Looking at 348's......gearbox question

I am looking for my first Ferrari and have my eye on several 348's. I have been researching the gearbox issues on Fchat for some time, and I am looking for some advise on exactly what I should be looking/listening for on a test drive or inspection to determine if the transmission in a particular car is a ticking time bomb or is solid at this particular time.

Every car I am looking at is an early car with more than 20K miles, and while I am aware of what I am getting into, if a particular car is showing early symptoms of an issue that could require a complete rebuild it sure would be nice to know. I read of guys hearing a particular "whine" and other signs, and I just want to know under what conditions these issue are heard (at idle, clutch in, clutch out, accelerating, decelerating, etc.) So, any thoughts on things to listen for, or particular ways to "test" for a looming issue?

Thanks in advance. I hope to become more active here in the coming months as my search continues.

Greg

 

When was it's last major? (belts, tensioners, critical hoses, etc.)? A "sticky" 2nd
before the gear oil is hot is fairly normal (shift first > third, RPMS under 4k until hot)

Jedi

 

Well, I am going to see 4 different cars over the next week or so. Some have had majors in the past year or two, others are coming due. I am fine with the idea of having a major done at my expense on a car that is priced appropriately.

I am not concerned with a cold 2nd gear, what I am concerned about are the various issues with loose ring nuts and oil pump bearings, and exactly what the earliest symptoms of these issues are and what I can look/listen for to detect them. I want to know under what conditions I should be listening for anything unusual, and if there are particular driving conditions that would make these issue stand out.

 

gearbox problems are usually indicated by high-pitched whines, excessive clanking at throttle on/throttle off/throttle on. You have to drive a few to know which ones have unusual amounts of noise, because after all, it is a Ferrari, so it's gonna make noises.
As far as majors go, I'm with you. I want to see it before it's cleaned up, etc so I know how it's been trreated!

 

In addition to what Plugzit said there is one particular GB failure you can hear quite dramatically. If you hear what could be construed as a throw out bearing noise RUN! IT could be a cheap T/O bearing or the clutchshaft bearing is eating itself and the pinion drive is going next meaning a complete GB teardown. If you know what you are listening for it is easy to diagnose which it is but I'm 90% sure a porsche mechanic could not tell the difference. You need some ferrari experience. You can hear both noises quite dramatically by putting a long screw driver handle to your ear and touching the spot over the GB where the clutchline hose enters the box.

 

Another symptom is the tranny popping out of gear.

 

Thank you for all the replies. I am going to see 2 cars today and given road conditions up here, I will just be evaluating overall condition and reviewing records, probably not driving. I will see if I can run both cars and listen for the issue in the T/O bearing area described above. I am familiar with this type of sound so I can at least get that far.

Thanks again!

 

You should bring a Ferrari Tech with you, becasuse as FBB said you need the experience to know what you are looking for.