328 GTB DIY 60K Mile Service | FerrariChat
Buy

328 GTB DIY 60K Mile Service

Discussion in '308/328' started by Futureman, May 2, 2008.

This site may earn a commission from merchant affiliate links, including eBay, Amazon, Skimlinks, and others.

  1. Futureman

    Futureman Formula 3

    May 16, 2007
    2,024
    #1 Futureman, May 2, 2008
    OK, so me and a buddy are gonna do the major service on my '89 328. I'm a total weekend warrior, fluids, brakes, etc., but nothing major. He's a certifiable car nut who has rebuilt cars and was an F15 jet engine mechanic in the Air Force before going on to get his degree in mechanical engineering. I was going to have a local mechanic do the service, but after listening to my buddy call me "Mary" enough times for not doing it myself, I've finally caved. So, before I start coming on here in a panic begging for help with my baby in pieces in the garage, feel free to pontificate on my bravery, stupidity, insanity. Flame away!

    By the way, while it IS a Ferrari, it's still just a car.

    I tried to make a poll, but I'm too stupid apparently....more fuel for the topic of this thread.
     
  2. Bullfighter

    Bullfighter Two Time F1 World Champ
    Lifetime Rossa Owner

    Jan 26, 2005
    22,601
    Gates Mills, Ohio
    Full Name:
    Jon
    #2 Bullfighter, May 2, 2008
    Need to subscribe to FChat to make a poll, IIRC.

    I'm not the FChat tech god by any stretch, but we've had a couple of threads recently about an engine failure and alternator issues on 308/328s immediately after timing belt replacement. If your buddy was an Air Force jet mechanic, he's obviously skilled, but make sure you have all the right specs for belt tension, etc. The cars seem pretty tough, but it also seems like minor variances from spec can wipe out a checking account in short order.

    You might also want to have a list of other things to check while the car's apart -- i.e., old hoses and fittings, weeping seals, etc.
     
  3. doug328

    doug328 Formula 3

    Mar 11, 2004
    1,599
    The Space Coast, FL
    Full Name:
    Doug B
    #3 doug328, May 2, 2008
    Good luck with your project. You are right they are afer all just cars, but be aware there are many little idiosyncrasies that must be done right for it all to work. Do a search for timing belt changes/ect and you will get a lot of good advice. Again, good luck and post pics, we like to see the pics.
     
  4. Futureman

    Futureman Formula 3

    May 16, 2007
    2,024
    #4 Futureman, Jun 19, 2008
    3 weeks later and the service is done. Additional parts galore were ordered. Probably a little over $2000 worth of parts. Lots of busted knuckles.

    Lessons learned:
    1. There's a reason people get paid to do this....it's WORK. Man, I'm tired. 3 nights in a row of 2:00 am or later to get it done.
    2. Luigi likes to put nut and/or bolt heads in illogical places to make you work for it.
    3. Gates coolant hose may be great, but it sucks to deal with.
    4. All parts sources (and parts) are NOT created equal. I'm not overly confident of the quality of some of the parts I received.
    5. Remove the 400 lbs. piece of lead next time and pay to have it recharged. (A/C Compressor)
    6. Hell, just remove the damn engine.
    7. Don't drop nuts into the heads...or washers.
    8. Braided cloth hose sucks too.

    I'm sure there's more, but right now, after a 4:00 am night, with 3:00 am test drive...I'm too tired to remember them all.

    Pictures soon to follow.
     
