F355 Engine out detrimental over time?
Discussion
Having previously owned an F430 Spider (Manual) which I sold a few years ago, I've now decided to start looking for a low milage, concours standard, or as close as possible, F355 GTB (Manual), Rosso Corsa / Crema. (If anybody has one, please DM me).
I'm pretty set on this decision, although part of me is wondering, instead should I spend more money and take the easier to maintain / live with option of a 458 Spider.
I understand that the F355 needs the engine out every 3 years for a cambelt replacement, but as this will have been done many times already now, I'm wondering, and I suppose slightly concerned, that this could be detrimental to the car over time - Surely removing such a major part, numerous times can't be good, or am I completely wrong?
I would be very grateful to hear your thoughts / opinions?
Many thanks in advance
I'm pretty set on this decision, although part of me is wondering, instead should I spend more money and take the easier to maintain / live with option of a 458 Spider.
I understand that the F355 needs the engine out every 3 years for a cambelt replacement, but as this will have been done many times already now, I'm wondering, and I suppose slightly concerned, that this could be detrimental to the car over time - Surely removing such a major part, numerous times can't be good, or am I completely wrong?
I would be very grateful to hear your thoughts / opinions?
Many thanks in advance
On the contrary, the F355 was designed with engine removal in mind. The process has a lot of advantages because the condition of everything on and around the engine subframe gets thoroughly checked and cleaned. This is why F355 engine bays always look immaculate. The only downside is the expense. Here’s a photo of my engine out for its cambelt service.
Mulsanne-Speed said:
That's good to know ANOpax, and thank you for the photo.
Jontysafe - That's an excellent point. For me personally it's predominantly the latter, to look at and admire....... That and of course the fantastic and unique sound this car produces!!
No doubt about that, the 355 is delicately beautiful like Pininfarina designs of old.Jontysafe - That's an excellent point. For me personally it's predominantly the latter, to look at and admire....... That and of course the fantastic and unique sound this car produces!!
My 2c would be...
355 needs belts doing periodically, and the accepted method is engine out. You can do engine in also (pros and cons to both) but the cost needs to be factored in to ownership.
On the flip side, its designed that way and can be done by anyone competent at home. I've done it plenty of times over the last 13 years. there's always the (minor) risk of messing something up but the upside is easy access for inspection and/or repair of everything. Remember its a 20+ year old car that needs things replacing / repairing. Newer stuff will reach that point eventually also, so you need to consider your likely ownership usage and tenure profile.
So, as a long term DIY ownership [proposition, I think they're quite good.
Lastly, every Ferrari has a unique character. Drive a few and see what suits you.
355 needs belts doing periodically, and the accepted method is engine out. You can do engine in also (pros and cons to both) but the cost needs to be factored in to ownership.
On the flip side, its designed that way and can be done by anyone competent at home. I've done it plenty of times over the last 13 years. there's always the (minor) risk of messing something up but the upside is easy access for inspection and/or repair of everything. Remember its a 20+ year old car that needs things replacing / repairing. Newer stuff will reach that point eventually also, so you need to consider your likely ownership usage and tenure profile.
So, as a long term DIY ownership [proposition, I think they're quite good.
Lastly, every Ferrari has a unique character. Drive a few and see what suits you.
Cactussed said:
My 2c would be...
355 needs belts doing periodically, and the accepted method is engine out. You can do engine in also (pros and cons to both) but the cost needs to be factored in to ownership.
On the flip side, its designed that way and can be done by anyone competent at home. I've done it plenty of times over the last 13 years. there's always the (minor) risk of messing something up but the upside is easy access for inspection and/or repair of everything. Remember its a 20+ year old car that needs things replacing / repairing. Newer stuff will reach that point eventually also, so you need to consider your likely ownership usage and tenure profile.
So, as a long term DIY ownership [proposition, I think they're quite good.
Lastly, every Ferrari has a unique character. Drive a few and see what suits you.
355 needs belts doing periodically, and the accepted method is engine out. You can do engine in also (pros and cons to both) but the cost needs to be factored in to ownership.
On the flip side, its designed that way and can be done by anyone competent at home. I've done it plenty of times over the last 13 years. there's always the (minor) risk of messing something up but the upside is easy access for inspection and/or repair of everything. Remember its a 20+ year old car that needs things replacing / repairing. Newer stuff will reach that point eventually also, so you need to consider your likely ownership usage and tenure profile.
So, as a long term DIY ownership [proposition, I think they're quite good.
Lastly, every Ferrari has a unique character. Drive a few and see what suits you.
ANOpax said:
On the contrary, the F355 was designed with engine removal in mind. The process has a lot of advantages because the condition of everything on and around the engine subframe gets thoroughly checked and cleaned. This is why F355 engine bays always look immaculate. The only downside is the expense. Here’s a photo of my engine out for its cambelt service.
