355 valve guide/header issues? | FerrariChat
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355 valve guide/header issues?

Discussion in '348/355' started by turbopower, Sep 21, 2008.

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  1. turbopower

    turbopower Rookie

    Nov 12, 2003
    26
    Toronto, Canada
    #1 turbopower, Sep 21, 2008
    How often do these need to be replaced? I'm toying with the idea of purchasing a 355. I will drive the car at least 12k per year can it handle that type of km's. It seem like these 2 issues have to be dealt with quite often..especially since most people dont drive these cars much.
     
  2. EMI-SC

    EMI-SC Karting

    Aug 2, 2008
    113
    Full Name:
    Chris Felber
    #2 EMI-SC, Sep 21, 2008
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 21, 2008
    These are one time fixes, if the car has a bad header then replace it, once its replaced its fixed for good. Now for the valve guides, if they need to be replaced then the engine will need to come out of the car and the head will need to be removed. We have replaced valve guides on about 8 or 9 355 in our shop. 12000 km a yeah shouldnt be a problem, these cars were ment to be driven... so drive them. My father and I had a 1998 355 spider and we put 14000 miles the first year and 10000 miles the second year. No problems, just make sure you keep your service up to date and keep timing belts and clutches up to date :)
     
  3. turbopower

    turbopower Rookie

    Nov 12, 2003
    26
    Toronto, Canada
    #3 turbopower, Sep 21, 2008
    just so I understand this, the valve and header issue is a factory defect? are the parts being put in replacement upgraded or is it the same parts which will deffinately have an issue later on again? what is the cost approximately to get the valve issue fixed. The problem for me is I like to drive and drive hard at that, so it will be a huge inconvenience if I constantly have to visit the mechanic. The 355 is one car I am toying with I have a couple of others, not ferraris's though.
     
  4. greyboxer

    greyboxer F1 World Champ

    Dec 8, 2004
    12,665
    South East
    Full Name:
    Jimmie
    #4 greyboxer, Sep 21, 2008
    One of the ideas of fora like this is to share experiences - as a result one of the best ways of learning about cars and their issues is just to spend some time looking through the various threads - in particular the 355 has a wide selection of opinions
     
  5. 285ferrari

    285ferrari Two Time F1 World Champ
    Sponsor

    Sep 11, 2004
    20,958
    MD and NE
    Full Name:
    Robbie
    #5 285ferrari, Sep 21, 2008
    Search is your friend---there are about 3,987 threads on these issues....
     
  6. turbopower

    turbopower Rookie

    Nov 12, 2003
    26
    Toronto, Canada
    #6 turbopower, Sep 21, 2008
    Thanks for your input guys but I have already looked through many threads and still do not have an answer I am looking for. I guess nobody should ask questions anymore since all questions are answered somewhere in the archives.
     
  7. Bullfighter

    Bullfighter Two Time F1 World Champ
    Lifetime Rossa Owner

    Jan 26, 2005
    22,596
    Gates Mills, Ohio
    Full Name:
    Jon
    #7 Bullfighter, Sep 21, 2008
    Last edited: Sep 21, 2008
    It makes the forum better if we answer all the questions in a few big threads - that's why you got the response above. Also, you can find an answer immediately instead of waiting for someone to jump in here.

    With regard to the 355, the header is a defective design (too thin), and yes, you can replace it with a better part and solve that problem.

    With the valve guides, I believe there was an issue with bronze valve guides being used on the 355s up to a certain production date. Again, search is your friend -- tons of threads on "355 valve guides".

    With regard to clutches, the F1 gearboxes tend to use them up faster than the manual gearbox-equipped cars.

    Other stuff to consider are the complicated power tops on the Spider model, and stress cracks at the buttress/deck joints on the GTB and possibly GTS models.

    Make sure you're comfortable with 355 service costs -- they tend to be the most expensive of the V8 production Ferraris to keep in good health.
     

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