Timing Belt Failure

I am looking at a 2002 360 spider that had the 1-4 bank timing belt snap. Bent all valves and broke guides. Head was sent out to machine shop. They replaced guides and installed new valves. Apparently the valves damaged the face of the pistons. The pistons were NOT replaced but cleaned up and they bleaned out sharp edge of impact.
My question is, should the pistons have been replaced or can it be perfectly fine cleaning up the face of the piston? The car has 14K miles on it. I appreciate any help. Thank you!

 

I say yes..... They should have been replaced. Why do all that work and not replace them?

 

If the pistons haven't been replaced, should I pass on purchasing this vehicle? Is it a deal breaker?

 

It depends on the price. I'd minus out the cost of a new engine worst case scenario. The seller can't just price as though the damage was never done. Had he installed a new engine he could.

Just depends on the price. IMHO, there are too many nice cars out there to buy one with a story.

 

I was very interested in a car at a dealership that was victim of the exact same scenario. They also chose not to replace the pistons. I passed on the car as it didn't sit well with me.

 

minus the cost of an entire engine? isn't that like 50k? just because a few pistons aren't new? maybe minus the cost of installing new pistons where needed but an entire engine doesn't sound reasonable

 

IF you break a balanced set of pistons, it's a huge PITA to rebalance the engine for one or two new ones.

Usually you have to machine the new ones lighter.

Costs go thru the roof, for little net gain, IMO.

I guess the answer is "it depends", price, color combo, overall condition.....if all that says "Buy" I'm not sure a few nicks (and full disclosure) would mean that much to me.

As a bartering point, sure! But don't expect them to give the car away.

If under Warranty it was Ferrari themselves that decided what to do.

 

Ferrari wouldn't pay for them as I posted above........

 

Did the seller or the shop provide pictures of the 'cleaned' up piston crowns?
Kind of hard to quantify the need for replacement with out seeing the actual damage.
Can you post pics?

 

36os had cam variators flying off like empty beer cans out the window, when new.

I'd guess "finger in the wind" there's a LOT of nicked pistons in these cars of a particular age (pre variator update)...

Then, there's the variators that fail AFTER being updated....

 

I think it sounds totally reasonable if I'm a buyer. What's the buyer gonna do when he buys the car and later realizes that he needs to buy a new engine?

 

If the price is right, go for it.

I have seen many engines with slight "nicks" on piston crowns and the engines are still fine after re-assembly.

 

1+

 

All right all you internet experts. Can a single one of you say you have repaired a 360 motor after a timing belt failure?

Can a single one of you that indicated the pistons should have been replaced give me specific reasons why or give me any evidence in support of your position?



If not, STFU because you are cluless.

 

Brian- Plain enough. So most of them did not need piston replacement?

Taz
Terry Phillips

 

Only if you can see the oil pan, thru the "nick"......

 

Strong Words Brian, as usual!!

 

ya see I knew brian would be here to help out! he's on my side! the engine is probably a-ok without replacing the pistons! so asking for 50k off can be ridiculous!

 

+2.
Also, Brad, is there any evidence of the cam shaft variators being replaced at all since the delivery of the vehicle? Does it fall within the VIN number range? Maybe not.
I can check on the VIN number in the morning.

 

Not sure if you are aware Paul, but there have been reports of the updated variators failing also.

Brad can check to see if the variators have been updated by looking for the "VD" stamp on the corner of right hand cylinder head.

 

The valve stems are only 6mm and the lift is something on the order of 10mm so they only slightly intrude on the pistons area and the stems bend like al dente spagetti. They only put the slightest dents in the pistons. And that is only for the rare cylinder that actually had a piston at TDC and a valve wide open at the same time. Pistons are almost $1000 each and for the tiny dent the valve leaves it just isn't worth replacing them.


People here who couldn't tell the difference between a headgasket and a Dr Scholls insole make it sound like butchery not to replace everything. I have seen more compromised motors set world records at Bonneville.

 

My $0.02, I had a Honda crx 1.5l that I bought with a belt failure. Rebuilt the motor with the hit pistons and a "bit" of extra work. Made a hair ove 200hp at the wheels on 104 octane and 13:1 compression. Anyway, after two years of racing, piston failed. Similiar hp per liter, but much cheaper engine. Want to take the chance?

 

Why does it have to be a 360? Can I not have purchased an lot of piston engines in my life?

Is there something about a Ferrari engine that makes it OK with a set of f'ed up cylinders?

Instead of being ******, why don't you just give your opinion to the OP?

 

I did via PM.


For the experts here I posted my opinion of the advice.


Every motor is going to suffer differently depending on design so experience on something different is not applicable. If he asks about a motor that is in your area of expertise I will shut up and listen. Something that few here seem able to do.

 

Apples and oranges.