'78 308 GTB Timing Belt Change | FerrariChat

'78 308 GTB Timing Belt Change

Discussion in '308/328' started by FerrariGTB78, Jun 9, 2017.

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  1. FerrariGTB78

    FerrariGTB78 Rookie

    Jun 6, 2017
    16
    Harveys Lake, PA
    Full Name:
    LTC Joe Ruotolo, BSEE
    Have decided to replace my '78 308 GTB's timing belt, myself. Would someone kindly direct me to the process or factory instructions? (Kind of like the Porsche 944), is there anything else I need to change while I'm in there? Any special tools I should start looking for? Thanks much. -Joe
     
  2. Dr Tommy Cosgrove

    Dr Tommy Cosgrove Three Time F1 World Champ
    Owner Rossa Subscribed

    May 4, 2001
    36,400
    Birmingham, AL
    Full Name:
    Tommy
    Have you tried to used the search feature here?
     
  3. tinterow

    tinterow Formula 3

    Nov 1, 2014
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    Houston, Tx
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    Chaya Tinterow
  4. waymar

    waymar Formula 3

    Sep 2, 2008
    1,354
    Northeast, PA - USA
    Full Name:
    Wayne Martin
    Joe. Hi welcome to the forum. I live a few miles from you at Stone Hedge Country Club. I would be happy to stop over if needed. Wayne
     
  5. mike996

    mike996 F1 Veteran

    Jun 14, 2008
    6,870
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    Mike 996
    Cool - a belt change thread! :)
     
  6. Martin308GTB

    Martin308GTB F1 Rookie

    Jan 22, 2003
    4,259
    Black Forest Germany
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    Martin N.
    Belt change thread is o.k.
    Asking about replacement intervals would be much better :)

    I just viewed Joe's profile. Based on other toys and occupation I recommend, if things go wrong: Shoot'em :)
    Sorry, couldn't resist kidding a bit.


    Best
    Martin
     
  7. spicedriver

    spicedriver F1 Rookie

    Feb 1, 2011
    3,859
  8. FerrariGTB78

    FerrariGTB78 Rookie

    Jun 6, 2017
    16
    Harveys Lake, PA
    Full Name:
    LTC Joe Ruotolo, BSEE
    This is really good stuff, fellas. Thank you. I bought the car with 36k on the clock in the year 2000. I haven't done a belt change during my ownership. (Feeling rather irresponsible right now.) I've only put a few hundred miles on it since I've owned it, but I feel that 17 years certainly warrants a belt change! I really appreciate everyone's input.
     
  9. Dr Tommy Cosgrove

    Dr Tommy Cosgrove Three Time F1 World Champ
    Owner Rossa Subscribed

    May 4, 2001
    36,400
    Birmingham, AL
    Full Name:
    Tommy
    17 years and only a few hundred miles... you will need to do more than just belts.
     
  10. mike32

    mike32 F1 Veteran

    May 13, 2016
    5,951
    Isle of man- uk
    I wonder how tight the spark plugs are ?
     
  11. tuttebenne

    tuttebenne F1 Rookie

    Mar 26, 2003
    3,218
    Bay Shore, NY
    Full Name:
    Andy
    Joe, you should consider either rebuilding or replacing the water pump while you are replacing the timing belts, tensioners and auxiliary belts. The common failure mode is for the inner bearing to rust and seize long before any visible fluid is passing out of the weep hole. You can usually buy the needed rebuild parts from McMaster Carr for around $70. This includes the seal assembly and two premium SKF bearings. They don't list a kit so you have to locate and select the right parts individually.
     
  12. 4right

    4right F1 Rookie
    Rossa Subscribed

    After 17 years of little use, wouldn't the engine have difficulty rotating? Seized?
     
  13. climb

    climb F1 Rookie

    Sep 19, 2006
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    Atlantic Beach Fl
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    Stuart K. Hicks
  14. scowman

    scowman F1 Rookie

    Mar 25, 2014
    2,550
    Scottsdale AZ
    Full Name:
    Stu Boogie
    #15 scowman, Jun 11, 2017
    Last edited: Jun 11, 2017
    Belt change is fairly easy. Access is a PITA! Couple of things I figured out.

    You don't need cam locks. Just paint lines off center on the cam wheels with a ruler as guide in such a way they will only line up in original position. The cams may rotate on you with tbelt off but just rotate them back. This is valve spring pressure.

    If you must have a cam lock cut a hockey puck in half, invert and bolt together.

    Binder clips work great holding belt in place (birdman).

    There is a us tech bulletin on how to set the tension. Basically rotate the motor and watch the tensioner bucket move in and out. Then tighten it at the right spot (I forget which).

    Rebuild the tensioners. You can get springs from spuk. Make sure they don't bind when you reinstall. The spring buckets should move in and out. The first one I reinstalled didn't. I did not know that was bad until I did the second one.

    Do the rear bank first. It's easiest.

    Take pics and note where all studs, washers and shims came from.

    The ac is the biggest pita. Be patient.

    Got all my parts from Gp car parts in Phoenix as I was living there. Got to walk around the back and see a lot of really cool junk exotic parts including a Daytona b getting a new life from junked parts.
     
  15. Glassman

    Glassman F1 World Champ
    Rossa Subscribed

    No
     

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