Back to aircooled: 964 C4 - cleaning her up and getting started

[r-mm]

Hi everyone

About four years ago I sold my 87 Carrera to a great guy here on Pelican who flew in to CT with his dad and drove it halfway cross the country - my kind of buyer. I'm self employed and don't drive every day so I've always made a point of daily driving something that keeps me excited and usually keeps my hands busy in the garage, where I do all my own work.

I bought the Carrera in 2013 before the market got toasty and thoroughly enjoyed it, did the top end, clutch and many other things. As values climbed and I started driving to NYC for work more I decided to let it go and have since driven an E30 sedan. Not an M3, not an is just a regular old 325i with three pedals. What a totally engaging, ergonomically perfect, beautiful, easy to work on, dirt cheap way to get around. It has been about four years of fun and I started getting itchy. Figured I'd cast an eye around to all the cars that have always been on my list... E28 M5, 320is, Mondial T (yes), Integrale, 968. I really didn't look at 964 or 993's very hard because I presumed they've gotten too pricey / nice to daily. Then Travis Weiss here responded to a want ad I placed looking for a scruffy driver. I won't go into the play by play but suffice to say 3 days later a friend of Travis who could not be nicer or more honest delivered the car to me here in CT and I'm very happy with it.

This 1991 was owned by an older dude for ten years who put almost no miles on it, odometer is now 60k. Zero records, but very nice shape and 100% stock. Full draped leather in colorway MZ.

My first task is to take care of all the things that ought to be done on account of there not being any maintenance records. The car doesn't present needs, but I've only got test drive miles on her. So in addition to a lot of cleaning, an oil change I plan to:

Valve Adjustment
Fuel Filter
Spark Plugs (12!)
Caps n Rotors
Belts

Other obvious things to address a priori before really getting to know the car ?

I'm excited to be back in a 911! Thanks to a great community who made it happen and doubtless a pre-thanks to all those here who will help me bring her up to snuff in the coming year.



Previously:

[Mark Salvetti]

Congratulations! Looks super clean inside.

964's have a rubber belt between the two distributors. If that belt breaks, half the plugs will stop firing. You probably want to change that.

The early cars also had a retrofit kit to connect a hose to the distributor to vent ozone so the belt would last longer. Not sure when that became standard.

Mark

[scottrx7tt]

I may be wrong, but was under the impression that the valves weren’t adjustable on the 3.6 engines??

[r-mm]

Scott I believe it was the 993 that had hydraulic lifters - wish it were the 964 too since a bunch has to come off to gain access.

On that point: I've always adjusted valves with feelers / stubby angled feelers but the to make this job easier I'm looking at the Kirk Racing tool. Gets plenty of good reviews but I didn't notice any specific to the 964. Is there anything about these later cars that makes it a poor choice?
https://www.pelicanparts.com/More_Info/PELVALVELASH.htm?pn=PEL-VALVELASH&gclid=EAIaIQobChMImbXz0_XJ5gIV1MDICh1Y0g__EAQYASAB EgJ5UPD_BwE

Thanks for the heads up on the distributor belt. I will add it to the maintenance list and suppose I ought to add the vent kit as well?https://www.pelicanparts.com/More_Info/00004320252.htm?pn=000-043-202-52-OEM&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIyKKcwPnJ5gIVxJ-zCh2Q4wBAEAQYASABEgJVCPD_BwE

Based on photos attached I do not think my 1991 had it from the factory?

[Mark Salvetti]

Looks like you don't have it. From what I've read, installing it is easy. What's more difficult is changing the belt.

BTW, I think the Rennlist 964 board is more active than the one here, you may find more timely help there.

Mark

[jjeffries]

Rus, it seems like a year ago that the white Carrera went off to its new home. So glad you scored this one. John