Quiz for master mechanics
 

I replaced the points on my '73 911 yesterday. After replacing the rotor and the cap, I attempted to start the motor. As soon as I started cranking I heard an awful racket from the motor. It sounded like someone violently shaking a steel bucket of parts. I stopped cranking, scratched my head and tried to figure out how such a noise could be created merely by changing the points.

I read Wayne's project book and the Haynes manual but could not figure out what I had done wrong. I then inspected the motor and soon realized what the problem was. Anybody want to take a guess?

You put the cap on 180 degrees out of phase, if that's even possible?

Stephan

No, that wasn't it. I thought about that but assumed that reversing the cap would mean that the car would not run but that it would not cause any noise.

Did you remove the distributor to install the new points? If so, you may have put it back in 'off' one tooth on the drive gear ... it would start, but run like a bucking bronco on a couple of cylinders!

Warren:

I did not remove the distributor. Try again.

I would guess that you placed the plug wires in a counter-clockwise orientation, like on the 911SC, when it should be clockwise for your car. This is a very common error, and one that I have made once or twice myself...

-Wayne

You guys are thinking too hard. Think more along the lines of bonehead.

Were you turning the motor over using the nut on the fan to find TDC, and left the socket or spanner on the nut when you started the car?

You forgot to push the rotor all the way on the shaft and it few off and was being beaten around inside the Cap?

BTW, I forgot to put the rotor back on once. Counldn't figure out why it wouldn't start! What an idiot :(

Way to go Stu. You sound like a man that feels my pain.

Left your screwdriver leaning against the blades of the fan? Forgot to tighten the points plate? Dropped something into the area where the fan meets the pulley?

All big bonehead things there...

-Wayne

A very dangerous situation!

-Wayne

Stu got it. I left a 1/2 inch drive ratchet on the fan bolt. Its a wonder I can make it through a day . . .

Woohoo!
Winning the quiz for 'silly mistake of the day'
I have not done that one, but nearly have several times.
Hope no damage was done.

While working on the motor, I saw a plastic cap for a paint spray can or carb cleaner laying in there. That would have been nice in the fan. A thorough once over at the finish of each job needs to be routine. I haven't left too many tools in the engine compartment over the years, but a few. About half of them I never saw again.

The 356 has a huge rear engine shelf. I've opened up my engine compartment (in the past) to find tools that I had been missing for months!

-Wayne

Dropped a wrench in the super charger?