79 308 restoration

Newman · 02-16-2009, 08:16 AM

Engine time. I found the straps were a great way to get the right angle and there's no way it will drop unless the picker failed of course. I was able to install it myself this way as well. Suspension installed along with calipers. I installed the engine without the carbs only because I didnt have all the carb parts at the time I was putting the powertrain back in. I would have had them on and mechanically synced first if my timing was right. Like most things on this project though, there were unexpected delays and headaches.

I want to point out that the engine IS NOT painted. I used an aluminum rim cleaner and lots of scrubbing on the block, heads and gearbox. The bellhousing, valve covers, timing covers and intake runners were glass bead blasted. You can see the difference in materials if you look at the bellhousing and block. The housing is made of a different alloy I assume as well as a different process hence the colour differences.

Maranellohouse · 02-17-2009, 09:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Newman

Stuart, I have to look on my old computer. I cant find the pics of the gearbox work but I can tell you the entire box has to come apart and you will need 4 new rings nuts when you re-assemble it. The 4-5 syncros come out the passenger side/half of the box. Dont lose the lock-out pins that run inside the divider wall that run through the shift fork shafts either. To align the forks during reassembly, install the detent spings and balls with the pan off and bolt a plate down to apply pressure as the pan would if installed. This way you can correctly position the forks in the syncronizers now rather than once the car is together and it doesnt shift right!

Thanks for that. If you do get the time (and you don't seem to have a lot at the moment) and find the photos, I'd greatly appreciate it.

irondog · 02-18-2009, 11:39 AM

looking great Newman

Boxer · 02-18-2009, 11:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by irondog

looking great Newman

+1, really fantastic.

Louis355 · 02-18-2009, 12:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Boxer

+1, really fantastic.

+2

Stunning, it's now better then it left the factory I assume

Neonzapper · 02-27-2009, 04:00 PM

Newman, I thought I saw a speck of dirt in your engine bay, but upon further review, it turned out to be on my computer monitor.

Michael

Gcalo · 02-27-2009, 09:04 PM

That is really incredible work.

I'm thinking that when I do my clutch this Spring I'll have to do some updating since my car has so many miles@!

It's about to turn 14,000!

irondog · 05-18-2009, 08:06 PM

newman,did more than one person put that engine in or it looks like it took aleast two people,and do you have too put the engine in a angle like that to get get it in the compartment,so it sets to one side then settle to the otherside? all I got to say what a nice job

Newman · 05-19-2009, 04:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by irondog

newman,did more than one person put that engine in or it looks like it took aleast two people,and do you have too put the engine in a angle like that to get get it in the compartment,so it sets to one side then settle to the otherside? all I got to say what a nice job

One man job easily if you have no help available. Yes you have to angle it or it will never go in!

archiegibbs · 05-19-2009, 11:30 AM

I can't believe I've missed this thread in the past. It looks absolutely stunning, you've done a wonderful job. I would never be brave enough to attempt anything like it.

Maranellohouse · 06-11-2009, 07:54 AM

We must be due a few more updates by now on how things are progressing surely!

Newman · 06-24-2010, 07:56 AM

Yes ill have some updates shortly and a couple other threads of interest in the boxer and dino246 sections!

Paul.

Pizzaman · 06-24-2010, 04:34 PM

Wow! I just found this thread! Great job sir.

Gcalo · 06-24-2010, 04:47 PM

Wasn't this car featured in Forza about a year or so ago?

Fabulous work.

Can you do mine now please?

Newman · 06-24-2010, 05:20 PM

Yes the car was in issue 98, has a black 599 novitec on the cover.....and thanks!

Newman · 06-24-2010, 05:42 PM

More progress pics. There were parts of the resto that I enjoyed more than others. The interior and the hvac stuff wasnt fun. Under the hood the components and ducting is crammed in there and proper assembly order was critical. The quarter windows and door frames have a thin lip seal almost like a wiper blade, I replaced them all. The door seals that are attached to the pinch welds in the openings were easy to find if looking correct wasnt a priority. You can see the inner half is textured, finding that was tough but I did and its details like those that add time and money to the project. A few shots of the heater fan and rads, etc...

