I'm new and I want to learn.

Paul Ferradas · 07-20-2006, 11:40 AM

Hi fellas,

I'm new to this community and to the Porsche 911. I've always wanted a Porsche 911 and it's finally going to happen at the beginning of next year. I'll be looking for an 87-89 911 Coupe, preferrably with the turbo look body.

I'm interested in doing as much maintenance work as I can by myself because I want to learn as much as I can about the engine.

I would love to be able to help, or watch someone rebuild an engine, I think this will give me alot of understanding on how the internal engine works and give me a better understanding of all the parts.

If anyone lives in Northern California, Bay Area, I'm in Santa Clara, and wouldn't mind having an apprentice per say, i would love for the oppurtunity to help and learn your craft.

I hope to hear from someone in my area and possibly make new friends.

Thanks,

Paul Ferradas

Henry Schmidt · Henry Schmidt's Garage

Buy Wanye's book and you'll be on your way.

Next buy $7,500 worth of tools.

Finally buy an old core engine to play with, there is no better teacher than experience.

If you ask intelligent questions on the board and correspond nicely you'll make new friends.

Welcome to Pelican

afterburn 549 · 07-20-2006, 05:18 PM

dont let Henry scare ya, you can do it with less ( you have to understand he is a purrfectionest)...most of us make do

Paul Ferradas · 07-20-2006, 06:25 PM

Wow, $7500 for tools? I'm assuming that your including the big machines that you would find at a machine shop to resurface the parts, I wouldn't mess with that stuff. I'm talking about just dropping the engine and taking it apart, that would give me a general understanding, I wouldnt take upon a rebuild myself without actually seeing some being done.

Henry Schmidt · Henry Schmidt's Garage

I have $40 K worth of hand tools and haven't bought a new hand tool or box in 15 years. Snap On has replaced a few worn out ones.

Of course you can do it for less. I thought I was being encouraging, thoughtful and friendly.

Funning how people interpret things when there is a little history.

"you have to understand he is a purrfectionest" spoken like someone who has no idea who I am.

BTW: perfectionist

afterburn 549 · 07-20-2006, 08:23 PM

Well to get it construed correctly I dont know if Henry is a purrfectionest, (kindahope he is for our sake)(but he is right I have no idea who he really is..)
But to do a drop and tear dwn and back up again you will need a couple special things. Just depends on how much you will send out..for instance it makes sense for me to have all the machinery to do head work, but no sense at all for other set ups . To me valves and heads are the life of any engine, but lots of other people can handle line bores cranks etc. Just depends on you.....its a slippery slope. Most of us make do with what we got.
When you get to the machine phase , just ask we can all lead to a vendor(s) that will set you up correct.

Turbo_pro · 07-20-2006, 08:57 PM

Perfectionist ? I think not.

From some who knows.

A no non sense, critical thinker capable of original thought.
A sense of humor not always easy to grasp often prone to obscure references but always intended to inform not reform. Honest, observant and always willing to help.

dtw · 07-21-2006, 06:31 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by solowerks
From some who knows.

A no non sense, critical thinker capable of original thought.
A sense of humor not always easy to grasp often prone to obscure references but always intended to inform not reform. Honest, observant and always willing to help.

+1

rsrfan · 07-21-2006, 08:34 AM

I, myself, like the dry acerbic sense of humor Henry displays. He kills me.

JP

Wayne 962 · Wayne 962's Garage

Right, my book is probably the best place to start. At least you'll get an idea of what you're looking at doing for $35: http://www.101projects.com

-Wayne

afterburn 549 · 07-21-2006, 06:18 PM

I thought this thread was about what it took for tools and where to get the KNOW HOW - which is here of course, is where P 101 and 102 and 103 and 104 etc are taught...as far as humor goes....jerry clouse will do

viejopatron · viejopatron's Garage

Tools? Yep, you'll need em. Books ? Wayne and Mr. Anderson for sure. In addition to the laughs (but you know that by now) this site is an excellent resource. Enjoy and welcome to the net.

Turbo_pro · 09:21 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by afterburn 549
I thought this thread was about what it took for tools and where to get the KNOW HOW ......................

