Reconnecting clutch cable

'79 308 GTS.
Just finished putting engine back in. Reconnecting everything. Last thing to connect was the clutch cable. Checked the alignment by putting a drill bit in the alignment holes, everything looks good. Now to attach the cable, simple process if you have 3 hands. I have done this before. Grabbed the lever with one hand, pulled it towards the cable, hard resistance until the helper spring takes over. Grabbed the cable with the other hand. Lined up the holes and with the third hand put the bolt in, oops lost my grip on the lever. No problem just start over. Lined up the holes, place the bolt in the hole and oops, lost my grip on the lever again. One more time, but this time the lever won't reach the cable, the holes are about 1/4 in. apart. WHAT HAPPENED?? Did I knock something loose in or around the throwout bearing?

 

Found it. I used my inspection camera to look down the timing inspection opening. The spring on the throw out bearing coller came loose from the coller. When the lever slipped out of my hand, it flew back with enough force to dislodge the spring. The bell housing will be coming off.

 

Throw the spring away.

 

The later cars didn't use the spring, it's an extra part.

 

After replacing many clutch cables on various cars....I've finally realized that it's always easier to make the under dash connection BEFORE the under car connection.

 

The spring holds the shaft fingers in the indentions on the coller. If I take the spring out the shaft fingers will push on the coller sometimes in the indentions and sometimes on the flat surface. Or does this mean that the spring caused the fingers to make the indentions? If so I will need a new coller.

 

The spring does nothing.

 

Another option for you (to use the older collar) might be to use steel safety wire between the looped (free) ends of the spring (after installation) so that it can't come off -- just a suggestion (my ex-308 came to me with this safety wire addition)...

 

It's actually a slightly different collar (release bearing sleeve) used with the later "spring-less" design, but it is not really critical.

For your reference ---

Even Ferrari themselves recommended to "ditch that spring" back in 1981. Many earlier cars received this updated design modification retro-fitted from the dealerships (probably some indy shops have performed the mod as well). And, IIRC, all 308s assembled from late 1981 onward did not have the spring (p/n 105732) installed when they left the factory, and the release fork remained unchanged. However, the release bearing sleeve was changed from (p/n 100848) to (p/n 116326) --- although as the pros have already pointed out above, changing to the later sleeve part is not necessary.

That said, if you can get all the parts and wish to spend the money, I would recommend carrying out the complete conversion (as detailed here in the TSB) as it is a vast improvement in the overall clutch release mechanism ---- all in terms of lighter pedal effort, smoothness of operation, ease of adjustment, and reliability.
View attachment 308 clutch service bulletin sb21-2.pdf

 

That bulletin was for the purpose of eliminating the over center spring. The bearing retaining spring was incidental.

 

The bearing retaining spring was an assembly aid only. It serves no purpose in use.

Ferrari had a terrible problem with the springs breaking and interfering with clutch operation. I have removed half dozen broken springs myself that all resulted in the car becomming stranded. I have been removing every spring on every 308 clutch I have had apart since the mid 80's. You will experience zero difference without it.

 

The indentations are wear but of little import up to a degree.

The point is, without the spring the relationship of the fork and collar are unchanged in any way. Once installed the collar is trapped in a position and cannot move. The springs only job in life was to hold the collar and for together while the bell housing was being installed. Once installed the springs job was done.

 

Thanks, that clears it all up.