308 GTB Winter Projects

Well, since there has been salt on the road for the past couple of months, I thought that I would get around to a few projects.

I recently replaced the instrument panel visor as the stitching was showing signs of wear. Last weekend I removed the steering wheel and refinished it with a steering wheel kit from Leatherique. You can see the difference between the two steering wheel pictures. Two weeks ago, I replaced the expansion tank cap and the fan switch and replaced the radiator fluid since the fans werent coming on as they should, now corrected. Also replaced the Slow Down warning lights as the lettering was half worn off.

And, I just sent out the clock to Palo Alto Speedometer for repairs.

Now, I have decided to convert the rear US bumper to match the front euro bumper. I removed the current US bumper without any issues, however, what I found was a little concerning and I am grateful that the bumper was never needed as it probably would have disintegrated on impact.

I found a bumper including all of the necessary fittings from FerrariSpares in the UK. The total that I was quoted was $723.00 including shipping. Does this sound about right?

Also, is anyone aware of the level of quality.

I will keep everyone posted on the results.

Thanks
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I don't think the euro bumper is a direct bolt on. You may need to fabricate some brackets.

 

Steering wheel looks great. Keep us up on the bumper project. It can be a bear!

 

Nice work on the dash, i wish my 82 had the aluminum face plate instead of the black,but i think i would also need to go to the aluminum spoked Momo wheel (instead of the Nardi) to complete the look.Anyway,keep us posted on the project.
B.

 

4right, did you use Leatherique Rejuvenator oil and Prestine clean on the steering wheel?

 

The steering wheel looks great. Can you give us some details about how you did it?
Did the wheel have nicks and/or scrathes before?

 

I presume the bumper you're buying is a factory part, correct?... I can't say what market value is for used 308 bumper, but I paid less than that for front AND rear reproduction bumpers. There are a few sources out there for repro bumpers, and the quality (of the pair I bought) is very high. You'll need to fab-up some brackets, but it sounds as though you might need to do that anyway...

 

or make your own!!
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I think the price is correct for an ORIGINAL glass rear...

Man it was time for that rear one to go, I have seen more and more of the inner beam splitting the rubber like that.

The mounting is indeed different, not a 'bolt on' swap!

 

Looks like a combo of rust expansion and age.

Doug

 

Not sure how the water would get in there......

That's the first rear but I have seen a front, split like that....

There's a "rebuilder" in FerrariAds for them.

 

The steering wheel kit doesnt include the rejuvenator oil, when I asked the same question I was told that its not needed on a steering wheel.

The procedure is very simple:

 

Sorry:

INcluded in the kit are 2oz bottles of Prestine Clean, Dye, Klear Kote, sand paper and a small paint brush.

1. Wet sand the steering wheel with Prestine Clean. This will remove the old dye and in the process make the steering wheel smooth.
2. Allow to dry completely. I waited until the following day.
3. Apply the dye with the paint brush, you need to work fast as the dye dries quickly and you will have brush marks all over the wheel otherwise.
4. After one hour apply second coat if needed. I applied two coats just to even everything out. Truthfully, I wasnt fast enough on the first try.
5. Allow to dry for 48 hrs.
6. Last, apply Klear Kote that acts as a protectant.

Not a bad investment for $25.00. Started Friday night and was reinstalled Sunday night.

 

I am not sure if its a factory part or not? The brackets that enable the conversion from US to Euro are included.

I will send pictures afterwards.

 

When the bumper was on the car it looked okay as the cracks are on the bottom side facing down. Not noticeable from behind the car.

Given the condition of the bumper around the bracket area, I am sure that the water entered there. You can actually see the inside of the bumper just past the bolts.

You are correct, it was time for it to go.

 

It did, looks like it was left out in the sun for extended periods of time as the leather was rough and faded badly. I thought that spending $25 was a safe bet, otherwise my only other option was replacement.

 

Since I am waiting for the Euro Bumper to arrive, I thought that I would move on to the rear sway bar. The entire assembly wasnt that difficult to remove and I have replacement parts on the way.

Do you think that these needed to be replaced?

I have the bar in the process of being powder coated prior to placing back on the car as well.

Question? What is the best method for removing the exisitng bushings. I am assuming that these have been in place for 30 years now and I am finding it difficult to remove. Should I consider just replacing with new?

Thanks
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4right, do you have a press you can use? Harbor Freight sells bench top presses for something like $69 bucks which are basic and get most automotive jobs done just fine. Find a pipe or some metal fitting at Home Depot with a slightly smaller diameter and use that to press out the bushing. Soaking in WD40 for a day before and then using some mild heat on the link as you're pressing can be helpful.

Hope that helps!

 

Not the most technologically advanced thing you have ever seen, but it worked.

At least I will be able to reuse the parts now.

Thanks
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I did almost the exact same thing to remove my suspension bushings. Those female/female pipe fittings from Home Depot were a life saver

 

The clock showed up today from PAS.

I havent had a chance to place it in the car yet, however, it looks great!
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Indeed. very sharp

 

Since I am waiting on the rear bumper to arrive and the car is still up in the air, I thought that I would start to investigate some exhaust options.

First of all, I still have the original Ansa/cat setup.

Question, without cats in place, will the exhaust fumes ever be tolerable for myself/passenger or the cars behind me? I am considering a replacement system that connects directly to the manifolds eliminating the cats all together. Based upon the smell of the exhaust, I do not beleive that the cats are working anyway.

Or the other option is to find an exact replacement and install Hyperflows in an attempt to lower the exhaust fumes.

Are the exhaust fumes an indication that the carbs are not adjusted properly? The engine runs and idles perfectly.

Suggestions?

Thanks

 

Did you replace the rear bumper with an Euro style bumper? I am curious to learn how it works. Do you have any pictures?
Is it a difficult job to modify the struts?

 

I did convert the original US rear bumper over to a Euro style. Here is the original thread http://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/showthread.php?t=275804. I purchased it from Ferrari Spares out of the UK along with the brackets for the struts. It took some time to get it right, however, wasn't that difficult to do.