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Discussion in '348/355' started by n8nod9it, Apr 9, 2010.

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  1. n8nod9it

    n8nod9it Rookie

    Dec 16, 2006
    14
    #1 n8nod9it, Apr 9, 2010
    I'm finding myself in the market for a 355 and would like to know what year is considered to have the valve guide problem fixed? Also, is it early in the year or later where it was resolved? I think its 97' but just wanted verification.
     
  2. X11OUD

    X11OUD Formula Junior

    Mar 22, 2008
    729
    Manchester, England
    Full Name:
    Neil
    #2 X11OUD, Apr 9, 2010
    Welcome and congratulations on your choice of next car.
    I think your best bet is to use the search function on the site, this subject has been covered many times with various out comes :)
     
  3. saw1998

    saw1998 F1 Veteran

    Jun 8, 2008
    8,237
    San Antonio, Texas
    Full Name:
    Scott
    #3 saw1998, Apr 9, 2010
    PURPORTEDLY, the newer, improved valve guides were after Assembly No. 27,689. However, there have been anecdotal reports of the older style valve guides being installed after this number.
     
  4. FBI

    FBI Formula Junior

    May 27, 2008
    446
    Calgary,Ab
    #4 FBI, Apr 9, 2010
    Wow, Dec 2006 join date and only 3 post's, Where you been?

    Welcome Back, And good luck on your search.

    Cheers!
     
  5. n8nod9it

    n8nod9it Rookie

    Dec 16, 2006
    14
    #5 n8nod9it, Apr 9, 2010
    Lurking and dreaming, until now. :)
     
  6. n8nod9it

    n8nod9it Rookie

    Dec 16, 2006
    14
    #6 n8nod9it, Apr 9, 2010

    Thanks, that helps. When i bought my G-wagen there were supposedly issues with production periods before a certain date and I bought after that day and didn't experience any of the reported problems, so I just want to take the same course with my 355. Not saying it will be a guarantee problem free vehicle, just want to minimize the risk.
     
  7. J. Salmon

    J. Salmon F1 Rookie
    Owner Rossa Subscribed

    Aug 27, 2005
    4,367
    VA
    #7 J. Salmon, Apr 9, 2010
    Just get a compression and leakdown. You have to do this anyway, even if they tell you the guides have been done in the past. Unless you were there, you don't really know.

    If you do have to do guides, it's not THAT big a deal if you do it with a major. If you have to do a major because of it... well that's gonna cost you.
     
  8. AceMaster

    AceMaster Three Time F1 World Champ

    Feb 6, 2009
    34,777
    Ontario, Canada
    Full Name:
    Mike
    #8 AceMaster, Apr 10, 2010
    Why not find one that was sorted by the owner? You don't necessarily have to get one that was remedied from Maranello.
     
  9. n8nod9it

    n8nod9it Rookie

    Dec 16, 2006
    14
    #9 n8nod9it, Apr 11, 2010
    I haven't ruled that out.

    Looking for a place to do a PPI in and around the Costa Mesa area?? Any suggestions for an indy mechanic or shop?
     
  10. SGM

    SGM F1 Rookie
    Owner Silver Subscribed

    Sep 27, 2006
    2,797
    Rockville, MD
    Full Name:
    Steve
    #10 SGM, Apr 11, 2010
    Some guys will say that 98 & 99 cars had this issue taken care of however all 355's can possibly have valve issues. The reason I say this is because I had a 99 Fiorano with bad valve guides. Just remember that a PPI is your friend and good luck.
     
  11. SKUSA

    SKUSA Formula Junior

    Dec 6, 2009
    476
    Norcal
    #11 SKUSA, Apr 11, 2010
    This is taken from page 6 of this Ferrari Buyer's Guide http://www.focfloridaregion.com/guides/355.pdf

    "One myth on the F355 is that the valve guides are a major problem and must be replaced. In reality, the problem occurred in 20% of the 1995 models and a small
    number of 97’s and 98’s."
     
  12. full_garage

    full_garage Formula 3
    Owner

    Feb 15, 2010
    2,241
    Sarasota Florida
    Full Name:
    Jay
    #12 full_garage, Apr 12, 2010
    FWIW my guy told me that in his experience by mid 98 they seemed to have fixed the problem- but +1000 on the PPI- without a compression test and a leakdown you're copletely in the dark
     

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