Abandoned Ferrari 308 Rebuild Restoration - Part 1

[@Ratarossa]

Big thanks to Carvertical for sponsoring todays video: Make sure you use my LINK for a 10% discount: www.carvertical.com/gb/landing/v3?a=Ratarossa&b=38b26e3a&voucher=ratarossa PROMO CODE: RATAROSSA

[@theParticleGod]

Timing is the thiiiii-ing that's true, good timing from me to you....

[@IDM328]

Spark on #4 looked pretty intermittant to me. Do a continuity test on all the plug leads and the coil leads. They are spiral wound wires & they can break internally but still work as the spark jumps the gap inside them. As the gap gets bigger they get more flaky. Also check the caps & rotor arms for cracks & wear. Also, check you have the right plug extenders & measure the resistance on them. The later 308s & 328s show zero resistance but I think some of the earlier 308s had a different spec extender & they are not interchangeable AFAIK. Don't know where the changeover happened but someone on Fchat will. Another thought: check inside the dizzy caps. If there is oil in there then the cam seals have gone & that never helps

[@baasbowing]

What he said👆🏼

[@davidbritt6676]

Yeah, seemed like spark only came on with RPM. I agree with IDM328. And I was wondering if the coil(s) could be weak, but also thinking that would have the opposite effect with spark vs rpm.

[@39PSIOnTheDaily]

The lovely part about Jack is that not only is he a true gent to all his long-time subscribers but he’s also incredibly relatable. For most of us car guys, we fix one thing only to have another gremlin pop up, and Jack is the epitome of tenacity in regards to fixing them!

[@vtouloumtzoglou]

I’ve just successfully debugged a very similar problem with a Mondial QV Cabriolet I’m currently working on and went through the same painful process only to find out that the injector seals are not the correct ones as well… In my case the problem was one of the 3 crank sensors was only working when hot, so one bank would not work and as soon as the car would heat up, massive explosion and then running smoothly… swapped it with another one and the problem moved to the other bank, so I knew I had found my smoking gun. I ordered a new one and the only thing I had to do was adjust the holes on the sensor by a couple of mm on each side.

[@tiagoalves2543]

Spark looked rather weak at low revs, my bet is on coil leads or distributor.

[@19mati67]

It even did any at low end? I didn't see any spark at idle.

[@tiagoalves2543]

@@19mati67 yeah it looked like it didn't flash at all.

[@fgroen1225]

+1

[@strat0871]

Same thought !

[@oukie666]

+1 also, I've had this exact fault before where it would sputter and cut out at low rev's but a bit higher and it would run fine, turned out the main lead was breaking down internally.

[@rickylefleur2158]

I loved the car wizzards approach to throw it all out and put a modern ignition system in.

[@knoxyish]

yep i got that to but still there is something about playing with big Weber's an adjusting points!!!!! i think the wizard picked up a bargain there .....

[@justinlittle3683]

Working on a Ferrari with an axe is why KZbin is such an amazing place. Excellent content, keep it up!

[@Ratarossa]

Cheers dude

[@rolexmd69]

This 308 has a color combo that made it one of my favorites on the channel. Awesome car that most wouldn't be afraid to drive and play with. I see the F40 front bonnet on the back of the Ratarossa Scott at 25:40ish. EPIC brother!

[@pmiller7886]

Jack is a great lad, so good to see him pop in!

[@ganeshshenoy1102]

Nice to see jack on the channel❤

[@Ratarossa]

we had a fun day for sure

[@anticalgary]

Loved the collab with Jack. Great bloke

[@Ratarossa]

Sure is

[@stuartkarshagen6274]

No idea on vehicle electricals 😂, but I do see a F40 LM front clam shell🤔

[@conniebenny]

OK, it's not the BBi or even the 430, but I can't deny that I loved this video. Quite apart from the 308 being THE iconic Ferrari from my childhood, and certainly one of the prettiest cars Maranello made, I always find your dedication, knowledge, skill and determination to be both inspirational and endlessly interesting. I'm looking forward to seeing this beautiful 308 restored to its former glory, and then further down the road, I also look forward to the proceeds of its sale helping to fund something between the letters 'K' and 'N' in the alphabet😉

[@Ratarossa]

Thanks … and very clever last remark 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻

[@malcolmhardwick4258]

@@Ratarossa Lambo or Maserati !

[@wackyack3165]

I would next try swopping the plug leads, then look at the coil (coils?)

