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-   -   Project Mickey Mouse - Build thread of 79 SC I bought on eBay (http://forums.pelicanparts.com/porsche-911-technical-forum/1111201-project-mickey-mouse-build-thread-79-sc-i-bought-ebay.html)

Focker 02-05-2022 07:54 AM

Hey Hulley, thanks for the compliments!

The ignition upgrade was pretty straightforward. Instead of using the Clewett distributor hole plug, I used a freeze plug.

Wiring even with the relays wasn't too difficult.

For the carbs, I knew I wasn't sticking with CIS due to cost to refurbish the system and the power limitations.

EFI was a consideration, but it ultimately came down to cost. Although others have had success using more budget friendly ECU such as megasquirt, I didn't want to spend all my time mapping and chasing issues.

Cost no object I would have gone EFI with Link/AEM/Haltech.

I have had experience with carbs on 3 of my last 4 racing motorcycles. The best sounding most enjoyable bike I rode was an SV Superbike with 41mm FCR flat slide carbs.

Nothing, I mean NOTHING sounds like a set of flatslides rattling at idle and screaming on the top end.

911SauCy 02-05-2022 09:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hulley (Post 11598320)
Please forgive the dumb question,

1. What's the reason for doing a carb conversion as opposed to EFI?
2. How difficult was it to do the ignition upgrade?

I ask because I have a 79' SC also and A) want to do an ignition upgrade (cop) and B) want to do a modern fuel injection or carb conversion myself.

I cannot stand how cluttered the engine bay looks with the CIS, heater blower motor, etc and I believe a better ignition/fuel system would really wake up the motor in terms of response.

Your engine bay looks amazing, really loving this build thread!

Thank you,

IMHO: ITB/EFI conversion is just not worth it.... Plenty of great conversions on here and they sound good and run well, but $20k is just a ridiculous amount of scratch to toss at motor for looks and marginal, marginal, performance increases.

Carbs have the look, they're OG, they sound incredible, power is almost identical to ITBs, for a small percentage of the ITB cost....nevermind the headaches of ITB tuning. You can count on 1 hand how many people in this country can proficiently tune EFI/ITBs, Al Kosmal on here is one of these wizards

That said, a properly tuned/cared after CIS works flawlessly and makes fantastic power as well. Mine makes as much and in some cases more than comparable ITB set-ups I've seen.

In coming off the soap box...ITB's are literally just Carbs with fuel being squirted into them instead of sucked in, they are not rocket appliances but they certainly cost like one

Showdown 02-05-2022 11:05 AM

The one truism within the Porsche fuel management debate is that everyone is firmly rooted in whatever system they have on their car:

CIS folk think it’s the most reliable and predictable.

MFI camp swears by the analog mechanical directness.

Carb club professes the realest, rawest system.

EFI/ITB gang is all about the best of all worlds.

Each has its pros and cons. There’s no perfect system and one must first define their own wants/needs ambitions/limits.

Focker 02-05-2022 11:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Showdown (Post 11598722)
The one truism within the Porsche fuel management debate is that everyone is firmly rooted in whatever system they have on their car:

CIS folk think it’s the most reliable and predictable.

MFI camp swears by the analog mechanical directness.

Carb club professes the realest, rawest system.

EFI/ITB gang is all about the best of all worlds.

Each has its pros and cons. There’s no perfect system and one must first define their own wants/needs ambitions/limits.

This.

A well setup and tuned efi is miles ahead of carbs in terms of fuel economy and drive ability throttle etc., but it costs a lot of $$$ to get the drivability and part throttle mapping etc.

MFI is like direct injection from 40 years ago.


Money no object, I'm going MFI followed by EFI then carbs. But, for $4500, a turnkey 46mm carb solution gets you pretty close for a lot less money

Hulley 02-05-2022 11:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Focker (Post 11598557)
Hey Hulley, thanks for the compliments!

The ignition upgrade was pretty straightforward. Instead of using the Clewett distributor hole plug, I used a freeze plug.

Wiring even with the relays wasn't too difficult.

For the carbs, I knew I wasn't sticking with CIS due to cost to refurbish the system and the power limitations.

EFI was a consideration, but it ultimately came down to cost. Although others have had success using more budget friendly ECU such as megasquirt, I didn't want to spend all my time mapping and chasing issues.

