'76 308 Cam Cover Finish?

Either replaced or refinished, 5-8 is the correct one.

 

I think someone sandblasted that rough finished one, and then decided that it did not look good and stopped there.

 

My 1980 was the same way. I can only surmise it was difference when things were cast and how they were cast. I have no reason, based on POs, to believe any blasting or alterations were done.

I, however, did sand blast and powdercoat both so they are identical surfaces now.

Rick

 

US spec cars have a different rear bank cam cover. The front cover is smooth and the same for the whole world whereas the rear cover is smooth for the rest of the world in both the dry sump and non dry sump cars (one has an oil filler and the other does not)

For US cars the rear cam cover has cast in it brackets to hold the emissions air pumps and as a result it is a different casting. I cannot comment on why it is rough and the other is smooth but that is the way it is. There has been no tampering or re-finishing here. For quick reference here is how it works:

Smooth front cam covers: All 308 models regardless of market

Smooth rear cam covers: All non US GTB and GTS Models. GT4's BTW had smooth rear cam covers

Rough rear cam covers: All US GTB and GTS Models.

Please note that this info applies to 2 valve cars. I have no data for QV cars.

 

Not so. They are machined to be flat and use a gasket. They are entirely interchangeable between cars and I have seen it done many times.

 

Really? Well I'll delete the misinformation, then ...thanks!!!

I'm sure it was here somewhere, I read the statement....

 

As long as the cam seal bores line up. You may notice there are matching numbers stamped into the covers that match the head. The boxer is the same and I was told - did not experience - they are machined with the head and clearly they are so the possibility exists that there will be a mis-alignment for the seal.

As for the cover, the front is Die-cast, the rear sand cast which is correct for the US spec car because of the air injection mount.

 

Thanks Newman.....I thought I had read of someone's problems with it.....

 

Yup, what he said.

And there are often seal alignment problems. I know of a few cars running around with the wrong covers with massive oil leaks that would require considerable welding and machining to rectify.

 

I wonder if that's why I'm having seal problems with my GT4. It's a GTS motor, but I believe that the cam covers are still GT4, and they are both smooth.

 

I bet thats your problem and if it is, that will be a royal pain to fix.