1978 Hood Prop

Hello everyone, I was wondering if you could give me some feedback about my 1978 308. My car has the hood rod in the centre to hold the hood up. But I have noticed that some 308 of the same year have hinges on the right and left side (gas shocks). I know that 1979 models have the hood shocks. Was the 1978 308 available with the hood shocks as well.

 

78 was the last year of the prop rod for the engine lid on US spec cars, I assume Euro as well. You could add gas struts but it would be a lot of work if you did it the factory way.

 

Maybe only on euro version "1978" starting at 27583 on GTB and 27309 on GTS (but the whole concept of "model year" was/is squishy in Europe in 1978).

https://www.ferrariparts.co.uk/Diagram/ferrari/308-gtb-gts-carburetor/107-rear-bonnet-and-luggage-compartment-covering?part=60592800

 

Thank you

 

Just providing an additional data point: I've seen a 79 Euro GTB with the center prop rod.
- Dave

 

That's the problem. There is no such thing as a 1979 Model Year Euro 308GTB -- they tend to get a "year" associated with when their gov't paperwork was done (not when they were manufactured nor related to their physical configuration like US model year). Do you know if the SN was before, or after, 27583?

 

Are you thinking of replacing the centre rod with shocks? Or just curious about the transition date?
The retractable wire case is scarce and valuable if it still works.
Verell from Unobtanium was working on 3d printing them, but I believe he had no success.

 

My 308 is a 1978 and it has the centre rod but missing the retractable wire case, I would like to get one. Then I have seen another 1978 308 with gas struts, I just wanted to know what was correct.

 

No, it wouldn’t be correct for that year. I was under the impression that the gas shock was introduced at the same time as the fuel injected 2 valve engine was created. Roughly 1980. The seat pattern changed at the same period- including other subtle changes as clock and tranny oil gauge location and body paint colour on the A pilar. Mirrors changed and the front fender grills were painted black. Etc

 

Oops, The A pillar and fender grill colour didn’t change until the QV came along.

 

I'm bored, did some more digging...

1979:
- Change of the engine cover supporting rod from single-rod to two struts, one on each side with brackets on the body, this is from chassis 27583 GTB and 27309 GTS.

 

Thank you for great feedback, this site is awsome.

 

Back in 2019 I recreated the spool for my car using modern industrial reel and a 3D printed ABS case.




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That's cool. Would you happen to have a picture of what the guts look like?

 

Afraid not. Photos and writeup were lost when my old website was hacked a few years ago. Inside is an industrial spring-loaded spool I had made to the correct dimensions. The spool bolts to a 3D printed base and the 3D printed cover locks the base in place in place

 

Hi Steve, the S/N of the "1979" Euro GTB that I saw the prop rod on is 27679....which is titled as a '79, marked as being built in 1980 on the importer's tag, but might actually be a '78 based on the starting S/N you gave for 1978 spec 308s?
- Dave

 

Completely typical for the euro cars made before "model year" got included in the VIN -- their "year" is more of a random variable paperwork thing .

 

Found a photo with the cover removed...


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Thank you, now if I can just find one. Any know of where I can get one?

 

David did you lose the printer files as well or do you still have them? Thanks - Jeff

 

Give me a few days and I'll share the STL files and the details of the spool and supplier.

The spools are not cheap when ordered in small numbers.

 

Nice job. Now if you would just quit your job and make them in quantity.

 

Clock spring picture

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I just check with Maranello in the UK and they have the originals in stock apparently:

https://www.ferrariparts.co.uk/part/search?SearchText=60108206

These were unavailable for the longest time, I guess they have had some replacements made up.

 

I've ordered this from Maranello and will update the thread once it arrives. Previously, I had ordered the Hill Engineering updated prop mount, once all together I will post pics for the next owner searching for this information.