355 Manifold Leak

If you searched the archives....then all the alternatives are listed there: QV London will repair them, you can get more factory ones (ugh) or Tubi manifolds (equally expensive!). Seems the popular and economical choice is QV London.

 

Do the QV repair

See this thread: http://ferrarichat.com/forum/showthread.php?t=17439&highlight=manifold+cracks

You absolutely need Snap-On wrench "FHOM13A" that I bought for $40 on QV's recommendation.

- see my earlier post plus 3 very large open end wrenches - 1-7/16 1-11/16 1-13/16 you need to check those sizes to un-hook oil tank lines - Have QV sell you the header gaskets - hold them in place with bobby pins when re-installing the repaired headers.

PM me if you have a snag

 

You don't need to take those huge oil lines out to do this R&R. I'm sure it would make it easier, and I did go looking for the wrenches myself, but in the end they weren't necessary. I did the R&R with no lift (just jack stands) and just hand tools. I wouldn't call it easy, but I'm a rank amateur and did it myself successfully (with some phone help from Tom at SportAuto). Took about 16 hours total (8 out, 8 in) and I could probably cut two hours off that if I did it again. I did the QVLondon rebuild for about $1700 total.

Several mechanics said there are dangers to valves if you let this go. When you let off the gas and the engine no longer has positive exhaust pressure, there's a possibility of drawing cooler air back in from the holes in the header. This temperature differential can cause the valves to crack.

If you want to see what mine looked like, QV London sent me the old pipes when they were done. Pictures at:
http://www.ofoto.com/BrowsePhotos.jsp?&collid=583036278103&page=1&sort_order=0

 

Once the manifolds start to go they can go quick and with little warning. You don't want a car that you are afraid to stray too far from home with. Personally I have no use for a car I am afraid to get in and drive to the other coast. Reliability is paramount. Also, yes many of us do believe there is a connection between burned out manifolds being followed by burned valves. There is nothing to be gained by waiting, if the diagnosis is certain fix it now before spring comes and you really want to use it.

 

This question has probably asked a million times - What are the signs/sounds to pay attention for so that one can identify a manifold leak?

The previous owner of my 95 F355 Spider had Ferrari change each side at 36K and 37K miles.

Thanks in advance!

 

There are 2 that is two 355 manifold failures
these are photos of both of them
The first photo shows the "CRACKED MANIFOLD " Where the air tubes crack
this is an easy fix ,remove tig weld brace it up a bit and fixed ????
The second photo shows the "burn through" this is a much harder fix and is what qv London specializes in fixing
The reason I question tig fixing the "cracked manifold " is will it "BURN THROUGH " later ??? it might ,it might not .
bottom line ether qvlondon or tubi the 355 manifolds,the oem ones suck and Ferrari sucks for not redesign and covering the out of USA fed air pollution warranty failures
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Do not get the Ferrari manifold even if you get it free. They fail regularly in about 8 to 13 thousand miles. This is the voice of experience speaking. My 98 has had both sides changed twice and the passenger side the third time. Ferrari gave me the last manifold but it is expensive to replace and when you do it a couple of times you have paid for the QV. Also I know they will fail again. Do not wait as there are too many risks involved. It is a disgrace for Ferrari to ignore this problem.

 

It's pretty easy to hear when the manifold(s) go bad. My car started to sound like a Volkswagon. This made sense when you think that four of the cylinders were basically firing without a muffler or cats, so it made a flat blat-blat sound like an old Beetle. Add to that that mine were so burned through that the exhaust pressure was forcing the white batting from between the heat shields and it becomes even more obvious.