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Picked up this 356C last week...
Hi there, my first post here at Pelican.SmileWavy
I picked up this 63 356 C last week and was wondering what you all think of it. Not too much to go on as of yet since its still in storage in original owners garage. I think the C started in 64? but this one says 63 on tag. Is definitely a C. Typical story; husband passed away and car sat in garage since (car was from CT and hauled up to their vacation place up the road from me, where it was parked back in 96). Car is in good shape, very little rust for a 356, floor rusted through up front due to a mouse nest behind toe panel, other then that original floors pretty good, but probably will replace all, not sure yet need to take a better look. Torsion area, front trunk floor, longitudals good shape. Very original car, has original carboard tags (oil type, etc) and other interesting time capsule features. last time running in 96, engine stuck but ran well when parked. I'm going to pour some marvel in cyls and wait a couple of weeks, then try with a wrench. Oil in CC look new. Clutch pedal actuates, throttle pedal/linkage works, brake pedal froze. Has very old trellborg tires which are not road worthy, but interesting old tires. No spare tire. Car has been repainted oem color at some point but looks good, interior decent but needs carpet. car was very well cared for before it was left in garage. I plan on restoring the car but wish to leave as original as possible. I paid $10K for it and think i did OK, maybe not a screaming deal but seems more then fair after research I have done. It was an easy purchase since it is about .5 miles for my home, this alone is worth alot to me, no long road trip/transportation for once!> car was not advertised, I found out about the car and contacted the owner, finally made the deal happen last week. I am a noob with these cars, but familiar with cars in general. I love how simple these cars are. I have no time to do much with it right now, I'd like to remove carpet, clean/detail car in/out, free engine, service brakes, maybe start and drive up and down the road would be great if that ever worked out, and cosmoline the heck out of underside/floors, etc. Then car will go up on dollies and into storage again in newer barn with wood floor. This will be a long term project for me, I want to do it right. I took these pics last summer when i first looked at it. The pics of the rust are the worst spots other then the mouse area which i do not have a pic of yet. The rust seen in pics looks worse then it is, it just has not been touched for a long time. http://i156.photobucket.com/albums/t..._0076-Copy.jpg http://i156.photobucket.com/albums/t..._0077-Copy.jpg http://i156.photobucket.com/albums/t..._0075-Copy.jpg http://i156.photobucket.com/albums/t..._0066-Copy.jpg http://i156.photobucket.com/albums/t..._0067-Copy.jpg http://i156.photobucket.com/albums/t..._0068-Copy.jpg http://i156.photobucket.com/albums/t..._0071-Copy.jpg http://i156.photobucket.com/albums/t..._0069-Copy.jpg Thanks for any feedback! |
bet you it starts-
looks like a keeper fix her up and get out and enjoy her- |
Thanks, i bet it starts too, i just want to turn it over by hand after soaking cyls first. carbs look fine, may not even pull them off at this point.
I really love this thing! And yes, I look forward to the day my wife and I take it on a nice foliage tour or something. |
I need to re arrange some things before i can store it, hopefully I can get it home in the next few weeks. I think i'm going to tow it home with my tractor...
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That is sweet.
Why can't i find one of those. Looks like a fun project. Best of luck with it. |
Great find. Looks like an interesting project. Have fun with the restoration. I am sure you will end up with a nice reward in a fun drive.
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Looks great, I think you did well, and basically in your own backyard, and having many months to make your decision, a very rare option.
Good luck!! |
Join the 356 Registry, and learn.
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Thank you, I hope it was a good investment - as well as a fun old Porsche to 'appreciate'.
I will join the registry, and I do have plenty to learn about proper resto of these cars. as i said i want to leave it original, even at the expense of perfection. As tempting as these outlaws appear, I am not planing on going that direction, however some 911 5.5 steelies with some modern tires would be nice (and store away the old Trellborgs/OE rims) Yes, the fact that it was right up the road from me sealed the deal, was meant to be i guess ( I was not on the hunt for a 356 at the time, or any car for that matter) Thanks folks, you guys have some beautiful cars here, I look forward to learning more about this world. Oh man, another car forum to frequent! |
There are some great driver upgrades which are easily reversible, and making "changes" can be a slippery slope. There's no right answer, of course. In my case, I will be adding a couple things this year: full flow oil filter, LED taillights, headlight and starter relays. I am keeping the 6v system, but will be doing a full refurb/cleaning over the next 2 months. I love driving mine, and I am going for maximum reliability.