Ferrari Edinburgh used to offer both means to change the cambelt, with non removal of the engine obviously being cheaper.So, it isn't just a specialist 'cutting a corner' and doing it cheaper if that is how some may look at it.
On one of my engine out services by Ferrari, the wires to the ecu sensor on the rear ofdside got snagged and stretched when the engine went back in which then caused intermittent problems shutting down half of the engine for no reason.
That's not a pleasant thing to happen 30 miles from home.
Simple issues like that can occur with engine out services...rarely...but they do happen.
In my experience the real horrors occur when parts of a car are never looked at. For example we are hearing of terrible subframe rust on some cars, which doesn't really get seen until an underbody panel is removed.
I have gone to the US regime of belts every 5 years, as I never track my cars, I use then regularly but lightly, and the belts are designed to last for much longer than 3 years. That means that every 5 years the whole of my engine bay (and engine) are fully exposed, and any small details can be dealt with.
I have gone to the US regime of belts every 5 years, as I never track my cars, I use then regularly but lightly, and the belts are designed to last for much longer than 3 years. That means that every 5 years the whole of my engine bay (and engine) are fully exposed, and any small details can be dealt with.
As stated above the engine is designed to be removed so is not a real mechanical risk, just expensive. Considering that the belts are supposed to be doing in excess of 30k mikes over a three year period then moving to a five year belt replacement routine is not a risk if the mileage is not high.
I have moved to a five year belt replacement duration for mine and mainly so that other things can be checked rather than any concern about the belts - items such as the idler bearings do need checking to make sure a) they are Hill Engineering bearings (not the unreliable OEM Ferrari type) and b) that they still rotate freely. It also allows close inspection of all other seals and a better view of the radiators etc. Most importantly on reinstallation is to make sure all the fuel lines are connected up properly - wrongly positioned clamps originally resulted in chafing and a few infernos. F355s were subject to a safety recall to avoid this problem so always check it has been subject to the recall.
I have moved to a five year belt replacement duration for mine and mainly so that other things can be checked rather than any concern about the belts - items such as the idler bearings do need checking to make sure a) they are Hill Engineering bearings (not the unreliable OEM Ferrari type) and b) that they still rotate freely. It also allows close inspection of all other seals and a better view of the radiators etc. Most importantly on reinstallation is to make sure all the fuel lines are connected up properly - wrongly positioned clamps originally resulted in chafing and a few infernos. F355s were subject to a safety recall to avoid this problem so always check it has been subject to the recall.
Bebs said:
Have had the engine out 3 times in the last few weeks.
Did a top end rebuild (new valve guides mostly plus oil seals etc).
then been chasing a misfire (which has turned out to be a bloody vacuum leak).
So, putting it back in this afternoon (hopefully) and going for a drive on the weekend.
Cactussed said:
Bebs said:
Have had the engine out 3 times in the last few weeks.
Did a top end rebuild (new valve guides mostly plus oil seals etc).
then been chasing a misfire (which has turned out to be a bloody vacuum leak).
So, putting it back in this afternoon (hopefully) and going for a drive on the weekend.
Cactussed said:
Nearly.
Have had the engine out 3 times in the last few weeks.
Did a top end rebuild (new valve guides mostly plus oil seals etc).
then been chasing a misfire (which has turned out to be a bloody vacuum leak).
So, putting it back in this afternoon (hopefully) and going for a drive on the weekend.
Were was your leak mate?Have had the engine out 3 times in the last few weeks.
Did a top end rebuild (new valve guides mostly plus oil seals etc).
then been chasing a misfire (which has turned out to be a bloody vacuum leak).
So, putting it back in this afternoon (hopefully) and going for a drive on the weekend.
Cactussed said:
Nearly.
Have had the engine out 3 times in the last few weeks.
Did a top end rebuild (new valve guides mostly plus oil seals etc).
then been chasing a misfire (which has turned out to be a bloody vacuum leak).
So, putting it back in this afternoon (hopefully) and going for a drive on the weekend.
Did you get out in it?Have had the engine out 3 times in the last few weeks.
Did a top end rebuild (new valve guides mostly plus oil seals etc).
then been chasing a misfire (which has turned out to be a bloody vacuum leak).
So, putting it back in this afternoon (hopefully) and going for a drive on the weekend.
Mine’s been at Aldous’s since July last year but you’ve probably seen my PH thread about the engine rebuild. Looking forward to getting it back.
Taking the engine out is actually a handy thing on a car of 355 age. The manifolds are prone to cracking and the rads deteriorating so if these are noticed on an engine-out cambelt change it helps with preventative maintenance and makes the job of replacing so much easier (and therefore cheaper!)
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