Thanks for any help you can be. I am re-posting this to hopefully get more feedback. I will be buying my first Ferrari soon and I believe I will be going with a 308 GTS. I would hopefully like to do my own maintenance and am more familiar with carbs so I will probably go with those years. Can I please get some feedback on a few questions: 1 - I believe I am a pretty good "backyard" type mechanic. I am 44 years old and have been working on my own cars and trucks (mostly older) for all my life. I have rebuilt my 68 Vette from the ground up. Worked on my 78 Landcruiser with the exception of the engine. Worked on Fords and Chevys, 84 and older and almost always pretty easy with the exception of computer related or electronics pain in the necks. Have an 87 Mercedes 560SEL that has been relatively easy although I have never really worked on the motor and the electric has sometimes been irritating. Am I therefore capable, with some time and the right printed info to work on my 308 myself? 2 - Are there any books and manuals available that a mechanically inclined person like myself could use (like a Haynes/Chilton type book) to do this work competently. Any other printed materials/sources? Again, thanks for any help you can be. Regards, Lance
The 308 range is one of the easiest to "self maintain" you don't need too many special tools, if you're handy most can be quite easily made, if you do a search on "ferrari tools" there's a host of information. Here's a useful link for technical info...........http://ferrari.stevejenkins.com/books/
Lance, There is no chilton/haynes manual. Not enough of these cars were made for anyone to bother printing anything like that. Most people just pay other people to maintain their Ferraris. Fortunately, this website is a gold mine of knowledge and helpful people. I had far less experience with cars when I got my 308 than you appear to have. With help here, I have become pretty good at maintaining mine, and I have made some good friends here as well (some I have met in person, others not). Do not be intimidated by a 308. It's a car with expensive parts. No big deal. You can handle it. Good luck! Birdman
It is possible to purchase or download the Ferrari workshop manual which is roughly transalted into English. It contains a lot of technical detail for the more experienced mechanic/engineer which you may be? The owners manuals are also available for download and cover more routine servicing jobs. Either way, the 308s are a delight to work on as access to components is much easier than modern cars. Though if anyone can tell me how to change the oil filter without spilling 1/2 pint of oil down the side of the engine please PM me!
Are you using the proper filter with an anti-siphon valve? If so you shouldn't get any oil running out. I just pulled mine yesterday and no oil leaked out of it. I just spin it off quickly and flip it over. It's still holding probably 1/2 a quart or better tough.
On my "new to me" '78 308GTB, I just got finished changing the oil and filter, changing the fuel filter, replacing all the fuel hose with NAPA fuel injection hose, replacing the cats with test pipes (for offroad use only!!! ;-) ), repairing what appeared to be a long-leaking exhaust donut further upstream, installing individual K&N air filters, rejetting the carbs (mains and idles), adjusting the handbrake, installing a new electric antenna. A buddy of mine has a factory perfect 328GTS which he gets in and drives. Takes it into service when it needs servicing. He can't believe I like to waste my time playing with the GTB instead of driving it... while I find his wonderful car to be a little short on the driving sensations (though of course it's much quicker than mine).... and we both know we made the right Ferrari decisions for ourselves. I didn't choose a carbed 308 because I couldn't afford anything newer... I did it because I couldn't buy anything I'd like better without spending a WHOLE lot more money (like a carbed BB).... My mechanical background is American and British (with a smattering of German and Swedish). So far the only really mysterious things to me on the 308 are the ignition system and valve adjustments. For the most part the 308 has been a joy to work on. Bill
