Geting the Valve Guides Done. Best aftermarket part to use?

Never tell the shoemaker how to make shoes.

If they are a really good machine shop they will know which ones to use.


If they don't, go somewhere else.

 

Hey, Ryan. Maybe he is asking you the Professional. So, he can cross check to see what the shop says as to ascertain if this shop knows what they are doing...Just thinking out loud. But, then again. Maybe I am just paranoid in light of recent events...:>)

 

Doing all the same work right now on a recently bought 1997 GTS. Obviously stainless guides are the standard for replacement at this point but consider the following inspection/items if they are not already doing it, and money isn't super tight. As others will tell you, once you've bent over with the labor to pull the motor its a good idea to just invest into the car then. It CAN be just a change the fluids car if well gone through.

1) Inspect Piston Rings & Cylinder Liners, they commonly will wear/go alongside guides
2) Consider inspection/replacement of headers to Tubi Headers while engine/valves are apart, they can crack, and many models had recalls (including mine) to replace headers.
3) Any aftermarket exhaust (Tubi, Capristo,etc) would be easily installed at that time too.

Congrats, and like me once i get cleaned out over a 30k, guides, rings, liners,.. I will be SOOO excited to finally drive this thing when the spring air is here.. I've "Owned" it for 2 mths and only saw it for 10mins before she went under the "knife"

Good luck,

Chris

 

my 355 is going on 42k Miles & looking forward to hitting at least 150K miles just like other Chinese/ Taiwanese / Korean car manufactures. I heard F-cars are supposed to be some of the most well built cars on the planet. It should outlast my dads ford truck right?

 

It would be nice to have a list of available options on valve guides....by manufacturer. I have never seen it and that would be a great reference.

Brian Crall or Dave Helms could probably burb that list out drinking a 1/2 cup of morning coffee. But sometimes we see the brilliance...other times it remains hidden.

As for headers. I have Fabspeed ones and like them. Purists say they are not correct as they have a 4-1 collector. I believe Tubi has a 2-2-1 collector like the stock ones. I don't race the car so I am not too concerned. You may have another perspective.

 

Most professionals choose a machine shop that is reliable for a certain job and stick with it. Brian uses one in San Luis Obispo and they know what to do with the F355 valve guides. He does not have to ask them.

As for where you are, there is a very knowledgeable F355 engine builder in the area, his name is Gary Sharpe of S@R Exotics, Fchat call sign Enginefxr. He uses sintered steel for valve guides on the F355.

You can always contact him, or consider sending your heads to him for a full valve job. That represents the top of the market for valve jobs. If you rely on a local shop that has not done any of these heads, then you are taking a chance on something less than top of the line.

It is your car and your wallet so only you can decide what to do.

Good luck.

 

http://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/348-355/339738-bad-valve-seal.html

http://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/348-355/325817-what-would-you-do.html

You do the math.......

 

Yes, very interesting. He pulled down his old website. Googled the business name and all that came up were old posts made by him on Fchat and the other Fcar site.

 

If you dont mind me asking, what are they charging you?

 

Just curious how it turned out. Zach is a top notch young and super sharp tech that is likely the best Ferrari tech in the St.Louis area. He can work on a brand new 458, do a clutch snap on a 430,then do an engine out on a vintage Flat-12 with ease. I have personally seen him do it.

Having done business with all of local well known "Go-To" guys.....and they all have their own strengths but Exotic Motors is the best rounded and most capable independent shop not just in St.Louis but the region.

I work in the European/Special interest automobile segment and have for 15 years. I am beyond impressed and think they deserve a shout out for excellent service (in my experience), headed by Rob Gibbons their service manager. They are the best equipped shop in town for Ferrari, Lamborghini,Porsche, Land Rover/Jag (they actually have the equipment to diagnose Rovers/Jags that no other independent in town has, HUGE investment from what they tell me). They are a great alternative to having to deal with the ever changing circus/revolving door at Plaza Motors as Exotic Motors can service virtually anything Plaza sells. I recommend them to anyone, just wanted to see how your experience has been.

I am not a paid advertiser, just someone in the industry that likes what I see and and want to get the word out to St.Louis Ferrari people, they are great with everything and priced pretty aggressively to boot.