308 life expectancy | FerrariChat

308 life expectancy

Discussion in '308/328' started by Ernie Taylor, Nov 15, 2003.

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  1. Ernie Taylor

    Ernie Taylor Rookie

    Nov 12, 2003
    27
    Can anyone tell me what the life expectancy of the 308 motor is? Any difference for the life of the 328 motor? My mechanic said 30,000 is about all ones good for. I've been looking to buy one for about a year and the 30,000 mile rebuild is starting to concern me. Is a leakdown test a must? Thanks!
     
  2. Bob308GTS

    Bob308GTS Formula 3

    Sep 26, 2001
    1,148
    Aurora,IL
    Full Name:
    Bob Campen
  3. Agent Smith

    Agent Smith Formula 3

    Apr 20, 2002
    1,569
    All depends how it was (or wasn't) taken care of.......
     
  4. allanlambo

    allanlambo F1 Rookie

    Jun 9, 2002
    4,363
    Maui
    Full Name:
    Allan
    Good one will run forever.
     
  5. PeterS

    PeterS Four Time F1 World Champ
    Silver Subscribed

    Jan 24, 2003
    47,933
    Goodyear, AZ
    Full Name:
    PeterS
    My '77 308 has 97Km on the engine. It is in very good condition. Because this car has an extremely low VIN, I opted to drop about $25K in it after my purchase price of $15K. This will be one sweet Euro when it comes out of the shop in 2-3 weeks!
     
  6. Mike C

    Mike C F1 Veteran
    Lifetime Rossa Owner

    Aug 3, 2002
    6,081
    Southeast USA
    Full Name:
    Mike Charness
    You definitely need to find yourself another mechanic.

    Mine has 51,000 miles on it without a rebuild, and I can't imagine why you'd need a rebuild in less than 100K miles unless you didn't do regular oil changes.

    Of course, you DO need to do scheduled maintenance, which includes a belt change and valve adjustments at 30,000 miles, but it doesn't sound like that's what he meant.
     
  7. f355spider

    f355spider F1 World Champ
    Owner Rossa Subscribed

    May 29, 2001
    17,913
    USA
    A leakdown and compression check is mandatory with any older Ferrari purchase. The engines are known to go over 100k with normal maintanance, but it is also not unknown to have a top end rebuild after 60-80k miles. Most of the 308's and 328's that I have heard of with over 100k miles, had a top end rebuild somewhere in that range. This is the reason for the leakdown/compression check, it can be used as a general indictator of the engine's health.
     
  8. ollie

    ollie Karting

    Oct 7, 2001
    165
    San Juan Capistrano
    Full Name:
    Oliver B. Cagle
    I have over 78,000 miles on a 1978 GTS and nothing has been done. I will have to change the head gaskits or do a top end sometime, but I am going to wait tell it tells me. I guess it will be about 85,000. The car runs great and it's very fun.
     
  9. hardtop

    hardtop F1 World Champ

    Jan 31, 2002
    11,285
    Colorado
    Full Name:
    Dave
    1976-1982 308's seem to average about 75K and then need valve jobs although many opt to do total rebuild. As mentioned though, this varies greatly depending on use and maintenance history.
    Beginning with 1983, better materials were used and motors last longer. There are QV and 328 motors with 150K on them that have never been opened.
    Nevertheless, compression and leak down tests are advisable. Like any motor, abuse and neglect can drastically reduce motor life.

    Dave
     
  10. wax

    wax Five Time F1 World Champ
    Lifetime Rossa

    Jul 20, 2003
    51,459
    SFPD
    Full Name:
    Dirty Harry
    Your mechanic is either very rich or very stupid.
     
    Dane likes this.

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