915 tranny rebuilding in Atlanta, GA

[Sunroof]

My shaft input seal near the bell housing failed the other day leaving a nice pool of tranny fluid. The problem is, is that the 915 has to be dropped because the seal is inside the tranny and cannot be replaced successfully from the outside. The gears are all good, but the synchos and some bearings could use refreshing. The 915 will have to be cracked open.

Many of the shops I have used in the past (Reggie, Rylands for example) and others are gone leaving slim pickings without going way out of town for repair or using the two Porsche dealers. So that raises the question of who can work on the 915 tranny in the greater Atlanta area? Does anyone know of a small shop or individual who has had experience with the 915?

Any recommendations are appreciated.

Thanks
Bob
1973.5T (2.4-CIS)

[SiberianDVM]

Not Atlanta, but Autometrics in Charleston, SC did a great job on my 915. I towed mine there and left it. Had them do a clutch, LSD, and motor reseal while it was there.

[chrisbruck]

Ask these guys.... https://www.goldcrestmotors.com/

Did top end rebuild on mine several years ago... great work and pretty sure they'll help out on the 915 tranny.

[Sunroof]

Thanks.
I am aware of Goldcrest but looking for another shop. Anyone ever work with RWL in downtown, Atlanta? They were highly recommended.

[Matt Monson]

California Motorsports offers a modification that will update the guide tube for you. If you can get the box out yourself it’s not too crazy expensive to ship to them.

Franz Blam is still doing some vintage stuff. He’s got a little hole in the wall shop now. I might have his number if google fails you.



There’s also Jack Lewis. And +1 for Goldcrest. They are doing a lot of 915s these days, putting my stuff in all the Keen rally cars.

[Classic11]

https://www.cogscogs.com/

[Matt Monson]

Originally Posted by Classic11

https://www.cogscogs.com/

He's the Motormeister of gearboxes and a crook. Owes me a couple thousand bucks. Avoid at all cost.

[Sunroof]

Thanks for all the feedback, but I will take a pass on Joe Cogbill. Joe has been around Porsches and racing (356 Champion) for decades and I knew him when he had his parts shop off Buford Hwy in Atlanta, GA back in the 80's before heading up to Cleveland. He never performed any work on any of my cars.

RWL with Bob Lane is a great choice as too Goldcrest, Howard at Superior Auto and Jack Lewis. They say it takes a hell of a press to crack these tranny's open and the number of limited air cooled guys who know and work on the 915's are limited.

I was hoping someone knew of a crackerjack Porsche mechanic, maybe semi-retired/retired who might be working on these cars who would want the work considering the expense in materials these days. I will probably go with RWL or Goldcrest since Howard is backed up for months.

Thanks all

Bob

1973.5T 911
1974 911 (sold to a Jerry Seinfeld TV crew member in New York)
1979 911SC (sold)
1985.5 944 (sold)

[GAJon]

Originally Posted by Sunroof

I was hoping someone knew of a crackerjack Porsche mechanic, maybe semi-retired/retired who might be working on these cars who would want the work considering the expense in materials these days. I will probably go with RWL or Goldcrest since Howard is backed up for months.

Just wondering if you could follow up your experience after you pick one? I too will be getting this done in the next few months in the Atlanta area. I know I have a minor transmission leak, so I’m putting it off until after I refresh the suspension. I suspect a few of the bearings will need to be refreshed as well.

Jack Lewis was recommended to me for any engine/transmission work. Still on the lookout for a good suspension setup/corner balancing guy around Atlanta.

[Sunroof]

Yeah, their are a good handful of air cooled mechanics around Atlanta to choose from and I must admit that after 45+ years of Porsche ownership here in Atlanta I have tried just about all of them.

As I mentioned, I will probably go with RWL or Goldcrest depending who has the time! All these guys are booked up! A word of caution though; Goldcrest's main business is Porsche Racing and the mechanics are usually out with the cars all over the place so you might have to wait weeks or longer. Jack Lewis also races and is sometimes hard to get a hold of. I was quoted a price from $1200 up to $4000 for a repair and/or rebuilding the 915. That seems to be the going price. Hell, It was not long ago you could puck up a totally rebuild unit for less then $2000. Its not so much the labor but the PARTS!

I do not know the year of your 911 but I believe that shaft seal that was installed internally only ran for so many years so you might want to look into that.

Bob

[GAJon]

Originally Posted by Sunroof

I do not know the year of your 911 but I believe that shaft seal that was installed internally only ran for so many years so you might want to look into that.

Bob

It’s a ‘76 Targa with a ‘78 3.0 motor. I’m assuming the transmission is the original, but haven’t actually verified.

This will be scheduled a few months in advance I think. No major issues now and need to let the wallet cool down from the winter suspension spending...

[Matt Monson]

Guide tube became bolt on starting in 1974. Only 72-73 are an issue.

[Sunroof]

This must be the first generation 915 going forward form the 901. Everything is quirky on the 73.5T!!

[KNIGHTRACE]

If you do not find someone, I would put it in a cooler and send to Bill Rader, I can help if you do not find someone. KNIGHTRACE@MAC.COM

[GH85Carrera]

If you have the space, time and knowledge to take the engine and transmission out of the car sending the tranny out to one of the several pros is great. If you don't have the knowledge or space and skills to R&R the transmission, you choices are tougher.

If the main seal is leaking, you will really want to replace the clutch. The disc will be soaked and will be trash. Of course "while you are in the there" replace all the components of a clutch.

[Joe Bob]

Automobile Atlanta. George Hussey has been around for years.

[KNIGHTRACE]

I try to help people in there area if I know a local shop. I do not know anyone in Atlanta. There is probably someone. I can built a 915 but I am far from an expert. Often the races inside have to be tig welded and rebored on a mill. It often ends up less expensive and better work to ship to a professional. Bill Rader does my transmissions and has done very good work ar very good prices. I am glad to help anyway I can.
KNIGHTRACE@MAC.COM

[mepstein]

Originally Posted by Joe Bob

Automobile Atlanta. George Hussey has been around for years.

The motor meister of the east.

[winders]

+1 for Bill Rader.

[shoooo32]

I highly recommend the CMS bearing race fix. He had my 78 targa case repaired and turned around the next day. That and the one piece bearing retainer are nice upgrades.