Ferrari 308 engine rebuild, basic questions??

That's pretty much a standard "kit" for rebuilding an engine. As you noted, more stuff may, and probably will, show up. Obviously, machine work will be necessary to install the new guides and subsequent valve job. Be sure NOT to order parts until the engine is apart since you won't know what size items to buy depending (bearings, rings, etc etc.) on existing clearances or any machining that might be necessary.

As far as hi comp pistons - you will gain about 3-4% HP per one full point of compression increase. On one of these engines, one point would be worth around 7-8HP. Driveability will be fine since one of the advantages of higher compression is more power throughout the power range. 10.5:1 would be the absolute max I would recommend with current, regularly available pump gas.

 

The other question would be, is it carb or CIS? the carb engines with the better cams and breathing produce better results with a bump in compression then the anemic CIS, there's a quite a bit of overlap on these motors so dynamic compression is fairly.

With the head work get the springs checked to make sure there still in spec and the valve seats as well. Wouldn't hurt to do some porting as well to improve velocity and flow, the 2v heads are pretty bad in that area.

And Mike's right it's not a good idea to order parts until you've pulled apart and inspected the engine to see what needs replacement. You may find some items have worn and the replacement cost will eat into the budget to where you may have to drop the 'want' items in order to rebuild the engine.

head studs are one issue, replacement cost is very high. you mention wanting another 30yrs of service life. Check the oil pump and clearances. replace all bearings and upgrade where possible, esp the water pump. Have a competent machine shop who's familiar with the 308 blocks do any needed machining.

 

How many miles are on it and why did it quit running?

 

it is better to sell everything for what you can get right now before putting 1 cent into this
FERRARI take the cash you are planning to throw away on this car & buy something with
more hp that is standard & would have more value in the long run, dont do what the cheap
skate does,best thing to do is sell what you already have & buy another FERRARI or you will
be sorry dont make the same mistake most guys do

 

That's one point of view...and uncalled for. Since he said "the next 30 years of ownership" I assume he actually wants THIS car and price really doesn't matter.

 

Really sorry this happened...and makes me paranoid as hell! :-o

 

if it was a quattrovalvole maybe,get a EURO 260 horse power already,think about this
lots of EURO QUATTROVALVOLE 308'S for sale if FLORIDA look at craigslist some good
out there,florida has the cheapest price for there cars because of the ECONOMY

dont let anyone tell you different, you might have to sell in case of emergency anytime
life holds no guaranteed,economy,job,home, you got the picture

 

Dude take a break. It's his car, he loves it, and you're out of line.

 

I agree, JOHN SHAW back off a little ok?

 

Re wanting 20 more hp...What's the stock compression on the engine? If it's down around 9:1 then put in the 10.5 and run synthetic 0w40 and you will essentially have that 20 hp over the stock motor/Dino oil. 0w40 is worth 8-10 hp at max power over something like 20w50 Dino which a lot of people run in these cars (though Ferrari doesn't recommend it).

 

Rebuilding the engine in your car may not make the most sense financially to some, but then I would suggest that those same people wouldn't buy one of these cars to begin with. And they should be prevented from doing so, for the sake of more appreciative owners if all they want to do is chop it up the moment something goes wrong. The hours spent rehabilitating your car will go a long way towards making the car yours in the sentimental sense, as opposed to just something you own. So many here always suggest getting a car that is 'well sorted'. I understand the argument, but where's the fun in that? I say go for it. Learn all you can, be patient, and don't spare the bank account (within reason)!

 

Euro QVs = 240 HP (maybe...if we believe Ferrari), not 260. Also...it's a glass car; how often do you see one of those up for sale? How often do you see QVs up for sale? What does this tell you?

 

Scott:

You speak the truth, my Brother. Hang on to your 308 and spend the money necessary to get it to the level you desire. You, without equivocation, own what will become one of the most desirable Ferraris in the relatively near-future.

If I wanted an engine rebuilt by a master, I would send my car (or the engine alone) to Scuderia Rampante in Boulder, CO. Dave Helms will give you a rebuild unequaled by anyone else. Moreover, for the price will be surprising low, considering the level of quality.

 

I seem to recall some of the techs here talking about minor repairs for such issues if the piston isn't too damaged. I thought there was talk of taking any burrs off the piston, replacing the offending valve. That is contingent on no issues with rod or bearings. At 50K, if the damage is isolated, this "might" be a good time to do all new valves and reinstall the heads. It looks like you use your car as a pleasure driver and this simple fix may set you up for the next 30 years with no loss of power or usability. If this is even a consideration and it was my car I'd certainly have conversations with a couple of the best techs. Over repair only costs more money and my budget doesn't support a rebuild, but if an experienced tech had faith in a repair instead of a full rebuild, I'd be game.

 

John Shaw..If you are trying to suck all of the air out of this room, please, at least subcribe to Fchat, as most of us here depend on this forum as a very welcome life-line for the cars we love, and we come here for much needed mutual help from each other. Otherwise, take a "lude" or maybe better yet just take a hike..Over...

 

It still has the early sodium valves???

An engine rebuild may cost you dearly but as long as you're happy. Please posts pictures of the car as it's being worked on.

Best of luck!

 

No one in their right mind would trade an early fibreglass NON CAT DOT legal carbed 308GTB for a f%^*$%*%^ing injected QV??????

You need to quit smoking crack man, it's effected your reasoning.

Why don't you run along looking for a $15K 308 that you can afford, and leave those of us with the means to play with early carbed Ferraris paying CASH for the entire purchase to enjoy our 'hobby"???

Your barely coherent posts warning doom and gloom and financial ruin to Ferrari owners are getting pretty tiresome. I played along with you for two weeks because I thought you might have something to offer the community.

I'm off to reccomend you be banned if you don't knock it off.

We ALL KNOW our early cars are worth MORE MONEY broken to pieces and sold off for parts.......BUT if we all threw in the towel, on ownership exactly WHO would these vultures SELL the parts TO???????

 

You want the original engine in an early car, if at all possible, IMO.

RAMMER, all the OEM pistons for the 308 are gone, used in warranty of the oil burners in '81, however, you might want to run it by someone like Tim Stanford, if a replacement period piston would make a suitable replacement, I think there is a minor variation in weights, and the object would be to replace the damaged one with a close as possible replacement to maintain engine balancing.

Dave Helms might be another good source (I know he has a stash of the correct stainless steel replacement valves) and I really think you might could get out for less than a total rebuild?

I'd want the very best consultation before making a final decision.

 

Florida has the most cheap Ferraris for sale because the state is loaded with marginal dealerships, the sun bakes the heck out the leather, the salt rusts them into the ground and it easy to wash a title there.

Craigslist...........gimme a break!