Cost no object I would have gone EFI with Link/AEM/Haltech.

I have had experience with carbs on 3 of my last 4 racing motorcycles. The best sounding most enjoyable bike I rode was an SV Superbike with 41mm FCR flat slide carbs.

Nothing, I mean NOTHING sounds like a set of flatslides rattling at idle and screaming on the top end.

Thank you, precisely why I really like the PMO carb option, the idea of constantly messing with tuning doesn't sound like fun and coming from a dirtbike background, I'm very comfortable with carbs and the simplicity is awesome.

RDM 02-07-2022 05:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Focker (Post 11598747)
But, for $4500, a turnkey 46mm carb solution gets you pretty close for a lot less money

Best guess- what's a turnkey MFI system cost?

75 911s 02-07-2022 05:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RDM (Post 11600060)
Best guess- what's a turnkey MFI system cost?

Pump is 2-3k for a core, then 1k to rebuild. Plus 1k for a custom RSR space cam.

You need MFI cams, pulleys and a belt. and MFI engine tin. You need MFI heat exchangers or to mod the MFI pump with a manual enrichment (1k +) you also need MFI engine tin for the back of the motor.

Plastic or hardlines.

Heads that have MFI ports or can be drilled to ports, or aftermarket adapters.

Throttle body cores are about 1k depending on condition.

Plastic stacks you can get for 800 or so if you are going for the stock look.

Air cleaner another 900 ish.

You need a MFI fuel console and filter 1k ish.

Other more custom or race inspired intake would be much more. (For instance high butterfly or slide valve)

You'll need to change or recurve the dizzy at $600-800

I know Johnny built a test rig to test his and who knows what that cost, alternative is ....trailering to 1 of 3 places in the world that can tune it for you? Who knows who is competent to tune a custom MFI setup.

Carbs really are the cheapest, best bang for the buck imho. For those who know what they are looking at, wow factor on MFI is unbeatable.

911SauCy 02-08-2022 04:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Showdown (Post 11598722)
The one truism within the Porsche fuel management debate is that everyone is firmly rooted in whatever system they have on their car:

CIS folk think it’s the most reliable and predictable.

MFI camp swears by the analog mechanical directness.

Carb club professes the realest, rawest system.

EFI/ITB gang is all about the best of all worlds.

Each has its pros and cons. There’s no perfect system and one must first define their own wants/needs ambitions/limits.

As a lover of my CIS, If I had the choice of any of these options, MFI would be the go to, carbs, then efi/itb....the juice isn't worth the squeeze with efi/itb

Regardless...we're digressing.

UPDATES, Focker!?

Focker 02-08-2022 06:47 AM

Not a ton to report at the moment, but I'm about to embark on a bit of upholstery.

I'm going to be covering the dash in leather so I can get that back in and have the glass guy reinstall the front and rear wind screens.

My dash is in excellent condition, but I wanted it to be in leather along with the top of the door caps.

Fuel system should be good to go this weekend.

Coastr 02-08-2022 01:19 PM

Surely only masochists and vintage racers (birm) would attempt a new MFI install?

Carbs for the show, Efi for the go. There’s a lot of cars getting about with them now, can’t be that hard to tune. But they are cheaper as already noted.

Focker 02-13-2022 08:54 AM

Very brief superbowl Sunday update.

I hate the following things:

WIRING
CONTACT CEMENT THAT CLUMPS UP
F*CKING BUTYL TAPE
WIRING
REROUTING FUEL LINES
PANEL ALIGNMENT
WIRING
UPGRADES THAT TURN OUT TO BE A PAIN IN THE ASS AND MAKE YOU QUESTION ALL LIFES DECISIONS
WIRING


Thank you.

Go Bengals.

chrisbalich 02-14-2022 06:44 AM

I'm with you on the hatred of wiring.
I've read multiple times how it's very Zen, but I find it quite stressful.

Jonny042 02-15-2022 05:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RDM (Post 11600060)
Best guess- what's a turnkey MFI system cost?

Pretty much priceless. Since IMO there is no such thing.

Duane is pretty much on the money with his reply. I built my entire engine and project car around the MFI system once I got hooked on Maniacal Fuel Injection..... and it was worth every penny and then some. But it's not something you can bolt on and go it has to be a planned effort right out of the gate.

