How many 355s on here have had valve jobs? | FerrariChat
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How many 355s on here have had valve jobs?

Discussion in '348/355' started by chaa, Sep 21, 2006.

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Who's 355 has had a valve job??

  1. Yes... my 355 has had a valve job.

  2. No... my 355 has not had a valve job

Multiple votes are allowed.
Results are only viewable after voting.
  1. chaa

    chaa F1 Veteran

    Mar 21, 2003
    5,058
    #1 chaa, Sep 21, 2006
    I am interested to know how many current or ex 355 owners on THIS forum have had valve jobs on there 355s. Either done by them selfs or documented in there paper work.There are alot of 355 owners on here so this may give a good idea as to the %. It will give us some idea as to how much of a problem this is...or not.
    Please dont vote if you have only heard about a valve job that your mates, mates uncle once had:D Just the facts about your OWN car. Ferrari Tecs should also vote, but please keep it real dudes and dont exagerate becourse you may dis-like the model;)
    I will start the ball rolling by saying that my 1995 46K mile spider never has had its valves done.

    MB: And yes i know that there may be discusion about manifolds, but this poll is all about the valve jobs dudes:D
    Also i have been informed that a poll of this type has been done before, but i cant recall one in resent times. And that may be very well, but this poll is a CURRENT view of the picture.
     
  2. tonyh

    tonyh F1 World Champ
    Lifetime Rossa Owner

    Dec 23, 2002
    14,372
    S W London
    Full Name:
    Tony H
    #2 tonyh, Sep 21, 2006
  3. jasonSF

    jasonSF Karting

    Jan 23, 2005
    138
    North Essex
    Full Name:
    Jason F
    #3 jasonSF, Sep 21, 2006
    my 98 F1 355 is used everyday, now on 59,250 miles and never had any problem, just regular servicing.
     
  4. chaa

    chaa F1 Veteran

    Mar 21, 2003
    5,058
    #4 chaa, Sep 21, 2006
    Thanks for that Tony. Its a two year old poll so now its time for a current one.
     
  5. pistole

    pistole Formula Junior

    Jan 31, 2005
    771
    Malaysia
    #5 pistole, Sep 21, 2006
    with due respect Chaa , its not only the valve guides issue that worries
    would be 355 buyers.

    cheers.
     
  6. chaa

    chaa F1 Veteran

    Mar 21, 2003
    5,058
    #6 chaa, Sep 21, 2006
    But its the question i am asking on THIS poll. If anyone wants to do another poll about other problems they can. But no matter what question one puts on a poll some one always uses the "due respect" line. The reason i am doing this is to show that the valve guide problem may not be as bad as people make out.
    And i would say one of the questions of 355 buyers is can i afford to have one. Apart from that its what they hear about valves and manifolds. These are the top questions.
     
  7. angelis

    angelis F1 Veteran
    Owner

    Jun 18, 2004
    6,400
    London, England
    Full Name:
    Sy
    #7 angelis, Sep 21, 2006
    What happens to the valves?
     
  8. allen_993

    allen_993 Karting

    Jul 3, 2006
    179
    Alabama
    Full Name:
    Allen
    #8 allen_993, Sep 21, 2006
    It will interesting to see how this latest poll compares to the earlier one.
     
  9. tonyh

    tonyh F1 World Champ
    Lifetime Rossa Owner

    Dec 23, 2002
    14,372
    S W London
    Full Name:
    Tony H
    #9 tonyh, Sep 21, 2006
    some early 355s had bronze valve guides which didn't seat well causing premature engine wear . Ferrari replaced the bronze with sintered steel guides later on in model's life- 1998
     
  10. johan6504

    johan6504 Formula 3

    Jun 28, 2005
    1,168
    Sweden
    Full Name:
    Johan
    #10 johan6504, Sep 21, 2006
    "Starting from assembly #27689 all 355 Engines are equipped from the factory with new Valve guides, which are manufactured with Sintered Steel instead of Bronze.
    New updated part numbers are:
    Intake Guide #176437
    Exhaust Guide #176438
    Note: will need new style Guide Installer.
    The assembly number is located in the engine compartment/Plate and I have seen some very early 98's with lower numbers.
    "
     
