F cars with cam belts

512bb/i
Testarossa
512
308gt4
308
328
348
355
360
550
456
575
612
F40
288gto

That's a lot of cars.

 

New around here aint'cha?

 

So go introduce yourself on the 348/355 forum and post some pics of your 91.

 

Can't we just talk about engine and gearbox oil preferences and change intervals instead?
Alden

 

Bones

It happens but not too often. There are fchaters who have come here to tell their tale of woe. There are a few home wrenches here who have bought these cars cheap and resurrected them for a profit too.

Where are you racing ITS?

I'm a SCCA calcluber but racing Majors out East this year in T2.

 

I had a variator fail on a Twin Spark Alfa. We're not sure if it was incorrectly installed by the mechanic (600-700 miles prior) or it was faulty. The Alfa specialist whom I then decided should do all the work on my car told me he'd never seen one fail.

All pistons had varying sizes of holes where the valves said "Hello". Scrapped the engine and got a replacement one.

I have since read there was recall for the same thing on a 360, fortunately mine has been recalled.

 

I bought a V8 with belt 'history' but no sign of tensioner work etc. It was the latter, rather than the belt that concerned me! Since purchase I have replaced belts every 2 years (please don't flame), with other Associated components as required on inspection and depending of OEM or upgraded. I have wrecked a VW Polo via a snapped belt. Keeping the mondial in boxes whilst I have kids and build a house has really helped extend service intervals too!


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I was told that pre90's cars should have the belt changed every two years. I did with my 83 Mondial, not sure where I heard that or how valid it is.

 

Every two? Never heard that before.

Ferrari says "every three" for the V8 cars but most can go longer than that. But then, this is from FNA, so you guys over there may have a different scheme.
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I have had and done my own majors on....

308, 348, TR, F40, Mondial t, and CS

I have done 3, 4 and 5 year intervals and every time on every car the belts, bearings, etc, looked and felt essentially new Half the time I have felt like I'm wasting my time, but I do them anyway because that service bullletin keeps me up at night.

Btw... my cars get tracked and driven. So they aren't just sitting and getting polished. [emoji3]


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Oh my, a thread on belts...
Wade: just for the record, the OEM owner's manual for both my '89 328 is print number 513/88 (for EURO cars) it says indeed "every two years". Then came the bulletin/letter you posted, which says "every three". Today, I have the belt change done every four years.
Rgds

 

I have lost count of how many belt changes I have done on my cars and others. I have never removed a belt that looks terrible or cracked. But, I have seen many bearings that are on their way out, water pumps that are leaky, coolant hoses that are cracked, connector with disintegrating boots, engine mounts in pieces, and leaky main seals.

It's those other reasons that we service these cars on a regular 4-5 years basis and not the timing belt breakage thing.

 

Like a 348 that still has the original water pump. I never took up gambling because it didn't work for me.

 

Surprised at that one..... thought it was part of the beginning of the "return to chains" era for Ferrari.

 

Yes, the 3-year letter from FNA became the new rule.

The 1991 owner's manual for the 348 stated a replacement at 52,500 miles (no yearly requirements). All other service intervals recommended an inspection (see the *), except the first one.
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The three years was arrived at because we did have failures at less than 5 on the 355. 348 at 5 years was pretty dodgy but usually OK.

Sorry but your conspiracy is BS. There was no shortage of work at the good dealers even if Ferrari did care.


And this conversation is just as idiotic as 20 belt threads ago or 200 ago. Try doing a search on the topic, you might just learn something.

 

My response would be if it is idiotic why start them?

 

Odd, yes. The U.S. Version owner's manual for the 1989 328 (535/88 - 800) show the exact same as what I posted for the 348. I.e. 52,500 miles and no yearly interval requirements.

 

I think that even manufacturers don't know. A classic case in point was the volvo 960 specified 60k belt change. As cars came in with smashed valves...yup even volvo was using interference design, the interval was dropped to 45k then 30k then 15k!