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308 GT4 bottom front cover?

Discussion in 'Technical Q&A' started by rickjaffe, Dec 3, 2005.

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  1. rickjaffe

    rickjaffe Formula Junior

    Mar 6, 2005
    363
    houston
    Full Name:
    richard jaffe
    #1 rickjaffe, Dec 3, 2005
    was driving to the airport this morning over the usual bad houston roads when I went over a bump and scraped the bottom of the car (which I've done before) on the way back, on the highway I start hearing a loud noise from the front.
    turns out the metal plate underneath the car just aft of the front clip was ripped up and bent down and was intermittantly scraping the ground especially at higher speads. after I got home I got under the car and bent up the piece and kind of smushed it up and inside for a temporary fix.
    the piece is maybe 18" square and it covers some hoses in the front of the car.

    1. what's the piece called?
    2. is it a ferrari or 308 gt4 specific piece?
    can it be bought for a reasonable price or
    can it be made. it looks pretty simple. just a metal cover. mine's not painted. or there's no paint left on it anyway.

    I guess it's necessary because of the low clearance and the fact that there are hoses which could be gouged by the road or rocks.
    thanks, rick jaffe
     
  2. miked

    miked Formula Junior

    Feb 7, 2001
    913
    Cincinnati, Ohio
    #2 miked, Dec 3, 2005
    I took the panel off of my GT4 not too long ago for some maintenance work. The PO had it replaced and it still has the Ferrari part # tag on it. My car is garaged 30 miles away so I don't have it handy.

    Considering that you still have the original, although bent, you could hammer it back into shape or make a replacement. IIRC, it was just a flat aluminum plate with holes drilled in it for the mounting screws etc. Sheet aluminum is easy to get and drills/cuts with wood working tools. An easy fix.
     
  3. robertgarven

    robertgarven F1 Veteran
    Owner

    Feb 24, 2002
    5,322
    Ventura, California
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    Robert Garven
    #3 robertgarven, Dec 4, 2005
    make it a little thicker and dont forget the hole for the ac drain hose!
     
  4. morcal

    morcal Formula Junior
    Silver Subscribed

    Mar 7, 2003
    389
    Turin,Italy
    Full Name:
    Cal
    #4 morcal, Dec 4, 2005
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
    attached picture is the shield in the original shape. Have made a thicker one, extended in the front to protect underneath the plexi bumper.
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  5. rickjaffe

    rickjaffe Formula Junior

    Mar 6, 2005
    363
    houston
    Full Name:
    richard jaffe
    #5 rickjaffe, Dec 5, 2005
    actually my fiberglass (I think) piece forward of the aluminum cover is all ripped up as well. I assume that 's a ferrari body part and that it's mucho dinero. Is there any source for that?
     
  6. greg328

    greg328 F1 Rookie

    Nov 17, 2003
    4,209
    Austin, TX USA
    Full Name:
    Greg
    #6 greg328, Dec 5, 2005
    Rick,
    On my 1977 308 GTB, I cut a piece of hard white plastic (forget what it's called, but it's VERY strong-Mike Charness knows the exact name) cut to match the heavily scraped metal bottom.
    Drilled a few holes and mounted it with stainless bolts/nuts. I had to contour it to the metal pan shape, including the A/C drain hole. This stuff is better than metal..

    Make sure and countersink the bolt heads. Mine are getting beat up pretty bad because they're sticking out too far. I countersunk, but not enough!

    (This all had to happen with the front valance removed, and filpped over. Maybe the GT4 doesn't have a removable front valance, don't know..)

    We're both in Houston; I used Royal Plastics--I think they're on Wirt north of I-10. Bought a sheet and used a Dremel to cut it. Broke a few Dremel wheels in the process-if you have a jigsaw use that!

    Greg
    1977 308 GTB
     
  7. rickjaffe

    rickjaffe Formula Junior

    Mar 6, 2005
    363
    houston
    Full Name:
    richard jaffe
    #7 rickjaffe, Dec 5, 2005

    sound like that might work. I'm not too handy, but it doesn't seem too hard. thanks
     
  8. robertgarven

    robertgarven F1 Veteran
    Owner

    Feb 24, 2002
    5,322
    Ventura, California
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    Robert Garven
    #8 robertgarven, Dec 5, 2005
    neither am i but having a ferrari has a way of making you learn being handy!! I dont think the lower section is available but it is fiberglass and can be made, mine is scruffed up on the bottom as i would image most are. I can image you guys who lower your cars, or have front spoilers!!!

    rob
     
  9. greg328

    greg328 F1 Rookie

    Nov 17, 2003
    4,209
    Austin, TX USA
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    Greg
    #9 greg328, Dec 5, 2005
    I wouldn't go with fiberglass, too fragile. Get this strong plastic stuff. Really pretty indestructible. I think race cars use it..!

    I'm not Mr. Handyman by any means, but it was simple to cut and mount to my valance.... No big deal!

    My 308 is lower than stock, so I'm always draggin'......

    Greg
     
  10. morcal

    morcal Formula Junior
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    Mar 7, 2003
    389
    Turin,Italy
    Full Name:
    Cal
    #10 morcal, Dec 6, 2005
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
    To preserve original shape have repaired from inside and black painted the fiberglass panel first. Have taken an aluminum sheet 2.5 mm thickness, adapted holes and shaped an extended lip to protect forward the fibergalss panel. It is was less difficult to work on the aluminum than fabricate hard plastic on the fiberglass panel. Now can hear horrible cracks when jumping on road cliffs but it is just the alu shield getting scratched.
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