  11. J.P.Sarti

    J.P.Sarti Guest

    May 23, 2005
    2,426
    #11 J.P.Sarti, Sep 21, 2006
    I don't think we'll ever know the exact story on valve guide failures, driving habits could have an effect as well, perhaps on the 5 valve heads if you baby the car carbon will build up on the valves casing them not to seat properly then this causes the valve to over heat and rapidly wear the guides, babying the car could also cause plug fouling and carbon build up as well.

    BTW this poll should have shown the contributors user name to keep things accurate for actual 355 owners posting
     
  12. gothspeed

    gothspeed F1 World Champ

    May 26, 2006
    10,244
    U.S.A.
    Full Name:
    goth
    #12 gothspeed, Sep 21, 2006
    I think the virtues of the 355 far out weigh the issues. :p
     
  13. 05011994

    05011994 Formula 3
    Owner

    May 1, 2004
    1,865
    Golden, Colorado
    #13 05011994, Sep 21, 2006
    My 95 F355 Berlinetta had them done around 8,500 miles. I have had other issues taken care of, more neglect from the previous owner and an overzealous stereo intaller tham mechanical issues. I know the cats will go and hyperflow will replace them, if the headers go, then I will have Tubi headers to match my Tubi exhaust. The car is the most fun car I have driven and is very tight. I have around 11,000 miles on my car.
     
  14. Ade

    Ade Formula 3

    Jan 31, 2004
    2,102
    UK
    #14 Ade, Sep 21, 2006
    Late '97 355 spider. Valve guides went pretty spectacularly. New guides, 1 cylinder liner, set piston rings etc etc huge bill :(
     
  15. cinquevalvole

    cinquevalvole Formula 3

    Feb 6, 2004
    1,161
    Germany, Bayern
    #15 cinquevalvole, Sep 21, 2006
    Problems with valves seem to occur more often to USA-engines. :-(
    I know a bunch of 355 cars here in germany and around, but never heard about valve issues at all (but all kind of other pain. :( ).
    I only read about it on FChat which is North Amerika dominated.
    Perhaps the EU-cars were fitted with steel guides from the beginning?
    Bueller?

    cinque
     
  16. 1Turbo

    1Turbo Formula Junior

    Jan 26, 2005
    675
    LA$ VEGA$
    Full Name:
    Jimmy K
    #16 1Turbo, Sep 21, 2006
    Hey Chaa, the Results will be Skewed. Why, because the "SAME" 355 may have Multiple Yes or No Votes. Unless everyone Posts the VIN, it can't be Accurate or even Close.A No Vote from me @ 20K+ Miles (Fingers Crossed)
     
  17. 1Turbo

    1Turbo Formula Junior

    Jan 26, 2005
    675
    LA$ VEGA$
    Full Name:
    Jimmy K
    #17 1Turbo, Sep 21, 2006
    Hey Jason,is your Production Number (not VIN) Higher than # 27689 ?
    You may have the Steel Guides from the Factory.
     
  18. johan6504

    johan6504 Formula 3

    Jun 28, 2005
    1,168
    Sweden
    Full Name:
    Johan
    #18 johan6504, Sep 21, 2006
    I bought my car in Germany, it is a late 98 and it has the steel guides so I am not to worried. What are the main problem you see on German cars? Any chance it is related with high speed driving an autobahn?
     
  19. cinquevalvole

    cinquevalvole Formula 3

    Feb 6, 2004
    1,161
    Germany, Bayern
    #19 cinquevalvole, Sep 21, 2006
    Bingo! High speed kills the ceramic cats. Your late 1998 should already got the steel cats.
    And it's not a good idea to run at high speed without giving the manifolds some time to cool down after. They can melt way too early.
    So these are our most expansive issues, I guess.
    Other issues like stone chips are very common here. Not only on our 355s. :D

    good luck with yours!

    cinque
     

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