308 GTS #26355 1978 model / 16k Original Miles - Purchased

Replaced 200 Air Correctors with 190 and Main Jets to 135. Run great and accelerates better above 3500 rpm. Fun!

 

My task was to replace my air filter. I spent some time thinking of a method to do this by myself. I finally figured it out and replaced my air filter without removing my rear deck lid from the my 308. I work by myself on my 308, so I had to figure out a way to create more space above the air filter housing. I used a piece of wood which fits across the trunk area to support a box with a rubber mat on top of it to protect the lower part of the deck lid. I placed the box where it would allow me access to the bolts holding the forward part of the deck lid. I placed a blanket to prevent any damage to forward part of deck lid. I also used another smaller box to adjust the lift of the forward part of the deck lid and I also moved the deck lid rearward to prevent any damage. After replacement of the filter, it was a matter of moving the larger box, smaller box, and pushing deck lid forward to attach the deck lid to the hinge plates. Two phillip screwdrivers installed in the alignment holes were very helpful.
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Needed to insulate the garage door. It faces East and was at 94F, while air temperature was at 75. I saw this video and purchased 1/2 inch foam panels Rtech at Lowe’s. It took me 2 hours to install.


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Started having idle speed going up and down and carbs popping, recently. I shot some starting fluid at the bottom of the carbs and had engine speed change. A local shop worked on my 308 a year ago. After their service, the vacuum hoses were connected to wrong items or not connected at all. I ended up fixing all of these when I got my 308 back. I noted the idle speed issues and popping a month ago. I also noted the wetness at the carb insulators. So, I removed the carbs, purchased some new insulator bases and gaskets. I plan to use Blue Hylomar to seal the carbs and gaskets. Once done, I will check if any ignition issues. I do have a spare distributor with points for front and rear bank. I set it with my SUN distributor tester. I plan to install this on my rear bank to keep the same centrifugal advance for both banks. I will run one of the point leads to the coil for the forward bank distributor.
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Setting up the install of my spare distributor in the rear bank to fire the rear and front bank. The forward distributor will just distribute the spark via the rear distributor. I am in the process of placing the crank at AF 7 for cylinder #1. I used my wifi endoscope to see the flywheel position as I turned the front crank pulley. I verified the intake cam was in the compression stroke. I also had previously marked my camshafts for Cylinder 1 in compression. I already tested my spare distributor on my SUN machine and it was within 1 degree for all 8 openings of the points. I ran it to 3000 distributor rpm with a good advance curve.
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Still working on the distributor mod. I had to redo all the spark plug wires in the distributor cap due to high resistance. Waiting on some parts to complete. Running rear distributor R2 to trigger the fwd coil. Disconnected the front distributor R1 to fwd bank coil.
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Rear Distributor installed, R1 to rear bank coil and R2 to front bank coil. Need to install new plugs next. BP5ES. Tomorrow. Image Unavailable, Please Login

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Too many misfires and and pulsing in the exhaust. My spark plug wires are too old and have multiple opens in the wires, off and on.
So, time to replace them. I purchased Kingsborne spark plug wire with a copper wire core to replace the original noise suppressor type spark plug wires. I very rarely use the radio and cassette player. I prefer to hear the Weber’s since I installed a used airbox without the noise suppression. I purchased the terminals and coil terminal also. I have a spark plug wire “W” crimper to attach them. I am waiting on QV distributor rotors to arrive on Monday. I will then fire it up to set up the carbs.
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Finally, completed a rebuild of my spare distributor. Replaced upper bearing (seal missing in some areas), cleaned and re-greased all items. Advance weights with Moly grease and ignition points with Bosch Distributor grease. Tested on Sun distributor tester and is good. I ended keeping the dual distributor set up. I relubed the rear distributor. Both distributors have matching advance curves. Took my wife to dinner in Arroyo Grande Village and it runs great and the engine responds to throttle pedal immediately.

 

I finally modified a S159 distributor to fire both rear and front bank cylinders. I purchased two new base plates, short lead point set, long lead point set, and I created an aluminum plate to attach one of the points sets to achieve the 45 degree separation.
I assembled the pieces and dialed in the 45 degree separation of points with my distributor tester. The advance curve meets the Ferrari specs.
I replaced my rear bank distributor with my modified one. R1 used for rear bank coil and R2 for front bank coil. I set the R1 to 7 degrees BTDC on compression stroke. Checked with timing light and right on.
308 started up immediately and engine ran smooth. After a drive to operating temperature the idle rpm went from 1000 to 1350.
I will have to check the air flow / air mixture to lower it to 1000 - 1100. I turned down the idle screw all the way and it only went to 1235.
It ran great on the road and highway. Accelerates better than previous.
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Found out I used the wrong timing mark on the flywheel. Always check twice. I set the distributor to AF 7 PM1-4. I adjusted idle to 1050. Runs great!!

 

My post on installation of headlight wiring kit to reduce current through the light switch stalk contact. Works great.

https://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/posts/147671172/

 

My post on LED conversion:
https://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/posts/147633922/

 

Photos of Marelli adapter for distributor tester. Works great on my older Sun Distributor tester.!!
Sourced from: http://www.paramountd.com/parts.html

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My 1978 Ferrari 308 was originally purchased at Hollywood Sport Cars in early 1979 and has been a California 308 its entire life. After some research, I found a copy of the coat of arms for Hollywood Sport Cars. I had some external stickers created with the coat of arms. I installed one of the stickers in the lower center of the rear glass.
Does not obstruct my view rearward.
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I also got a T shirt with the Hollywood Sport Cars emblem.

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