So a bunch of questions | FerrariChat

So a bunch of questions

Discussion in '308/328' started by bitsobrits, Mar 30, 2022.

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

  1. bitsobrits

    bitsobrits Formula Junior
    Rossa Subscribed Silver Subscribed

    Nov 12, 2011
    741
    Omaha, NE area, US
    Full Name:
    Steve
    Finally took delivery today of a 77 308 GTB purchased at auction last week, and after several hours of going over the car I'm generally very happy, but have several smaller issues I'd like to address. So I'm reaching out to see if these are common and where I might begin to address them. I hope this list isn't too long for one of my first posts.

    BTW- I do my own maintenance and minor/major repairs (except paint) on my hobby cars and am fairly proficient and well equipped to deal with most things, but this is my first Ferrari (and Italian!) car, so there will defiantly be some learning here.

    My initial priorities are to get a baseline read on the mechanical condition and any issues, fix any quick and easy niggles, and of course ensure it's reliable and safe for planned road trips.

    So the niggle list, in no particular order:

    The left outside door handle is a bit 'floppy' in the fore-aft directions. Works fine, but seems as if there is a bushing missing or something is broken. Ideas?

    The rear shroud around the muffler assembly (photo below) appears to be homemade, though I have seen photos of another car with a similar setup. I'm open to ideas for a better looking shroud, but am not really interested in going back to the stock US spec unit.

    The engine cover latch on the left side needed a bit of adjustment to get a nice clean latch on both sides. Now the rubber bumper on the left side is too short to completely eliminate any free motion of the hatch on that side. (engine cover now fits nicely, btw) Are there different bumpers available/suggested or do I just add some firm rubber pads to the engine cover on that side?

    The handbrake is completely ineffective and seems bound up with very little motion possible. Superficially, all the components seem to be present and nothing looks amiss, though I haven't had it in the air yet. I'm guessing I will need to disassemble/lube the various pivot points and cable to free it up?

    The 4 temp/choke/control cables all seem to work, though seem stiff-but then I don't know what 'good' feels like. Also, there are two different bezels present-two with rounded corners, and two with more pointed corners-which one is correct?

    The choke cable operation (and decal) appear to be back to front. Is it possible to install the cable backwards like this? (I've only driven the car a very short distance-from transporter to garage-at this point as the weather is very uncooperative here at the moment-so don't have a read on choke operation)

    The glove box/cubby between the seats is stuck closed. The chrome button is flush with it's bezel. Should it be standing proud of the bezel? The door key doesn't seem to work with the glovebox. Ideas?

    The pedals do not seem well placed for heel/toe operation. Specifically the brake pedal is too high relative to the throttle for my tastes. Any adjustments available here?

    How involved is it to remove the spare tire well? Looks like just some screws/rivets/sealer? The battery cables are a bit shabby and I'd like to replace them and explore the installation of a disconnect switch and it seems all that would be much easier with the spare tire well out of the way. Also would allow a thorough inspection of the front structure.

    Well that's enough for day 1, I think. I'm sure I'll have loads more questions over the next few months.

    Steve




    Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login
     
  2. Jdubbya

    Jdubbya The $10 Trillion Man
    Silver Subscribed

    Dec 28, 2003
    43,190
    PNW
    Full Name:
    John
    The choke bezel is upside down, odd. The label will peel off, they are just glued on but if original they are aluminum and will bend easily. The mechanism is screwed on from under so you should be able to pull the whole thing and turn it (would require pulling that whole top panel of the console) Most folks don't use the choke, with that cable as you've found they sometimes don't release fully off. My '78 I was taught by an old Italian mechanic to not use it and just pump the gas 2-3 times before starting after turning the key on and letting the fuel pump fill things up.

    The door handle may have some adjustment, it's just a cable inside the door, they seem to stretch after years of use. Mine used to flop a bit too but I didn't worry about it until I had the door apart.

    The rear diaper looks correct for a Euro version. Is yours a true Euro version or has somebody converted the back end (it's more than just the exhaust and diaper).

    More pics will help folks help you sort things out. Looks like a clean example though from the bottoms side pic!! Congrats and enjoy!!
     
  3. Steve Magnusson

    Steve Magnusson Two Time F1 World Champ
    Lifetime Rossa

    Jan 11, 2001
    26,806
    30°30'40" N 97°35'41" W (Texas)
    Full Name:
    Steve Magnusson
    That looks about right for a 1977 US 308, IIRC. Try a search on "1977 diaper", and read those threads. (If yours is a US version 1977 308GTB, it doesn't have the stock thermal reactor muffler so could explain why the non-stock muffler tips aren't centered in the openings.) Post #33 in this thread has pictures:
    https://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/threads/us-1977-308gtb-exhaust-metal-mesh-cover.631288/page-2
    Searching on "thermal reactor" should get you more information, too.
     
  4. Brian A

    Brian A F1 Rookie

    Dec 21, 2012
    3,149
    SanFrancisco BayArea
    Full Name:
    1983 US 308 GTS QV
    Welcome to the loonie bin. You are really going to enjoy the car.

