My Ferrari 360 Spider started leaking oil from the lower oil cover after a rally recently, likely because my car scraped the pavement quite a few times over some bridge crossings. I checked, and one of the screws was nearly ground down to the threads.

So I decided to replace the lower oil cover, while also doing an oil change that I was almost due for anyways.

While I had the undertray off for that work, I also did some significant fibgerlass repair on my undertray. I also ceramic coated the top and bottom of my headers, since I had easy access to them.

Parts and Tools

• Ricambi Oil Change Kit - includes the 2 copper crush washers, one new drain plug, and Ferrari oil filter
• Up to 10L of Oil, I used Liquimoly 5W-40
• Hex Socket Set - you need a 12mm and 14mm hex bit
• Oil Filter Removal Tool - I used this exact tool, and have for all my cars, however there is a Ferrari specific removal tool that might make it easier. But this one DOES work
• 177549 GASKET - 1 of 2 gaskets on the in line filter to replace
• 177550 GASKET - 1 of 2 gaskets on the in line filter to replace
• Lower Oil Cover, P/N 171045 - upgraded Hill Engineering part, much beefier than the OEM cover
• New screws for the Oil Cover x6 - minimum buy of 10 on Ricambi
• Permatex Ultra Black - gasket maker for the lower oil cover
• Blue Loctite - thread locker for the lower oil cover screws
• Grease
• Gloves

First, lift the car however you normally do, and remove the undertray below the engine. There are about 20 screws to remove.

Next, go about a normal oil change procedure. This includes the removing the 2 drain plugs (12mm and 14mm hex).

Remove the in line filter from the gear box with 2x 10mm bolts. I used a small flat head screwdriver to pry the filter out.

Clean this filter, and replace the 2 O-rings with some new grease, I used Red N’ Tacky.

To remove the oil filter on my 360 Spider, I had to remove 2x 10mm bolts on the power steering reservoir, then I was able to finagle my non-Ferrari oil filter removal tool in from one side and get my longest socket extender in from the top. This was an awful oil filter to remove, and I had to be sitting on top of the exhaust to reach it.

Also remove the oil cap so more oil can drain.

Once the oil is done draining, I removed the Lower Oil Cover with 6x 10mm screws, including one that was nearly missing the head. Luckily, I could get it out with my normal sockets. The replacement Hill Engineering cover is noticeably heavier and thicker than the Ferrari OEM part.

I installed some Permatex Ultra Black gasket maker around the perimeter of the inside of the lower oil cover, including around the screw holes. I chose the Ultra Black because it was recommended for anything that could come into contact with oil, whereas the grey didn’t seem to work as well with oil. Another alternative that was recommended is Three Bond 1211.

The instructions for the Ultra Black say to hand tighten anything using this gasket maker, then let it sit for an hour or more, then fully tighten. So I did that by putting all 6 screws in (with some Blue Loctite on each) and using a socket until I felt a slight resistance, let it sit for 2 hours, then tightened until the resistance was higher.

Note that the workshop manual for the Ferrari 360 says to use 25Nm - DO NOT DO THAT. It stripped my first screw directly into the oil pan, and luckily I was able to get it back out with channel locks.

So once you have the lower oil pan cover in, the Ultra Black instructions recommend to let it cure for 24 hours before adding oil. In the mean time, you can go ahead and install your drain plugs. Ricambi includes 1 new drain plug that you should put a new crush washer on, and you will re-use 1 old drain plug, but add a new copper crush washer to it. Again, the factory manual recommends 75NM, but that is way too high, I followed the advice of Aldous and did hand tight plus about 1/4 turn on the socket.

Install your new oil filter, you don’t need to use the tool for this, hand tight as much as you can get is good for filters.

This is a good time to measure how much oil came out of your Ferrari’s engine. Mine measured about 9 quarts, so I’d expect to add that much, but I added a bit less just in case. Then let it warm up after refilling by running the engine or driving. To check the oil, you have to pull the dip stick while the engine is running and while it is warm. Add oil as need be, but be careful not to overfill it.

Check for leaks. I was all good on the first try, thankfully!

Finally, reinstall the undertray, lower the car, and enjoy another year of driving.