I have learned volumes from wading through the information and opinions here. I have (finally) become a Porsche owner, and I need to change my user ID.
I have had great respect for 911's and Porsches since high school. The father of one of my classmate's had a new 911S Targa in 1975, but that wasn't the only reason I liked her!
After a divorce I met up with that classmate and now we are married! And the Targa was still in the family!!
My wife's father died tragically in a civil aviation accident 16 years ago, and my mother in law had driven this Targa some, garaged it mostly, but for the last several years it was covered in the driveway, not driven since 1994.
I was patient and only occassionally took peeks under the decaying cover.
A year ago, with my MIL's permission, I took the cover off and scrubbed leaf decay and dirt off. Again asking permission, I tentatively jumper started it. Oil went everywhere. I came back a few days later to clean up the mess and change the oil that was left. The Fram oil filter's element had been compressed inward and the base deformed resulting in the leak. Easy fix, but I still wonder about the cause. This time the engine started and ran smoothly - but the clutch wouldn't disengage. I prepared for another visit to her home 30 miles away. I was told to start the car in first, build some speed and stop with the clutch depressed. I did this several times and then it worked. The engine was running less smoothly and I noticed the tranny wouldn't stay in 3rd and 4th gear. After many stalls I parked the car and over the next four months of visits I checked fuel, ignition etc and couldn't get it to run.
The cars condition:
1975 911S Targa 44,000 mi - always in CA. Metallic Brown
Engine - Original 2.7 with CIS and pop-off installed. No A/C.
Paint - Haze, chipped, gouged and mostly absent over some of engine hatch.
Body - straight except for right rear fender, trace of surface rust totaling the size of a quarter. Hard targa top.
Frame - No rust, original undercoating intact.
Interior - original, no dash or door cracks, each seat has a seam tear.
Brakes - discs rusted, S calipers
Tires - wrong size, good tread, horribly cracked.
Wheels - original Fuchs
Radio - a Blaupunkt with a microphone I heard it one time, then no more.
I got my MIL to agree to have it taken to the local independant Porsche mechanic. Turns out the engine problem was because of corrosion on the points. We agreed to rebuild the transmission. The 3/4 slider was the only worn part, so that was replaced with the synchros, seals and carrier bearings. New clutch to replace the rubber centered one with little wear. The pressure plate mounting bolts looked like they had been tightened with a vice grip - the prior mechanic may not have been the best!
This picture is of the Targa before a thorough cleaning, tires and redoing the wheels.
At this point I wrote a letter describing the costs of restoration and offered to purchase the car from my Mother in Law. I offered her $4,500 with the rationale that it would cost $4,000 to make it driveable and quoted the value from Excellence Market Update.
I brought it home and rebuilt the calipers, refinished the discs, refinished the wheels, new tires, front bearings, replaced the missing hood emblem, painted wiper arms - it began to look pretty but I didn't have an answer from the owner and it wasn't street legal.
I wrote another letter, this one detailing the work and said I would accept my total expenses of $4400 or give her $4500. None of my wife's five siblings want the car but they do want it to stay in the family. She accepted $4,500. So the car is now mine - smogged, registered and insured - to restore as I please. I do not plan to depart from it's stock appearance and would even respray it the same color.
Questions for the Pelicans:
1. Why did the oil filter deform?
2. What would cause isolated wear of the 3/4 slider?
3. Was my offer fair?
4. Should I electively rebuild the 2.7L engine (timecerts, valve guides)? or add tensioners and wait for it to develop problems?
This will be a project and I'm anxious to post pictures of new developments.