Cost to rebuild Webers?

No hidden costs, just time, easy job, there are many posts on this in the archives.

Get the kit do it yourself, it is not at all difficult. You will learn a lot. No special tools required.

Setting float height is easy as is replacing gaskets, you don't jave to worry about the choke or any crud in this area,as the jets are never used on the 308.

Only additional cost would be to replace the bearings for the butterfly valves which you should do if you take them off for a rebuild. Make sure you get the covered bearings to prevent air leaking in the old ones are not sealed.

 

If you want it done right and about as thoroughly as humanly possible, send them to Pierce Manifolds: http://www.piercemanifolds.com/. They did mine on my old 308, highly recommended... not the cheapest option out there.

--Mike

 

Rebuilding a set of DCNF's is a bit of a crap shoot. The problem is unless you are a single owner and know for sure how the carbs have been treated over their life, there may be visible or hidden damage. I rebuilt the carbs on my 78 308. I could see that there was some damage to a couple of mixture adjustment screws. One was bent and another had been over tightened at one time to the point where the tip of the needle blew through the throat wall. Well I replaced the one carb with the bent mixture screw because a new screw was too loose in housing threads and I ignored the carb with the inner wall damage assuming that careful adjustment would overcome damage to the seat and inner wall. Well, the rebuild helped, but I was never happy with the end result.

Eventually, I was able to source 3-new carbs from Dennis McCann and one from ***, although they were of an earlier specification, /45/45/46/48 verses the '78's /72/73/74/75 versions. Indeed, OEM carbs were scarce by this time and I had two /45's and no /47. A change in one linkage arm solved the real problem effectively converting a /45 to a /47. In the end, it sure is nice to work with new carbs. If you can find or put together a new set, do it.

The lesson is give rebuilding a shot but look around to see if you can find a new set. Note that if you find new carbs ensure they are of the same series. Carbs within a series 40 DCNF /45/46/47/48 or 40 DCNF /72/73/74/74 differ only in linkage arms and whether or not they have idle stop screws. Differences between series are much more sinister. In addition to changable pieces like jets and air correctors, non easily changeable progression holes differ in number, placement, and diameter. Most of these differences are documented in the owners manuals available on-line from Ferrari. Alternatively, generic 40 DCNF /12's may still be available. These are 4-bolt float cover carbs differing from the 5-bolt cover carbs used by Ferrari. Other than the float cover differences, the carbs feature cast-in cylindrical air horns without the removable air horns found on Ferrari's. I don't know if this poses any problem in performance or fitment to OEM air cleaner housings. At one point I ordered a set for about $1000 and sent them back without fitting them.

Bill

 

I just completed rebuilding my 40 DCNF carbs and here is my list of parts and their cost. First find out if you nave 5 bolt tops or 4 bolt. I understand the OEM for Ferrari were the 5 bolt DCNF 72,73,74, and 75. I ordered kits from Weber Cars Direct and they had the 5 bolt listed in stock but they sent 4 bolt. I asked for them to replace the gaskets for the 5 bolt and they said they could not get them. They were $42 per kit. I had to order the 5 bolt gaskets from Pierce Manifold and in addition I got the insulation base gaskets from them. I probably could have used the old ones but decided the go all out so later I wouldn't be sorry if the carbs didn't work right. The 5 bolt gaskets were $2.85 each and the insulation type were $11.70 each. I also replaced the throttle shaft bearings with the sealed ones...very important. You can get them on ebay being auctioned be Carl Jones from Australia. Nice guy! Also available if you are near a specialty bearing place for $8-9. They were SKF 607-2RSH/LHT23. If you replace the bearings you will need new retaining screws for the throttle plates. (My rebuild kits had them if not in your kit they are available at Pierce Manifold for $1.41 each). You have to file/grind the peened area off the end of the screws to get them out without damageing the shafts. You will need some Permatex Penetrating Grade Threadlocker to lock the new screws in place... auto parts store. One more thing you should check all the lead plugs and "restake" (tap with a pin punch) if any are loose. See the thread "308 carburettor rebuild - some specialities" by Martin308GTB. Also many threads by Birdman, Carl Jones, and others. The price you were quoted is very reasonable but the parts from allfreeariparts are aftermarket. Peirce Manifold are the best I hear but it would be 2-3 times as much. You could do it yourself it takes time and patience. If you are going to own a 308 you might as well learn as much about the car as possible. I had to because no one around me works on Ferraris. Well what ever you do good luck. If you need any help just contact me PM. Charlie