Newman · 06-24-2010, 06:00 PM

At this point I was getting excited! It looked like a car for the first time in years, I could see the light at the end of the tunnel. The interior was my least favourite job, very time consuming. The trunk carpet had to be custom made as none of the regular suppliers offer Euro carpet sets, the US trunk isnt as deep. Headlights in and functioning, I expected to have the winking headlight door problem but I fluked out and they worked right the first time. I needed to make a custom exhaust system, didnt want to drop the car at a muffler shop for the day and wonder what was going on so I elected to do it in my garage. My neighbour has a stainless steel railing company so we measured one evening so the next day he cut and bent pipes, came back that night and we checked the fit....made the adjustments the next day and so on until it fit which was a few evenings of work and a few beers. The muffler is a dynomax buick grandnational muffler with hedman hot tips from summit racing, looks OEM eh? I painted the system after it was TIG welded, ground and fitted one last time, pics to follow.

Newman · 06-24-2010, 06:20 PM

More exhaust pics. Very pleased with the outcome and the sound too! The inner spash shields were easy to put in, yes i should probably splatter black goo all over the bolts and new weather strips but I couldnt bring myself to make a mess of it like orignal. The seal between the underside of the fender and the top of the steel inner structure was a royal pain to change. Its supposed to be on before the front end sheet metal is lowered onto the frame, needless to say I didnt take the front end off so just short of a magic wand was required to get the new stuff in there! Glad I sweat it out though. A few more completed suspension shots. Instruments back in, bright lights, clean dials, anodized face plate. Fitting the aftermarket Euro front bumper which was a thin fiberglass shell that just pretends to be a bumper until its hit. Same on the rear.

A little off topic here. I got a lot of flack for restoring a US spec 308 from club members and people I never met. I have no regrets. Ive since sold the car last november to a new and very happy owner here in Canada. A bonus for me with the magazine article and the exposure that goes with that has landed me a half finished restoration on a basket case 72 246 dinoGT for a client. I plan to start a thread here on this site once Im underway in a few weeks once im in my new house with a much larger garage!

wetpet · 06-24-2010, 07:51 PM

unbelievable. thanks for the update and can't wait to see the dino. great work.

Pizzaman · 06-24-2010, 08:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Newman

A little off topic here. I got a lot of flack for restoring a US spec 308 from club members and people I never met. I have no regrets.

How dare they!! They think they could have done better?? The nerve off them!

You did a great job.

02-16-2009, 08:16 AM	#41
Newman Owner Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: canada Ferrari Life Posts: 266 Name: Paul	Engine time. I found the straps were a great way to get the right angle and there's no way it will drop unless the picker failed of course. I was able to install it myself this way as well. Suspension installed along with calipers. I installed the engine without the carbs only because I didnt have all the carb parts at the time I was putting the powertrain back in. I would have had them on and mechanically synced first if my timing was right. Like most things on this project though, there were unexpected delays and headaches. I want to point out that the engine IS NOT painted. I used an aluminum rim cleaner and lots of scrubbing on the block, heads and gearbox. The bellhousing, valve covers, timing covers and intake runners were glass bead blasted. You can see the difference in materials if you look at the bellhousing and block. The housing is made of a different alloy I assume as well as a different process hence the colour differences. Attached Images

05-19-2009, 11:30 AM	#50
archiegibbs Owner Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: United Kingdom Ferrari Life Posts: 3,923 Name: Archie	I can't believe I've missed this thread in the past. It looks absolutely stunning, you've done a wonderful job. I would never be brave enough to attempt anything like it. Archie

06-11-2009, 07:54 AM	#51
Maranellohouse Owner Elite Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Northern Ireland Ferrari Life Posts: 578	We must be due a few more updates by now on how things are progressing surely! "When I was a boy, I had a dream. It now sits in my garage". www.maranellohouse.com Lifetime Honorary President NI Italian Motor Club www.niimc.net

06-24-2010, 05:42 PM	#56
Newman Owner Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: canada Ferrari Life Posts: 266 Name: Paul	More progress pics. There were parts of the resto that I enjoyed more than others. The interior and the hvac stuff wasnt fun. Under the hood the components and ducting is crammed in there and proper assembly order was critical. The quarter windows and door frames have a thin lip seal almost like a wiper blade, I replaced them all. The door seals that are attached to the pinch welds in the openings were easy to find if looking correct wasnt a priority. You can see the inner half is textured, finding that was tough but I did and its details like those that add time and money to the project. A few shots of the heater fan and rads, etc... Attached Images