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Yes, those sound like nice (reversible) upgrades. I was thinking about an oil cooler to, I have not looked into it yet though. If I need to rebuild engine, not sure exactly what i will do, but at this point in time I'm thinking stock stock stock. I already have a modded car that i do some racing, etc with, i do not plan on hammering on this 356 like that thing, but I would like to be able to drive over the mountain on a warm summer day at a reasonable speed....
We'll see, I need to educate myself on the ins and outs of these cars. I think it'll be worth more in the long run if left as original. Don't get me wrong, I absolutely love the vintage racers and Outlaw cars I see here, I just don't think it would be the best direction for me and this car (looks like some expensive builds too!!!). I have been appreciating original stuff more and more lately. Maybe the birth of a purist here... |
Hello !
first Welcome in 356 world ! I am a 911 fans but since two years I have a 356 project ! Your is very nice and origine and in better shape of mine ! nine will be Aetna blue and red interior like Your ! I am in Quebec near Maine and Vermont and I bought my 356 in Pennsylvania nice trip with friends ! keep it originale ! great find ! Ray |
I am a 911 fan too (but never owned one), I looked at a 77 911S in CT several Months back, was a NM car with shot paint and interior, but zero rust. I then researched the midyear cars and decided that investment potential was questionable. It was a good car for the money, but i passed. I really was after an early 911.
Nice slide show, looks like a nice project you have there. Oh, and nice 911's too! I like the pic where she's showing off her nice but out from under the covers! ~Mark |
Clean it up , get it running. Do not restore. Too many restored cars. Not enough decent survivors. Take vintage corvettes for an example.
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Cool find! Another 40k and it will look like new. Nice color combo!!
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If you were to do the change to a full flow oil fiter system and plumb it to your rear left wheel well you will acheive 2 major upgrades, filtering all of the oil insted of a % of it and with the additional oil volume and getting the filter out in the breeze you can skip the oil cooler for most spirited driving, expecially in your area.
Regards |
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That is the plan, this car will clean up nice, no reason to completely restore it right now. I appreciate survivor cars, sometimes appreciate them more then a money no object resto. The floors will be assessed, then repaired/replaced as necessary (after reading the 356 resto book I have in the mail), then I'll address mechanical issues, which is something I look forward to as it is a refreshingly simple machine. I'm installing a new trans/clutch in my Audi 4ktq, and I simply do not enjoy working on this car, I am so looking forward to diving into this 356... |
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Yup, nice find.. get it going and enjoy it.
Its nice to keep them original but even more fun to upgrade and make them truly usable! There are sp many adaptable products on the market these days to make that possible. As someone else stated, join the 356 Registry.. that will be the best money you spend on this car! Good luck! |
I may try to start it up this weekend. Forgive the noobness, but what should I bring for spark plug removal so i can get some WD or whatever in there before turning over, just a regular extension, wobbly and plug socket?
And what size is the crank pully nut? The oil looks clean so I plan on starting it with whats in there, then of course will change it after it runs for a bit. The oil level is overfull, presumably since the tank drained down into case? Is it ok to turn it over like this and will it fill the tank? I don't want to blow a seal or something. I'll pick up a new 6 volt batt, bring gas and that may be all i need (or not!!!) I was thinking of just cleaning up the plugs and points and running them for now. I'll also run it off a jerry can until the tank is cleaned out/checked. Ofcourse this is all contingent on getting the engine free'd. I did not try very hard yet, just tried to turn the crank with generator via the belt. Can I get at the starter sol to jump it if i need too? Thanks, Mark |
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Just curious, what kind of power are the stock transmission good for? |
I'm a little late jumping in here, congratulations on your new find!
The cars been sitting since '96? If so, drain the oil, it's only 4 quarts....... I'd also replace all the fuel lines (especially in the engine compartment), don't want any fires and they do dry up and crack quickly.... A normal sparkplug socket with swivel will pull the plugs - be REAL careful putting them back in as it can be easy to strip the threads in the heads if you force them back in... The tranny can handle all the power you can throw at it, assuming you don't put a 911 engine or turbo charge it. 356 race cars regularily run 150-175 HP without doing anything special to the transmission (other than changing gears)... Here's the link to the registry website: Porsche 356 Registry Be careful and take your time! Bob |
Thanks Bob,
You're right, I should change the oil first, then I'll change it again. I'll be very careful not to cross thread the plugs, looks like they are somewhat burried in there, i can see how it could happen. Fresh gas line definitely would not hurt, good suggestion. Hope the clutch/TO are ok. The clutch seems to actuate and pedal feels fine.... I worry about ancient TO and pilot bearings, nothing worse then pulling a trans for a bad TO bearing (especially Audi Quattro as i am doing now...). I'm sure then engine will come out down the road, just do not want to get into that now. Would be fantastic if it fired up and ran/drove/shifted well as is!!! Thanks, Mark |
Don't need to pull the trans for a TO bearing - just drop the engine. Takes about an hour for a newbie to do it, less if you have VW wrenching experience.
