Some Thoughts/Cautions Re Tech Tips

I have read through many of the tech tips on this board, which are very helpful, but had a couple of comments on some of them:

(1) Re the "911 Partial Engine Drop": It seems like this procedure is directed towards replacing the oil pressure sender on CIS 911s (like the 911SC). This sender is buried behind the CIS, but, YOU DO NOT NEED TO DROP THE ENGINE TO REPLACE IT! Not even a partial drop. All you have to do is take the top of the airbox off (just like you're replacing the air filter). With a small mirror and a flashlight, it is actually quite easy to spot and remove the sender. You just need a deep socket and the right length extension. You also have plenty of room to clean the area up with some engine cleaner or simple green. This is a half hour job (if you're doing it for the first time). Once you've done it once, it becomes a 10 minute job. Please don't complicate it by dropping the engine!

By the way, this sender leaks quite frequently. If you have a leak that looks like its coming from the front of the engine, or the oil cooler, be sure to check the sender FIRST. It can save you a lot of time and money.

The myth that all 911 engines leak oil is just that, a myth. A well maintained 911 engine should NOT leak any oil. If it springs a leak, you should fix it immediately. There are actually not that many places that they leak from, and most are very easy to fix.

(2) Re polishing 911 wheels: Bev's article is quite good if you want polished wheels. But if you have stock anodized wheels (like 78-89 Fuchs), be aware that once you take polishing compounds to these wheels, you go down a path of no return. The stock anodized finish needs very little care. Once you start polishing, you have to keep polishing, which is fine, but just make sure that's what you want.

I remember showing my car at a PCA concours a few years ago. I had just spent $600 having Robert Woods reanodize and paint my 911SC alloys to stock configuration the week before. Some guy came up to me and said "Gee, you can really make those alloys shinier by taking some rubbing compound to them!," as he proudly pointed to his mottled and ragged alloys. Ouch!