Where should I start? HELP!
 

So I purchased the car back in 2007. The car is a 1969 Porsche 911T, an original survivor that hasn't been played with or chopped. It has the early original magnesium engine case, and was part of the short run of magnesium transmission 901/13. The car was running when I received it. I literally drove it from one location to another, parked it in a garage and it sat. I’ve pushed it on trailers to move a couple times since. Terrible I know...I'm ashamed to admit that, but life gets in the way as they say.

I took the batteries out in 2008, syphoned the gas out of the tank the best I could, changed the oil and thats it. Every year I manually turn over the engine to make sure it doesn't seize. I keep thinking, this year is the year I need to do something with it, but I’m afraid

So with that said, I’m not sure where I should start.http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1612370338.jpg
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Ideally I would like bring it back to life so it can be driven and enjoyed safely on nice days, and pass it down within the family when I’m gone. I was thinking a resurrection not a restoration. Its only original once and I love how original it is and want to leave it as is as much as possible. The aesthetic flaws shows its life and history. Upon inspection the body is very solid, with no bondo or filler found on the car. The floor pans and the rockers definitely need attention but I feel it might be a can of worms, and again, afraid to open that can. The rear suspension needs attention. The sway bar mounting point on one side has broken away and the other side is held together with rust. At one point during its life, someone tried to stop the bad areas of rust in the floor pan, by cutting them out, then reinforcing them with steel braces? I have attached pictures to get a better understanding. I can't take credit for this horrible idea, but I suppose someone felt it was their only option at some point.

So with that said, I’m not sure where I should start.

Dealing with the rust, obviously something I need to confront. I think it would easier and lighter to deal with once the engine and transmission is out of it, but I’m afraid if I remove it, it will never go back in the car.

Is the engine and transmission something I could rebuild myself? or should I leave that up to a professionals. obviously anything can be done with time and money, usually the more money the faster it gets done.

Sorry for the novel, but I really do appreciate any feedback, advice you can give me. I'm not one to give up, so please spare me the comments about selling it, its too big of a project. I should also say, I'm in Canada.

If the engine and trans is working leave that, a T engine is under stressed and will last a long time if maintained.

The rust must be fixed, there is always a lot more than you see, if you aren't experienced with serious rust repairs leave the car to a professional who is. Lots of cutting, grinding and welding is in the future. Removing engine and transmission is the least you need to do. From the pictures it looks like a job to do on a rotisserie.

Personally, I would try and get it running before doing anything else, especially because it ran before and you kept turning it over the years. That will give you a much better idea of what is required - time and money wise.

Why do you think the engine needs to be rebuilt? Rebuilding is probably best left to professionals if you are asking the question, but pulling the engine and trans, replacing hoses, valve clearance, timing, sealing oil leaks aren't too difficult. Lots of documentation on here by people with all levels of previous mechanic experience.

I'm a minority on here, but I'm not a replace everything kind of restorer. That can save significant sums of money, or at least spread out the pain. If your engine (main components) is half used, that's still probably 50,000 miles left. How many years of driving for you is that?

Huss,
Where are you located?
Do you have the garage, tools and the ability to get the engine running? then do so. With the knowledge that the engine runs, clutch and trans moves the car back and forth will answer a lot of future questions.
I would than drop the engine and trans and send the car to a 911 suspension and body repair shop for the rust repair.
From your description and photos it looks like rust is the biggest problem. Dropping and reinstalling a 911 engine is not that difficult and there is a lot of information available on PP.
Once the rust and suspension repair is made mechanical problems can be addressed.
Looks like a decent early 911.

I Think...
 

Huss,

Answer the following questions...

How much can you do yourself?
How much time can you commit?
How much money can you afford to spend on it?

You have had it since 2007 and it appears you have not made much progress.

I agree with the above member, start by getting it running. Then address brakes and lights to make it drivable.

After that will depend on your answers.

Cheers, Louie

If you don't have the time, skills, money or desire to bring her back to life your best bet is to sell it, as is where is. I'll bet this car is worth a lot more now than you paid in 2007 so let it move on to someone with all of the above.

If the swaybar falls out due to rust, I think its probably unsafe to drive, you know taking your kids in it for a ride etc... Getting it running is no use, not sure about Canada but where I live it would be an immediate fail at inspection.
The rust must be addressed properly, not saying total restoration... Then you can fix the easy bits, running gear, suspension and brakes.

If its been sitting for 13 years, its a good chance its not going to get fixed before the use of gasoline is banned.... Pay someone to fix it or sell it, make a profit, buy something usable.

The rust is significant. I wouldn't bother getting it running to drive it. I'd be worried the suspension is literally going to fall off (as it is already).

Consider selling as is to someone who can do a full chassis restore and source yourself a non rusty replacement car.

Unless you have a shop and want to do the metal work yourself. That is the only viable economic path forward.

If you put this car in a shop it will eat you alive and take years off your life imho.

huss,

I hate to say this but, I think you bit off more than you can chew. Let someone with more motivation bring her back. Then go find yourself a driver. It will be a much cheaper, easier path.

No money or time? Sell it and walk away.

That's a "rotisserie" restoration. Minimum of $50k project, and that's with you doing as much of the dirty grunt work as you're able. You'll put in hundreds of hours on the stripping and sorting alone. Engine alone is $20k to go through properly. Any less won't do the car justice and won't add any value.
As said, not safe to drive as is. The T is desirable and a specialized restoration shop may be interested. I'd guess you'll get around $25k for it as it sits, maybe more if the shop already has a specific customer in mind.

