355 - Time for the dreaded Valve guide replacement but where to buy them? | FerrariChat

355 Time for the dreaded Valve guide replacement but where to buy them?

Discussion in '348/355' started by treedee3d, Mar 23, 2021.

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  1. treedee3d

    treedee3d F1 Rookie

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    #1 treedee3d, Mar 23, 2021
    I figured I was one of the lucky ones but unfortunately the valve guides are just worn and the engine is out for a major so might as well get it over with and do the now.

    So this topic has been discussed over and over and debated time and again over steel vs bronze vs brass bla bla bla...

    But my question is this:

    Where to buy them?

    I will be ordering my service kit from Ricambi and assumed he would have these but did not see them anywhere on the site. I haven’t called yet but I guess he does not sell them.

    Contacted other well-known Ferrari part suppliers and, surprisingly, they don’t sell many of these nor keep them in stock.

    So, to all of you who have done this job already, where did you buy them?
     
  2. phrogs

    phrogs F1 Veteran
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    #2 phrogs, Mar 23, 2021
    Mine came from GT car parts in AZ.
     
  3. treedee3d

    treedee3d F1 Rookie

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    #3 treedee3d, Mar 23, 2021
    Has it been long? Their site only lists wipers as available part for the 355...
     
  4. MAD828

    MAD828 F1 Rookie
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    #4 MAD828, Mar 24, 2021
    Speak to Dan at Ricambi he will be able to sort you out. Use the factory 360 valve guides that are sintered steel. That’s what I went for.
     
  5. johnk...

    johnk... F1 World Champ
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    #5 johnk..., Mar 24, 2021
    taz355, ShineKen, fboutlaw and 1 other person like this.
  6. MAD828

    MAD828 F1 Rookie
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    #6 MAD828, Mar 24, 2021
    ShineKen and johnk... like this.
  7. johnk...

    johnk... F1 World Champ
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    #7 johnk..., Mar 24, 2021
    That was meant as humor. :) Same deal for me. The tech recommended manganese bronze. Also a lot less expensive than Ferrari sintered steel.
     
  8. phrogs

    phrogs F1 Veteran
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    #8 phrogs, Mar 24, 2021

    You have to call them and yes it's been about 6 years since I had my head's done.
     
  9. treedee3d

    treedee3d F1 Rookie

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    #9 treedee3d, Mar 24, 2021
    As far as the debate goes, I’m leaning towards the bronze. Been reading the discussions for years and it appears bronze is good and that Ferrari just happened to use a really bad quality of bronze in their early batches. My shop also recommends the bronze.

    Had a test done and the results were good (5% everywhere, 1 at 8%, 1 at 10%) except for #2 which is at 58%. They are actually still performing well but they noticed they were very worn and figured now would be a good time to do them. (car has 27,000 miles)
     
  10. fboutlaw

    fboutlaw Karting

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    #10 fboutlaw, Mar 24, 2021
    Send your heads off to a machinist and let them decide what to use. They'll have options.
     
  11. ShineKen

    ShineKen F1 World Champ
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    #11 ShineKen, Mar 24, 2021
  12. flash32

    flash32 F1 Veteran

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    #12 flash32, Mar 24, 2021
    Just curious what did ferrari use in the late model f355 ..which i understand do not have problems

    Sent from my moto g(7) using Tapatalk
     
  13. treedee3d

    treedee3d F1 Rookie

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    #13 treedee3d, Mar 24, 2021
    Anyone hear of SI Valves in California? They have the manganese bronze in stock
     
  14. wilhit10

    wilhit10 Rookie

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    #14 wilhit10, Mar 24, 2021
    My machine shop has my heads and super tech guides. I told them if there are any issues at all to not use them. I figured technology has changed a lot in the last 25 years, and their material is not bleeding edge. Then again this could be a costly mistake. They are also 11.00 a piece.


    Sent from my iPhone using FerrariChat.com mobile app
     
  15. treedee3d

    treedee3d F1 Rookie

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    #15 treedee3d, Mar 25, 2021
    Spoke to a gentleman at a shop called Loutham Competition and he said the valves from SI are what he uses so I am going with that...
     
  16. Ahchard

    Ahchard Karting

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    #16 Ahchard, Mar 27, 2021
    How do you know when they need to be replaced? I am replacing my belt which is an engine out so wondering if valve guides need replacing.

    Sent from my ELE-L29 using Tapatalk
     
  17. treedee3d

    treedee3d F1 Rookie

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    #17 treedee3d, Mar 28, 2021
    Compression test revealed one cylinder was at 58%. Upon further investigation, the shop said the guides were still good but showed considerable wear and the engine-out was a good opportunity to do them.
     
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