[@richpolecat6527]

You should be doing a compression test on a warm engine, with the throttle fully open. You also have a difference of 15psi between cylinders, that's slightly concerning, but hopefully nothing to worry about at this stage. I'd recommend you get the engine upto running temperature, then repeat the test.

[@E92M3Guy]

I like the F40 LM front clamshell on prominent display Scott , nobody has noticed it yet. 😉😉😉😉

[@claretlover1]

So glad that you two got together!

[@v6clio22]

Have you replaced the distributor caps and rotor arms previously? The coils are controlled by the two crankshaft sensors. Maybe somethings a miss there? The fuel metering unit seems OK but these normally need a refurb and a tune up. They run alot smoother as a result.

[@tomsilver8241]

Have you checked the spark plug LEADS resistance ,I saw sporadic spark . Also the fuel distributor could be dirty, have you checked the fuel spray pattern? Coils on the way out cause sporadic spark also, cracked cap also..Cheers.

[@MRALAINMICHAEL]

amazing educational videos!! What a talent. And we are so fortunate!! Thank you!!!

[@andrewharpin6749]

Check the dizzy bearings, if the rotor arm is moving away from the contact in the cap it will lose spark.

[@IDM328]

There is no dizzy bearing. the rotor arm just hangs off the end of the camshaft.

[@andrewharpin6749]

@@IDM328 there will be 2, it's driven from the camshaft, but the advance weights will need to be kept in check. I can see from photos the bottom one.

[@IDM328]

@@andrewharpin6749 No bearings, no advance weights, advance is done by the ignition boxes, the rotor is on the end of the cam.

[@bobzdar]

cylinders on top on the hood struts, oil in the cylinder lubricates the seal, if you install it with rods up the seals dry out (faster) and the struts end up leaking prematurely.

[@jonkwin9620]

Make a slot with a cutting disc in the top of the cable mount on top of the valve cover - then it will be easier next time !

[@justinwarren1256]

Great to see you back on the 308. Love your work.

[@baitse7676]

CIS injectors very rarely go bad; however, the injector seals do parish. Sometimes, just giving them a tap while they're under pressure will free them up. Leaky seals will let in unmetered air and cause a lean condition. I'd swap in another ignition coil. Compression can blow out the spark if your coil is weak. Does the misfire get worse as the engine heats up? I know that the engine passed your compression test, but bad intake valve seats can give a similar stumble.

[@andrewhover9910]

Sparkplug leads,i had the same problem with a dolomite sprint in the 80's.

[@rodplumb9805]

I believe it’s the Bosch Fuel Distribution unit. Water from fuel over decades corrodes the internals of the unit, this is compounded by previous owners not having the fuel filter changed. Your Bosch service agent may be able help, but whether it can be over hauled/serviced or exchanged for a reconditioned unit at 40 years old is another matter and IF not and a new one is available from Ferrari I think you’ll need to re-mortgage😅 After saying that I do hope it’s something simple, good luck. Regards Rod

[@jyriniemimuukko5163]

I suggest to check the fuel distributor also - misfires could be a lean condition at idle. Fuel distributor is pretty easy to DIY flow test to make sure it works correctly. Only down side is that you should use known good injectors to do that, so the removed old injectors are a no go. Run the fuel pump via override switch (replace the fuel pump relay perhaps) and get 8 equal soda bottles and run the fuel in those by pressing the air flap (like when you were priming the system).

[@chele-chele]

Coil and wire swap as well as plugs, see if the problem migrates.

[@morgananderson9647]

I think the problem is the plug wires. As revs build up the spark can "fail to keep up". I had the same problem with my Mazda 323 GTX. Would idle fine, would rev (not under load) fine. It was annoying and strange to experience. Everything checked out on the distributor, cap, rotor, Coil, & Plugs. Replaced the plug wires, and no more problems. M-

[@M1LAD81]

Hey Scott. Work your way up to the distributor by eliminating the ht leads, ignition coil, rotor, rotor cap then then finially the distributor itself. Also have you ruled out the Ignition Control Module? Does it have the Magneti Marelli Digiplex module? If so, this may have failed or partially failed/on it's way out.

[@Ratarossa]

You are on the ball here with this suggestion 👍🏻

[@WrenchS13]

spark plugs can spark fine outside but have no spark at all under compression.

[@Quattro_Joe]

Aw yeah. Love the 308 content.

