Early 911 questions (1965)

[onephat356]

I have a 1965 911 that I am trying to get going after a long hibernation and poor storage from the prior owner.
The car is very original down to the Nadella axles and interior.
Q1-I would like to keep the Nadella axles......Problems? Hard to rebuild? Hard to source? (I need the left hand side, it's crap)
Q2-I have an original Webasto gas heater installed.........where are the controls located? What are the procedures for firing it up?
Q3-I currently have steel wheels fitted........what are the widest Fuch's that will fit when lowered without rubbing?
Q4-I need a reference car.........does anyone in the SoCal area have an early 911 close to chassis#301931 for comparison?
Thanks very much for any help.

[svandamme]

Q1 , Pelican sells aftermarkets full axle kits for nadella, Lobro brand
Q2 , wouldn't touch it without it beeing checked out completely
Q3 , wouldn't mess with the car to much if it is in original unrestored or molested shape, that includes lowering or slapping on non correct fuchs
Q4, dunno

[Fidalgo911S]

I'd leave the heater alone also. I disconnected mine for safety reasons. It's there in the smuggler's box for originality.

Soteric (on this board) knows his wheels and can tell you exactly what to do. Save your steel rims. They have a manufacture date on them and will only increase the value of the car if they all are '64/'65 dates.

There are quite a few guys with early cars on this board. Ask for pictures or advice as needed. I have a '65 #302947. It may be a little different then yours, but it's original.

You know the rules - pictures!

[304065]

304065 ('66) here. . . I recommend checking the Webasto thoroughly before lighting it off. . . there are a number of safety systems that are designed in, but you want to be absolutely certain you aren't pumping raw fuel into the smugglers box. . . there's a good post over on Early S registry until I get around to doing mine and posting it here.

I have 6's with 205's that fit fine.

[svandamme]

John, 304065??

the Red book only lists them from 300236 till 303390 for 65
and 903551 - 907000 for 66

error in the book?

guess the book should be 3xxxxx instead of 6xxxxx for the 66 year , right?

[304065]

Stijn, I don't have my red book handy, but the '66 model year was:

1966 911
301 813* - 303 390 Jul 65 to Dec 65 *approximate
303 391 - 305 100 Jan 66 to Aug 66

I know mine was made after February, 1966 from the oil temp sender and the gauges, we'll know for sure when my COA arrives one of these days.

If those numbers are in the Red book it's almost like he listed engine numbers instead.

edit: The numbers are correct in the Second Edition of 2004

[Grady Clay]

Welcome to the Forum. I assume you come from a 356 background so you won’t need the standard lecture on originality.

That said, the Nadella are easily maintained with fairly standard universal joint repair parts. If you intend to do anything other than normal casual street driving then you should change to the Lobro CVs. Whatever you do, keep an original set of Nadella with your 911.


If you aren’t prepared to entirely go through your gas heater, leave it alone unmolested. Search the world for early (and late) 911 gas heaters. It will be one of those special things in the future that defines early 911s by having one working. That won’t be possible without having spares that are not available.

When you clean your gas tank, install the non-gas heater plug to prevent leaks. Obviously save the original parts.


Absolutely keep the original steel wheels! Check the dates. If necessary scour the world for the right dates. Wheels are easy to change, you can use whatever outrageous wheels you want for driving. 6x16 with 205/55-16 fit. You will find Porsche people commenting on your 4 ½” wheels with great affection. This is where the Porsche “Certificate of Authenticity” is invaluable. You can know if the 911 was delivered with 4 ½ x 15 painted or optional chrome wheels. Either is equally desirable if originally delivered on your 911.


I’ll encourage you to not do modifications to your 911 (listen to ME saying that). You are now the custodian (special caretaker) of a very special SWB 911. With good maintenance and appropriate repair as original where necessary, you will have an exceptional 911. If you want a hot-rod that you can tinker with, buy a later 911. Not only do the LWB cars perform better but they are easier (and less expensive) to modify.

How about some pictures.

Best,
Grady

[Soterik]

The widest wheel that can fit on your car without rolling the fenders is a 6" wide wheel, which you can run 205/60's on with ease. If you roll your rear fenders, you can fit an "911R" 7" wheel, and then you can get 225/50's on it. The R wheel is very expensive, though you can have a 6" fuchs widened to get the same fit (Weidman wheels).

I've also attached a picture of a rare early 4.5 Fuchs. I had a set of 4 of these widened to 6" by Harvey Weidman, and then had them refinished like OE. I can go "period" with the wheels this way, but run rubber in keeping with the performance of the car.

