Working on a car project? Post some pics!

[cantdrv55]

I know that a lot of us are in our 50’s, 60’s and 70’s now. Back in the day, we worked on the Porches we drove. Some have given up wrenching all together but I’m hoping there are still die hard weekend mechanics among us. I have two car projects currently. One is going to take a while. The other is almost at the point of completion to my standards and budget. I’ll post pics below.

[cantdrv55]

Later this month, I’m dropping the motor to fix rear main seal, pushrod tubes and oil cooler leaks. The axles also leak so rather than rebuild, I’m changing those out too. After all that, I’ll work on the interior as it needs a complete gutting. Lots of work but I love this car. It smells so much like the ‘79SC Targa I sold years back.

[cantdrv55]

She has dings and scratches but the interior is extremely clean for a 20 year old SUV. The only things I’ve done inside are put on all weather mats and updated the stereo. Outside though, I’ve replaced the lower ball joints, sway bar links, inner and outer tie rods. Next up are the upper ball joints then fix the sunroof and rear hatch lock. Luckily, I know someone who can get Toyota OEM parts at a discount. I’ll be done with Millie before end of summer, just in time for fall overlanding trips.

[scott540]

Our son found this e30 for me.said i needed a
project and needed to learn some skills.
. Had some rust when I got it.
Cut it out ,welded in patches. Clear
Coat was destroyed so my wife and
wrapped it. Added some body kit pieces.
Interior was a mess. Was a good winter
project.

[cantdrv55]

Dayum, that’s sharp! Great job.

[wdfifteen]

Good luck with your projects! That VW looks fantastic!

Originally Posted by cantdrv55

Back in the day, we worked on the Porches we drove.

I guess it's still "back in the day" for me. When you own 3 air cooled Porsches and an old VW you are always working on one project or another.

I finished the valve job on my '88 911 three winters ago.






Finished rebuilding the engine, installing a dual master cylinder, and rebuilding the brakes in my '56 coupe two winters ago. I've been chasing gremlins ever since, from an exhaust leak, heater problems, and a charging issue. Right now I'm finishing up installing a new cooling fan.





In between working on the '56 356 I'm rebuilding a '65 VW. There is a thread about the project here:

The Up-Fixing a '65 VW thread

[gsxrken]

I’m installing a hydraulic clutch in my 1969 Mustang

[cantdrv55]

Oh man, I wish I still had my 911s. I’m jealous Patrick.

I’m going to check out your bug project thread.

[cantdrv55]

Let’s see that Mustang, Ken.

[rcooled]

Not working on anything major right now, but my last project was rebuilding this '63 VW ↓

[ted]

I have owned 40 VW bugs and completely (over) restored 3 of them.
Sold my last bug 23 years ago.


Have since enjoyed owning and racing Andy Porterfield's last race car.
https://www.scca.com/pages/andy-porterfield

Should have it ready again after the summer break.

• Fresh 18 degree 750hp engine install, remove muffler install straight pipe.
• Replace the Weismann transmission with a G force GSR transmission with a custom input shaft.
• GSR sits 1/2 inch lower so designing new front and rear engine plates.
• Install new Alcon 6 piston front calipers, new hubs and rotors.
• Install new high temp Gold material heat barrier firewall.
• Replumb with swedged PTFE lines the new oil filters, new oil breathers and the new Dry sump tank (3 lines, 1 inch in diameter that run from the engine to the 5 gallon oil tank near the right rear tire, 2 lines for scavenging 1 line to deliver oil to the engine).
• New carbon fiber driveshaft. Good for 6 to 8 hp more to the tires, and safer compared to having a steel driveshaft fail and cause expensive damage to the car or me.
• Steel 3rd member for strength with lightened ring and pinion and a torsen gleason differential.

[cantdrv55]

Originally Posted by rcooled

Not working on anything major right now, but my last project was rebuilding this '63 VW ↓

Just beautiful!

[ted]

Keeping with VWs, Tickled Pink a VW I built in 87 and today is still being raced in Italy.


The 10 car raced IMSA GTO and SCCA Trans Am in 88 and 89.
Time for another engine rebuild, might be ready in time for the Monterey Reunion.
https://sportscardigest.com/f5000-to-feature-at-2023-monterey-motorsports-reunion/
Last week the bare dart block waiting for the Brodix 10 heads.
(Sitting next to the 5 car engine on the stand too).
Plan is to take it to Westec Performance and have Steve Brule tune it.
(same shop from a show called Engine Masters) .
Actually first they run it 5 minutes or so on a break in program that seats the rings before tuning.
Westec tuned a motor for us a few years ago too.
Another fun day trip to the dyno (fingers crossed).

[cantdrv55]

You had some kick ass projects, ted!

[speeder]

Just VW shop for me last week. Lots of scheduled maintenance on the 2010 Jetta Tdi, timing belt/tensioner/water pump and changed out the intake manifold. The manifold has a set of plastic flaps or valves that fail and throw codes so the fix is to simply change out the entire piece including the activation solenoid with a new dealer part:

[speeder]

Also chasing down some leaks on the old 1970 Bonneville and working on the Mercedes diesels:

[speeder]

Originally Posted by rcooled

Not working on anything major right now, but my last project was rebuilding this '63 VW ↓

This car looks fantastic!

[Skytrooper]

Dropping the xmsn in my 71 charger today. Heck, it is only gonna be 89 degrees.

[dewolf]

Restoring a 79 928 manual. 60,000kms from new. Unfortunately, it sat in a garage in Alice Springs for 30+ years with the same coolant left in it. Owner died and wife never sold the car. Well after 30+ years, the coolant fused the heads and the block together. I had a machinist came around and have a look. He made a plate to 'pull' the heads off. One side came off after a struggle. The other side let out a mighty bang as were torquing the bolts to pull it off. That mighty bang was the block breaking. The studs had pulled great chunks off with them. You can see the head in the background with a piece of block still attached to it.

[GG Allin]

Rebuilding my engine. You can wait a lifetime for parts and services it seems.