PMO carbs are basically the best option for simplicity, functionality, and lack of wiring. Aftermarket EFI and ITB's for that last 5% power and tunability.

AutoXer23 02-15-2022 08:57 PM

Nice build.. Mine is actually being painted the same color

Focker 03-10-2022 09:03 AM

Brief update.

I finished plumbing the fuel system and it turns out my *****ty job welding on the AN6 fitting to the return line on the tank so I had a small fuel leak. I think I got that sorted out now.

Glass guy comes on Monday to install front and rear windscreen. Slow progress now as I am in my busiest part of the year for work.

Hulley 03-10-2022 05:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Focker (Post 11631821)
Brief update.

I finished plumbing the fuel system and it turns out my *****ty job welding on the AN6 fitting to the return line on the tank so I had a small fuel leak. I think I got that sorted out now.

Glass guy comes on Monday to install front and rear windscreen. Slow progress now as I am in my busiest part of the year for work.

Pics for God's sake, we need em!

Focker 03-10-2022 07:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hulley (Post 11632386)
Pics for God's sake, we need em!

I will post some pictures over the weekend.

I did try a test fire on the engine but it just coughed and acted up. In all my excitement to put the engine together, I didn't disassemble and clean the carbs that I got second hand and they were a bit blocked up.

Rebuild kit is enroute from Parts Klassik after I tore one of the paper gaskets, but otherwise they are clean and ready to rock and roll.

It WILL be driven by April 30, 2022 (its 3 year anniversary).

Focker 03-13-2022 08:43 AM

Tidied up the garage and dropped the car back on its own feet.

Pictures as promised. http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1647189789.jpg
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1647189789.jpg
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1647189789.jpg

chrisbalich 03-13-2022 01:15 PM

Looking great!

Ready to see it rolled out into the sun!

proporsche 03-13-2022 01:21 PM

just today i thought to myself pastel grey will look great on 911 and here we have it..looks superb

Ivan

Superman 03-13-2022 01:49 PM

Yes. IF I had a 911 to paint today, it would probably be a non-metallic grey. Like the Steve McQueen thing. Dove Grey. Or maybe that bluish battleship grey. Fortunately for us, Porsche has created some very excellent colors from which to choose and it's really hard to make our cars look bad.

Focker 03-13-2022 03:41 PM

Ok I lied.

Realized I needed to get the dash back in before the glass went in. That meant I needed to get get this thing as good as I could.

I had decided to recover the dash in leather since I wasn't overly happy with having a vinyl dash. Problem was that when I started this a few weeks ago, the contact cement was balling up and generally trying to ruin my life.

After a bunch of acetone and other questionable activities, it was as good as I could get, and if it really bothered me, I could have a professional do it a few years from now.

So, here are a few more pictures, including the dash trim that I did that I think really compliments the door panels and painted dash. You can also spot the JWest Rennshifter with wooden shift knob.

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1647214849.jpg
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1647214849.jpg
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1647214849.jpg

Hulley 03-13-2022 05:56 PM

That interior is gonna look beautiful, really looking forward to hearing this thing get fired up and I'm sure you are too!

AutoXer23 03-13-2022 09:34 PM

That's looking like a good build

Focker 03-17-2022 01:01 PM

Glass guy came today. That brought good news and bad news.

I thought I did everything right. New aluminum trim and seals direct from my Porsche dealer.

George the glass guy has been doing glass for over 40 years and does a TON of Porsches. First thing he says when he inspects the rear seal is that it doesn't feel like a porsche seal. He's immediately concerned because it feels spongy. The front seal felt much different.

As expected by this exchange, the front glass goes in with little problems.

The rear glass does not want to cooperate. The glass is sealed, but the trim won't stay in in a few spots.

We decided to leave it for now, let it settle and possibly go with another seal. My main man Jonny suggested the OEM brand, but we will see in a few weeks.

To say I'm discouraged and disappointed is a major understatement.

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1647550810.jpg
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1647550810.jpg
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1647550810.jpg
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1647550810.jpg
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1647550810.jpg

proporsche 03-17-2022 01:07 PM

it is a pita the rear glass that is for sure but..you alu trim looks like it is bend on the corners..

Ivan

skinnerd 03-17-2022 01:15 PM

Definitely the back seals are much more difficult to install correctly.
So don't feel bad...you're not the only one that has had issues putting them in.

