Just bought a Euro GT4... | FerrariChat

Just bought a Euro GT4...

Discussion in '308/328' started by Aurum, Mar 7, 2010.

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  1. Aurum

    Aurum Karting

    Nov 4, 2009
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    Chris
    #1 Aurum, Mar 7, 2010
    I just bought DaveM's 74 Euro GT4! I've been looking for a while now for a series I Euro version of these great little cars, and I'm psyched to have finally have one! I plan on using her for a daily nice weather driver.

    I've got her up at Bill Pollard's for the major service and a bit extra. The car needs a few things though, so I'm reaching out the f-chat community to help me.

    - Headers (nice used ones would be best)
    - Koni shocks (all round) and front coil springs
    - Floor pan (well not really the right term, the sheet metal that runs most of the car length on the bottom. This isn't a pressing need item, so I'm just looking for a heads up.
    - The front calipers need rebuilding... is this something easily handled or should it be left to the experts?
    - Down the road I want to get a tool kit and 16" wheels.

    Thanks for all that you can offer.

    Cheers

    Chris
     
  2. Mr. Nice Guy

    Mr. Nice Guy Formula Junior

    Apr 11, 2007
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    Eric
    #2 Mr. Nice Guy, Mar 7, 2010
    Chris - welcome to the club and grats on the car!!! (I can't wait to see it)
     
  3. Aurum

    Aurum Karting

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    #3 Aurum, Mar 7, 2010
    Thanks E! You'll be the first stop!
     
  4. Mr. Nice Guy

    Mr. Nice Guy Formula Junior

    Apr 11, 2007
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    Eric
    #4 Mr. Nice Guy, Mar 7, 2010
    BTW - you should be prepared for the inevitable "this post is useless without pics!!!" :)
     
  5. 2dinos

    2dinos F1 Rookie

    Jan 13, 2007
    2,778
    #5 2dinos, Mar 7, 2010
    For fresh shocks, I've bought new, and I've had TRUECHOICE restore them, and I really like the restored approach for a couple of reasons. The GT4 has a strut welded on the spring perch that I've never seen on new replacements. Also, TRUECHOICE uses the newest updated parts from KONI, (seals/valves etc) fresh oil, and dyno calibrates them for a perfect match. When you get them back, they're painted with the proper decals etc, look and function great. You save a tiny bit of money as well.

    CONGRATULATIONS on your new Ferrari! :)
     
  6. Aurum

    Aurum Karting

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    #6 Aurum, Mar 7, 2010
    :) photos will follow... next time I'm up at Pollards.
     
  7. Aurum

    Aurum Karting

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    #7 Aurum, Mar 7, 2010
    Thanks... I'll check them out. The car is sporting the original shocks, and they are junk at the moment! Springs are fully compressed int he front, making me think I need to replace them as well.
     
  8. jimshadow

    jimshadow F1 Veteran
    Lifetime Rossa Owner

    Feb 19, 2006
    5,761
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    JIM
    #8 jimshadow, Mar 7, 2010
    Chris,

    I have one of the few Euro GT4's (in the US) here on FChat. Our cars are brothers as they are 1974's. :)

    I would HIGHLY recommend something other than the KONI's, unless you are crazy about getting the car 100% original. I switched out to QA-1 adjustables and springs. The difference is amazing!

    Thread is here: http://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/showthread.php?t=189851

    It is an easy DIY project. I would also recommend doing the suspension rubber as well.

    Congrats on your purchase. These are GREAT cars!!!!

    JIM
     
  9. Tony K

    Tony K Formula 3

    Jun 7, 2006
    1,771
    Toledo, Ohio
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    Tony K.
    #9 Tony K, Mar 7, 2010
    Welcome, congrats, and may you have many happy miles! :)

    - Tony
     
  10. Peter

    Peter F1 Veteran
    Owner Rossa Subscribed

    Dec 21, 2000
    6,430
    B.C., Canada
    #10 Peter, Mar 8, 2010
    Don't throw the shocks out! Although Jim touts the QA-1's - and I'm sure they work fabulously - there's nothing wrong with the Konis.

    They may be "junk" because the piston inside will more than likely be plugged up with the old, dissolved top-out rubber bumper contained within the shock (see part #29 in the shock absorber section [pg G9] of the 308 GT4 WSM).

    All that will be required to bring them back to life is to thoroughly clean out the insides of the goopy oil, replace with AW32 hydraulic oil and it'll be as good as new. I've restored mine myself and am amazed at the results - it truly feels like a brand new car.

    Admittedly, rebuilding the shocks will require effort and specialised tools, so trading-out for modern ones will be easier, or like "2dinos" suggests, obtaining new ones from Truechoice (if they're still available)...
     
  11. Aurum

    Aurum Karting

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    #11 Aurum, Mar 8, 2010

    Thanks Jim. I'm going to try and keep her as original as I can... when it comes time to replace the wheels I'll look for the original 14s or a sweet set of 16s which ever comes along first. Good advice on the suspension rubber, that will be done soon as well!

    Again, thanks car brother!
     
  12. Aurum

    Aurum Karting

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    #12 Aurum, Mar 8, 2010
    That's an interesting idea... I'll check out the WSM. What kind of specialized tools would I need? I assume rebuild kits are available?!
     
  13. Aurum

    Aurum Karting

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    #13 Aurum, Mar 8, 2010
    Thanks Tony!
     
  14. David Jarrett

    David Jarrett Karting

    Sep 21, 2006
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    #14 David Jarrett, Mar 8, 2010
    Welcome and good choice..all 308s are lovely cars but the GT4 has that 'missing link' connection with Urraco's and Lotus Esprit's that makes it very much a child of the 1970's.
     
  15. Peter

    Peter F1 Veteran
    Owner Rossa Subscribed

    Dec 21, 2000
    6,430
    B.C., Canada
    #15 Peter, Mar 8, 2010
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
    Tools:

    - heavy-duty coil spring compressors and a substantial shop press (especially to remove the shock bushings. I found mine to be INCREDIBLY tight). Safety note: use the tool retainers when using the spring-compressors (not like what is shown in the photo)!
    - pin-spanner wrenches (to remove the top of the shock body and the shaft-seal packing nut).

    Rebuild kits:

    - None. I sourced out "WV" packing seals for the shaft seal (http://www.herculesus.com/home.php?cat=9). I also used steel wave washers to replace the top-out bumpers.

    Paint is Plastikote T-31 orange. I used peal-and-stick reproduction decals obtained years ago from a vendor at Concorso Italiano, but Dennis McCann should have original-type water-transfer decals (part# ST236B7).
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  16. Aurum

    Aurum Karting

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    #16 Aurum, Mar 8, 2010
    Fabulous information, thank you! I'll let you know if this is the route I take!
     
  17. FiatRN

    FiatRN Formula Junior

    Nov 21, 2008
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    Jonathan Drout
    #17 FiatRN, Mar 9, 2010
    Chris
    A alternative to buying new shocks (be they koni or others)is to have koni rebuild your konis. For my friend's 2.4 Fiat Dino spider I *think* it was about 150$ each, but here's Koni's number. Give them a call and navigate the voicemail until you get the rebuilding tech. They may ask the numbers from your shocks to be specific, but they know their stuff:

    koni north america
    859-586-4100


    Jonathan
    GT4 #15302
     
  18. Aurum

    Aurum Karting

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    #18 Aurum, Mar 9, 2010
    Thanks Jonathan. I will call them. That is a distinct option.

    I got to say, this community is awesome! Very helpful!
     

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