As far as modification? You can do a LOT of things without really screwing up the car. Many modifications are "undoable", and you can personalize this way "at will"; larger engine, racing seats, upgraded lighting, etc. are simply "bolt on".

You've got a great car no matter how you intend to keep it.

I've attached a pic of one of my 67's, it has a 2.7 twin plug, factory racing buckets, 911R wheels on the rear w/225's, 100 liter rally tank, rally lighting, etc. All original parts "tucked away" for safe keeping. In my opinion this car is "far" more fun than it was with OE parts, but that's MY opinion.

regards,
Eric

[onephat356]

Thanks for the kind words of encouragement and the advice. My car is in poor condition but at least it's complete, albiet rusty.
I am unfortunately missing the original engine............the prior owner installed a 1968 2.0 with Webers and a header system.
I do come from the 356 group with many of those cars owned over the last 22 or so years so originality is a strong point with me.
I won't modify this car beyond bolt on goodies........I love the Fuch's on a lowered SWB car.
I am looking for a Nedella axle for the left side (I assume they are side sensitive) and an original 1965 engine.
I have the original transaxle fitted with date stamp 19/65 (I assume the 19th week of 1965). It would be nice to get the last couple of pieces to the puzzle together so I can get started.
If I am able to find a correct engine the 68 2.0 will become available if someone is interested.
I will post photos in the next day or two with details sensive to these early cars for comparision.
Please feel free to comment...........I am new to 911 ownership, especially the early version.
Thanks for your help.
Regards,
John

[svandamme]

Pics John, we love pics
especially if it's a car with a blonde or brunette posing in , next or on it
preferably a dirty one...the blonde or brunette that is...

[onephat356]

I took a few pictures of the 911 today. I do apologize in advance for not having the dirty blonde lined up for the photo shoot but she said "You can hang diamond ear rings on a pig, and you still have a pig." =) So she passed.
Here are the details:
Chassis #301931
Four hole grills.
Wood butterfly steering wheel.
Wood on the lower dash panel.
Chrome wipers park to the right.
Washer bottle in the right hand side fender.
No buttons on the dash panel.
Push buttons on the arm rest to actuate/open the door.
Early 911 scripts.
Front struts held in place with a single nut, no adjustment.
Any comments welcomed.

[Soterik]

Looks like a great place to start!

Can you tell me if the steering wheel has steel spokes, or aluminum? There was a changeover in 65 on this...not sure where. Aluminum was early.

Can't wait to see this become "finished".

regards,
Eric

[svandamme]

poor baby needs lotta love, tough love , probably involves a grinder and other power tools

[Fleming]

onephat356,
welcome to the board. It's really great to see you starting on a short wheel based car. There are some verrrry knowlegeable guys here - Grady, Eric, John and a group more. I learn something new every day from these guys.

You might want to get in contact with Jim Alton, I think he is down towards San Diego. His car is number 301 382. It's a very original car. Met him when he was showing his yellow 911 in Wisconsin a few years ago. (He's also a 356 guy). (And a 21 window VW bus, too)

Open a conversation with EASY for those Nadella shafts. A number of years ago one fix was to cut them off and weld on a Ford part (sheech). I went to Lobro's and the change out includes the flange in the trans - it can be unbolted from the outside- thru to the axel shaft that bolts thru the rear hub. Parts from a 66 thru 68 will fit. Wheel bearings for back there had gotten a bit pricey, haven't checked lately, but prices are relative. The outer needle bearings on the Nadella's don't flex a lot so they dry out/rust.

Talk to some folks and check your door panels, the Elephant hide and bottom pockets were a one year only 1968 model items.

Your car is in far better shape than my '65 when I started.

Lots of things to learn about - ask Grady how to get some negative camber to that non adjustable front shock strut.....

Bob

[onephat356]

If someone on the forum wants the 1968 only panels for their car..........show up with a 12 pack of Hefewiezen and they are yours!!!!!!!!

[onephat356]

SOTERIK, the spokes on my wood wheel are steel.
Some of the paint is worn off and has a light coat of surface rust.
My magnet sticks to it with no problem.

[304065]

Yes, the aluminum spokes were a VERY early version. Yours probably looks a lot like mine. . .



and we want ours to look like Alois and Estonia Ruf's #39. . . .



(obviously with regard to condition and standard of finish, not details)

or this nice '66 from the 50th Anniversary Parade. . .