[RB308]

Hello all, Im new to the forum and also the ferrari world. I just picked up a "barn find" '78 308 gts with 21,000 miles from a gentleman's garage where it had been stored for around 7 years or so. The major question I have is: this car has 2 distributors with dual points each, Is there a wonderful product out there that will rid me of this points nightmare? The car had a bunch of work done to it like major service including timing belts, all coolant hoses are new, starter is new, brakes are all new but needs reservoir for master (kinda cracking), etc. but the car has sat with 0 miles since. Do I need to do all this again? Also im missing the front grille. My car has 2 lights on either side under the bumper and was wondering which grille I need... I have read tons of posts in here and look forward to talking to many of you! Thanks -Ryan

[bill ward]

Ryan-
There are several systems out there to change the points to electronics. My car has a Pertronx system and I think well of Crane cams' system. I may change mine for more ability to adjust timing but so far no problems. The fact that belts and etc have been done is something I would check for myself, I tend to trust my own work and question what others claim. They probably did everything but I sleep better knowing that I've gone over all the parts and that all is up to snuff. Do you have much for gravel roads there? If so I'll tell you of my experiences. Best of luck and enjoy your ride, bill

[tazandjan]

Ryan- Welcome to Ferrari Life. Luckily, there are aftermarket and OEM solutions to your dilemma. The OEM, single distributor, pointless system I had on my Euro 78 308 might be hard to find, but some of our 308 experts can chime in with some better aftermarket solutions.

[Trainman]

Welcome to the group, Ryan!

We would all like to see photos or your barn find!

As for your questions:

I believe, there are ways to change from points to electronic pickup, but I'll let others weigh in on the specifics.

I think the issue of most importance will be exactly when that major service was performed. If it was done 7 years ago, there can still be age related deterioration of rubber and plastic components. Even with zero miles on them, the timing belts could will ticking time bombs after sitting for that long.

Let us know what we can do to help! The guys on this group are a good bunch and have helped me out a great deal.

[RB308]

No gravel roads here unless your out of town. I have gone over the car well and all is for sure new. The cams were just replaced for a set of custom grind cams and I have the documentation for it. So far I have changed ALL the fuel lines, drained the tank, and pulled the distributors for upgrade from points. The seats could use new leather but the dash and doors are fine after a ton of conditioner.. I really love this car and cant wait to drive it!

[bill ward]

Sir-
The point to be made is that if cams or any thing was changed- when? If the belts were changed- good but if they are more than 3-5 years old, even with no miles, could be a problem. Likely not a problem but do you want to take chances? My 78 had to have belts changed and even that did not solve problems- see gravel reference. My car has taught me alot and I expect that will continue. bill

[RB308]

I appreciate all your input! I guess im just anxious, I will do the right thing and order belts. Any suggestions on finding a brake fluid reservoir, or proper grille?

[ALEX A]

If you have fog light in the front . You will need a euro front grill. you may fine a used one or try Ricambi America for all you parts.
Alex.

[2dinos]

IMHO: I wouldn't call points a nightmare. Especially Ferrari points. The Marelli distribs are really well engineered and built. If they are maintained (cleaned and lubed as req'd) thay go 15,000 miles pretty easily. Compare that to a Chevy which I recall going 6000 miles between tune ups consisting of changing points. Also, you want to be sure the curve is good, and there are especialists out there who still cater to these animals. The points don't typically die from sitting, unlesss corrosion is a concern from storage.

For reasons of smog, I put two MSD units on my car triggered by points. The HC has come down a bit, and it revs a bit more freely, but if not for smog, I probably would follow what Ferrari designed to begin with.

[Pete04222]

Originally Posted by 2dinos

IMHO: I wouldn't call points a nightmare. Especially Ferrari points. The Marelli distribs are really well engineered and built. If they are maintained (cleaned and lubed as req'd) thay go 15,000 miles pretty easily. Compare that to a Chevy which I recall going 6000 miles between tune ups consisting of changing points.

