New to the board, hello to all, now a question...
 

Greetings, all.

Thank goodness I am again a P owner after (too) many years. What was I thinking? Anyhow, the car is an '83 sc with 136K, well cared for, top end & tx rebuild 8k ago, well documented by 2 PO's.

The first run was 350 miles with all smiles. I am getting ready for the Thanksgiving 700 mile run to mom's and wonder what might need attention. The only thing that I can think of is the fuel pump, seems to be original as far as the docs go.

What do you think? Get a new one and put it in the trunk? Stop worrying and just drive the thing?

If I do get a Pelican order in before the trip, what would y'all recommend? Any other stuff to put in the box?

Thanks!

As a member it is my obligation not to respond until you post pics, very sorry.

:D

That said...are you having any problems with the fuel or idling? If you arnt I wouldnt worry about it until it starts showing signs.

My Carrera's fuel pump died and stranded me at about 80k miles. It was not something that was gonna get changed on the side of the road either, what with a full tank of gas. That was a lot of fun. Get AAA or towing insur. Just took my '83 SC on a 380 mile round trip this weekend and could not have been happier.

Operator error. Sorry.

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1100576306.jpg

Very nice, the color is excellent

Welcome, very nice color. You could always hook up a fuel pressure gauge and check your cars specs. I’ve been lucky, a bad fuel pump made me think I had a clogged fuel filter, performance dropped down and stalled. Then died! Both on my Porsche & trusty Chevy truck I tow with.

Buy a fan belt and make sure you have the necessary tools in the tool bag.

There are several threads in the archives about what to carry with you on a trip. I don't thing the collection was short of anything to make it from Paris to Dakar. ;)

Someone else with mad wrenching skills may correct me, but unless the pump gives you a reason... just drive it :)

Congrats.. thats a really nice color!

-Bernie

David,

Very nice car! Welcome aboard!!

change all fluids and the brake hoses as soon as you can.

see the long term maintenance thread (search button)

be sure to check for air in the spare or a good pump if the car uses that. bring a cell phone and swap the jack for a 944 scizzors type

Beautiful car! Nice scenery behind it also. Gotta love NC!

I'd take my AAA plus card and a cell phone.

She looks great! Lets see under the dress! How does the engine oil look? A quick test is to take a couple drips for the dip stick after the engine has been running for awhile, drip the oil on a biz card and if in say 5 to 10 you see a bulls eye pattern, your oil is saterated (sp) with carbon deposits. Best to change her blood before the long hawl. May want to smell it as well - if it smells somewhat acrid, carboxlyic and sufuric acids may have started to be generated - not good, time for a transfusion.

David,

Agree with the recommendations for AAA, fan belts, and cell (with cig light adapter), and a couple of quarts of oil (assuming you don't need an oil change). The pump...fughettabout it unless it's actually acting up. Oh, and don't forget to check the coolant level ;)
Have a good trip, and congrats!!

Edward

Very Nice Color!!! Welcome......... SmileWavy SmileWavy SmileWavy SmileWavy

That is a NICE car :D. I would check the air filter and blow it out before the trip. Also a good investment would be 101 Projects for your Porsche 911 by Wanye Dempsey (one of the administrators of this board) and a Haynes repair manual. You will be glad you purchased those two books! They will be a great reference incase you want to repair or modify your 911.

Congrats,
Matt

Hey cool same color as mine! I haven't seen many that color, but yours has better paint :)
Road service is a must and inexpesive. I have it through my Sprint cell phone for $4/month. Hard to say what really needs fixing without inspection. I'd say look at all the fuel/vacuum/brake lines and belts, change all the fluids, listen for noises. Then enjoy the ride. Oh, how about wind shield wipers?

that is a sweet car! Zeke is right, take tools, fix aflat, join AAA, and cell phone. Other than that just DRIVE that beauty. Welcome to the gang.

All of the above and I'll add this: From experience-it is CRITICAL to know where to take your car if it should break down along the way. Hopefully you're a PCA member and have access to the websight. Check in with the friendly folks that are in the regions through which you are travelling. Get names of Porsche specific, independant shops along the way. Write down the numbers and addresses on a small spiral notebook to be kept always in the glove box. That way if you break down, which is a very real possibility for ANY vintage car, you know who to call. The last thing you need is to be sitting along side the road with no phone, no flatbed, and no destination for your broken car. Trust me on this one:)

Pretty Car.....Welcome Aboard.

I have taken my 73.5T from Atlanta to the Keyes and all over the place. Its easy to be overly cautious and desiring to carry a mechanic and a new engine in the backseat! The consensus is a spare belt, the usual tools and a good flashlight. I do not know if your interstate cruising or taking the backroads, but I carry my latest copy of Panorama which lists all the head honchos for the various regions. I figure, if I ever got stuck, a call to one of these folks in that region will get me a decent, reputable shop and tow company for starters.

Since your in North Carolina and may be heading north it will be a bit chilly, so consider a survival blanket, compass, hand warmers and all the necessities for survival. Afterall you would have to depend on a flatbed for rescue and that means hanging out for awhile and Porsche ownership is always an adventure. Oh, remember the energy bars!

Safe Voyage...

Bob
73.5T
Atlanta

Thanks for all of the good advice and encouragement. I used to drive all over Massachusetts in an old Karman Ghia and never gave it a second thought. I would have frozen to death if I was stranded...come to think about it, I just about froze with it running. I must be getting soft.

I am going to head over to the PCA site tonight and join up. Here is a quick shot under the hood. The alternator was replaced 14K ago but I took the belt off this weekend and shook the heck out of it to be sure (see the scrape).

The paint is beautiful, you can't tell it from the pix but it looks like you can dive into it. The PO paid a mint to have it stripped, sanded and repainted. All of the rubber is new and beautiful.

The only big thing left is the interior. The carpet, seats and panels are kind of a tan/beige and all the rest is black. I would like to recover the seats black and then see how the panels look...any similar projects out there? What do you think?http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1100645385.jpg

sweet!

One more item: red fuel pump relay.

SHWEEEET.........SmileWavy

You decide.
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1096858377.jpg

Thanks, guys. Zeke, that interior looks great and will most likely be duplicated here. I have my PCA membership, AAA, cell, both of Wayne's books plenty of tools & spares to keep the gremlins at bay and great anticipation of the upcoming trip! I am heading to the Nantahala Forest region so it should be a fun drive. I'll post the photos and report on return.

Pacl Food-no McDonald's:). Have fun.

Fire extinguisher!!! It can happen.

Welcome David! If you're not really familiar with western NC/TN (I'm not really either), get out on the Cherohala Skyway if you get a chance...my buddy & I came accross it last year (not in my p-car though), and I was wishin' I had her the whole trip...great twisties! Also, check out many other great roads in that area...have a fun, safe trip!