Focker 03-17-2022 01:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by proporsche (Post 11639217)
it is a pita the rear glass that is for sure but..you alu trim looks like it is bend on the corners..

Ivan

trim was brand new out of the bag, but anything is possible.

George the glass guy said the sponginess of the rear seal was keeping the aluminum trim from grabbing in the channel.

75 911s 03-17-2022 01:37 PM

rear glass is a total _____. I had mine in and out 4 times before I got it right.

Jonny042 03-17-2022 01:43 PM

Further to my PM, I really wish I could be more/better help with this. The variability and lack of quality of the factory parts is a pet peeve of mine.

I would not be surprised if you could get the rear glass and trim in by yourself. You don't really have much to lose by trying!!!

Comments below are in no particular order but may be relevant to the pictures:

I use a nice fat 14 gauge wire as the "rope" for installing glass, and glycerin for lube.

Because I never seem to have help when I need it I use ratchet straps and hard packing foam blocks to apply GENTLE pressure to the seal/trim/glass assembly.

The trim as delivered doesn't really fit the window aperture at all (see pic of upper left). It will help to gently shape it to the form it needs to be in for the final install. Try to get it to lay evenly all around the window.

If you look closely at the trim you'll see it has a barbed profile on one side only. This barb will distinctly click in and hold into the seal. I use brake-kleen as the lubricant for this step, so that once assembled into the seal the trim is less likely to pop back out.

The process goes like this:

1. Clean window and seal with brake kleen or iso alcohol, assemble seal to window.
2. Clip trim c/w clips into seal using the same chemicals. It must be 100% clipped into seal, no questions, no exceptions. IT WILL NOT clip into the seal after install. You can squeeze it into the seal with your hands which will be sore and tired and raw after the first few tries doing this.
3. Put lubed rope into seal groove and lube seal lip as well. There is an extra little lip on the seal in the area of the main lip that you are roping around the flange, this lip goes over the main seal as sort of an aide to the install.
4. I honestly don't remember if I start at the top or the bottom of the window but pretty sure it's the bottom. Once you get the hang of it it actually all goes pretty well.

The bad news is you will have to try more than once before you find a combination of techniques that works for you. You may also get the window installed properly but the trim doesn't sit flat against the seal, even though the trim is clipped into the seal. Take it out, tweak the trim, try again. Try not to get frustrated.

It's nerve wracking and frustrating, working around the fresh paint, newly glued headliner, etc.

Just keep at it until you are satisfied. In the end my trim didn't sit perfectly flat and flush with the seal, and the outer lip of the seal didn't make a nice smooth line around the two upper corners which are an absolute ***** to get. You know what? I said "good enough for now", even though that's not really in my vocabulary, forgot about it, and it hasn't bothered me, even once, in the last two years. You'd think it would drive me nuts but it doesn't really stand out.

Good luck and DON'T GIVE UP!!!!!

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1647551757.jpg

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1647551757.jpg

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1647551757.jpg

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1647551757.jpg

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1647551757.jpg

Jonny042 03-17-2022 02:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 75 911s (Post 11639263)
rear glass is a total _____. I had mine in and out 4 times before I got it right.

I stopped counting after the first full day of trying to get it perfect..... eventually said "good enough" (as much as it hurts to even type that). But it was well into double digits.

Getting it in was easy, getting it to look half decent took an eternity.

Focker 03-17-2022 02:53 PM

thanks guys, really appreciate the encouragement.

I'm thinking I'm going to focus on getting the car into a running state, and then come back to it.

Another Porsche guy I know who uses this glass guy extensively said he had to let it sit for a bit then come back to it.

So, I'm going to rebuild my carbs, get the rest of the interior installed and then take another crack at the glass (or better yet get George to come back).

The hardest part about a project car is the setbacks.

The best part about a project car is overcoming those setbacks.

Mikesavina 03-17-2022 05:29 PM

I have to do this in a few weeks and now I’m a bit more worried than I was before. Not many Porsche glass installation experts around me.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

chrisbalich 03-18-2022 03:43 AM

I did all my windows myself. The rear window was the easiest of the four.
Granted, I had to do it 4 times to get it right the first time I put it in. But when I took it out for some interior work, I got it back in on the second attempt.

Definitely start at the bottom.

I use common clothesline and Palmolive dish soap (diluted a bit with water). Nothing else...for the rear. I'd rather not talk about the windscreen. It's in, but it wasn't fun.

