308 GT4 resurection

The red stripe on the exhaust is some red pin striping tape I bought at a parts store years ago. I purchased it to use on the exhaust tips of my Lamborghini Jarama. It has lasted years.

Not sure what brand or store I purchased it from as it was years ago.

I suspect you are correct on the potential life on the Ansa decals. We will see. Got them from Dino parts in Germany.

MY goal is to have the engine running in the next few weeks. Right now working on the radiator fan motors and the fresh air blower motors.

Thanks again for all the help this forum provides.

Marc

 

Folks,

I am just finishing cleaning and prepping the GT4 blower fan assemblies. After cleaning all the crud off the actual fans, I see one is black and the other white, This is obviously because they go on different sides and the motor rotation is the same for both sides. One thing I overlooked when trying to document where everything came off from.

Can the collective community tell me which color is left and which right. The housing location is clear.

Many thanks.

Marc
Image Unavailable, Please Login

 

OK,

Have both blower fans done and back in the car. They were both covered in crud and had lots of surface rust on the motors. Took everything apart , removed the rust and re-painted motors and the housings. Brushes were fine. Had to cut the wire threaded clamps that hold the blower fans on the motor shafts to remove the blowers.

Found 7/16 (11mm) collar claps at the local ACE hardware that replaced these and clamp the blower to the motor shaft very nicely. Also figured out the black fan goes on the right side, and the white on the left.

Had to make sure which terminal you connect the positive feed to on the motors to to get the correct motor rotation.

Marc
Image Unavailable, Please Login
Image Unavailable, Please Login

 

Things are progressing. Have a date for June 8 to do the repaint. Will stay with the original brown. Hope to start the car and take it for is first drive since 1988 by the end of next week.

Got the tires today (Vredensteins). Cleaned and installed the re-greased CV joints with new boots, also got the overflow tank back from the metal cleaners and applied two coats of paint, inside and out.

Who would have known that the left side inner CV joint has additional washers to create more space between the ends of the bolts and the studs on the differential flange (this was apart when I received the car)

The bumpers are cleaned and reassembled. They came out really good. The original rubber was in very good condition after several coats of rubber treatment.

Marc
Image Unavailable, Please Login
Image Unavailable, Please Login

 

Got a curve ball on Tuesday this week. Filled and bled the coolant system with 6 gallons. Was just about to turn the key to start the engine when we noticed coolant leaking out of the rear area where the coolant tubes enter the body.

After draining the coolant and some pondering and discussion with Bill at GT Car Parts, we decided to try and lift the engine to create space to remove the tubes without removing the drivetrain. Had to remove the half shafts, muffler and rear header, and disconnect wires and cables, etc.

With some prolific knot tying, we were able to make a cradles out of nylon straps and lifted the engine straight up about 3 inches, enough the remove the tubes. The bottom one is the culprit. I had to cut 2 inches of the top pipe that goes to the right side to be able to clear the frame. Will have to do the same with the replacement. I found a local radiator fabricator that can roll a new flange on the pipe after I cut off the 2 inches . Will just have to use a longer 1.5 inch radiator hose, so this should be no problem.

New tubes on the way, 75$ each. Will provide the next update after we (hopefully) start the engine. The repaint is scheduled for June 8. We will see.

Marc
Image Unavailable, Please Login
Image Unavailable, Please Login
Image Unavailable, Please Login

 

The lower tube was the one leaking. It looks like it has come into contact with the body as there is metallic rust on the aluminum pipe, most likely dissimilar metal corrosion.

The rubber insulator at the front for the lower pipe was missing. I have 6 new ones arriving tomorrow.

There has been a couple of new developments in the last days. First, it was proving difficult to get the replacement pipes from GTCP in a timely manner. So with the help of a friend, I found a local radiator fabrication shop (Superior Radiator, Mt. Clemens Michigan) that fabricated new pipes while I waited. In 30 minutes they cut off the angled ends of the old pipes, welded them to new aluminum 1.5 inch pipe, and pressure tested them, all for 100$. I will install them this week and hopefully get the engine started.

