Corner Vent windows in an '86 911

[PandA]

Wife took the 911 to work yesterday and with no ac she got pretty hot and her poor phone overheated. She has often wanted to see about getting corner vent windows into our car.

Has anyone backdated their windows / doors?
Do the parts just fit?

A

(and yes, we have ac but griffiths, despite selling me "all the parts" didn't sell the adapters that go from the compressor to the hoses. Guess what keeps leaking...)

[Nditiz1]

Should be a direct swap of the entire window frame.

Do you already have pop outs in the back?

Leaking AC is still better than no AC, did she not run it?

If adapters are the only problem why not buy them and get them installed. A lot less work than changing window frames.

[GH85Carrera]

Yea, AC is tons better, especially on a hot and rainy day.

The hoses just connect right to the manifold on the compressor.



When the AC is working right, the compress gets nice cool refrigerant returning to it and keeping it cool.

Is it the manifold you are missing?

[sigchuck]

I put operable vent windows in my 83 targa - one of my favorite modifications even though I have a completely updated and fully functioning AC system (with added condensers). For the targa, it was a very easy bolt-in task. I think I referenced a thread titled "Gordo's vent window conversion" or something along those lines before proceeding, but it's also pretty self evident what to do once you get the door panel off (again for the targa - not sure on coupe).

If the hose needs a flare to o-ring adapter, those are available at most autoparts stores (I got mine from O'Reileys), or I'm sure online also. You do need to know the fitting size (I think they're in numbers, e.g., 6, 8, 10). They're cheap ($5 or $10) and installation is very straight forward - you do have to open the system obviously so you'd need to re-charge and maybe get a new drier.

[onboost]

Originally Posted by PandA

Wife took the 911 to work yesterday and with no ac she got pretty hot and her poor phone overheated. She has often wanted to see about getting corner vent windows into our car.

Has anyone backdated their windows / doors?
Do the parts just fit?

You don't say if you car is a coupe or a Targa.. but yes, it is doable with some things to consider.

The coupes had vent windows from 65 - 68 and as you know, these were the short wheel-based cars and these early window frames, thru 67.. were chrome over brass, whereas the 68 was anodized aluminum for that year only as Porsche went to the fixed wing window for 69 and the intro of the LWB 911.

They will work in a later car, but I would use the aluminum frame as it will need to be anodized black to match the trim of I assume a coupe.


With regard to the Targa, the opening vent window was available from 68 thru 73 and the frame was chromed brass. You need both the front frame and the rear 1/2 frame/guide channel which sits in the back of the door and consists of a finish trim that rests on the edge of the door top.

This looks really good on a SC or Carrera that has had the stainless Targa band refinished, and natural aluminum front and rear window trim added. It kinda gives the 74 Carrera look especially with a duck tail and early chrome manual mirrors.

[PandA]

Thank you all for so many great responses.

I ordered and installed new manifold connectors like the picture from Glen.

But it is still just frustrating to have a "whole" new system, expect for those two parts.

Found a gross leak

Very impressed with ordering from Griffiths, I had the part installed before Griffiths and UPS finished sending me emails!

Also ordered a new crash bar piece because it looks like it got bent pretty badly when we tagged what ever parking curb.
Sent the wife to work this am with a just a vacuum pulled on the system as I just ran out of time to get it all done but not for a lack of good help!




Wife and I talked about the corner window vents. Any recommendations on where to get them? I called DC Auto and they were quoting me new ones.

[fallingat120mph]

86' here and subscribing to the thread.

interested as well.

[Mark Salvetti]

Originally Posted by PandA

Thank you all for so many great responses.

Wife and I talked about the corner window vents. Any recommendations on where to get them? I called DC Auto and they were quoting me new ones.

I didn't even know you could still buy them new, but I see they are about $800-$900 each. I'm surprised DC Auto didn't have any used ones.

They do show up on the Buy & Sell board. I found a nice pair a couple of years ago. I needed chrome, and the pair I found were some of the nicest I had seen. But they do need rubber seals, and that almost doubles my price ($350 for a pair of Porsche rubber seals).