Focker 03-18-2022 09:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chrisbalich (Post 11639664)
I did all my windows myself. The rear window was the easiest of the four.
Granted, I had to do it 4 times to get it right the first time I put it in. But when I took it out for some interior work, I got it back in on the second attempt.

Definitely start at the bottom.

I use common clothesline and Palmolive dish soap (diluted a bit with water). Nothing else...for the rear. I'd rather not talk about the windscreen. It's in, but it wasn't fun.

I did my side glass no problem. They did the front glass in like 20 minutes. Looking at Jon's pictures I think the issue might actually be the trim moulding.

My carb kit just arrived, so plan is to get this thing started this weekend.

Focker 04-01-2022 11:14 AM

OK - a little bit of 3 steps forward, 1 stumble back.

WIRING - The bane of my existence.

I figured out my intermittent issue with headlights not working. I have the Adapt fuse panel with integrated headlight relays. Since I was still working through a bunch of the wiring, I hadn't fully mounted it yet. Turns out, the panel must be grounded for the relays to work. DUUURRRRR.

So, headlights, running lights and turn signals are all functional. YAY! Issue I'm having now is push forward on the turn signal stalk is low beam, and "normal" position is high beams.

I checked the wiring on the fuse panel and that checks out. I confirmed the wiring on the H4 bulb to all the pictures posted on this great website, that's all good.

I even checked the diagnostic lights on the fuse panel confirming that low beam is low, high beam is high, so I assume my issue is at the headlight wiring switch?


DRIVETRAIN

Next issue is that I bought 4 new Loebro CV boots, some fancy 12pt. CV bolts from Belmetric and nordlock washers, aka the Jonny042 special. I was extra diligent and made sure I ordered the 55mm bolts to compensate for the Nordlocks.

WELL SON OF A B*TCH, the Loebro makes this a NO GO. Loebro boots have a *****ty stamped flange, making all my Jonny042's too long.

Any thoughts on running the OEM thick flange with the boot removed then the Loebro boot over that? It would get me the perfect thickness to bolt ratio.

Thanks!!

Ryan

chrisbalich 04-01-2022 11:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Focker (Post 11653273)
OK - a little bit of 3 steps forward, 1 stumble back.

WIRING - The bane of my existence.

I figured out my intermittent issue with headlights not working. I have the Adapt fuse panel with integrated headlight relays. Since I was still working through a bunch of the wiring, I hadn't fully mounted it yet. Turns out, the panel must be grounded for the relays to work. DUUURRRRR.

So, headlights, running lights and turn signals are all functional. YAY! Issue I'm having now is push forward on the turn signal stalk is low beam, and "normal" position is high beams.

I checked the wiring on the fuse panel and that checks out. I confirmed the wiring on the H4 bulb to all the pictures posted on this great website, that's all good.

I even checked the diagnostic lights on the fuse panel confirming that low beam is low, high beam is high, so I assume my issue is at the headlight wiring switch?


DRIVETRAIN

Next issue is that I bought 4 new Loebro CV boots, some fancy 12pt. CV bolts from Belmetric and nordlock washers, aka the Jonny042 special. I was extra diligent and made sure I ordered the 55mm bolts to compensate for the Nordlocks.

WELL SON OF A B*TCH, the Loebro makes this a NO GO. Loebro boots have a *****ty stamped flange, making all my Jonny042's too long.

Any thoughts on running the OEM thick flange with the boot removed then the Loebro boot over that? It would get me the perfect thickness to bolt ratio.

Thanks!!

Ryan

My dude, I'd sooner cut those bolts or let them push through the backs of the CVs than stack two boot flanges.

Focker 04-01-2022 11:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chrisbalich (Post 11653286)
My dude, I'd sooner cut those bolts or let them push through the backs of the CVs than stack two boot flanges.

I was thinking that as an option. The OEM flange is the nice thick steel, but the boot is like a thin stamped cover that slips over the joint. I'll take a picture to illustrate, but you are probably right.

chrisbalich 04-01-2022 12:03 PM

Can always get some moon plates and use those over the thin flange.
Adds a bit of complication, but distributes the clamping force [over the flange] a little more evenly.

Focker 04-01-2022 12:47 PM

Just went to the garage. I concur, moonplates to be procured


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