On Friday I finished the wheels. It took about 5 hours to individually clean and prep them. I painted them with Eastwwood wheel paint. This goes on and flows excellent. I highly recommend it. They came out pretty good. Tomorrow I will apply a couple of coats of clear to add protection.

Marc
Image Unavailable, Please Login
Image Unavailable, Please Login
Image Unavailable, Please Login
Image Unavailable, Please Login

 

Started the engine on Wednesday. Everything works, transmission shifts fine, coolant fans work and engine stays under 85 C. New tires mounted on refurbished wheels. Fabricated and installed a new intermediate belly pan.

Also installed a Holley fuel pressure regulator and adjusted to 2.5 PSI.

Off to the powder coaters this morning to pick up the air cleaner housing and air ducts.

Have to go back to Virginia today to help our friend with his Auburn, but will take the GT4 out for it first drive since 1988 this coming weekend. Scheduled to go in for repaint on June 11.

Stay tuned.

Marc
Image Unavailable, Please Login
Image Unavailable, Please Login

 

Car is back from the painters. Kept the exterior color the original brown. Interior has been scrubbed and cleaned. Came out very well. The original upholstery is perfect.

Last pieces should be back from the coaters tomorrow. Now have to look for a period correct radio

Getting close.

Marc
Image Unavailable, Please Login
Image Unavailable, Please Login
Image Unavailable, Please Login
Image Unavailable, Please Login

 

Thanks for nice comment guys. This is the fun part of the project as the interior is coming nicely. The upholstery and fabric are all original. It is vinyl and cloth. All in very good condtion. We have an 1983 911 also with vinly upholstery, and it also is in great shape. Much better than if it was leather of that vintage.

Just reassembled the interior with new powder coated ashtray covers. Now for the radio. Just received it. It is a Blaupunkt Toronto.

Off to Monterey tomorrow, returning on the 21st. Should finish the car the last week in August.

Marc.
Image Unavailable, Please Login
Image Unavailable, Please Login

 

Well,

It is now on the roads, and this weekend we drove it to the Italian happening in Columbus Ohio, about a 450 mile round trip.

With the four new shocks and the stock 205/70 14 tires it proved to be very compliant over the rough Michigan roads, and also tolerated the 90 plus temperatures, though I am amazed at how much heat builds up in the rear trunk. I have to find some high temp adhesive because the Weldwoods contact cement I used it to secure the trunk interior carpet is not standing up to this heat.

Also, I only got about 13 miles to the gallon. This does not seem correct, but the mileage did improve the further I drove it into the trip, so we will watch this.

After driving it 400 plus miles I now have the following list of things to do:

-Have the muffler powder coated. My high temp paint is already peeling in areas
-Adjust the master cylinder push rod in the servo. I set it with 3.5 mm of play to be safe (spec is 0.8) and there is too much brake pedal travel now
-Adjust the hand brake cable (it started to roll back out of the driveway when I got out to open our gate and my wife Jane stepped across and pushed on the brake pedal from the passengers seat !!!!
-Change the idle jets in the carb to the next larger size to eliminate the spitting back through the carburetors at 3500 rpm under light throttle
-Shim the left from spring. It sits 11 mm lower than the right side, spring has sagged, both my lambos did this.
-Work some more on the paint as it has to much orange peal in some areas (sand with 2000 grit then polish and wax)

Also, There is a person I have been in contact with that has a set of 16 inch Speedline Mistral wheels for the car. I have these on our TR. I may get them as the stock wheels and tires are too narrow for the car I think, especially in the rear.

That should take me well into the fall, then this winter I will start on a large list for the Espada. I have not really done anything to that since 2007 except drive it. I also have a list for Jane's 911 SC.

Any advice on the above action points (adhesive, carb jets, etc) is always appreciated.

Marc
Image Unavailable, Please Login

 

Thanks for the comments guys. Yes, Jane and I have been together now for almost 40 plus years. Who else would spend weekends camping out at Watkins Glenn to watch Can Am races.

Yes, I had both bumpers chromed by ABC chrome in Waterford Michigan for 850$. There is an earlier photo in this thread.

Will head out to the shop today to start on the above list. Just got back form 10 days in Italy. Visited both the Lambo and Ferrari factories. The Ferrari plant is pretty awesome.

Marc