[@Ratarossa]

Ill be doing this one then the black 308

[@Quattro_Joe]

@@Ratarossa cheers for the heads up. I’ll keep some Peroni chilling for these builds 😜

[@C4793-h3o]

Nice touch with that 🪓🤣I’ve used a Makita with its battery to tap stuff in (not on cars though)

[@markscarborough1018]

Jack could start a specialist 308 garage with the experience he's gained over the last few years... he's been through the lot 😂

[@vandermeulenthomas2482]

Electrical ground for fuel pump, ignition coils and engine. I am also thinking about balancing the k jetronic. This explains the random issue. Thanks for the video.

[@samchisholm1250]

What a fantastic surprise to come back to after a sunday gym session 😁😁

[@bigkevonbass]

Try looking in the engine bay in the dark, if its arcing somewhere you'll see it. It was how i found a bad HT lead on my Escort XR3, on the hard shoulder of the M6!

[@ChristianRThomas]

That's how I found the distributor cap on my Mini 1000 was cracked. I didn't believe cracks could really cause such a problem but there it was, glowing all over like a miniature Christmas Tree . 😂😂 That would have been not long after this 308 came off the production line. 😀

[@BROOKSCOLLECTABLES]

Did we just invent the podcast ? and was there a man with his top off in the background 😂😂😂 thanks for editing out the litigious bits I said too ! The Mike on that camera is way better than the one I have for not picking up background noise ! Great video and a great day too, see you soon M

[@tommytar222]

To check each cylinder is running ok, Try a heat gauge { fluke] or thermal camera on the exhaust manifold. ie, if it's cold on the outlet its not working.

[@colinpryke8871]

If anybody is thinking of copying this test of pulling the spark plug out with the engine running then use your right hand for it! If you do pick up a shock from the HT circuit then it reduces the chance of it passing through your heart and stopping it..... And don't have your left hand on a good earth, otherwise the shock can pass through your chest anyway... Ratarossa has invented a Ferrari defibrillator...! 😁

[@RavenRestoProjects]

Love a 308 ever since Magnum Pi 🤣🤣 looking forward to this one !! 👍

[@rugu6869]

Looks like the coil is an issue. I'm sure you already know that. Great video. Can't wait till you get back on the BBi

[@gareth6121]

Just wondering if that spark issue might be distributor related..... I remember the car wizard having some similar issues with his 308

[@xarups]

Distributor. More specifically the Rotor, if it has one. Done that, still with issue, could be low voltage due low rpm, but not necessarily the alternator. Check grounds, main cable resistances and the voltage drop along the way. Since the age, and all the time it spent stopped, it's due to have oxidation, cinnabar or stuff.

[@eze8970]

More Ferrari 'character', good to see Jack as well, thanks! 🙏🙏

[@mrh6577]

“I don’t need to take the engine cover off as it doesn’t make a difference.” 5mins later, “taking the engine cover off is much better” 😂😂

[@NZMASTEROFGAME]

Time to RATAROSSA!!!!!!

[@Ratarossa]

thanks

[@NZMASTEROFGAME]

​@@Ratarossa your welcome, love the vids mate!

[@dexxxter82]

Probably timing issues or distributor corrosion, maybe replace cables if they have verdigris, and check if electronics have proper ground. Since the age of the car I would also clean tank + replace fuel pick-up filter and check for restrictions/leakage after fuel pump. Also check how the air fuel ratio is handled on this particular car, and inspect for air leakages or restraints.

[@markblyth8513]

Liked it. Back to some basics and reminded me of the early videos which were my favourite. Keep em coming 👍

[@nzyama]

How satisfying is it to watch the valve covers getting cleaned up? Probably looking better than factory new… well done, mate.

[@imcojanssen]

Great vid as usual. Perhaps you should mount the gas springs the other way around, because in this orientation the end stop buffering doesn't work

[@motorcyclerescuer]

I'm confused because when you pooped the second plug the engine note didn't change indicating that had a bad plug, cap, lead or coil. This was confirmed for me when ut wasn't sparking at all when you had the tester on and let the revs drop. Spark appeared to disappear at low revs.

[@markneishi9348]

Check for corrosion on the cap and rotor in the distributor.

[@Double_deuce22]

Awww, come on guys, it's so simple maybe you need a refresher course. It's all ball bearings nowadays. Now you prepare that Fetzer valve with some 3-in-1 oil and some gauze pads, and I'm gonna need 'bout ten quarts of anti-freeze, preferably Prestone. No, no make that Quaker State.

[@iamkoekwous]

I found that the struts are working better, where the cylinder is on top, and the rod down, so the seal between them is lubricated when the lid is open.

