Removing the engine from a Ferrari 308 might seem like a daunting task, but with the right guidance, it’s surprisingly straightforward. This guide, inspired by the expertise of David Feinberg at Ferrari Service of Bedford, will walk you through the process of safely and efficiently removing your 308 Engine. While disconnecting everything takes time and meticulousness, the actual engine removal and installation are remarkably simple when following these instructions.
Step 1: Disconnecting Everything
Before you begin, ensure you have safely disconnected the battery. The first step is to remove the engine lid, providing you with ample access to the engine bay. Disconnecting everything is the most time-consuming part of the process, but crucial for a smooth engine removal. You’ll need to systematically disconnect the following:
- Electrical Connections: Carefully disconnect all electrical connections to the engine. This includes the battery cables, starter wiring, wiring harness connections for gauges and ignition modules, and the engine ground strap connecting the transaxle to the frame.
- Plumbing: Address all plumbing connections. This involves disconnecting coolant hoses and pipes, water heater hoses, the brake booster hose, and oil cooler lines. Remember to safely drain the coolant before disconnecting any coolant lines.
- Mechanical Linkages: Disconnect all mechanical connections. This includes the half-shafts, engine mounts, the torque support located on top of the engine, the clutch linkage, and the shifter linkage.
- Carbureted Models: If you have a carbureted 308, remove the airbox, carburetors, throttle and choke lines, and fuel lines.
- Fuel Injected Models: For fuel-injected models, remove the airbox, throttle body, and K-jet fuel distributor. While not strictly necessary, removing the plenum provides significantly more working space.
- Distributors: Disconnect the distributors.
- Exhaust Manifolds: Unbolt the exhaust manifolds. The front bank manifold can be unbolted and left in place within the engine bay for now.
- A/C Compressor: If equipped, remove the A/C compressor from the engine block. You can leave the hoses attached and the system pressurized. Carefully hang the compressor over the fuel tank, ensuring it’s out of your way.
Once you’ve completed these disconnection steps, your engine bay should resemble the image below, ready for the next phase of removal.
Step 2: Engine Removal
With everything disconnected, it’s time to lift the engine. The key to easy removal is using a tow strap wrapped around the front bank of the engine as illustrated.
Lifting from the front bank causes the engine to naturally pivot into the ideal angle for removal. Crucially, before lifting, protect the car’s roof and rear window with padding or blankets to prevent any accidental damage as the engine is lifted and extracted. Ensuring the strap is positioned correctly to maintain the engine level (preventing left or right tilting) is vital to avoid it catching on the frame during the lift. As you lift from the front, the engine will naturally tilt towards the rear – this is the desired movement. However, constantly monitor to ensure it remains level side-to-side.
This method eliminates the need for engine levelers or any complex equipment. A robust tow strap and an engine hoist are all you need.
The balance achieved by this lifting method is remarkable. You can even stabilize the engine with just a finger once it’s airborne, showcasing the equilibrium achieved. Observe in the image how the engine has tilted rearward, with the differential hanging down, yet maintaining perfect left-to-right levelness – the optimal position for effortless removal.
Step 3: Engine Reinstallation
Reinstalling the 308 engine is almost as straightforward as removing it. Again, utilize the tow strap around the front bank to lift and maneuver the engine. For safety and precision, have at least three people involved in the reinstallation. One person should operate the engine hoist, while the other two guide the engine from each side of the car. This ensures it clears all obstacles and smoothly aligns with the engine mounts. A fourth person acting as a spotter can be beneficial, providing additional perspectives and ensuring clearance from various angles.
A critical tip for reassembly: before lowering the engine back into the car, place the front exhaust manifold within the engine bay, as shown.
This is because it is extremely difficult to install the front manifold once the engine is in place. By pre-positioning it, you can drop the engine in and then easily bolt the manifold to the engine.
The following images capture a Ferrari Fix It Club (FFIC) team, including David Feinberg, reinstalling a 308 engine. Note that in this instance, on this carbureted model, the carburetors are removed, but almost everything else is pre-installed, including the bell housing, streamlining the process.
With one person operating the hoist, the team carefully lowers the engine into the 308 chassis. Notice again the protective covering over the rear window, roof, and sail panels, safeguarding against accidental damage.
With practice and a coordinated team, the engine can indeed be placed back into the 308 in a matter of minutes – often, setting up the engine hoist takes longer than the actual engine installation.
Additional Pointers for 308 Engine Work
- Engine Hoist Considerations: Engine hoists have long legs to provide stability with the boom extended. These legs must go under the car. The low ground clearance of the 308 can be an issue. You might need to back the car onto boards to gain a little extra height for the hoist legs to fit underneath.
- Garage Space: This job ideally requires a substantial garage, with a ceiling height of at least 10 feet, to accommodate the engine hoist and allow for maneuvering the engine once suspended. If indoor space is limited, a paved driveway can be a viable alternative.
- Engine Mount Spacers: When removing the engine mounts, carefully note the position and orientation (front/back and top/bottom) of the spacers. The front spacers are mushroom-shaped and are easily inverted during reassembly. The wider end should face the engine, and the narrower end towards the frame.
- Spacer Installation Tip: Consider lowering the engine onto the frame rails without the spacers initially. Then, use a floor jack to slightly lift the front and then the back of the engine to create space for inserting the spacers and aligning the bolt holes. A tapered drift rod can be helpful for aligning the three holes – frame rail, spacer, and motor mount – as precise alignment is needed for bolt insertion. Having the engine just resting on the rails allows for minor adjustments to achieve this alignment.
Disclaimer: This guide is for informational purposes only and intended for experienced individuals familiar with automotive repair. Engine removal and installation should be undertaken with caution and proper safety measures. If you are not comfortable performing this work yourself, always consult a qualified professional Ferrari mechanic.
