Critical 355 F1 DIY Tools for Personal Garage

Service manuals and the all timing/locking tools for the major are the first to come to mind

Diagnostic software would be helpful but every option is prohibitively expensive for a DIYer

 

Then buy tools when you need them. There's no point buying, say, a slim 22mm spanner if your oil pressure sender never fails. You may need a couple of torque wrenches to cover often removed big things (wheel nuts) and little things (oil drain plugs). Perhaps an allen key set. I have engine side covers which have weird 3.5mm allen headed bolts. Your car may have regular phillips screws.

There are aftermarket spark plug boot removal tools (which protect the rubber).

Since a lot of problems are electrical, perhaps some wire cutters, wire strippers, contact crimping tools, multimeter, jumper wires, contact cleaner, etc. Perhaps a couple of rolls of Tesa tape as the black cloth tape loses it's stickiness and falls off the wiring harnesses. 3M adhesive remover spray is great for removing the old glue residue.
One of the most useful tools can be a cigarette lighter voltmeter to see what your battery and alternator are doing.

Maybe a smart phone boroscope kit and a magnet on a stick for when you lose things.

Most of the computers can't be interrogated by standard OBD2 tools. As sfcarguy says, not everyone can afford a Ferrari SD1 tool or a Leonardo.

Some 355s are too low to go on lifts. You may need some low ramps/speedhumps to get the car high enough.

 

Dorm fridge loaded with beer or cokes

 

The best tool I have even purchased and can 100% recommend is the Liftjack 7000TL. If you have a legitimate vehicle lift then disregard. If not, the Liftjack is a really useful tool for getting your car in the air so that working on and under it is easy. The liftjack 5000 is a little cheaper and would work well for your F355. Look for bundle deals at Costco.

 

Do you mean Quickjack? Or is this something different?

I have a Quickjack and until I get a proper lift, I'd agree it's money well spent. A little fiddly to arrange it properly to raise the car correctly, but it works great for a 355. Not trusting most lift devices, I still place a jack stand underneath each platform once it's up.

 

As previously mentioned, buy the specialized tools when you need them. If I’m tinkering with my 430 and need something, I get on Amazon and order it. It’s delivered the next day.


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Oh, sorry. Yes, I meant Quickjack. I went with the 7000TL version so that I could lift my F-150 without worry. I used additional safety jacks at first, but the Quickjack has proven to be extremely strong and stable, so I generally don't use additional safety equipment. Quickjack is extremely heavy (lift with your legs and not your back!) and awkward to position, but I have found a method that works for me and now I think it's pretty easy. A super useful tool purchase if you work on your own cars and don't have room for a proper lift.

 

* Hill Engineering oil filter socket
* Hill Engineering wheel hangers (2)
* Workshop manual
* Motive Power Bleeder with Euro cap adapter

 

Sticky R X also makes some high quality wheel hangers and spark plug removal tools. I hear Dave Lelonek is now developing polypropylene (?) spark plug removal tools which I imagine will be more gentle on the plug boots than a metal one.

 

I have all of those and a 4-post lift. I feel like I can do most maintenance short of an engine-out service pretty comfortably. Of course, with a pretty extensive collection of mechanics hand tools.

So far I have done:

Annual oil/filter changes
Bi-annual changes of all other fluids
Swapped wheels
Replaced failed alarm siren
Changed rear exhaust Tubi > Capristo
Repaired or replaced slightly damaged underbody panels

One tool I would add to the list is a high quality, adjustable heat gun. I used that for so many things. If you don't want to force and/or break things (especially plastic and rubber parts), heat them gently first.

 

Pin extraction tools for the connectors.
36mm impact socket with a Milwaukee 1600 ft-lbs impact gun
Timing belt tensioner rotation tool
Cam pulley alignment pin extraction pliers
Degree wheel
22mm wrench and 17mm wrench bent at the right place and angle
Throttle plates balancing vacuum gauges
Very large adjustable wrench for oil line
High quality allen sockets
Special 10mm cylinder compression tester fitting from Snapon
Coolant tank pressure tester along with cap fitting from Snapon
Airlift
Digital dial indicator and holding base. Various tips.
5 lbs slide hammer
MiG welder
Fluke DVM
Oscilloscope
Compression tester
Leak down tester
Ring compressor
Cylinder Liner extraction tool
Head nut torque tool and adapter from Hill Engr.
All 13mm wrenches in all configurations known to mankind
Large 30mm, 32mm, 36mm wrenches
A set of Ribe bits
Timing drive sprocket nut removal tool (4 prong socket)
CV boot clamps compression tool
Thin wall 19mm socket

There is a separate list if you plan on going inside the gearbox.

Of course, you have to start out with a comprehensive garage full of quality hand tools before any of this.

 

Kinda like this? I built a 2 car tandom garage, with 2 post hoist etc..just for fun.
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I absolutely love my Quickjacks, I bought 2 sets of them and use them often...although for a 355 that requires engine removal, I'm not sure they give enough clearance

 

A 2 post is the only option for service work. They are not expensive, just be sure your floor has enough concrete min 6 inch depth reinforced with rebar.

 

Because of my ceiling hight which is 12ft, I went with an open top hoist from Tuxedo. It's not bad but definitely not the best. But for my space it works well.
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