10 Commandments(or more?)
 

I've been looking around to buy my first porsche, an SC or earlier. I've noticed some large differences as to when people have had a rebuild. I'm guessing that the cars that had thier rebuilds earlier were not properly cared for rather than having random catastrophic failures.

I understand that the stock 2.7s with heat exchangers may only last 50k because of their intrinsic problems. But I've seen SC's with rebuilds around 100k and some with out around 200k!

I am wondering if I can find floating out there somewhere a list of the "10 Commandments of 911 Care" so that I will know what I need to do for my car to last a long time. It would also be helpful so that I could ask sellers and find out if they had been properly taking care of their cars.

Is there a book someone can point me to? a website? suggestions of your own? Could this be a new project for Wayne to compile? Or has he already done it in one of his books?

Thanks for all your help, you have all made this website an awesome resource.

1. The rev limiter is your friend. Spend lots of time with it.

Only two commandments:
1) Don't let it over-heat.
2) Change oil often.

Jerry M
'78 SC

what year do you have? If a 2.7 w/o Calif. smog systems, it will last a long time. Change oil yearly or at 10,000 miles. put the chain tensioners on.

I have to add a third commandment;

3) Drive it like you stole it.

1: Thou shalt only check the oil on level ground with a warm engine, at idle.
1a: Thou shalt fill the oil to midway betwixt the marks on the dipstick.
1b: Trust of the oil level guage must be earned.

2: Thou shalt not lift.

3: Thou shalt not ask great feats of strength from an engine not yet to operating temperature.

4: There is no gear oil but Swepco, and Bruce Anderson is it's prophet.

5: Fram is the oil filter of infidels. Mahle/Porsche filters are the true path to enlightenment.

Don't thrash it when it's cold. It takes 10 to 15 minutes to properly warm up. And like Jmohn said, change the oil often.

Cost of 320 oil changes equals cost of one engine rebuild (640 if DIY oil changes); if using dino oil change every 3000 miles/4months.

Pause in neutral while shifting between gears.

While down shifting, be damn sure you're in the right gear; practice ahead of time the correct reaction if you're not - clutch pedal back down.

Don't push the trip odometer reset button while the car is moving.

Never disconnect the battery while the engine is running.

Carry a spare fan/alternator belt and changing tools, practice changing a fan/alternator belt before you need to.

Always six shims in the fan/alternator pulley assembly.

Never install a fuse of higher rating in place of one that "blew" .

Correct air pressure front and rear and 94 ft-lbs of torque on those lug nuts.

cheers, Jim

Buying a SC is a good idea. Get a prepurchase inspection done that covers compression tests and looks for broken head studs. And buy a car that looks really nice and seems to have been well cared for. Remmember red cars are fastest but silver ones are much more cool ;)

Thou shalt learn to adj valves thyself

Thou shalt keep rags away from fan when checking oil level

thou shalt not drop the oil dipstick down the opening.

thou shalt change the oil every 3K miles using new crush washers and a Mahle filter (10K Randy? You're brave...)

I agree with Bill, but if silver is cooler, how come it's hot in here?

Thou shalt shift at redline on a regular basis.

Thou shalt not covet thy neighbor's Porsche.

Thou shalt make a diligent effort to park next to another Porsche in any parking lot, thereby protecting one side of other Porsche from dings.

Thou shalt be prepared for a huge mess during first DIY oil change.

Thou shalt change dino oil every 3000 miles or at minimum once a year.

Thou shalt keep on top of oil leaks.

Thou shalt flash or wave all air cooled Porsches. Likewise, thou shalt stop and render roadside assistance to any air cooled Porsche in need. Ah hell, I even helped a Boxster guy once.

Thou shalt post lots of photos of new purchase.

Thou shalt flash or wave all air cooled Porsches. Likewise, thou shalt stop and render roadside assistance to any air cooled Porsche in need. Ah hell, I even helped a Boxster guy once.

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Richard? You even helped WHAT?????

Richard? You even helped WHAT????? [/B][/QUOTE]

Hey, you never know whom you may be helping. Plenty of Boxster drivers also own 911's. In fact, our local PCA chapter president is a very hardcore 993 racer and has a Boxster too. At least the Boxster guy I helped recognized my Carrera as a Porsche. But then he worked at a local dealership. Of course, hot ladies alway get a helping hand - even if they have a child saftey seat in the car.;)

Yup, thats one that I wish I knew before it was too late. :(

Thou shall ask questions to the board when unsure of Porsche operation.

So, what happens when you push the odometer reset when the car is in motion?

Thou shalt not let up off the gas whilst in a corner

Thou shalt not forget to pull the rags off the engine after a thorough washing

(SHIFT AT REDLINE???????????????????? DANG, I FEEL GUTSY IF I SHIFT AT 5K)

Gear stripping odometer killing bad things.

Well, obviously you break stuff...don't do it!

The wheels lock up and begin spinning backwards wildly.