Help on deck lid/tail changes

williel · 03-15-2005, 08:42 PM

Those of you guys that change deck lids all the time for track events can hopefully help me out. I tried re-installing my stock deck lid (1986 911) from a IROC tail when driving on the street and can't seem to get it aligned right. It seems that the lid catches and rubs the top against the body just below the rear window...Is there a trick to this?

Jack Olsen · 03-15-2005, 09:43 PM

Yes. The trick is to have a different set of hinges (and a latch) for each decklid, so that it's two bolts and you're done.

But that may be an option for you, right now. Spacers between the hinge and the decklid (i.e. washers) will help you position it. Patience helps, too, since it can be counterintuitive and frustrating.

williel · 03-16-2005, 03:08 PM

You got that right, it's been really frustrating. The tail I have did have a couple of washers but I was thinking the fiberglass inconsistency required it and the stock lid didn't. I'll try additional washers tonight and see if that'll help.

project 911 · project 911's Garage

I had the same problem. First I put some tape along that edge below the rear window to keep from chipping the paint. I ended up putting a couple of shims (1/8 inch total?) under the end of the hinge closest to the rear window (toward the front of the car). I think you can just see it in the following pic. Frustrating to figure out.

PorscheGuy79 · PorscheGuy79's Garage

Quote:

Originally posted by williel
You got that right, it's been really frustrating. The tail I have did have a couple of washers but I was thinking the fiberglass inconsistency required it and the stock lid didn't. I'll try additional washers tonight and see if that'll help.

My god, do you eat off that engine bay?!

project 911 · project 911's Garage

I tried that but eveything tasted like Kendall GT1...

It has come a long way from the way it started.

jtratza · 03-16-2005, 04:59 PM

Don't tell me that is the before picture!

CarreraS2 · 03-16-2005, 05:05 PM

Extreme makeover!

project 911 · project 911's Garage

You have no idea... If this tells you anything, it was a narrow body on the driver's side and 9 inch flair on the passenger side. It had been left outside with rain running down the carbs. Mice, mold, rust, dents, you name it. What made it worse is not having a garage for the first coulpe years. I love it now.

Noel · 03-16-2005, 06:02 PM

I use washers as others have mentioned to line my tails up. I record the number of washers for each bolt and keep it written on masking tape under the lid of each tail. For example, the stock lid gets two washer between the top right hinge and the lid. Bottom right bolt gets a single washer between the lid and the hinge, etc. Once you get the lid set right, it is easy to just record it. Good luck.

williel · 03-16-2005, 08:37 PM

Thanks everyone! The things you take for granted such as these little washers/shims on what one may think is a 10 min job end up taking much more.
Steve B, as someone else said, that's an awesome engine bay!

project 911 · project 911's Garage

I know what you mean. This is not the kind of thing you enjoy blowing a day on figuring out. The first time my lid went on the latch jammed and wouldn't open, then when it did, it hit where yours is and almost chipped all the paint off in the middle. You'll get it.

Thanks everyone for the nice comments on the engine bay.