Where can I get timing belts?

I just purchased mine with the updated Hill Engineering tensioner bearings from F-Chat sponsor Ricambi America. Great prices and even better customer service. My package should be here tomorrow according to the tracking. Make sure you replace the bearings as well.

http://www.ricambiamerica.com/

Welcome to Ferrarichat.

 

First of all, I AM NOT AN EXPERT.

I think it would be a good idea not to drive it anymore.
It's not the mileage that is so critical on these belts as the age. Usually 5 years or so is the max. for these.

The teeth on the belts tend to strip if and when the tension bearings seize (among other things). When that happens the multiple valves hit the top of your pistons.

REALLY, DON'T EVEN START IT AGAIN UNTIL THE BELTS AND TENSIONERS ARE REPLACED.

You will need tensioner bearings, cam seals, cam cover gaskets secondary belts and a BUNCH of other things.

Most suppliers sell a "30k Kit" that includes most of the critical items for a start. Once you are in there you will find additional items

The valves will need to be adjusted as well.

Try the sponsors on this forum like Ricambi, http://www.ricambiamerica.com/

Other places,
http://www.trutlands.com/
http://www.ferrparts.com/
http://www.allferrariparts.com/

 

To adjust the valves you need some special tools, like its nice to have a valve shim removal tool and a whole box of shims or access to some in .05mm steps. Some good measuring tools like a good micrometer and feeler gages. A compressor is handy along with a whole raft of metric wrenches extensions and tools that you like to use. Its not a tough job but sorta out of beginner territory IMHO. But any job worth doing is worth a new tool or two! Belts are pretty easy too if you buy or make a good tool to hold the cams in place. Lots of good techniques talked about here.

 

Where are you located? I ask because a lot of folks here self service and maybe your near someone who can offer some pointers if you run into problems.

Also, I'm not familiar with the 328 but the setup is similar to the 308, and to get to the belts you need to remove some parts. To get to the valves, you need to remove even more parts. And all this leads to the "while I'm in there/might as well" type of work.

From what you wrote it seems like your car has never been serviced, so you may have a considerable list of "might as wells" you want to consider. For starters the water pump and hoses/sleeves/lines should be examined, especially the fuel crossover sleeves.

Good luck,
Phil

 

Process for all the early 3x8's is about the same.

I got a great kit from Eurospares.

I even got cam seals, but didn't replace them since I had no leaks and was not conducting a valve adjustment (didn't remove valve covers).

BTW, the workshop manual describes the whole thing, but is hard to follow if you are not setting the timing along with the belt change. Just review fchat enough until you are confident to do the procedure.

Rob H.

 

DON'T FORGET TO DEGREE THE CAMS.

 

Check out the Robworkz thread on doing a 328 belt change:

http://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/showthread.php?t=289560

He gives a good step by step on how to do it, with pictures, and some of the follow up discussions highlights some of the issues you will find when you dig into the car.

As for parts, there are a number of suppliers. Ricambi, T. Rutland, Partsource, GT Car Parts, and others. Prices vary from supplier to supplier, and one may be low on one item and high on another. You can save enough money by shopping around that it's worth the effort.

If you don't have it already, download the shop manual and parts catalogue. Especially the parts catalogue shows exploded views and how things go together.

Have fun, and good luck with it.

 

p.s. You don't have to remove the rear suspension like Rob did in order to do a belt job. You just work around it. And be careful when you undo the AC compressor -- it is really heavy. Make sure you figure out how you are going to support it before you unbolt it.

 

I second putting in your rough location. I was given a number of valve shims from a local fellow that had left overs, and I'm willing to work with anyone who is close to pass some on. I'm sure there are other folks around more than happy to share the shims.

 

I find that to be the general "theme" of most 308 owners, Ferrari folks in general but it seems more so here in the 308 section, a genuine willingness to lend a hand.

Without you guys, I'd probably have significant psychotherapy expenses.



Phil

 

That is unusual that you cannot find a car guys in your neck of the woods. Seattle is a big town full of interesting people with interesting hobbies including cars.

Some people believe that you have to degree the cam shafts to find its best operating performance, even on a 328. That is why the find TDC is in the instruction (among other things)

 

$8K seems very excessive, even for a full 30K mile dealer service.

 

Yes. It is very important for you to be able to use the marks to reset a goof. Personally, since the belt teeth are large, I doubt the belts would stretch enough to cause a pulley to "relatively-rotate" beyond a tooth size during normal operation, thus indicating that you could simply mark everything, bind it up and replace belts; however, it's just not good practice to assume the system is timed. Note that the belts do stretch, so you will find that you will have to tweek the crank (very little) to get the belt to sink into its proper pulley grooves.

 

RealMen, you might try Carlo at Alfa Tacoma if you're not so sure about doing it yourself. I suspect he will be about half what the dealer charges and, frankly, his work will probably be twice as good.

I'm also in Seattle. If you get the the ancillaries and the timing covers off I'd be happy to come by and assist with tips/tricks on changing the belts.

Setting the valves isn't that tough either, but best to have a good stock of valve shims ready in advance. Skip the ferrari shims at $12 each and go with the Volvo shims for $2 bucks each. Some folks say the ferrari shims have had magic dust applied to make them better/harder so take that for what it's worth.

Cheers.

 

+1

253-572-ALFA

Jedi

 

I am in Everett and I am also getting ready to do the belts in my '87 328. My background is aerospace work and I have lots of tools. If you want some company on your journey.. drop me a PM and we can hook up.

 

328 shims are smaller and not the 33mm Volvo shims. You are stuck with the ... Ferrari shims

 

Not that long. Time to do it again.

 

You should change your screen name to:

RealMenDrive21YearOldFerrarisWithOriginalBelts