    Find the "Spare Parts Catalog" pdf file for your specific car. That is about the best thing we DIYers have for figuring out what is what. You should be able to find the parts and part numbers you are looking for.

    The handbrake is very poor on these cars. It only holds the car if parked on a flat surface and if no wind is blowing.

    My theory is that it is because the cable is routed through a serpentine metal tube which causes huge fiction on the cable. Others say it is too short of levers on the caliper. Yet others have other theories.

    The rear brakes are the same as those used on the Porsche 914/6 and the parking brake on those cars apparently works just fine. I say this just to make you feel bad.:D

    It may just be that they need some lubrication. They are Bowden cables with a stiff wire inside a sheathing.

    I believe (but am not sure) that it is possible to install any of those levers the wrong way and still have them work. You might just pull off that cover and see if it looks mounted backwards from the rest of the levers.

    There are no adjustments. On other cars, I had grown accustom to heel/toe-ing with the sides of my foot on both the brake and throttle. With the 308 I had to relearn true heel and toe usage.

    I have never done it, but I hear it is hard: lots of rivets and glue.
     
  5. Basal Skull

    Basal Skull Formula Junior

    Oct 26, 2010
    427
    Vancouver BC
    Nice! I have a 77 US gtb here too and also do my own tinkering.

    Rear latch - thought the latch mech and or the rubber was adjustable, fiddled with mine at one point, I could go take a look later.
    The box between the seats - the lock sits flush and my door key opens it…






    Sent from my iPad using FerrariChat
     
  6. Basal Skull

    Basal Skull Formula Junior

    Oct 26, 2010
    427
    Vancouver BC
    For the glove box, do you have more than one door key? If so have you tried both on the box? I ask as I also have TR and I noticed the key I was using did not open the passenger door as it was worn but the spare key did (so I had a new key cut using the key that still worked on both doors!)


    Sent from my iPad using FerrariChat
     
  7. EssereYUL

    EssereYUL Rookie

    Mar 31, 2022
    25
    California
    Full Name:
    Pat A
    Hopefully this is the right forum to ask a question. New here, and relatively new Ferrari Owner. My car is a 2011 458 Italia. When rolling to a stop, I (sporadically) get this very loud noise, seems to be coming from the rear. It only happens when rolling very slowly and coming to a stop. It seems to stop when the vehicle is at a full stop. I uploaded a video here... would love some thoughts/ideas. I can't tell whether it is brake system or gearbox related. This doesn't happen every time, which makes it more aggravating. Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated! Thank you! Pat.
     

    Attached Files:

  8. dinoart

    dinoart Formula Junior
    Silver Subscribed

    Oct 30, 2004
    798
    Westminster CA
    Full Name:
    David
    The blue dot in the decal between defrost levers supposed to be ontop ( blue top/red bottom). You can use a sharp instrument and peel it out and turn it around. It is glued down. I also have a 77 US GTB and the diaper is correct for the car. Beautiful color. Need more pictures please. Your car has the fiberglass spare tire tub instead the vinyl cover. Curiosity what is the serial number for your car?
     
  9. bitsobrits

    bitsobrits Formula Junior
    Rossa Subscribed Silver Subscribed

    Nov 12, 2011
    741
    Omaha, NE area, US
    Full Name:
    Steve
     
  10. bitsobrits

    bitsobrits Formula Junior
    Rossa Subscribed Silver Subscribed

    Nov 12, 2011
    741
    Omaha, NE area, US
    Full Name:
    Steve
    It appears that my spare tire tub is fiberglass, and I have the zippered cover. SN is 22027, which seems to be midway through 77 production from reading the SN list on the 308 GTB register.
     
  11. dinoart

    dinoart Formula Junior
    Silver Subscribed

    Oct 30, 2004
    798
    Westminster CA
    Full Name:
    David
    Makes sense. Mine is September 77 #22707 and it has open fiberglass tub without zipper.
     
  12. rjd2

    rjd2 Karting

    Jul 28, 2016
    125
    The choke cable is it's own assembly, mounted to the underside of the center console. there is no point in desassembling your center console to get to it, as the cable mechanism itself cannot be inverted. flip your decal and it will "work properly", or according to the labeling.

    i may be wading into a thing here, but i have also heard that using the choke on a 308 is "undesirable". as the owner of several older cars with chokes and carbs, i have found that chokes are ideal, personally. starting a multi weber-carbed car without a choke is a bit of an art-doable, but easier with a properly working choke. i can't help but think that a properly calibrated choke and carb setup is deal to not using the alternative, but maybe on these particular 4 carb cars it's not so bad.(i have a 308 with virtually no experience behind the wheel of it, so take it with a grain of salt). i have found that techs often tune non-choke carb cars to idle higher than i would prefer, personally(1300-1600 ish, as opposed to closer to 1000). i assume this is compensation for the cold start needing to be just high enough to hold a very slow idle, which usually shakes out at warm to be in that 1300-1600 range.
     