I disagree. On a Chevy the points cost like $12 and you can change them in 10 minutes. On the 308 the points are $75 each and you need 4 of them and the distributors need to be removed from the car to change them. If you are pulling the distributors out it makes sense to upgrade it to electronic so that you never need to remove them again.

I went with the Crane Cams ignition and haven't had to touch it since. Ryan, here's the post I made when changing my ignition back in 2003. 308 ignition upgrades. Magoo? Peter?

I'm not sure if Crane still makes that unit but basically all you need is 2 universal electronic ignitions for a 4 cylinder engine.

[2dinos]

[QUOTE=Pete04222;171241]I disagree. On a Chevy the points cost like $12 and you can change them in 10 minutes. On the 308 the points are $75 each and you need 4 of them and the distributors need to be removed from the car to change them. QUOTE]

I was speaking primarily to how long they last. Also given how infrequently Ferrari's are driven, 15,000 miles represents a long period of time. And (knock wood) of all the idiosyncratic issues I've experienced with original Ferrari stuff, points have not been one of them.

Don't get me started about original radiator caps

FWIW: I've used crane ignition systems for other applications with excellent results.

[JazzyO]

Originally Posted by 2dinos

Also given how infrequently Ferrari's are driven, 15,000 miles represents a long period of time.

That is a generalisation. I've done 10,000 miles in the first 12 months of owning my 1966 330GTC. There are plenty of 308's out there that do more miles.


Onno

[Barry]

Ryan
Welcome to Ferrari Life. You've come to the right place good luck with you new 308!

[2dinos]

Originally Posted by JazzyO

That is a generalisation. I've done 10,000 miles in the first 12 months of owning my 1966 330GTC. There are plenty of 308's out there that do more miles.


Onno

True.

!0,000/yr is great. The most I ever achieved was just under 7,000. So did you swap out the Marelli points with an electronic setup?

[JazzyO]

Originally Posted by 2dinos

True.

!0,000/yr is great. The most I ever achieved was just under 7,000. So did you swap out the Marelli points with an electronic setup?

No, everything is standard.


Onno

[brettgagnon]

Good find

I went with electromotive XDI direct coil ignition

Originally Posted by RB308

Hello all, Im new to the forum and also the ferrari world. I just picked up a "barn find" '78 308 gts with 21,000 miles from a gentleman's garage where it had been stored for around 7 years or so. The major question I have is: this car has 2 distributors with dual points each, Is there a wonderful product out there that will rid me of this points nightmare? The car had a bunch of work done to it like major service including timing belts, all coolant hoses are new, starter is new, brakes are all new but needs reservoir for master (kinda cracking), etc. but the car has sat with 0 miles since. Do I need to do all this again? Also im missing the front grille. My car has 2 lights on either side under the bumper and was wondering which grille I need... I have read tons of posts in here and look forward to talking to many of you! Thanks -Ryan

[RB308]

Well, thank you all for your input. I will do some research and get back and let you know what progress I make... I talked to a long time friend who has owned many of these and also gained a contact of a local used ferrari parts warehouse where I can get my grille and maybe some seats that aren't rock hard. I will also try to get some pictures on here soon. Thanks again guys!

[RB308]

Brett, has the XDI been flawless? How many miles have you had it?

[RB308]

Here you go... I washed the inches of dust off before I got it home and it was taken with a phone, so I apologize for the quality...

[Pete04222]

Ryan, I don't know where those lights came from but they are not stock. Somebody removed the original grille so they could install those lights. Do you need the lights? Do you plan on ever driving the car at night? Do you want to keep the lights? If you want to do it cheap I would recommend you remove the lights, get some expanded metal grating, cut it to fit, paint it black, bolt in place and be done with it. Heck, if you want the lights you could even cut the grating to fit around them. Personally I think it would look better without them.