New 308 Owner needs pointing in the right direction

Hi TripleBlack,

I think this area may have been repainted at somepoint, but right next to the 'ATTENZIONE' label (as in pic) I can faintly see either a 38 or 88 stamped. I have included some other pics incase that helps with the identification also...
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Thank you in advance.

Cheers,

Tom

 

Fingers crossed it’s just an adjustment. Will find out in a fortnight or so hopefully.

As for the inspection, they charged me for 4hrs so not sure what they would have done in all that time not too have seen the rust and crunchy gears. I spoke to them this morning and they are denying that anything was wrong when they went for a drive and tested all the gears… Oh well, it’s mine now and I will get it sorted one way or another .

Cheers,

Tom

 

Hi Triple Black,

As always, thanks for the insights. It could very well be 58. Does that make it mid batch?

The paint on the right hand side is bumpy, whereas the left hand side is smooth. Im guessing the correct finish is bumpy? Does anyone know how to recreate this finish?

Cheers,

Tom

 

My 308 went into the garage yesterday with SMDG. They are hoping to get to it on Monday so fingers crossed for a quick (read: cheap) fix

 

Hi TripleBlack,

Thank you for the insight. I know the GTSi 2v isn’t the most sort after, but I love it, and one of the last of that generation is pretty cool in my mind.

Really appreciate it.

Cheers,

Tom

 

So for those that have been waiting in suspense for the developments on my gearbox issues…

The bush that takes the shaft through the engine sump was all but gone and definitely shot. The guys at SMDG (who by the way seem brilliant), took time to let me come and see the car up on the ramp and showed me the parts. They had one in stock and should be finishing the car off this morning. Fingers crossed that this solved the problem, but regardless one warnout part has now been replaced.

Unfortunately whilst it’s was there we noticed that pretty much all of the synchros are warn out and are now fully seating against the drive gears. Not something I was hoping to see as ultimately this will mean an engine out and GB rebuild… I hope that I can get a couple of seasons out of the car first as it really wont be doing many miles each year (maybe 1000 per year) at most. Time will tell. I know its going to be a ‘whilst im there’ job, so the figures will creep up as i believe the car has the original sodium filled valves which have been playing on my mind to replace. Im being quoted a rough price of between £6-8,000 for the GB rebuild and head rebuild with new valves. Does that sound about right???

On the plus side (im always the eternal optimist) the chassis looks rock solid with no repairs there required. The sills will need a bit of work as will the lower doors, and luggage compartment boot (which looks like its missing a heat shield, but its hard to tell), which all being well, and subject to a car that actually shifts gear, will be a winter job. If it’s still not shifting, and hopefully I will find out later today, then the bodywork will have to wait and the engine and GB will be getting some very expensive TLC.

Apologies for the long post.

Cheers,

Tom

 

A further question to all the 308 guru's in here (I'm still a newbie)...

It looks more and more likely that I am going to have to pull the engine and rebuild the gearbox. Thats a bit of a double whammy as not only is that a lot of labour, but from research the gearbox parts are both hard to find and very very expensive!!! Whilst we have the engine out I have been strongly advised to replace the valves as nearly every garage has said that if you havent, they are a tick bomb.

My question to the group is, from your experiences, is there anything else I should be doing 'whilst I'm in there' that is a good job with the engine and GB out? I have been advised that main Crank bearings are worth it as they are cheap and some of the hoses behind the engine. Any others???

Ive asked a few garages in the UK to quote so will see what sort of figures I get back and then see how much is in the kitty for additionals...

Cheers,

Tom

 

So the car is now back, but its still broken. Synchro on 4th and 5th are totally worn out and 4th is impossible to engage without crunching. 5th will if you allow the revs to drop and apply additional pressure to the gearshift.

Looks like I will be getting the engine and gearbox out later in the year to have all the synchros replaced and the valves changed over also... Big bill for only 140miles of driving and 3 weeks of ownership unfortunately!!!

 

Hi bitsobrits,

The garage that have been looking at the car for me have said they have never seen synchro's go on all the gears and as you have said, more commonly on the lower gears. Its very weird that 4th and 5th are so bad. They are concerned that it may have worn out the synchro cones on the gears too, which would be both difficult to find, and very expensive, so hopefully thats not the case.

Its such a shame really as its a lovely car otherwise.

Cheers,

Tom

 

Hi Freddie328,

I bought it as a private sale, so no warranty unfortunately. I was actually sold through auction and I was only allowed to view the car visually before purchase.

I therefore had the car professionally inspected by a company called Hilton & Moss (who incidentally were broker the sale, and also were the ones who said it was visual inspection only), before I purchased who stated on the inspection that the 'car drives really well'.

Unfortunately I was pushed for time when I collected the car and they shut straight after I drove off on a rainy Saturday. The fault was immediately obvious and I notified them the following day, but they are denying that there was a problem apparent with the car when they carried out the inspection and adamant that nothing was wrong when they drove it. Therefore (according to them), there is no recourse on them, or obligations to help with the repair costs.

I am no expert, but I am an engineer by profession. I have only driven the car 200miles max since the inspection was conducted, and find it pretty hard to believe that anyone, let alone me who was nursing my new pride and joy, could wear out a complete set of synchro's in such a short distance...

If I had been made aware of the issue I would have asked for a greater investigation, or a reduction in the purchase cost to cover unexpected costs, but as I was told, 'car drives really well', I had no such chance.

I was naive and absolutely followed my heart over my head. But I am not impressed by this companies actions either.

Its mine now and its a very pretty garage ornament until such time as I can get it fixed...

Cheers,

Tom

 

Hi Freddie328,
Thanks. They seem like a very professional company. I'm not holding out much hope, but I have taken some professional advice and I am going to pursue further and see what happens. In the meantime I will just have to swallow it and move on.

 

Hi Kiwiokie,

Unfortunately its 3 for 3 on garages all confirming the same thing...

 

Wow, thank you for finding these. I had print outs of the previous adverts but crazy to still find them online!!! It lost quite a bit of money from the auction to when I bought it....

 

Hi Imatk,

As much as I am sorry to hear about your experiences with your 308, and how similar it sounds to the what I am facing, your message has really cheered me up and reassured me that this is just part of the journey and that at the end it will all be worth it.

This forum is simply brilliant and filled with great people like yourself.

If anyone is interested, I will keep posting about what happens. I have decided to 'bite the bullet' and get the GB rebuilt and the valves done in a month or so. I have plenty of other jobs to do on her too, so will tackle those whilst the engines away.

Thank you again and look forward to hearing more about your drives out.

Good luck to you too sir.