Ferrari Mailing List: Re: Francis's 308GT4

[Rick Lindsay (richardolindsay]

Yes Francis, you did update us on the fans. Thanks.

The 308GT4 is a wonderful car. Last weekend I participated in the Radnor Hunt Concours. Phil Tegtmeier handed me a beautiful '89 348tb to drive to the show. It was outstanding. Yes, too modern for me, but a beautiful and fun car.

 -rick

-------- Original message --------

From: francis newman

Date:09/25/2014 12:52 PM (GMT-06:00)

To: Rick Lindsay

Cc: francis newman , The FerrariList

Subject: Re: [Ferrari] Francis's 308GT4

So Guys

A few updates.

Canlt remember exactly what or when I last posted.

1. Did I tell you I fiitted 2 x 9" Kenlowe fans? Can't remember. Didn't have to remove the original brackets and have the orginal fans so can be restored to stock if a future owner so wishes. But the new fans work really efficiently as does the A/C The radiatier temp sensor/sender seems to have a mind of its own so have bought a new one but it's a bit of a bugger to access so a lot of swearing will take place.

2, Have sourced a neoprene foam strip to seal between the radiator and bonnet (hood) have got the clean of the remnants of the original foam before fitting.

3, Bought a load of rubber door and window seals and felt window strip to fit over winter.

4. Had two half hour sessions on track at Silverstone on Tuesday. First with instructor ex FOC GB sec Peter Everingham who is an experienced racer and really pushed me. Great fun. Abbey (turn one) in 4th with just a dab on the brakes before entry was epic. Love it. Bit scary the first two times I did it though.

5. Then when readjusting before driving home the interior mirror fell off. Luckily local race preparer FF Corse sorted me out with some double sided and duct tape to get me home. Then on the way home I got a load of vibration through the steering between 40 and 60 mph.

So today I had the  front wheels rebalanced- one was 35 gms out, and bought some sticky stuff for the mirror. Spent a lot of time cleaning the old stuff of the windscreen, and took the mirror apart as the actual mirror surface was pretty dirty and it is now really nice and won't annoy me when I look in it.

6. My indy shop (QV) agree that my ride heigh needs to be raised. That means 2 x 10mm nylon spacer for a few dollars. Quoted 4 hours. Friends have been persuading that I can do it myself. Means buying a spring compressor ( $40-$70 depending on spec) This is a bigger job than I have ever done so having to think hard.

7. I was going to have the car totally resprayed over the winter. A number of freinds have said I should preserve the patina, the car was last repainted in 1990 - original colour. There are a few corrosion points that HAVE to be fixed but a lot of the other bits are just paint reaction problems (a few crack lines) This will never be a concours car - I just want it to look good, not perfect, So got to decide.

8 Had lunch at Silvertsone with Antony Shine. One of my original friends from  the Ferrarilist - and still a friend after all these years.

9. I just love my GT4 so much. Sorry Clyde - carbs rule :-)

Best
Francis