You probably need black - I think just about everything used is going to be chrome, so you'll also have to deal with the color change.

When you consider how expensive the seals are, a new set of vent windows might only be double the cost of a used pair. That is still a lot of money, but if you can get them in black, you may be ahead just avoiding the hassle of restoration and anodizing to black.

Mark

[Tonger]

Rear quarter popouts are plentiful. You can check the classifieds here or look to folks like Tom Butler (tom1394racing) or Al Duarte (porschetec) as well as Roger Cawvey (866-737-1733). I have had better experiences with all three of these folks than DC Auto.

As a matter of fact, Mitch Kaye (also a great seller) has a nice set in the classifieds now. They will likely be silver finish which you can Cerakote/anodize black to match and you will need either used or repro latches ($200 or so).

https://forums.pelicanparts.com/porsche-911-used-parts-sale-wanted/1138414-porsche-911-quarter-windows.html

As Mark in the post above says, you may be money ahead by just purchasing the new ones.

[PandA]

Mark and Tonger, we are looking at the front glass that pivots, not the rear, but it is good to know that the rear pivot is an option, too if front and ac and heated and cooled seats and correct operation of the fresh air blower is still not enough fresh air for my 5' 3 3/4" wife that sits all the way forward.

[Mark Salvetti]

Originally Posted by PandA

Mark and Tonger, we are looking at the front glass that pivots, not the rear, but it is good to know that the rear pivot is an option, too if front and ac and heated and cooled seats and correct operation of the fresh air blower is still not enough fresh air for my 5' 3 3/4" wife that sits all the way forward.

Yes, I know what you are looking for. I was talking about the front vent windows. I bought these:
Targa early polished vent window frames FS

Mark

[PandA]

Those look perfect Mark, although for a Targa. How are they? Still enjoy them?

[spedrcr]

Easy drop in conversion for my '87 targa as the front corner triangle fixed windows are within their own frame. I got lucky and found a set of used "ventilators" from a Middie, optioned in flat black from the factory, locally on Samba. Fully refurbished with paint and Porsche seals-they dropped right in (with a few little tweaks and nuances). Top 3 modification for my no-AC '87 targa. Absolutely love them.

[Mark Salvetti]

spedrcr, those are gorgeous, you got lucky.

PandA, somehow I completely missed that you are looking to add the vent windows to a coupe. That is a much different story.

Only the really early coupes had movable vent windows. I think through 1968. The Targas had movable vents through the mid-1970's, so there are more used ones out there.

I bet you are looking at maybe $1000/side used, if you can find them. And then you'll have to anodize or paint them black.

Mark

[spedrcr]

Mark,

Thanks. I did get lucky and I really enjoyed the re-build process. My buddy let me use his homebrew paint booth complete with both exhaust and heat so the frames and other painted bits turned out really nice for rattle can. Fitting the seals posed some easy to overcome challenges, nothing like a little silicone and hot water!

[Mark Salvetti]

Originally Posted by PandA

Those look perfect Mark, although for a Targa. How are they? Still enjoy them?

Don't know. Still on the shelf, car doesn't run.

Mark

[Mark Salvetti]

Here you go. But chrome and expensive ($2500 for 1968 window frames):

FS: 1968 Door Window Frames

Mark

[exc911ence]

Originally Posted by spedrcr

Easy drop in conversion for my '87 targa as the front corner triangle fixed windows are within their own frame. I got lucky and found a set of used "ventilators" from a Middie, optioned in flat black from the factory, locally on Samba. Fully refurbished with paint and Porsche seals-they dropped right in (with a few little tweaks and nuances). Top 3 modification for my no-AC '87 targa. Absolutely love them.

Is there a way to tighten the "swivel" on the vent windows? My '79 SC was backdated to vent windows somewhere along the way and they're great to have, but the driver's side one won't stay in a set position as the hinge is seemingly loose and allows the window to swing around on its own. The passenger-side one stays exactly where it's put when open.

[john walker's workshop]

Tighten the bolt on the bottom clamp.

[exc911ence]

Originally Posted by john walker's workshop

Tighten the bolt on the bottom clamp.

Is it accessible with the interior door panel off?