I'd pick up a copy of Elfrinks for specs and such, and John Muir's "Idiots guide to keeping your VW alive forever" for what to do and how to do. Ken Ball's "Porsche 356 A B C" is good as well. |
How's the car? Show us how she looks after dusting her off! Did you free the motor?
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looks like a project! have fun with it
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Yes, it is definitely a project.
I still have not brought it home, I decided to wait untill my 4000 is out of the shop and then get the 356 right in there. Doing alot of work to the 4000 right now and running into some issue's. Hopefully the engine in the 356 is OK, my main concern. It ran great when parked, has clean oil in it, thats all i know I was searching around and reading up on some cool outlaw cars, the hot rodder in me needed to pursue. Before flaming me, I do plan on leaving it original, but I was entertaining the idea of adding some 911 steelies and installing a 2110 type 1 GEX. I'd obviously keep the 356 engine and would borrow nothing from it for the swap, It seems like this could be 100% reversible swap(?). It just seems like having some fun with a Vdub motor would be more practical then running the original 356 motor, or rebuilding it right now. When i say i like outlaws, i do not like all of them, some I see with modern wheels and modified bodies, etc are not appealing to me. The thought of a stock 356 with some wider meats and more power sure seems fun though! Just thinking out loud here, been going back and forth. I don't have the money to do anything like this right now anyway. I know i'm going to want to drive this thing and I get nervous about racking miles on the old 356 motor. This black car is incredible! You guys probably know of it. Dream material right there. http://i156.photobucket.com/albums/t...tlaw_356_1.jpg http://i156.photobucket.com/albums/t...ges/497874.jpg And a pic of my 4000 that i need to kick out of my 1 bay shop: URq struts with new Bilstien HD's, MC2 10VT, now 4:11 4000Q drivetrain (was 3:89 Urq but trans grenaded when center diff pin fell out on highway) The snow tells you how long it has been clogging my only bay! http://i156.photobucket.com/albums/t...ditrans025.jpg |
I'd say install the GEX Type 1 motor and enjoy it if you want to save the original 356 motor from additional wear and tear. I've ridden in hot VW-powered 356s and they are plenty fun. Then again, so is a good 356 motor...
Your call. Finances do play in. Don't listen to the purists who think this is sacrilege. It is a reasonable idea. |
I am normally on the 930 forum but the title cought my attention...
Very nice car!!! It looks like it won't be too hard to clean it up and get it going... Do that quickly and enjoy the car; the summer is here! David |
Went to visit 356 on Sunday. I pulled the plugs and sprayed some Cyclo penetrating oil in the cyls best i could (royal pain trying to get the tube in the cyl's) I also sprayed down the carbs, just trying to get as much as i can into the cyls.
Wow, what a pain to get those plugs out. Looks like i'll have to put a rubber hose on the end of the new plugs to get them started. Next step will be attempting to break free engine and change oil, then hopefully start. The carbs and everything all operate freely, I think I'll get the engine broken free with out much damage I hope. I'll post some pics later this week when i go up there again. Car will be coming home this weekend. |
Good luck with your new find. It looks good, how is the structure/frame? If solid I would clean her up with the gentlest of methods and keep her original. The temptation for a full restoration exists, but original cars are few and far between.