06-24-2010, 06:00 PM	#57
Newman Owner Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: canada Ferrari Life Posts: 266 Name: Paul	At this point I was getting excited! It looked like a car for the first time in years, I could see the light at the end of the tunnel. The interior was my least favourite job, very time consuming. The trunk carpet had to be custom made as none of the regular suppliers offer Euro carpet sets, the US trunk isnt as deep. Headlights in and functioning, I expected to have the winking headlight door problem but I fluked out and they worked right the first time. I needed to make a custom exhaust system, didnt want to drop the car at a muffler shop for the day and wonder what was going on so I elected to do it in my garage. My neighbour has a stainless steel railing company so we measured one evening so the next day he cut and bent pipes, came back that night and we checked the fit....made the adjustments the next day and so on until it fit which was a few evenings of work and a few beers. The muffler is a dynomax buick grandnational muffler with hedman hot tips from summit racing, looks OEM eh? I painted the system after it was TIG welded, ground and fitted one last time, pics to follow. Attached Images

02-18-2009, 11:39 AM	#43
irondog Owner Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: sacramento,ca Ferrari Life Posts: 13	looking great Newman

02-27-2009, 04:00 PM	#46
Neonzapper Owner Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: D.C./Manila Ferrari Life Posts: 1,004 Name: Mykol	Newman, I thought I saw a speck of dirt in your engine bay, but upon further review, it turned out to be on my computer monitor. Michael

02-27-2009, 09:04 PM	#47
Gcalo Owner Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: San Ramon, Calif Ferrari Life Posts: 3,617	That is really incredible work. I'm thinking that when I do my clutch this Spring I'll have to do some updating since my car has so many miles@! It's about to turn 14,000!

05-18-2009, 08:06 PM	#48
irondog Owner Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: sacramento,ca Ferrari Life Posts: 13	newman,did more than one person put that engine in or it looks like it took aleast two people,and do you have too put the engine in a angle like that to get get it in the compartment,so it sets to one side then settle to the otherside? all I got to say what a nice job

06-24-2010, 07:56 AM	#52
Newman Owner Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: canada Ferrari Life Posts: 266 Name: Paul	Yes ill have some updates shortly and a couple other threads of interest in the boxer and dino246 sections! Paul.

06-24-2010, 04:34 PM	#53
Pizzaman Owner Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: NH Ferrari Life Posts: 1,253 Name: Chris	Wow! I just found this thread! Great job sir.

06-24-2010, 04:47 PM	#54
Gcalo Owner Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: San Ramon, Calif Ferrari Life Posts: 3,617	Wasn't this car featured in Forza about a year or so ago? Fabulous work. Can you do mine now please?

06-24-2010, 05:20 PM	#55
Newman Owner Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: canada Ferrari Life Posts: 266 Name: Paul	Yes the car was in issue 98, has a black 599 novitec on the cover.....and thanks!

06-24-2010, 06:20 PM	#58
Newman Owner Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: canada Ferrari Life Posts: 266 Name: Paul	More exhaust pics. Very pleased with the outcome and the sound too! The inner spash shields were easy to put in, yes i should probably splatter black goo all over the bolts and new weather strips but I couldnt bring myself to make a mess of it like orignal. The seal between the underside of the fender and the top of the steel inner structure was a royal pain to change. Its supposed to be on before the front end sheet metal is lowered onto the frame, needless to say I didnt take the front end off so just short of a magic wand was required to get the new stuff in there! Glad I sweat it out though. A few more completed suspension shots. Instruments back in, bright lights, clean dials, anodized face plate. Fitting the aftermarket Euro front bumper which was a thin fiberglass shell that just pretends to be a bumper until its hit. Same on the rear. A little off topic here. I got a lot of flack for restoring a US spec 308 from club members and people I never met. I have no regrets. Ive since sold the car last november to a new and very happy owner here in Canada. A bonus for me with the magazine article and the exposure that goes with that has landed me a half finished restoration on a basket case 72 246 dinoGT for a client. I plan to start a thread here on this site once Im underway in a few weeks once im in my new house with a much larger garage! Attached Images

06-24-2010, 07:51 PM	#59
wetpet Owner Elite Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Chevy Chase, Md Ferrari Life Posts: 7,633 Name: Ed	unbelievable. thanks for the update and can't wait to see the dino. great work.

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode