Ferrari Mailing List: Re: Ferrari Maintenance

[Erik Nielsen (judge4re]

Clyde:

Just wrapping up a clutch replacement on my '83 GTS QV.  It wasn't
starting to slip, but in replacing the suspension bushings, I took a
"while I was in there" approach.  The disk seemed fine, but there was
some uneven wear on the fly wheel, looks like the pressure plate was
going out more than the friction material.  One good catch was that
the pilot bearing was starting to fail.  Could feel some resistance
while it was mounted, pulled if off and found a sliver of material
missing from the inside edge.  $15 part that could have caused a
massive bill if it failed catostrophically.  The car has 29k miles on
it and seems to have more parts with concern than the 49k mile Mondial
that it shares the garage with.  Driving them is key to keeping them
running.

I drove the 365 to work on Friday, coming home, in 93F weather, I
could see the temps remain under control so long as the car kept
moving, I needed to move two cars to get it back into the garage, I
swear you could heat Anchorage with that motor at idle.

Cheers,
Erik


On Fri, Jun 12, 2009 at 1:40 PM, clyde
romero<clyderomero [at] worldnet.att.net> wrote:
> Guys most of you know that I have been a Ferrari owner and maintainer for a
> long time.
>
> Since 1986.
>
> I am giving the list my observations with regards to maintenance schedules
> that I have implemented on my own cars.
>
> I had a 308 GTB QV 84 which I put over 130K on it (bought it with 10k in
> 1986) sold in 96
>
> And I currently own a 93 512 TR with 86K on it (bought it with 10K on as
> well)
>
>
>
> The biggest issue with the cars always seems to be the timing belts, here is
> my observation having changed more than most on both 8 cyl and 12 cyl cars.
>
> The book says 40k and 5 yrs on the 8 cyl cars and 52.5 k on the 12 cyl cars
> and 5 yrs as well.
>
> I just removed the belts and did the complete service and having said that,
> those belts on the 512 TR were on the car for 8 yrs! The belts were fine
> along with the bearings.
>
> The same goes for the 8 cyl cars.
>
> I never saw a wear issue with the 308 as well.
>
> Now the caveat is that I drive my cars around 6k a year which exercises the
> entire platform, which in my opinion is extremely important.
>
> One of the biggest issues with cars is the cooling system. Having lived in
> the deep south with both of these cars I can attest that they have had the
> greatest of challenges with regards to how well the cooling system was
> designed.
>
> I can say without a doubt that the 308 and 512 can withstand stop and go
> traffic in New Orleans and Atlanta on a August day without a problem.
>
> All that being said how many of you take a water hose and go from the back
> of your radiator and push water ever so gently from back to front to clean
> the cooling fins every spring? (spray the front with 409 and let it sit for
> a while, like a glass of wine maybe!)
>
>  You will be surprised to see what comes out the front side of your
> radiator.
>
> I use Mobil 1 and change it every 7 K.
>
> Never had front wheel bearing issues, I have had to replace all the shock
> bushing thoughand one steering rack on the 308 @ 90K.
>
>  I have never had a major issue with the cars to include clutches. The 308
> had the original clutch in it when I sold it.
>
> How you check a clutch on a Ferrari is put it in 3 rd gear drive it at speed
> 60 mph plus and get off the gas, if the revs jump you have issues!
>
> Like I said I never replaced a clutch on a Ferrari!
>
> With regards to catastrophic failures with Ferrari's I can say that I have
> never experienced a failure of any kind. I have found that the cars are very
> reliable and having had them for close to 200K miles I think that I know the
> cars.
>
> In my opinion the 328 last year I think it's a 89 model is the best 3 series
> car they ever made.
>
> It's cheap and easy to maintain and parts are plentiful and the A/C works!
>
>
>
> I find the 355 a compromise, this car in my opinion is thermally challenged
> at best, and the 348 a dismal failure across the board. (space shuttle
> challenger car!)
>
> The 360 is a dealer maintained car as well as the 430. You need deep pockets
> to own these cars.
>
>
>
> The 550/575 are the same as well but with less issues as there 3 Series
> brothers.
>
>
>
> These are my observations.
>
>
>
> Enjoy the summer.
>
>
>
> I leave for the UK on the 17th for the British GP.
>
>
>
> As for the Brawn Car it looks like a white dish towel on the track!
>
> It has no panache what so ever, but it is winning!
>
>  However image is everything in F-1 so go figure.
>
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> Clyde
>
>
>
> Capt. Clyde Romero Jr.
>
> Manpad SME
>
> Clyderomero [at] worldnet.att.net
>
> Mobile 678 641 9932
>
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