Electric to Manual Windows - Advice needed

MBradbury · 09-30-2003, 04:53 PM

Hi everyone,

I have searched the forum for an answer to this query, but have not found a clear answer to how exactly to convert from electric to manual window operation. My motives are the same as almost everyone elses, i.e. weight reduction.

The project I have undertaken entails the back conversion of a 1988 Carrera to a 1973 2.7 RS look-alike. I have just finished dismantling the bodyshell and I am now planning the reconstruction. Dismantling was both therapeautic and an education. I now know that 70% of the components on a late 911 (excluding the engine) comprises just 3 items; the a/c, the stereo and associated extras and the cruise control. The a/c must have a hundred parts, and considering it isn't that efficient it had to go. Once I got rid of these items I turned my attention to the doors. My goal is to remove all the electric components together with the harnesses. That means mirrors, central locks and widow motors. When I finally disassembled the windows and put the window regulator on the bench, it looked to me that a simple replacement of the motor with a hand crank should do the job (see attached photo). Is this true, or am I hoping for too much? If it can be done, what parts from what year car do I need?

Thanks in advance
Mark Bradbury
1983 911 SC
1988 911 Carrera to 1973 2.7 RS project

Randy Webb · 09-30-2003, 09:39 PM

I think you are correct. maybe others know for sure.

This has got to be the hard way to get an RS.... what are you going to do about all the heavier, Zn dipped sheet metal? For you next project, you could transform a 996 into an RS clone...

If you can find a recent issue of that Brit. 911 magazine, they devoted the whole thing to RS's and noted a builder in England that did exactly what you are trying to do. The early cars are hard to get over there. That builder would knwo exactly what to do to make a clone. They were pretty heavy tho.

CamB · CamB's Garage

heavier, Zn dipped sheet metal

Laugh his way to the non-rusting bank, I suspect. It can't be THAT much weight. Very few people with RS replicas actually have the thin steel anything (GeorgeK's acid dipped '76 is a noteable exception - although not an RS replica).

An '88 also has the G50, which is good news for any power increase.

MBradbury · 10-01-2003, 07:05 AM

HI,

Cameron hit the nail on the head...ZERO RUST. Also, I never said clone, I said look-alike, there is a difference, and the difference is I won't let myself get obsessed with restoration detail issues (I'm obsessed enough as it is). Zinc or no zinc, it's pretty lightweight at the moment.

FYI, I bought this car as a rolling shell, with no engine or transmission (insurance write off after being stolen-to-order). The interior wasn't up to much, so no loss there, and I have a selection of good body parts as potential funding or spares for my SC. As Caremon pointed out the G50 bellhousing is also advantageous, and gives me a range of options for the powertrain...from 2.7 MFI all the way to 3.6 mated to a G50.

Anyone out there know the answer to the electric to manual question?

Mark

Doog · 10-01-2003, 07:13 AM

I also want to convert to manual windows.

Somebody on here must have done it?

Doog

Series900 · 10-01-2003, 07:04 PM

All the door shells are virtually the same, the only difficulty you may find is the changes to the roller on the ends of the regulator arms to the window lift track

coolbreeze · coolbreeze's Garage

The motor hooks up with the regulator gears from the inside of the door from what I've seen in my electric windowed SC. It would be, could you get to those gears from the outside of the door with a crank handle? or would you need to "back date" your regulators to accomidate the new interior side crank handle?

I would be guessing that you will be getting the RS style interior door panel and handles? This would allow you to not have holes for switches and new holes for cranks. Did I just write holes for cranks? I need to get to sleep.

Goodnight everybody.......

Al G · 10-02-2003, 07:24 AM

Try Nick Moss in the UK. He is about to do it on his 3.0RS conversion:
nick@nicholasmoss.co.uk
http://www.nicholasmoss.co.uk/porsche/carrera/

Al G