so you want to work on your ferrari but are scared to death....

ok so you want to work on your Ferrari but you're scared to death that you will cause more harm than good.
well fear not my friend, its not that hard to do the basics even some of the most complex routine maintenance items can be performed on the majority of the cars out there without being factory trained.
here is a fact, a 10mm combination wrench along with a 10mm socket can remove 50% of the bolts you will encounter on your car!
yes Ferrari's are bolted together roughly with 10mm bolts everywhere!
oil changes no problem buy the filter, along with the brass washers, get a huge drain pan, drain the oil.
yes with the new cars like my 575 you have than PITA undertray affectionately known as the condom under the car, but once that's off its all there. just like a real condom! ( couldn't help that)
tools are a minimum, a good metric combination set with a 3/4 drive socket set and a set of screw drivers and you've paid for all the tools with one oil change from you dealer.
you can get these tools on sale everywhere, harbor freight has good stuff I use them all the time
what I use to jack the car up is a quick jack systems https://www.quickjack.com/car-lifts/bl-5000slx/
this system is well worth it for everything from brake jobs, rotating tires, fluid changes you name it
even for you guys who want to detail the undersides of your car
this is the kit as far as am concerned since you will not need jack stands!
getting back to working on the car, its basic and with the internet its virtually impossible to mess up and oil change, brake fluid change, coolant change or brake pad change, which in case you haven't noticed are the high maintenance items on the cars.
now here is where I will get yelled at, torqueing items, yes for killer items like tension bolts and the like you would be advised to use the recommend torques, I have maintained a 308/521TR/575 so far and never used a torque wrench on an oil filter and I have not had a catastrophic event! (stand by for impact!)
most of us who have worked on cars for many years never had the luxury of the internet to get the job done, service manuals especially for early Ferrari's were a joke, forget about parts books.
and while I am at it the parts book for your car is way more valuable than any service manual.
here is why, it shows you how the parts go together and come apart.
everything you require to keep your prancing horse running smoothly is available on line.
early cars up until the 360 are the easiest to work on in my opinion.
to include the belt service which for some this might be much, but for those of you are willing to do it you will see its not that big of a deal.
don't be afraid, remember we Americans put a man on the moon, not the Italians
and if you have ever been to Italy and been to and Italian auto repair shop you will know what I mean when I say " I could do that"
so I hope I have pushed some owners out the nest to get to work on their cars.
between YouTube, this forum and a plethora of other assets out there online
its a no brainer.
get some grease on your hands
you will be glad you did

Clyde Romero
author of 575 on the move thread

 

Guys I don’t know what to say
I guess I’ve started something here
congrats on the bumper removal
Really it’s not that hard and the beauty of this
parts are ready available at good prices and there isn’t anything that you will encounter that hasn’t been seen by someone else
Trust me on this
Back in the 80’s you were an astronaut, out there on your own
Now please
it’s child’s play
Really
Because it comes in a yellow box with a horse on it you will pay for it
But as you get used to this you will find parts that can do the same job not out of the yellow box
Press on
Learn and do
It’s fun and you will have the confidence that very few owners have
And on top of that when you do venture in to take your car in for something that is above your heads
You can talk to the tech and say
Hey man how do you do that procedure?
Never had one tell me no
They all want to teach
Take one to lunch
It will be the best lunch you’ve ever had
I have over 100k on my 512 TR and have done numerous services on it
But you know what I’ve never had to do the gearbox
And everyone is telling me I can do
No way HOSE’ it’s above my pay grade
That gearbox is a mystery to me and I am good with it
If it ever goes south, I send it to a pro
I can sword fight with ZORRO but not in the dark!

a couple of tips

Go slow ,don’t force anything if it doesn’t come off there is a reason why ( look at the hidden bolt in the transaxle assembly on the 512 TR)
Wear gloves and eye protection
Take breaks
If you’re getting frustrated take a break and stop and attack it tomorrow
You be surprised how different a day makes
Take notes
Take pictures (iPhone)
Make sure you have not put the car your working on in a position that you can’t access the car you need to get part for!
It will happen
Remember
It’s ITALIAN!!!!

Ciao
Clyde

 

love it
and to think there are those out there who pay thousands for the
original tool kit and pouch

LOVE IT !!!

 

so true
so true
but you have hit all of the correct sizes across the board
I didn't want to do that
but I am glad someone like yourself took the time to do so
I didn't want to overwhelm to new guy
but hey instead of getting a bad tie for a present you can print this out and give this to her and say
I need this stuff

AND NEVER USE THE TOOLS IN THE KIT THAT CAME WITH CAR
THEY ARE TERRIBLE
why they even put them in the car is beyond me
it must be some throw back to when you needed tools or something
because if you get down to using those tools
you are in deep kimchi
the metal that Ferrari used in those tools must be from the slag pits !

 

I am going to steal your picture
sorry
its too good
love it
you are too funny

 

yea still driving the 512 TR
it has 109k on it
try to do around 100 miles a month on it
huge difference between the 512 TR and 575M

 

good for you
Your saving tons of money and learning
Great
You will be a master of your car in no time
It’s not for everyone
But for those who wish to try
It’s not that hard
Press on

 

ok so what broke there
that's looks serious
looks like rear end diff?
I have to know

 

nice set up tight quarters
brave guy having the engine up like that
but I guess its not going any where