Kerry's 308 GTS Project
2003
Even though the car was in good shape as I just picked it up and drove it 500 miles a day for three days to get it home, there's always a few details that need attending do.
I had fixed one on the way home when I replaced the driver's window switch. Completely successful and the window always works. In fact both windows work exceptionally well for a 308. Most seem to get gunked up and work slowly at best. But after I got home, the passengers side switch stopped working. This time I repaired it. For that story, click here.
During my stint in the central California valley with no A/C, I tried to adjust the heater controls to let fresh air flow onto my feet. The passenger control worked correctly, but the driver's side didn't. Click here for the solution.
The inside mirror was quite blurry and with no mirror on the passenger side, I had to do a lot of head twisting before changing lanes. For the story on the mirrors, click here.
For those who haven't driven a 308, the gearshift pattern is unusual for a 5-speed. Reverse is where first gear usually is (upper left) and has or had a lockout to prevent accidental engagement. Mine was worn and I had to fix it. Click here to read about it.
On the way back from San Diego, I found that the horn didn't work. I guess I should have tried it early, as I found it out when someone wanted my lane and didn't bother to see if anybody was using it at the time. Luckily, I was in the outside lane and was able to use to shoulder to avoid being hit. I presumed that it was a simple case of the compressor needing oil or perhaps a fuse. It turned out not to be that easy. To read about the horn saga, click here.
As you know, the A/C died on the way back. I finally found and replaced the hose that wore through.
Another known problem was that the zipper for the luggage cover in the engine compartment would just pull apart after you zipped it up. I priced a new cover from UK Ferrari, but it was pretty expensive. Since the cover didn't have any tears and otherwise looked fine, a replacement zipper was in order. Follow on by clicking here.
On the way up from California, I tried to figure out how the radio worked. It was not obvious. One may ask how a radio can be so difficult to work, but I couldn't figure out how to make the manual tuning work. Click here for the rest of the radio story.
I also applied for a heritage certificate from the Ferrari Owner's site.
Lowell Brown pointed out that the foam pieces that seal the front deck lid to the radiator and the spare tire tub were missing. Here's how I replaced them.
Another item I noticed that was missing was the leather strap for one of the roof latches. Here's how I made a new one.
The driver's window started making a clicking noise and wasn't tracking properly. That made me notice that the window felt was coming apart. Click here for that work.
The epic trip to Whistler in the torrential rain made me realize that the ventilation fan wouldn't always work. We spent a lot of time wiping off the condensation on the inside of the windshield.
2004
I ended up replacing the fan switch.
There wasn't a bracket for a front license plate. Click here to read how I installed one.
I had mentioned that the lowered front and Euro spoiler was always causing scrapes. I ended up replacing the front springs.
2005
The water pump shaft sheared off, losing the pulley. I ended up replacing the whole pump.
2007
The fuel pump stopped working for about 15 minutes one day temporarily stranding me. I replaced it.
2008
The 308 turned 30, so put a WA restored plate on the car.
2009
Finally time to replace the timing belts.
Added an additional baffle to the oil sump to prevent oil starvation on long hard corners.
Fixed the jacking points so the jack fits correctly.
2010
2011
Drove the 308 to a car show in N. Vancouver, BC.
Went to a local cars and coffee.
2012
Took the 308 to the local cars and coffee and had a problem with the horn on the way home.
Drove the 308 on a three day FCA event in BC.
Had to fix the brake lights that failed in BC.
Had to replace the front brake lines and pads.
Put the fuel and oil temperature gauges where they belong.
2015