[@trque0fthedevil]

I don’t know if these have one, but ignition amplifier/ignition module would be next port of call. Had similar symptoms on a few of my 205gti’s

[@trencb4016]

Hello from NZ, I recon its in the distributer. If your ever in NZ come hit us up plenty of cool cars to play with. 🙂

[@kavinskysmith4094]

24:42 Distributor Cap, half your cap is missing, it happened on harry's testarossa and was running on half, as the faster it goes the more spark it gives to the rest of the motor thus it smooths out and starts running better, and thus thanks to it not sparking smoothly your getting backfires from it failing to ignite the fuel

[@155andRising]

How old are the plug leads Scott ? Have the been replaced already ? I can’t remember.

[@WilliamMurfitt]

I’d check continuity of the leads, is the 308 running a distributor? Check and replace rotor and cap if needed. Had an intermittent fault on a testarossa as it was a faulty ignition module

[@LiamEgan-m8t]

Hi Scott. I havnt seen you for ages. But worth the wait lol. I have not seen that car before Scott. Its very Nice. Great colour. That Misfire is a Pain in the arse for you. But i rechon you know whats wrong. Your knowledge on that car is Brilliant as with all your car's. Im only good with Motorbikes bro.😊 I was wondering how you were getting on with the Bodywork on the other Ferrari. Thats going too be hard. I would love to be there to help you. Anyway Scott keep it up mate. I ❤ the joke about paying Ferrari prices for a tiny bit of rubber. Very funny 😅. Love it. 26:56

[@Ratarossa]

Hey mate great to hear from you. Yer this one is proving to be a pain to fix. It’s going once sorted and then I’ll be back on the Bbi

[@LiamEgan-m8t]

@@Ratarossa Okay thats brilliant Scott Thanks buddy. 😉😊

[@TheGalifrey]

HT Leads are breaking down on that cylinder, that ignition tester stopped flashing when the misfire started.

[@Ratarossa]

yep agreed

[@lo0nyt0onz]

Yessir, this legend qnd another amazing video.

[@RJN82]

Very nice injector removal tool!

[@Kandyman64]

When are you going to finish the BBi? And the Scud? You have kept us waiting forever on the BBi, it's why I started watching!

[@Ratarossa]

I’ve had problems with the Bbi I’m trying to resolve. Scud video this week

[@Kandyman64]

@@Ratarossa oh no, can you elaborate on the BBi?

[@Ratarossa]

@@Kandyman64 I will when the time is right

A thermal camera would help you identify which cylinder is failing by checking the exhaust temperature. I didn't notice, but did you check the distributor cap and rotor?!? By the way, I loved that color.

[@terrypinner6909]

number 4 looked intermittent do those things have coils for each cyl or 1 for the lot?

[@Ratarossa]

2 coils. 1 for each bank

[@IDM328]

@@Ratarossa Yep, if one of those is bad you will lose a whole bank.

[@knoxyish]

yep a magnet on a stick ive been there!!! as for the misfire some thing on the electronic side breaking down?? strange one ?

[@jamison906]

Scott, did you forget to put the donuts on? It looked like there wasn’t one on the first injector when you were hammering it in with the block of wood. Look at around 18:52

[@mikemulcahy]

What happened to the 430 rebuild? Did I miss something?

[@Ratarossa]

Next video is scud update

[@frankandrews58]

Mate you are amazing.......are you in fact Nico Hulkenberg????? I mean, Monaco on Sunday and Ratarossa on Monday!!!

[@ThomasDoubting5]

Just lube the injector and push it down , cuts straight to smashing it in with a lump of wood and hammer, KZbin gold 🤣 made my day thanks .

[@JaysElectronicTinkerShack]

hmmm looks liek an iffy ignition coil or amplifier gotta be somethign on ignition that spark was intermittent on that one cylinder towards the end of the video if it was on points would say dirty or bad connection but i suspect this has an ignition module of some sort

[@OlsBols]

really interesting video

[@andrewcoombes3063]

Everything that old, change plugs , leads, coil, distributor and check and clean all earth's. Also check for anything that may still have an 80's moustache growing on it!

[@workinprogress1098]

I think it's electrical. Mine was a broken earth. Have you got coils and that module below on the GTSi?

[@nukedathlonman]

Maybe coil, maybe distributor - but my actual hunch is the one (or both - unsure if this 308 has one or two) of the electronic ignition boxes. One other possibility - it's a Bosch electronic fuel injection, and I know those systems have the fuel distribution system that is extremely sensitive to leaks in the distribution system and a host of other problems. They can be a bear and costly to maintain - I know that many cars with it (including the 308) wind up getting carburetor conversions as it's just easier (and less costly) to maintain and tune. One such example (which has quite a few differences from the system in the 308) is Harry Metcalfe ended up converting his recently restored V12 Jag away from the Bosch setup it had because of on going drivability problems and costs of trying to get the system to work properly. But I think the primary problem here is ignition related - spark seems weak and inconsistent.