Best of luck |
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Yes, I plan on leaving it as original as possible (I got over the outlaw thing for now, mainly due to lack of funding for such a project) The car will retain value better and it will cost less if left as original survivor. I believe the odo may be correct with 14700 miles, I can't imagine it has over 100k. All the lady said is her husband "did not drive it much at all" and they are original owner. Hard to say, she knows little about this thing. The only indication I see of 100K+ miles is the clutch pedal cover. I tried to free engine today, no go. I kept loosening the crank pully nut when attempting to turn CCW, I did not want to go to hard CW either, and risk damaging the crank bolt. I think I had a tiny bit of movement, but not too encouraging. I have it soaking again, this time I connected a long tube to the penetration oil and was able to get into cyls better. Also sprayed heavily down the carbs again. I was thinking about filling the CC all the way to the top and letting it sit, then drain out before turning over with starter (?) I may try the starter if i can't get it with a wrench on the bolt... I want the car out of there, its a decent garage but animals got all in to the trash and the place was a mess even before that. She needs to come home this weekend!!! The brakes are froze up too, i wonder how I can tow it out of the garage and onto trailer, no tow hooks in the back, not much to hook to. I think the brakes will free up, but still will be hard to move it with out damaging anything with no hooks. |
Since it's frozen up, I would suggest that you seriously consider removing the engine and tear it down/have it torn down. 356C Crankshafts are rather rare and main crank bearings (356C/SC/912) are very expensive. You gain nothing by scratching the heck out of the crank journals other than possibly making a decent standard crank need a grind and possible re-hardening.
I own a '65 356C (Ol' Grey) and LOVE it! They run well and they run well on crummy fuel, the sort of which we have now and will have in the future. |
I'm a VW guy and I am warning you to stay clear of GEX engines. Check thesamba.com forums for good engine builders. I have a 2110 that I was going to run in my 63 356B super to keep the engine from getting miles but I ended up getting a 911. My 67 bug has a 2110, 125hp at the wheels and it is a blast to drive. The 356 will be so much more fun. Good luck and if you have any questions about VW engines PM me.
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Actually, i was doing some more research and noticed many negative comments on GEX. If I go VW route i will definitely look into something local (NE). Thanks for the tip, been ages since i messed around with air cooled stuff.
At this point i am still weighing my options. This is a very original car, so now i am thinking of rebuilding the 356 engine and leaving it all stock, or perhaps a minor power upgrade to this engine. This car needs to retain value for me, as fun as a hotrod/outlaw would be, it may adversely effect value. I have a "fun" car already that i don't mind beating on, I can't justify another such car. Unfortunately, the engine is stuck and I have not been able to free it as of yet. I spayed penetrating oil down plug holes/carbs, filled CC all the way to top with oil, poured some more oil down carbs. I have been using a 30MM box wrench on crank bolt, it loosens/tightens the bolt and i do not want to put much more force on it. I have been briskly shaking back and forth, etc. Its stuck... I can feel the oil clearances, but the pistons are froze. I am going to pull the motor and see whats what. I am considering leaving the bottom end alone and install new piston/cyls and get a valve job done. The engine has never been removed from the car, ODO says 14700 but i do not necessarily trust that figure. Car is still at original owners, will definitely be home next weekend. I'll post pics and update when i get this thing home. Any engine advise/tips appreciated. |
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Thanks Neil, missed your post. Yes I am thinking of doing just that, I don't even want to turn it over now. How ever, i was considering leaving the bottom end alone. I'm sure you'll all say to do it though. I don't mind going through it all, I'm in no rush, will be a good winter project. |
Wow looks like a great find ! Congrats~!
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She's home!
First attempt to drag her out i got the trailer backed up/lined up, un-spooled winch cable and the winch did not work, then a severe t storm came in. had to abort mission and go home. I returned a couple hours later and all went well, glad a friend showed up to help. The front tires were locked up so no steeering, also caused the ramps to pop out/slide. I was on my own with off loading, I had to stick a pipe in my floor drain and winch from that. 1 wheel still locked up. Out of her filthy accommodations http://i156.photobucket.com/albums/t...udimisc024.jpg http://i156.photobucket.com/albums/t...udimisc021.jpg http://i156.photobucket.com/albums/t...udimisc020.jpg http://i156.photobucket.com/albums/t...udimisc025.jpg http://i156.photobucket.com/albums/t...udimisc027.jpg To her new home http://i156.photobucket.com/albums/t...udimisc031.jpg First i washed it (no pic after wash) and man did it clean up nice! I got it up in the air, stripped out the interior, removed fuel tank, pedals. The front pan needs replaced as i expected, but the longs and everything else are excellent! even bat box is fine. No big suprises, happy with the car. Engine will come out this week and go on a stand, rebuild will be winter project. Will post pics of car in shop/progress made next couple of days. I have been reading my 356 resto book, but it is more like a novel with very few pics. i also picked up a service manual which has been handy so far. Current list: Fr pan, t board, t board supports carpet seat covers (maybe) engine rebuilt brake job clean tank, paint bottom etc etc etc. I will join the 356 reg this week. ~Mark |
Great looking car! Nice find. Is that orig paint?
Phillip |
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