  13. AZDoug

    AZDoug Formula 3

    Jun 17, 2009
    1,606
    Along the Verde , AZ
    Full Name:
    Doug
    There is rubber bushing/grommet which surrounds the exterior door pull where it goes thru the sheetmetal. Yours very well may not be there.

    With completely rebuilt calipers, and new e brake cable, my e-brake works wonderfully, the car won't move on hills.

    The chokes work by sliding sleeves up and down inside the throttle bores, which opens a fuel feed slot.

    After many years of disuse, they can and will bind.

    Whether you use the choke or not, If the sleeves slide currently, I would suggest at least cycling the choke off/on/off fairly regularly.

    I don't think repositioning the pedals is a good idea.

    Doug
     
  14. bitsobrits

    bitsobrits Formula Junior
    Rossa Subscribed Silver Subscribed

    Nov 12, 2011
    741
    Omaha, NE area, US
    Full Name:
    Steve
    So using the parts manual (found online) I saw there is a pivot pin for the exterior door handles. Located that on back edge of the door and tightened it up just a bit and no more floppy door handle.

    Looks like I will be able to sort the negative battery cable from the right side wheel wheel, so that's a plus, saving the effort/mess of removing the spare tire well.

    How easy is it to find key blanks in order to have additional keys made? Turns out the car only has the one set.
     
  15. AZDoug

    AZDoug Formula 3

    Jun 17, 2009
    1,606
    Along the Verde , AZ
    Full Name:
    Doug
    Key blanks are available, i think they are made in Oz. They are brass, not steel like the Neimann keys. Have two made, keep eh original someplace safe.
    Do forum search.
    Doug
     
  16. Brian A

    Brian A F1 Rookie

    Dec 21, 2012
    3,149
    SanFrancisco BayArea
    Full Name:
    1983 US 308 GTS QV
    I recently replace my battery.

    Medical advice always is to "lift with the knees, not the back. Do not bend forward."

    Yeah right; impossible.

    Somehow my back survived.
     
    Jdubbya likes this.
  17. AZDoug

    AZDoug Formula 3

    Jun 17, 2009
    1,606
    Along the Verde , AZ
    Full Name:
    Doug
    I put an 11 lb Group 24 Li-Ion battery in about a year ago.. it was a piece of cake. :) It did cost more than a lead acid battery, though.

    Doug
     
    mike996 likes this.
  18. mike996

    mike996 F1 Veteran

    Jun 14, 2008
    6,871
    Full Name:
    Mike 996
    #18 mike996, Mar 31, 2022
    Last edited: Mar 31, 2022
    What brand? Been thinking of doing exactly the same; been using Shorai LiFe batts on Motos for 10 years!
     
  19. thorn

    thorn F1 Rookie
    Silver Subscribed

    Aug 7, 2012
    3,324
    Tallahassee, FL
    Which is why my spare tire lives in the garage.
     
  20. mike996

    mike996 F1 Veteran

    Jun 14, 2008
    6,871
    Full Name:
    Mike 996
    "Which is why my spare tire lives in the garage."

    Space saver spare (328) makes it easier...except the part where you have to put the regular tire back in after changing the tire! :(
     
  21. bitsobrits

    bitsobrits Formula Junior
    Rossa Subscribed Silver Subscribed

    Nov 12, 2011
    741
    Omaha, NE area, US
    Full Name:
    Steve
    The rubber bumpers which support the corners of my engine cover seem to be a bit short. Looking in the parts manual it appears these should be threaded/adjustable but there is no image number so likely no part number either. Can someone confirm what these bumpers should look like? Image Unavailable, Please Login
     
  22. thorn

    thorn F1 Rookie
    Silver Subscribed

    Aug 7, 2012
    3,324
    Tallahassee, FL
    Does the full size rear tire even fit under the hood? Have always wondered, never tried it.
     
  23. Jdubbya

    Jdubbya The $10 Trillion Man
    Silver Subscribed

    Dec 28, 2003
    43,190
    PNW
    Full Name:
    John
    I know on my early '78 a 16" rear would not fit. A 390 or 14" probably would have.
     
    thorn likes this.
  24. bitsobrits

    bitsobrits Formula Junior
    Rossa Subscribed Silver Subscribed

    Nov 12, 2011
    741
    Omaha, NE area, US
    Full Name:
    Steve
    A full size 14" definately does. ***** to get it out, though, as I have recently learned. Believe mine will stay out.

    Edit: Also just learned there is an auto censor on this forum :). Will have to watch my language!
     
    thorn likes this.
  25. ClydeM

    ClydeM F1 World Champ
    Owner Rossa Subscribed

    Nov 4, 2003
    11,894
    Wayne, NJ
    Full Name:
    Clyde E. McMurdy
    Getting off topic, but my '83 16" rear fit. I had a flat & actually did change tires. Though tight going in & getting it back out.
     
    thorn likes this.

Share This Page