[@Ratarossa]

Very good this … watch next video

[@rastraman]

My money is on the fuel system since you said that timing marks are good. Those old Bosh k-jetronic can be a pita to deal with.

[@MatthewRendellGooglePlus]

Take it to Halfords, I'm sure they could sort the misfire out for you.

[@markbennett6658]

Halfords would no doubt finish it off completely! My daughter had them fit a new battery. They didn’t tighten the terminals properly and she broke down on the M40 near Oxford an hour or so later after a series of intermittent misfire issues. Not good Halfords🤦‍♂️

[@PixelVogue]

@@markbennett6658 I think he was taking the pi55 lol

[@markbennett6658]

@@PixelVogue of course he was! I was just laying it on with the trowel just how shit they are from personal experience 😂

[@carstenweiland7896]

The 308 is one of the alltime greats in styling, you do not believe me? Ask yourself does it fit to Thomas Magnum and to Jonathan Higgins equally, I think it does.

[@ChristianRThomas]

I agree wholeheartedly. An absolute thing of beauty. No one has ever done lines leading up to and over the front wheel arch anywhere near so well and it's fascinating seeing present-day car designers trying to avoid hitting the 308 lines. One car that does it well is Gordon Murray's T33 Spider and just manages to stay individual. Everyone wants a plunging line around the quarterlights, so you can see out a bit better and not feel so claustrophobic, but most designers give up and put in a straight line instead - or something close.

[@portfarm]

I love the way we fix Ferraris with an axe and some 4 x 2 timber!

[@rudie2902]

I think it is the Capacitor or alternatively the distributor and/or the cables.

[@KSL12]

Spark plug extensions always gave problems.

[@patrickhostler5939]

Love the special Ferrari tool… The Axe!!!😂👌

[@ChristianRThomas]

There should be one in every Ferrari (and Citroen) garage. Behind some glass marked "In Emergency...".🤣🤣🤣

[@kavinskysmith4094]

with servicing this car, what about the engine mounts, would it be possible to unbolt it and lift it with a jack so you can get better access?

[@deancain9387]

check coils, wires and sensors as well as wiring. it is clearly an electrical issue not a mechanical one

[@DJSmith575]

Maybe the 11 o’clock crank sensor is experiencing some oil contamination?

[@Ratarossa]

interesting, i have changed them but will pull and clean them up

[@WideWorldofHobbies]

Possible cold start valve?

[@brentrichardson3366]

nice front clip !

[@tlabort]

SCOTS the man who will find and fix this problem and save some Ferrari owners a shed full of cash

[@friguy4444]

The compression and leak down tests aren't very accurate if the car hasn't been running in the last while. Although with a car with lower miles compared to a normal road car like this it may not really matter. I had thought that when you found the broke plug boots it would have been the cause of the misfires but I'm no Ferrari mechanic that's for sure LOL.

[@uweh1508]

It seems quite obvious to me that the spark (the one that was measured with the spark tester, #4?) is intermittent, causing fuel to be injected without beeing burnt. When the spark returns, this surplus fuel causes this cylinder to misfire - end of the story. I am quite confident that this is whats going on. Next thing for me would be to check all the wiring and spark to this cylinder only. Good luck with this one!

[@bmwloco]

As a Fiat 124 Sport flat hood convertible owner, look for a electrical line with it's coating off. It was a bit hard to find 40 years ago, I see it here.

[@TheQCollection]

Selling cars to fund the Dream Build, let's go Ratarossa....Mmm F-40 2024 you say!!! Cheers from 🇨🇦

[@jdbleazard]

Please, please can we get back to the BBI build?🙏🏻

[@martinturner8110]

Have you checked the coil packs

[@Ratarossa]

yes they are new

[@Gruxxan]

@@Ratarossa just because theyre new doesnt mean theyre good

[@jarekdudzio]

I think this may be spark distributor. This must be electrical issue not mechanical

[@jambo141]

It’s a plug lead , or a coil or a igniter I would bet

[@RustyWrecks]

try putting some copper grease round the thread on that plug it could be a bad earth to the plug (dirty threads on the plug hole) you never know

[@xxinsanitybomer4620]

If it’s came fae USA aw disconnected m8 you will have a gremlin in Lecky lines sure of it new second hand loom try coil pak plugs leads aw usual good luck bro