  5. Futureman

    Futureman Formula 3

    May 16, 2007
    2,024
    #5 Futureman, Jun 19, 2008
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
  6. Futureman

    Futureman Formula 3

    May 16, 2007
    2,024
    #6 Futureman, Jun 19, 2008
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
  7. Futureman

    Futureman Formula 3

    May 16, 2007
    2,024
    #7 Futureman, Jun 19, 2008
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
  8. Futureman

    Futureman Formula 3

    May 16, 2007
    2,024
    #8 Futureman, Jun 19, 2008
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
  9. Futureman

    Futureman Formula 3

    May 16, 2007
    2,024
    #9 Futureman, Jun 19, 2008
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
  10. Futureman

    Futureman Formula 3

    May 16, 2007
    2,024
    #10 Futureman, Jun 19, 2008
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
  11. Futureman

    Futureman Formula 3

    May 16, 2007
    2,024
    #11 Futureman, Jun 19, 2008
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
  12. Futureman

    Futureman Formula 3

    May 16, 2007
    2,024
    #12 Futureman, Jun 19, 2008
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
  13. Futureman

    Futureman Formula 3

    May 16, 2007
    2,024
    #13 Futureman, Jun 19, 2008
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
  14. Futureman

    Futureman Formula 3

    May 16, 2007
    2,024
    #14 Futureman, Jun 19, 2008
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
  15. Futureman

    Futureman Formula 3

    May 16, 2007
    2,024
    #15 Futureman, Jun 19, 2008
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
    Wheel wells aren't my specialty. "You're turning a 5 minute job into a half hour!" Hey, it was almost 2:00 am at this point. We'd been at it since 6:00 pm. Cut me some slack!
    Image Unavailable, Please Login
     
  16. Futureman

    Futureman Formula 3

    May 16, 2007
    2,024
    #16 Futureman, Jun 19, 2008
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
  17. Futureman

    Futureman Formula 3

    May 16, 2007
    2,024
    #17 Futureman, Jun 19, 2008
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
    Almost 3:00 am. Ran out of beer...nothing left to do but roll it outside, have fire extinguisher handy (after replacing all those fuel hoses), cross your fingers, pray, chant,...3...2...1....turn key. Success! Yes, we then went for a drive at 3:00 am with it just like that...at least we took the tools out of the trunk. Sleep. Lick wounds. Put deck lid on tomorrow.
    Image Unavailable, Please Login
    Image Unavailable, Please Login
     
  18. Futureman

    Futureman Formula 3

    May 16, 2007
    2,024
    #18 Futureman, Jun 19, 2008
    Conclusion? Plug wires were in rough shape and the front bank lead wire just fell out when we removed the cap. So that alone I think made a huge difference. About 12 of the valves were out of spec. It pulls a lot stronger than before. Very noticeable difference. Completely smooth acceleration and smooth revs, unlike before where there was some hesitation and lag.

    Man, now I really want the Hyperflow cat and Maranello X-ost.
     
  19. desire308

    desire308 Formula 3

    Oct 19, 2007
    1,433
    Florida
    Full Name:
    Peter W
    #19 desire308, Jun 19, 2008
    Has anyone illustrated [w/pictures] a complete valve adjustment with the motor in the car?
     
  20. eulk328

    eulk328 F1 Rookie

    Feb 18, 2005
    2,800
    Full Name:
    F683
    #20 eulk328, Jun 19, 2008
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
    Looking good.

    Did you make sure the little thermostat bleed hole is in the 12 o'clock position as viewed from the pass. side of car? (it's not at 12 in the photo)

    I cut a wooden board and along with bathroom carpet laid down from the back end of the car to work on the front bank. Not immensely comfortable but a couple of cold German ones will take care of the aches and pains later.
    Image Unavailable, Please Login
     
  21. Futureman

    Futureman Formula 3

    May 16, 2007
    2,024
    #21 Futureman, Jun 19, 2008
    Crap! I couldn't remember how it was when it came out, so I guessed. Obviously, I guessed wrong.
     
  22. eulk328

    eulk328 F1 Rookie

    Feb 18, 2005
    2,800
    Full Name:
    F683
    #22 eulk328, Jun 19, 2008
    I'm not sure that it is all that super critical. If you're able to bleed it decently and it doesn't require repeated bleedings I wouldn't worry about it.
     

Share This Page