Sportomatic with clutch pedal and it's slipping

[Thrashed73]

New to the Forum and Porsche.

Sooo stoked to have the car, but its kinda like I've taken a plunge and can't really swim. So far it's been challenging to find info on the transmission. I met a local guy who runs a Porsche junk yard and repair shop. Older fella with tons of knowledge. He's a total gold mine of info but not too familiar with Sportomatics. I went to meet him right before I bought it, I suppose to confirm I was crazy...of course he validated my concern and I left with that giddy feeling like I was going for big air.

So, I took delivery last Wednesday of this thrashed and goofily customized 1973.5 911T. It has its factory engine and Sportomatic..little win...yay! Somewhere in its life it was "customized" to look like a 930 slant nose, a really hideous one. The car was modified to include a clutch pedal which I am told is operable. So you can use the microswitch operated servo in the shifter as intended from the factory, or the foot pedal. I was told by the used car salesman that the torque converter is out and that is why the car does not move, so I'm pretty sure it's something else.

I haven't started it but I do know it runs. They sent me a video. Knowing virtually nothing about Sportomatics, but knowing that at least the torque converter shares oil with the engine, I am hesitant to fire it up until I am sure it won't cause damage...could metal get in the oil from torque converter if that is the problem?

The way it was described to me is that when the dealer took delivery it drove for about 200 feet with the tranny slipping badly.

Then it just stopped moving and now apparently just rolls a few inches and that's it. To me it sounds like a clutch. I thought I would start by looking at the linkage since that is most likely wacky with the bonus pedal.

I'm hoping someone way smarter than me has already ventured this path so my pointed questions are here:
1. Is it safe to run the engine if the converter is shot? My plan is to drain the oil and cut open the filter and search both oil and filter for metal fragments or debris. Any other suggestions?
2. Does is sound more like the clutch or Converter? Is the any easy way to tell?
3. What the hell is up with a clutch pedal on a Sportomatic? Is this safe? It is actually kinda cool to go Sporto mode in stop and go traffic. I've heard brief mention of people doing this to VWs and Porsche but can find no more than a mention here and there.
4. There is no separation of operation between the different clutch activation methods, like a switch disconnecting the microswitch in the shifter. Should there be one? Should I add one? I wouldn't mind keeping it if I can insure its mechanically sound.

I'll see if I can figure out how to attach some pics so you can see what the dirty girl looks like. Haven't done anything mechanical yet but I've already started dismantling it. I went for removing all of the ghetto bodywork first because I just couldn't look at it without dry heaving.

Thanks,
Chris

PS.
Please don't say swap it to a 915. I've considered it and may, but a 1973.5 Targa Sporto is kind of rare, 96 made I'm told. Not a desirable thing really (the Sporto), but I don't want to Destroy its originality any more than already has been. I'm trying to take it back in the direction of original.

Also, no need to clarify how bad of a purchase this was. My inspector was there to inspect another car I was looking at and when I asked him to look at this one he refused...just said "NO". Haha! Seriously...and I still bought it!

[Gianni at Pelican Parts]

That sure is a looker.... definitely look forward to it being restored to a more original style. The
911 Tech Articles is a great place to start in addition to Pelican's founder, Wayne Dempsey's, book 101 Projects for your Porsche 911

[Thrashed73]

Thanks, I have that book next to me. Didn't see anything on the Sportomatic. Didn't see anything in the Tech Articles either. Found a bit in the Haynes and Bentley manuals but it just pointed to clutch and really nothing on converter other that a squeal if its bad.

[76FJ55]

I have an electronic copy of the 72-83 factory service manuals. If you don't have a copy PM me your email address. I haven't looked for sportmatic info bu there may be some in there.

[Thrashed73]

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