911SC has not moved in 18 years, What To Do??

[maxa]

I left my 1978 Porsche SC, some 18 years in my garage, without running it. I will not waste time on this point, but it has been well established that this was remarkably STUPID!!!

I have posted messages to this board, but the bottom line is that it really needs to run, as I intend to sell it. The car is cosmetically excellent.

I have been told to put penetrating oil in all cylinders, let stand, and rock the crankshaft, to free the rings.

The engine still has oil in it but it seems to be PH neutral. It is caramel in color, not black.

The gas tank bottom still is wet with gas, ie it has not all evaporated, as some have conjectured. What do I do to the fuel system to clean it out to run? What should I do to the fuel line? Any other thoughts? I have been told to use gas heavily loaded with Techroline.

I intend to crank the engine for 40-60 seconds, (spread over a number of minutes), to circulate the oil which has not circulated in 18 years, spark off. Are the oil passages in this engine big, or constricted? Is it possible that they might be blocked? Is this a reasonable way to lubricate this dry engine.? Engine is 3.0 model.

What about the chain tensioners? I had this mod done 20 years ago, but I do not know exactly what was done.

A number of people said to not start it. I do not pretend to be a Porsche mechanic. What is realistic to do? What other things are useful? I believe the fuel system to be the major problem. Comments? Recommendations???

Is there any danger of an engine fire?? I cannot get it out of my garage, until the engine runs.

Anyone have a mechanic in the SF south bay area that they like??

Thanks for your comments!

[sms1305]

My suggestion is to sell it AS IS. Without seeing it, I'd speculate that more damage could be done by trying to get it running again if it's not done "professionally." If I were buying it, I would want to do the work myself anyway and would be content to know that I know what I've got, namely a great car that hasn't been tinkered with for two decades. Starting the engine is just the beginning. You will have many other issues with the other systems, in my opinion.

Having said that, I'll share with you what I did on my boat engine (GM 305) after it sat for 7 years without running. Before barring it over, I removed all the spark plugs and air filter. I then poured 12 gallons of Marvels Mystery Oil down the carberator and in all the cylinders. Then - I let it sit for two weeks. Just let it sit as the oil worked its way through the engine, I would top it off so that the engine was totally full. I don't know what is in that stuff, but I have been told (and I now believe) all that it works wonders to free up stuck parts. After two weeks, I drained all the oil out and refilled the crankcase with motor oil. I barred it over by hand easily, then rolled it with the starter (no plugs in) and then it started perfectly (a lot of smoke at first). It runs very nicely.

Two words of caution. NEVER bar the engine over when it is totally full of mystery oil. DON'T start the engine with the crankcase full of mystery oil.

Just curious, what are you looking to get for it?

Best of luck!

[cstreit]

Some penetrating oil poured in the cylinders first and allowed to seep though for a week or two is an excellent idea. CHange the oil after this... You didn't mention that you intended to change the oil. Change it.

I would attempt hand cranking before starter cranking!

Yes there is a chance for an engine fire anywhere there is a rubber fuel line that may have rotted or chewed through by rodents. Check them and still have a fire extinguisher handy.

Drain the old gas, put in fresh gas. Put some injector cleaner in it as well. Chances are your fuel passages are very varnished up from the old fuel...

[john walker's workshop]

i would suspect that the dead gas has varnished the entire fuel system. the fuel distributor piston is frozen, the pump won't run, the injectors won't spray, the warmup regulator will be toast, and the tank is full of particle matter (varnish flakes, rust flakes). the rubber hoses will need to be inspected for rot, and totally flushed. the basic engine should be fine. carbon probably fell from the piston crowns and combustion chamber and will get packed against the head by the pistons and trapped between valves and seats. this will blow out when it runs again. the above mentioned prelube would be a good thing, then if it turns freely by hand, cranking it by the starter with the ignition disconnected until oil pressure shows on the gauge, and then some more. the fuel system just isn't going to run it. the clutch disc will be stuck to the flywheel most likely.

[cstreit]

JW, much better description than me... Frightening, but better.

[a914luvr]

I'm in SoCal and would be interested in your SC as is. What do you want for it? I work in a Porsche repair shop and restoring this car would be right up my alley. The guys who posted so far are all correct. Sell the car as is and let someone else do the work. You could spend alot of time and money and be no better off than you are now. Also I believe the whole f.i system would need to be clean/flushed out. Even then, the fuel distributor is probably toast.....

[Adam]

Stories like these kinda shatter any daydreams of finding a mint older 911 that has never been driven. I confess, I used to fantasise about coming across a car that's factory-fresh, sitting in a crate or barn or sneaking into the Porsche museum, etc. But long ago, I suspected the gaskets etc would shrink and the thing would leak like a mo-fo after a few heat cycles.

That reminds me, a 1963 Beetle was sold in Melbourne a few years ago, at auction for $40k. It was still packed in it's original shipping crate!!! Brand new, ZERO miles!

[snowman]

I suspect the valure of your car is near scrap value. The risk is extreem and the value low. I would leave it "as is" and see what you can get for it.

[beepbeep]

Originally posted by snowman
I suspect the valure of your car is near scrap value. The risk is extreem and the value low. I would leave it "as is" and see what you can get for it.

Huh?

Scrap value? Don't think so...it probably needs to be re-assembled and fuel-tubing replaced, but i have hard time believing it's just a "scrap"...

[john walker's workshop]

jack's a chevy guy. he's still learning about these cars. cut him some slack.