Champ
    Consultant Professional Ferrari Technician

    Sep 18, 2002
    20,006
    The Cold North
    Full Name:
    Tom
    #2 tbakowsky, Jun 8, 2005
    Shouldn't be leaking. The only thing I can figure on this is either the cam seal was incorrectly installed, or they orientated the cam seals housing wrong. Drain hole pointing up instead of down. Look for a scribe mark on the housing. It should be facing up, visable form the top of the engine.
     
  3. ghardt

    ghardt Formula 3

    Apr 18, 2004
    1,260
    Texas
    Full Name:
    Jerry
    #3 ghardt, Jun 8, 2005
    Let me start by pointing this out, I am not a professional mechanic. However, I am somewhat mechanically inclined.

    About a year ago I had the major service performed on my 1993 348 TB by an old time Ferrari mechanic that now works full time for a private collector. When he received the cam seals from an authorized Ferrari dealer, he noticed that the seals where misboxed or mislabeled. We had received cam seals for a TR 12 cyl. motor. The mechanic told me the cams are very nearly identical, except the TR motor rotates the opposite direction then the 348 motor. Therefore, the inner groves on TR cam seals swirl in the opposite direction than the inner groves on a 348 cam seal. These groves keep the oil from leaking out when then cams are turning. If the wrong seals are installed (note: with the groves rotating in the wrong direction), the groves in the seals would actually create an oil leak. Oil leaking from cams seals (i.e., lots of oil) could be a disaster waiting to happen.

    Like I said, I am not a professional. I just going by what I was told, assuming I understood my mechanic correctly. I would really appreciate it, if a pro out there could confirm what I just posted.


    I've got a close up picture of what I am describing. I will look for it and try to post it tomorrow.
     
  4. cal355

    cal355 Formula Junior

    Jun 16, 2004
    383
    San Francisco
    Full Name:
    Cal
    #4 cal355, Jun 8, 2005
    Some of the early 348 engines needed oil drain holes relocated under the cam seals.There was a factory bulletin on the procedure and a special tool to redrill the oil drain hole to prevent oil from going past the cam seals.I had this done to my 1990 348ts during the 30k major service and oil leaks stopped.
     

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