Ferrari Mailing List: Mods to the 308

[robert_h_bowser [at] juno.com (robert_h_bowser]

I know this is heresy, but I've done a few mods over the years to my 308GTS in 
order to fix some rather annoying deficiencies in the old carb version of the 
308.  Thought these might interest some of you.

So....if your 308 is a garage queen only used for concourse events judged by 
beady eyed little men....or if you think Enzo can do no wrong and is currently 
sitting on the left hand of God the Father, please delete this post right now.

COOLING SYSTEM -

1.  Plug upper hose on radiator expansion tank (the small one).  This mod 
solves the infamous 'air in radiator' problem.  Under normal operation, the 
water pump has a tendency to suck air from the upper portion of the expansion 
tank via this hose and expel it down the big pipes to the radiator, where it 
collects.  A small amount can seriously impact coolant flow, causing 
overheating.  Plugging this hose eliminates the problem, and doesn't appear to 
have any adverse affects.

I ran my 308 for a while with the hose plugged, then decided to simply modify 
the tank.  I had a radiator shop extend the hose barb down inside the tank to a 
level below the coolant.  That way, if it sucks anything, it won't be air.

2.  Replace industrial flat-fin radiator core with standard automotive 
crinkle-fin core.  For a long time, my 308 would run hot.  Didn't seem to have 
much reserve cooling capacity.  Tried having the radiator cleaned and rodded.  
Didn't seem to help.  Radiator seemed to flow a lot of coolant, but didn't seem 
to do very well in the heat transfer department.  So I replaced the heavy, 
industrial type core with a (much lighter) standard automotive type core.  What 
a difference.  Car ran a lot cooler, with lots of reserve capacity.  Now the 
cooling fans rarely come on.

3.  Replace cooling fans with generic pancake fans.  The cooling fans on the 
308 are fairly useless.  I mounted a pair of 13" pancake fans on the front of 
the radiator.  They work great.  Now, when they come on, the temperature gauge 
reflects the fact they are actually working.  Temp goes right down.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

1.  Added Ignition Switch relay.  Ignition switch is rather weak.  Actually, 
almost all the switches are problematic.  If there is too much resistance in 
the ignition switch, you will notice the GEN light coming on faintly under 
conditions where it shouldn't.  Mounted the relay in the relay panel.

2.  Added Ignition Relay to feed Electronic Ignition.  Electronic Ignition 
requires a good electrical feed.  I installed a relay specifically to feed the 
Electronic Ignition circuit.  Also mounted in the relay panel.

3.  Rubber Band Fuse Panel.  The fuse panels on the 308 suck.  Fuses held in 
place by little brass paddles with little spring to them.  After a while, the 
fuses are bouncing around between the two paddles with intermittent contact.  
All sorts of funny things start happening.  Most people simply replace the 
panels.  Being cheap, I got some rubber bands and wound them around the 
paddle/fuse combination to hold them tightly together.  Cheap, and it works.  
No fuse panel problems.  You may cring, but nothing succeeds like success.

4.  Window Relay Set.  The window switches get gummed up easily, resulting in 
inconsistent operation.  I made up a set of four relays to provide power to the 
driver side motor.  Now, the switch just activates the relays.  Doesn't make 
the windows go up any faster, but operation is much more consistent.

5.  Installed Headlight Mod. (Selective ED).  Provides Erectile Dysfunction 
when the parking lights are on.  Full erection when the headlights are 
activated.  I wrote up the procedure for doing this, and I think Dave Handa 
posted it on a Ferrari club website a while ago.  It may still be there.

6.  Removed electrical bricks hidden behind passenger footwell panel.  I think 
they controlled the 'Slow Down' lights.  Not having the thermocouples on the 
cats, they mainly provided a drain on the battery.  Although I rarely let the 
car sit, when it does, the battery does not drain like it used to.

ENGINE

1.  Totally rebuilt with 9.7 to 1 pistons.  Due to electrolysis, had to replace 
the block with a good used one.

2.  Replaced fiber gears on the camshafts with aluminum ones.

3.  Synchronized the carbs (including balancing the throats on the carbs).  AND 
THEN LEFT THEM ALONE.

4.  Set timing for 12 deg BTDC.  Seems to start easiest that way, and idles 
smoother.

5.  Removed A/C compressor.  A/C didn't work, and, even if it did, it is 
useless with the top off....which mine almost always is.  Removing the dead 
weight makes maintenance access much easier.

6.  Disconnected the choke cable.  Choke is never needed, and the lever is easy 
to accidently activate.  Also should disable the rear defroster for the same 
reason.  Need to do that.

CHASSIS

1.  Replaced 14" wheels with 15" Gotti versions.  Provides better handling and 
much better tire selection.  Looks better too, IMHO.  One of these days, I may 
get a set of 16" wheels.  Can't justify the cost right now.

2.  Although not really a mod, I recently replaced just about everything in the 
front suspension.  All new shocks, bushings, ball joints, tie rod ends, etc.  
This has really tightened up the handling.  Ain't no Z06, but it sure is fun on 
a windy road.

So...purists my shudder, but the above mods have made my 308 a much more 
drivable machine.  Starts right up.  Never misses a beat.  My grocery-getter, 
Home-Depot-runner.  Daily driver.

Other than the engine rebuild and the new wheels, the expense has been fairly 
low.  Lots of labor (of love), though.

Bob
'78 308GTS
'01 Corvette Z06
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