Hello all, I just bought that 308QV on ebay that had the engine fire and I plan on pulling the engine and overhauling it. Any other 308 owners in NJ I can chat with and longingly stare at their car? I restored a Delorean in the past but this has more damage to it. I still feel that the reward of saving this car with be high. This car shares alot of the fuel system with the Delorean. Any tips or tricks? Just don't point and laugh at me.
Hi and welcome to the forum. I hope you did some research before you bought. Parts for these cars are extremely expensive. Keep us posted on your progress, and don't be afraid to ask questions. There are a lot of guys on this forum that know these cars inside and out. Good luck with your project. Greg
gratts on your new ride,I'm not laughing,I think your brave I've alwas wanted to do that but affraid of not finishinf or doing something wrong,heres a website for parts I also have a qv (85),if theres anything you need chime in any time,good luck..............www.ferraripartsexchange.com
in my experience, disasters like that are always blessings in disguise. few years back i had an engine fire in my other toy car that was my pride and joy. it almost brought me to tears when it happened. but after i settled down a bit, i dug in and got to work fixing my baby. after all was done, the car was better then she was before the fire. good luck to you. sounds like you have a long road to travel here, but im sure you will have a fantastic 308 in the end.
I think this is COOL - I hope you stay on the board and post lots of pictures of your progress and findings. I remember this original post and thinking how sad it was that it burned and that it might end up in the crusher, or at best parted out. Very exciting for everyone! Congratulations on your purchase - My only words of advice are - be patient.. Although they are never as easy as a "1-800 HOT ROD" type deals, the reward in the end is so much better. With help from people on this board you can't go wrong.
You guys are pretty awesome. Thanks for the encouraging words. Anybody in NJ with a QV? Anyone know where I can get a nice rear deck lid or flywheel (used)? I will post the pics. There are some restos on here that are very inspiring. Like that yellow one? I do!!!
If you are going to overhaul (rebuild) you may want to get in touch with Nicks Forza Ferrari (a sponsor on here) and James Patterson at Norwood also. Lets see.... I'd put some higher compression pistons in that thing for starts. Put some QA-1 shocks in... Maybe switch it over to electronic fuel inject...... etc, etc... As for QVs in NJ.... yeah I think you may find a few guys up that way. Go to the New York Tri-State section here then go to: http://www.fcapennjersey.com/ Good luck and keep us updated on your progress. We love this stuff.
Remember the World According to Garp? You have been "pre disastered" LOL Best of luck and this is a great place to be. Start posting pictures asap and lets all get involved...great fun!
I see barcheta has started the ".. while you're in there.. " thread.. hahaha.. Come on man, this place thrives on pictures. My ADD can't handle too much text. let's see some action!
Here are some "before" pics I promised. More to come. Even though the interior looks rough, I doused it with Lexol and it really looks nice now. I am not worried about it yet. What I am worried about is the condition of the engine and the trans. I know I need a bell housing and flywheel for now but who knows what else? Every morning I hope that the Stephen King "Christine" curse srikes me and parts on the car have mysteriously fixed themselves, ........but no luck!! Thanks for the advice. You guys sound like you know your stuff!!! Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login
All she needs is a new alternator belt and air hose. Buff out that paint discoloration, and she'll be good as new!
Looks like something I'd buy . FWIW I rebuilt a fire motor that the intake had liquified and "ran" into the intake ports. When you pull the head nuts off look at the washer seating surface . . . if it got really hot the washers will dig into the aluminum . .. even if there's no sign of it yet you want to check they tq up properly before you spend the money on rebuilding your heads and new head gaskets (i.e. re-tq them before pulling it apart would be a good test). .. I machined the area out and made a heat treated insert to go in there . . . this is not cheap if you have to pay someone to do it. Happy to share my experiences . .. some would tell you to part it out (not me ) . .. I encountered no problems with gearbox relating to the fire (drop gear nut had come loose though). Sean
I hope I never see that under my hood and if my engine ever looks like that after a fire I wouldn't know where to start,oouch!!!!!!!!!!!
The bell broke outward because the flywheel blew apart. I have no clue how that happened. It seems like the engine did not get damaged. Only the rubber melted off on the oil cooler side. You are right about the oil fire. How did you know? As I am taking pieces off I am finding them in good shape. Even the plenum is in good shape. The air pump suffered the most and we don't even really need that. I have no clue where the oil cooler went. I think the trans is fine. I have to see. I am pulling the engine and having it checked. I might as well have it redone while I am here, I will have the compression checked, etc. I really only have to replace all the rubber, electrical wires(the hard part), bell housing including the clutch and flywheel. I am changing over to electromotive igntion from Nick Forza. It would be cheaper than finding new coils and caps, etc. I need a back window, and driver's quarter glass and louver. I also need a rear deck lid or refinish the one I have.
you're list of things that "only" have to be done is challenging. best of luck to ya. hope the price was "right".
After alot of cursing, me and a mechanic friend managed to pry the ship from the bottle or what you guys call removing the engine. Holy cow!!! What a pain when the engine mount bolts spin freely. Engine looks surprisingly in good condition. I need a bell housing and the thing next to the bell housing, extension housing (whatever that is called). No metal melted, as someone's previous post asked. all the ports look good so far. Now I have to clean up and paint the frame and the gas tanks, etc. The forum is so great. I learned alot from that guy who was rebuilding the 77 yellow 308. Man, what a thorough job!!! Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login
I am right over the board in N.Y. I have a 2v I do most of the work myself. I have had mine 16 months now and love every minute. This time of year it is out almost everyday. I am going on a 900 mile trip to West Va. and back next weekend. Keep searching the forum you will find more info than you can read. Good luck Jim
I am SO IN AWE of folks like you!!! I would LOVE to try something like this, but I'm old enough to know I just don't have the chops to do it, and dangit I'm jealous of those who do! PLEASE keep us posted as you work through this project - I saw that car on Ebay, and I really hope you'll take her back to 'like new' and drive her for a while, then move her on to a happy new Ferrari owner somewhere. Keep up the good work - have no fear - and post the results as you go along. WAY COOL!!! Jedi