OK, I have a Duck tail, Now what?

Targa Dude · Targa Dude's Garage

I just received my duck tail today, I need to install a screen, can I use a stock deck lid screen? or are they different? I measured the opening and it measures 8 inches wide.
I can't use My screen on my Carrera tail because I custom made it and it is no way stock. Please advise Duck Dudes..

Edit: Please sub "Screen" with Grill, To many Martunies tonight

Thanks, Jorge (Targa Dude)

jwetering · jwetering's Garage

I think you're talking about the grill right.... I used my stock SC decklid grill and it fit no problem. That grill is plastic and I believe identical to the Carrera grill. I doubt the Carrera tail grills will fit.

You should post over in the 911 classified section for a used decklid grill - I've had good success finding parts there and there's probably more than one guy who's upgraded to a Carrera tail who has a used decklid grill to sell.

Good luck with that install. You made need to use spacers (washers) under the bolts which hold the lid to the hinges for a flush fit.

dd74 · 04-16-2003, 09:32 PM

Targa: a '74-'77 decklid grill should also fit. They're fairly available. Call around to junkyards.

Targa Dude · Targa Dude's Garage

Oops, Yes I did mean the Grill.. The opening just seemed small even compared to my 77 Carrera tail opening.. The duck opening is only eight inches wide that just seems narrow to me. The tapered length opening at the center measures about 34. 5 inches. It is an After market Lid but thats ok with me.
Jorge (Targa Dude)

KevinP73 · 04-16-2003, 09:49 PM

With all fiberglass parts you'll want to trial fit everything before paint. I've seen some that are a bit small and the grille area has to be sanded open to accomodate the grille after paint. You'll for sure want to test fit it on the car. Check your gaps(straight and consistant) and sufaces for flush. Once you are happy with the fit, remove the tail and hinges as an assembly. This makes re-installing it after it's painted much easier. Installing the deck lid latch seems to be a challenge also. I'd leave the grille out untill the latch is adjusted and operating smoothly. This way if the latch "hangs up" you can simply reach in and release the latch with your hand. There have been several threads lately about hung up latchs and how to release them.
After that, a couple cold ones, a couple admiring glances, and your done.
Good Luck
Kevin P.

Targa Dude · Targa Dude's Garage

Ok.. Thanks Guys.. But my gut instinct tell me this is going to be another custom grill fab job.. Not that it is bad.. I just wanted to get this puppy on sooner than later. I have plenty of irons in the fire right now. By the way My Carrera Tail grill is only custom because I wanted it elevated for a more flush look. I didn't like the way it looked recessed in the pocket sort of speak. Kevin thanks for the Pre Prep advice. I will definately perform your outlines instructions

Jorge (Targa Dude)

04-17-2003, 03:38 AM

Jorge,
Welcome to Club Duck. The black plastic grill from my stock hood fit right in the opening of the duck tail. You can find the used grills for $30 or so.
Cheers,
Mark

jriera · 04-17-2003, 04:32 AM

Jorge, I may have an extra deck grill for you.. let me look and I will let you know..

Just pay the shipment and is yours (if I find it).

regards

jriera · 04-17-2003, 04:40 AM

Jorge, I may have an extra deck grill for you.. let me look and I will let you know..

Just pay the shipment and is yours (if I find it).

regards

jriera · 04-17-2003, 08:49 AM

Sorry Jorge, I cannot find the grill... I think that I send it to anothe Pelican-ite..

Sorry.

Targa Dude · Targa Dude's Garage

Ok.. Last night I called a buddy and I had him bring over a Grill out of stock SC lid.. and guess what?? No fitto it is about one inch to wide..
Hmmmm I knew this was a after market tail before I bought it..
So it looks like I'm going to Fabricate a Grill, So I'm looking for a grill but I don't want a Plastic grill, I would like to find an Old Aluminum grill
The reason I say Old is because I know the older models used the aluminum grills. I don't care what the condition is as long as all the ribs are present. Can anyone help me out ?

Edit: Jordy, thanks for your effort..

Jorge (Targa Dude)

KevinP73 · 04-17-2003, 10:16 AM

Check your PM's.
Thanks,
Kevin P.

POVI · 04-17-2003, 10:37 AM

You are correct ...

I have a aftermarket duct tail for my RS clone , and also happen to have a SC plastic engine grill and also a 1970 metal engine grill

The SC one wont fit .. too wide
The 1970 grill fits perfect

So i would find a early 1970's grill and paint black and use that

Take care

- Joe -

911pcars · 04-17-2003, 10:44 AM

It seems many duck tail manufacturers play it loose with the grill opening specs. In my case, the mounting area was too small in the width dept. I wanted to install the later plastic grill, so I took the belt sander to it and narrowed the grill to fit. Length was no problem.

Sherwood Lee
http://members.rennlist.org/911pcars

Targa Dude · Targa Dude's Garage

OK, Duck Dudes.. looks like we resolved the Grill situation. But Now I would really like to hear your views on this New problem,
I have no hole in My Moccasin..oops.. sorry different story. OK
My Duck Tail has the inserts for the Hinges they look fine but, TheTail has no inserts for which to mount the Latch Pawl Bracket, its blank
nothing there..is my Tail a Virgin? is this the way they come when new?
There isn't even any dimples.. Nada.. Ok.. I'm almost certain This is not going to get installed anytime soon.

Jorge (Targa Dude)

ruf-porsche · ruf-porsche's Garage

Hey Jorge

When I brought a duck tail from Tweeks for my 74 911 it has inserts in the fiberglass already for a bolt. The same bolt that holds your latch on your steel lid was used for the duck tail.

Some factory 911 with duck tails used two rubber bungee thing to hold the tail close.

Targa Dude · Targa Dude's Garage

Hey Ruf.. are you pulling My Bungee?? Is this true? That seems fine if the fatory did this to save weight or sumtin, but My car is a bit more modern and prefere the mechanical latch. Ok.. looks like I have a few calculations to perform and some clever enginuity feats to perform.
Did they after market these types of Duck Lids? Does anyone know?

Thanks, for the replies guys.
Jorge (Targa Dude) and soon to be "Duck Dude" I hope

JonT · 04-17-2003, 10:08 PM

I dont want to make you feel bad Targa Dude but I found one that was black already, off a car that had it installed and it took me less than an hour to install. Ok I cheated a little and had my mechanic do the final adjustments and hook up the 3rd brake light.

Dan Morton · Dan Morton's Garage

Here are a couple pics of my recent ducktail install on my 1970 911. I used a black grill from an early 911 (1970-1973). The tail was from MA Shaw and had the mounting hardware already in place for the latch and the hinges. I had my body shop cut the holes for mounting the license plate lights.

--Dan

ruf-porsche · ruf-porsche's Garage

A word of advice to anyone buying a fiberglass repro tail. Fit it to the car before having a paint shop paint the tail. The first tail that I got from Tweeks wasn't a great fit, the gap around the tail was even, but the bottom of the tail was above the fenders when the tail ws close. Couldn't return the tail because I had already painted the tail to match the car.