When I see this pic, I know I give up. Start to see if you can sell it as a whole or selling parts.

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1612370338.jpg

It all comes down to budget.
Have you done anything like this before?
Floor and rockers replaced I'd guess $15,000?
Can you even attach the new panels to the old?
How old are you? Takes years. Nothing to resurrect here. It's a restoration even if only some of it.
Ya. Not what you want to hear.
Search this forum.

parts car. she's done.

Assuming those pics are from 2007, wonder how the rust looks now after more than a decade.

But it does look complete and original so can be a labor of love for someone with deep pockets.
An unmolested car is not that commonplace.

In 356 land, this would be a pristine barnfind.

I appreciate the honesty :)

I like these 3 points.
How much can you do yourself?
How much time can you commit?
How much money can you afford to spend on it?
I'll need to answer these and formulate a plan moving forward. Basically it comes down to time and money, like everything else.

I'm clearly in denial about this car. I'm only 42, so I could pick away this car, pull back the ugly layers bit by bit, starting with the obvious rust, removing the engine, trans, perform a leak down test.
I know I showed some ugly pictures of the floors and rockers, but its actually pretty solid, and the engine did run strong before sitting. I'm not convinced to throw in the towel yet. I appreciate all the comments and advice. Wish me luck, and I'd be happy to take donations...haha I'm kidding.

"I" would pull the engine and build an engine stand to get it running and satisfy my Vroom, Vroom jonesing.....then attack the rust demons. You're going to need a battery anyways, get one that you'll use in the 911. Get a battery tender to keep it charged.

The engine is going to need oil seals at the very least in the triangle of death area. Carbs likely will need a going over and the CV boots, joints and ancillary items associated with the trans.

Send the wheels out for a buff and shine. Replace the tires even if they have "good" tread. They are old and WILL fail.

Start stripping the interior. Carpets and sound deadening to search out the rust that is sleeping in places you wouldn't think to look at. Get used to the smell of moth balls as you will likely have transient rodents passing through.

That should get you started.

A 69 can be put on the road with a crappy paint job without shame.

BTW, where are you located?

After the above is started, you can consider building a rotisserie to allow spinning the project 360 degrees on it's axis. Easy access to cut and weld and save your back. Lincoln and a few other companies make great wire fed home use welders. A couple of good cutting tools will help. DeWalt and others make good cordless units. Get extra batteries.

Start collecting parts and tools. Parts because the prices continue to rise.

If you have the interest, you can make the time.

Another challenge is having the space. I would love a project like that if I had the shop space.

huss,

first thing if you are considering keeping the car

do you have a steady job and a house to live in with a garage to keep the car?

if the answer is YES, then I would keep the car and do the work yourself

if you keep the car you may be able to strip it down to the tub and then pay a shop to do the rust repair then decide how much of the paint prep you can do yourself and have a pro do the rest of the paint

with the engine you need to investigate its condition and you can do that right now

check the valve lash and do a leak down and see how the rings and valves are sealing

if the leak down is acceptable then get the engine running and check the oil pressure

if the oil pressure is OK and the leak down is good then you don't need a rebuild

if the oil pressure is OK and the leak down is poor, you may get away with doing a top end

if the oil pressure is low (your oil light flickers when idling hot is a clue) then the problem is probably worn bearings and you will probably have to split the case to replace the mains.

the worst case scenario will probalby take you a decade but if you have a steady job and you are patient then just keep plugging away and eventually you will have a cool car you can drive.


if you don't have a steady job then you will have much bigger problems and this car will be a huge headache

Huss,
Otto_kretschmer made a very good point. You need to have a garage big enough to stage the car, parts, engine and trans, seats etc. You will need a minimum two car garage space and will occupy every square foot for at least the next few years.

If you haven't any welding or metal fabricating experience, please leave the rust repair to the pro's.

Where are you located? I know of a good air cooled engine mechanic.

Do something every day towards your goal
Buying the car was just a first step
Even small steps bring you ahead

removing the engine, trans, perform a leak down test - takes a couple of hours

you can DIY engine rebuilds

to me, the issue is the rust - it may need to be put on a rotisserie and really fixed - the parts are not spendy but the labor is

does the car have emotional value to you?

huss,

having a T in many ways is a blessing because its just a much easier car to diagnose and work on. Twin carburetors and a low pressure fuel pump, and you have a points ignition (I think).

I bought my 76 about 16 years ago and its been a garage queen for the last decade. Ethanol laced gasoline doesn't help either. My car is a California car so it doesn't have any rust but it was in an accident and never was fixed right.

If it was me I would have a respected person look at the body and help you decide if the car is worth saving.

If all you are seeking is a nice safe driver, repair the rust to make the car sound. Then go over the mechanicals (brakes, suspension, motor, transmission) and electricals to be sure they are working properly. Once you have the car working, address interior snd cosmetics.

Have a look at this guy's journey. Limited experience to start, has become quite a welder and patch maker, making steady progress. Lots of rust.

https://r.tapatalk.com/shareLink/topic?url=https%3A%2F%2Fforums%2Epelicanparts%2Eco m%2Fshowthread%2Ephp%3Ft%3D967802&share_tid=967802 &share_fid=844&share_type=t&link_source=app

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Welcome. Hope you can save it. Good luck!