Threads on the board will take the path of least resistance and it seems you couldn't resist making it personal by mentioning a valued members' name. Now you're surprised when people respond?

In life we can just answer a question but sometimes it is productive to help the questioner get at ease which in the long run will be more helpful than just a generic answer.
I think Henry was trying to welcome Paul as much as answering a question.

I would also like to welcome our new member.

2.7RACER · 07-22-2006, 10:50 AM

Paul,
Welcome to the board. We have fun, We learn from each other, and occasionally we beat on each other. Just like little brothers.
In the end it's all about Porsche knowledge.
Buy Wayne's book and support Pelican.
After all he supports this board.
After a month or so on this board, you'll figure out who to listen to.
Psst: Henry is one of 'em.

MBEngineering · 07-23-2006, 08:40 AM

HI when you look for you car at the beginning of next year and you are looking round it/checking it over, look in the front and check the tool kit as most of your service tools should be in the kit, wheel brace, plug spanner, 10mm alenkey, screwdriver, tow hook,spair fan belt, key/spanner for the fan belt pulley, 22 or 24mm spanner for the fan belt nut, that should get you started with a basic toolkit you are on your way, a good long reach jack and axle stands (2 sets), oil drain bowl, if you look on PELICAN PARTS in the tool section you can bye the tools as required as the jobs need doing and then the collection starts, in no time at all you will be up to the $7,500 or past that depending on your inquisitiveness and the I will like to do that job, good luck finding the right car, and like Henry says never assume any thing, if in doubt check again or ask some one in the know that can help.

regards mike

Henry Schmidt · Henry Schmidt's Garage

Personalities aside, think about a cheap core engine.
You can find them everywhere.
Taking apart an engine without the pressure of "what goes where?" will teach you what you need to know about how things fit together, what tools you'll need and ease the pressure to get your car back on the road. If at that stage you choose to tackle the engine in your car, you'll truly understand the magnitude of that endeavor.

I've started all my trainees this way. Take it apart. Don't worry about how it goes back together.
Inspect the parts and because it is an extra engine you can choose to reassemble it or just sell the parts, probably for enough to pay for tools and the cost of the core. Obviously that value will be based on the core you choose. I will say, it looks like people on Ebay are supplementing their income doing just that.
You can also buy a core that will upgrade your engine (3.0 for a 2.7 car) and during the rebuild you can still drive your car. Then when you're done you can sell the original or save it to keep your matching numbers in tact.

afterburn 549 · 07-23-2006, 06:15 PM

what valued members name ??

Turbo_pro · 07-24-2006, 01:54 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by afterburn 549
what valued members name ??

The term valued means : highly regarded or esteemed. Valued is obviously a matter of opinion. Henry is helpful, informative and qualified. That is valued.

I think everyone sees the value of your post. It's a shame.

afterburn 549 · 07-24-2006, 03:21 PM

You mean Henry ?? !! well my friend , maybe I dont understand, or you dont. We all like Henry. He is kind of a catalyst and a fulcrum....this board would certainly be different w.o. him. .....So I am totally lost at your remark . Its hard not to miss him with his bench mark

AbbyAk · 07-24-2006, 08:00 PM

No worries fellas..I too (even though I currently have no engines I am working on) tune into this forum to learn, and read these posts. I also have to say I do occasionally search for Henry's posts just because he has an extremely dry and acerbic wit. It is alot of fun to read his posts because they are both extremely informative and often quite humurous. Obviously he is someone who really loves what he does and has some fun while helping out others at the same time. I really see no offense in anyone's post(s) thus far. Occasionally, some folk's wit may be interpreted the wrong way, but there is no maliciousness that I have seen from Henry-only great info. One of the best things about this forum is that guys like Henry, and John Walker etc. will take the time to help explain the same procedures and answer similar/same questions ad naseum just to help us with these cars and their complicated motors. Having been around heavy equipment shops growing up and knowing what it takes to manage them and put out quality work--their time is quite valuable-so I am often amazed at just how often they will log in and help out.
A.B.