[bob]

Purchased the 308 back in 81, drove it for 60k miles without a service. Ran before I stored it.
Has been stored for the past 12 years, till now.So with a some automotive experience I decided to service ever rubber hose t/belts & tensioner brgs and so on. Typical put it back together does not run. Reading the forum on t/belt valve timing and so on, it sounds like cam shafts moved on me,only if I have read the shop book first I would have known about rotating the eng. twice forward before tightening the tensioner nuts, and never counter clockwise. and of course rotating engine backwards to find the timing marks on the flywheel is what I did. I believe it caused some unwanted movement somewhere.
Compression before I fired it up was 155 to 180 1 thru 4, 80 5 thru 8. It spit sputter and popped. Finally started for me would not idle on its own maybe all the mystery oil I put in it for releasing a ring or so after 12 yrs. Timed back bank at 1000 rpm shut her down called a day.Next day would not start.Took a comp. test starting with one-75,0,0,110,30,30,25,50.Then I fiddled with dists. eng. spit,sputtered, coughing,popping, same as previous day then started ran well at 1k no knocks. Just tried again before sending this SOS it wants to start but is just popping spitting.
Hoping for some suggestions. bob

[bill ward]

Bob-
I did much the same thing to my 78 this last winter.I should have pulled the cam cover to front bank to confirm all timing marks were on- sadly I didn't and exhaust cam was off. car ran, but as you mentioned-sputtering and popping. I pulled both heads and redid top end of engine and now she runs great.Lesson learned- never take a short cut. While I am no expert, I'd be happy to help with info I learned.It's not an impossible job,fiddilly and time consuming. good luck, bill

[bob]

Thanks Bill For the reply

I did learn to have fun doing this along with a lot of patient. Also I noticed if you need to take item A off you have to take B & C off first, and to take C off you had to take D off Ha Ha. Getting back to the front cams 5 6 7 8 cylds. Can I get to the cams? And If I need to take the Front head off what were some of the difficult areas that you experienced,and how did you remedy them, better off how did you ATTACK them.

Thanks Bob

[wetpet]

bob, i'm no expert. but i highly recommend you consult one. you could easily do 50% of the cars worth in damage. Having the valve train going up and down out of sinc with the pistons could cause some serious damage. Again, no expert, maybe i'm wrong....

[Night Life]

Originally Posted by wetpet

bob, i'm no expert. but i highly recommend you consult one. you could easily do 50% of the cars worth in damage. Having the valve train going up and down out of sinc with the pistons could cause some serious damage. Again, no expert, maybe i'm wrong....

Nope you are dead on correct, you might have cause irreversible damage

[bob]

I am a little more on the positive side of this adventure for one reason when it finally fires and idles at 1k it purrs like it did 12yrs ago
down loaded camerafilters and birdmanferrari all set to go
this morning going to pull back cam cover check timing marks
I buy parts at ferrparts out of Sacramento, any other recommendations that any of you out there prefer.

Bill I found your e mail in a earlier post do you mine if I use it to contact you?

Thanks bob

[bob]

well you guys I guess your closer to being correct cannot see t/marks on the cams at pm1-4 t d c at # 1 hole.
Now I am going to spin her around to see if there is any on the cam, at this point unless there at 180 hiding I cannot see zip or there is not a mark at all.

[bob]

HI G
Flywheel before top dead center #1 hole intake cam.
I found mark, it's lined up perfect at that point. Exhaust cam mark is 3/8 before the head mark in rotation. Moved flywheel to top dead center cam mark 1/16 past the head mark at the most ,and the exhaust cam mark is still about 5/16 before the head mark. Now what do you think? Is it damaged now, or did I luck out? In a while I will adjust the cam marks and see if it fires up after I also check the valve clearance. Thanks
Bob

[bob]

Bill

Back bank went very well. Like you I even had fun.

Now I need to Know some of your trick's for the front Bank?

I am small framed so I do not think I need anyone smaller to help.

bob

[Night Life]

Well you certainly have tenacity good for you

[bill ward]

Originally Posted by bob

Thanks Bill For the reply

I did learn to have fun doing this along with a lot of patient. Also I noticed if you need to take item A off you have to take B & C off first, and to take C off you had to take D off Ha Ha. Getting back to the front cams 5 6 7 8 cylds. Can I get to the cams? And If I need to take the Front head off what were some of the difficult areas that you experienced,and how did you remedy them, better off how did you ATTACK them.

Thanks Bob

Bob-
yes you can get to cams on front bank, getting the cover off takes some finagling and that was the step I short cut to my dismay. If I had removed cover I would have know that exaust bank was off and not damaged my exhaust valves. Good news was I've now got a new top end and car is running better than ever- I've even picked up 15% on mileage and feels better/more power. Removing head wasn't too bad, but I did have to remove all lower studs (that hold cam cover on)to get clearance. If I had known how far I would have to go into this, I think I would have removed engine. As was, all I had left was block,pistons, and crank. I will admit to some fear as I went into it but all went smoothly and I am pleased/proud with my results. My only regret- I should have taken pictures. Just not used to having a phone/camera with me all the time. Would have saved at least an hour in putting back together.Do your home work, work methodically ( not ATTACK as is my style ) and It's not really different from any other aluminum block V8 with overhead cams. If you get stuck, you can holler at me @ 406-581-7135 or williamward@stonewerx.com, Best of luck (not really luck-perseverance) Bill

[bill ward]

Originally Posted by bob

Bill

Back bank went very well. Like you I even had fun.

Now I need to Know some of your trick's for the front Bank?

I am small framed so I do not think I need anyone smaller to help.

bob

Bob-
Sorry. I should have read further b4 I typed all the above. You did remember that the crank turns 2x per revolution? That's the one that often gets me. The other funny thing I found was that there was 2 marks on exhaust cam and I had to carefully roll the engine over to be certain that the cam was at right degree-some practical joker in factory. As for front bank see above, I wish you well. bill (I'll think of you as mine spins up to max-love that)