I have now bought a 911 at last. please advise

[FinallyGotOne]

It is a 1979 SC with 964 wheels. It looks pretty good. I would like to update the guage faces to white, and add aluminum bezels and perhaps a two colored steering wheel. I'd also like to get more tan into the interior. I was thinking about removing all of the carpet and having it replaced to Tan. I assume i cannot dye black. I figured i could just buy tan house carpet liek burbur and cut to fit? I'd also like to get the dash top tan? any suggestions?

Ok so that is that part. I would like to eventually add a 964 front bumper. but do I need to change the front light buckets to get th look of a 964?

it leaks. A mechanic recommended a pull of the engine and a reseal. Yikes. He said about 7K. Why in the heck is it so expensive? doesnt it just drop out of the bottom? I'm thinking changing valve cover seals is quite easy? but the rest... we'll see.

any advice about all this is appreciated.

I was also suggested to take off door panels and lubricate? but with what and where? I was told the power windows would be better that way.

thanks all!

[SCWDP911]

Holy moly! Good luck!

[Bill Verburg]

Ok so that is that part. I would like to eventually add a 964 front bumper. but do I need to change the front light buckets to get th look of a 964?

No you should be able to replicate the 964 look, at least, by swapping bumper pieces.

I would address all of theleakes and other deficinces befor thinlking about mods.

Nobody ever suggested that owning these cars was going to be cheap.

[mnmike]

pre purchase inspections are a beautfiul thing

[rallyracer]

Send me your black carpet,please! Seriously, let me know if you take it out to sell.

Congrats on the ride. Except for the engine and body pieces, SC's are pretty economical if you DYI.

David

[Loquat15]

Dont have much advice, i will not add insult to injury (as i will probrably end up buying something and someone will say to get a PPI)...

But, the car looks nice... if I were you I'd fix the leak before any sort of modification. DOnt like the idea of something that looks nice and is supposed to ride nice but leaks oil...

I'd fix as much of the mechanics as possible myself, but its all up to you and how much experiance you have and how mechanically inclined you are.

good luck with your car...

and remember... HAVE FUN!!!

[mnmike]

and by the way i didnt get a ppi, but i knew my car was going to need a lot of work. Still took me a while to find some hidden flaws (and ill probably find more). The important thing is if you can dyi, youll be fine. A mechanic will surely quote you a huge amount for something like that, and it sounds like too much to me. Unless it is a lot more than the valve cover gaskets (maybe he means the main seal for the engine etc.) For that much money you could find a used motor from an SC or maybe a bit newer. Either way, Id say adjust the valves if they havent been done in sometime and do as many gaskets/seals while in the process. Im sure it would cost less than 1k to do yourself

[mgbruno]

Greetings and congratulations. I think it looks beautiful - though I would stay as period as possible concerning your desired upgrades - just me though. Read the other comments and have to agree - fix whats wrong with it first - before anything else. Concerning the leaks - it might be something simple like the oil return tubes. It might be more involved. I would suggest making sure your mechanic is someone you really trust. Maybe ask the guys here who they'd recommend in your area? In Monterey Ca, David Loop is awesome. A gentleman and I trust him without question. Although Steve Weiner from Rennsport in Oregon (I think) has never done any work for me - I get his advice all the time. He too is a gentleman, and I would trust. Maybe go this route first before you go wasting money needlesly. Its a great car though - have fun and congratulations.

[JP911]

Regarding the carpet color change: quality aftermarket kits are available that install as per the original carpet (pelican sells them). I urge you to avoid using home interior carpet.

[goat]

Congrats.
My advise...
First buy Wanyes 101 book. Then buy other manuals as well, any that are applicble to your car.
Read old threads on this site they will help you alot.
Don't be intimidated by certain projects, you might be suprised that many on this board will be willing to help you or guide in in the work. Where are you located?
Enjoy!!

[efhughes3]

$7K would tell me that it's leaking oil out of the exhaust pipe?

[randywebb]

clean the motor carefully and find out where the leak is - the mech. may think it is the case seals - if true you'd need to split the case halves - that'd be the $7k

but it might be a sender or oil breather cover or valve covers -- all things that are an easy DIY

be sure to change all the fluids in the car unless there is absolute proof they were done recently - eninge oil, trans. oil, brake fluid

and... replace the rubber brake hoses if > 10 years old

[rusnak]

By "it leaks", are you referring to a compression leak, as in pulled head studs? If you're near central Calif, then I know a few guys who can address the mechanical issues without charging ripoff prices.

[SCWDP911]

Hey man, you'll get through it. Post an interior pic.

[lov2fly]

Buy Wayne's 101 book……clean engine, adjust the valves, check head studs,
New valve cover gaskets, make sure oil is not overfilled, find out where the leak is
Post your findings and questions, many on this board will be willing to help you
Roll-up your sleeves- get dirty- Enjoy!!!

[vash]

is that tucson? i would do some reading, and drop and fix the leaks yourself. 7k is kinda high.

[FinallyGotOne]

ok/ thanks everybody. Well I did do a PPI, i'm in Colordao and the 911 was in Nevada. The PPI suggested the reseal and pull of the engine. But other than that said it was a very solid car with good pull through the gears. I am really excited about this. The oil return tubes i hear are really a common issue.
If I do rplace the carpt i 'll get it to you RALLYRACER SOME HOW, WE CAN WORK OUT SOMETHING. Do you not have black carps now?what color?
JP911 why not home carpet? is teher sopme issue there?

take care all, I'll get some pics of the interior up soon.

[Paul K]

Congrats on your first 911. Do you mind my asking how much you paid for it, and how many miles she has? Looking forward to more pics- I love those rims!

Cheers,

Paul.

[SLO-BOB]

Originally posted by Iwantone
[B] any suggestions?

Yep- Address the mechanical issues and forget the other stuff for now. After you get to know the car, if you have any money left to do the cosmetic stuff, you'll have a better handle on what your car should be.

Opinion-don't change to the 964 look. It's a great car as is. In fact, you should sell the 964 wheels (and I would buy them maybe) and get some proper Fuchs which are the best wheels for a nice 911 like yours.

[KCinBR]

Just Drive it.....................and all the work and mods can come as needed in time. Some of the things you want now may not be important after you log a few thousand miles.

Enjoy