As long as I'm doing a carb overhaul....what else is prudent to do

If I had all that stuff off I would go ahead and adjust the valves. In fact I would just go ahead and do the belts and get it all over with so you can just drive it for a few years and just do fluids.

FWIW I would replace all the fuel lines with good rubber hose. It is a far superior product to the fabric covered hose and does not come out looking like a high school kids Camero under the hood. But that is just an opinion.

As for the ignition have you given any thought to a full electronic coil on plug system? Get rid of the distributors completly? Those look like the hot setup. Problem with any of the systems that keep the distributors is that you still have to service them just about as often to keep the advance system working. And with electronic advance, those systems can optomize the advance for better performance and better mileage, something the Marelli's were never designed to do.

 

Understood, even Bill Gates has a budget.

 

Skip the wheels and stay focused on the mechanical maintenance. Don't bastardize the car too much if you are ever planning on selling it.

 

But it would be cool. I always dreamed of a black TR with a flame job. I would drive it to every Ferrari event and park it right up front.

 

Chris,

No offence was meant. I judge concours events. Anything that is not original, is bastardized.

End of the day, its your car and your money. Do what you want. I'm just trying to help you if you ever plan on selling it.

The 308 is a great car as is and one of the best cars from its era. Maybe I'm the odd ball that doesn't understand why everyone is trying to make it as fast as a modern Honda Accord.

Cheers,
Erik

 

If you do not plan to make it as near or more pristine than the factory, there are a couple of simple (and tasteful, IMHO) options that you could consider based on my limited experience:
Clean the engine and engine bay per the great Baghwan Spasso's method (see old threads)
New fuel hoses/filters all around.
Stainless steel teflon brake lines - you'll feel an immediate difference
Tires - newest technology tires you can fit on either your stock 14" (e.g. Pirelli P-4000) or fit the popular 16" QV wheels or replicas with SO2s for sport or P6000 for touring. See old threads. The 16" gives you the most selection and bang for the buck in tires, and Ferrari did the wheel engineering for you.
Muffler - this topic has been 'exhaustively' covered elsewhere.
140 carb main jets @ $6.00/jet
New DCNF air horns made by Durable1 shown on Dyno with about 10 rwhp increase and no loss of torque; About $30 something apiece I think.
Although a bit expensive at $1500, another option Norwood makes a nice single Marelli distributor conversion using the new technology internals and improved advance. Would also add an MSD.

Just some simple ideas to mix and match; nothing extreme.
Enjoy your car!
best
rt

 

I would definately do the valve adjustment, belts, change all the coolant and fuel hoses (upper and lower) and check all electrical terminals. 16" rims are the way to go, especially if you go with QV rims or the 328's.

 

Also, do not forget replacing the fuel filler neck hose..the one that runs between the filler neck and the gas tank....they rot out and can crack and leak when filling. Guess where the fuel that leaks ends up? Splashes right on the exhaust system!! I had my mechanic replace mine (78 308 GTS) after reading about a 308 fire while filling the tank over on www.tomyang.net.

I still have it, and man was it cracked and rotted...just about ready to let go.

 

Mine was too! Not leaking yet but cracked up really bad. I replaced mine with a fuel grade piece from NAPA P/N 1055, cut to length and secured with new Marmon clamps. Better than factory.

I would like to add that going with the QV 16" wheels is what I did, allowing me to buy Z/W rated Yokohama AVS100 tires. I retained the traditional look of the car but stepped up to a low profile tire with softer compounds. The handling improved greatly. The cost was far far less than going through the hassle of 360 wheels, spacers and tires (big $$$$). Of course this is all subject to ones own taste and budget.

Good luck!

 

when the carbs are off, do the intake gaskets while you are there. its really hard to syn the carbs when the damn gaskets are leaking. i had that problem with my old GTS. Red GTB runs great so i am not messing with a good thing.
Image Unavailable, Please Login
Image Unavailable, Please Login
Image Unavailable, Please Login