Does somebody knows something about cracked cylinde heads on early 308 gt4 engines (1974)? Does Ferrari changed something on their cylinder heads on later models? I´ve got problems with cracked cylinder heads (see picture) on my engine (I own my GT4 for 5 years and I had never had heating problems, one time I found water in oil and I decided to check the haed gasket....but there wasn´t the gasket....:-(.... Image Unavailable, Please Login
I watched a Ferrari block be repaired once out of a 330. They heated it in a pizza oven before welding it. I would imagine that a head could be repaired also but I can't imagine the cost being cheaper then finding another one used.
...I found somebody how can weld it (laser welding). Both heads were cracked. One of them is repaired (welded) and I am waiting for the second one......
Did you removed the head ? could you put other photographs (Macro) and from the opposite side ? it is strange to have two major cracks,the reason seem to be a mystery ???
Am I reading correctly ? "there wasn't a gasket " ?? I'd be asking why they cracked ? Between the head studs ??? Did the motor hydraulic at any stage ? Keep us posted
Nut overtorque ? but in this case it will fail shortly after head reinstallation (it's not the case) Pls correct me if i'm wrong
I´ve got not the complete history of the car but in the past there must be a reinstallation of one of the cylinder heads. The stamp mark of one of the heads is from 78 (the engine is from 74). I think the car made many kilometers with this configuration without problems. I don t know if that could be the reason of the cracks.
I said it wasn´t the gasket who failed (water in oil). The gasket was ok. A part of the cracks go arround the head studs. That was the major problem during the reparation (welding). It was not accessible for the laser to weld.
You might be better to get new (used) heads from a low miles salvage, but they are mated to the cam covers so get those as well..... One of my 1977 motors failed when new, so it seems that your castng dates are telling you a similar story. Thanks for sharing the pictures with us, there are lots of people around the world someone can help... IMO, we really need to get a modern casting company interested in patterning these heads, these cars were never intended to last this long!!
I have access to a pair of used heads at a reasonable price if needed. Please PM if you have an interest. Best...Jim
Thank you, but I found somebody who can weld the cracks. I will pick up the heads end of this week (I will post pictures next week) The rest of the engine ist overholed. Here some pitures.... Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login
Her some pictures of the repaired heads..... Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login
Interesting. The best reason I can think of this happening is past frost damage, probably on the engine the heads came from.
The engine is reassabled and mounted in the car ......just a few work and then it is ready to start.....hope the weather will become better in the next 2-3 weeks to start and make a test drive... Image Unavailable, Please Login
