911 SC Road trip Home!

[mike635]

Guys,

I posted some questions over the last month or so about a '81 SC I'll be purchasing from my brother tomorrow, 350 miles away. Thanks for the advice and for loading up the database with so much great searchable info. I've followed several message boards for years (mostly BMW) and this one is by far the best. Just a lot of great info and very helpful people.

Naturally I'm hoping for an uneventful drive home with the car, I have a friend who will be following me in another car. For the trip, I've got extra oil, spare fan belt, tools, shop manual, and some spare fuses. Probably overkill as my brother has been driving the car for 15 years and it's in good shape but it hasn't been on an extended highway trip for a very long time. Any other last minute items you can think of to bring along? (yeah, I know, a credit card!)

Mike

[TerryH]

No sweat, 5 hour drive, maybe one stop for gas and you're home.

[ramonesfreak]

i wouldnt be worried since you know the history of the car...but i would also bring jumper cables and make sure before taking off, that the spare tire air pump works (if its still with the car) and, that the spare tire still holds air...make sure you have the tools to change the belt

my trip home was only 15 miles and i almost didnt make it...car kept on stalling because of old gas and dirty fuel injectors...otherwise, have not had a problem since

[mike635]

thanks, unfortunately the original air pump is not with the car but the rest of the tool kit (inluding some funky work gloves) is there. I went on a little hunt trying to find a replacent pump but nobody seems to have them including our friends at Pelican. I have an old auto store pump I'll be bringing just in case. I have the tools required to change the fan belt.

Question regarding the spare tire - my brother thought it was a one time use only tire. Is this true?

[SCWDP911]

Congrats! You may now align yourself with the SCWDP if you so desire...

Welcome to the madness...

[ramonesfreak]

i cant remeber exactly but i think the owners manual says something like...use the spare tire and then have it checked out by your local porsche dealer prior to using it again....but im not positive.... not sure how those do-it-yourself hole plugs are that you get at autozone, but i would probably try that in an ermegency before putting a 25 year old spare on, even though my spare looks ok. i just dont feel comfortable on old rubber

[jtfreels]

Congratulations. I'd add get a can of "flat fix" just in case, might be easier for a small hole.
FYI if you search here you'll find (somewhere) instructions on collapsing the spare after use.

I just did 660 miles of top off driving in my 82 this weekend, I hope you have as much fun on your trip as I did.

Oh yeah, when I bought mine, I drove it home 1500 miles, Denver to Memphis, didn't even think to ask this question!

Jay

[SCWDP911]

Originally posted by jtfreels
Congratulations. I'd add get a can of "flat fix" just in case, might be easier for a small hole.
FYI if you search here you'll find (somewhere) instructions on collapsing the spare after use.

I just did 660 miles of top off driving in my 82 this weekend, I hope you have as much fun on your trip as I did.

Oh yeah, when I bought mine, I drove it home 1500 miles, Denver to Memphis, didn't even think to ask this question!

Jay

Hey Jay...660 miles! Well, I know you weren't with us. Must have been some trip. When are you going to join us for a MTFR? Next one will be 7/21.

[David 84 911]

a cell phone.....and maybe a AAA membership wouldn't hurt....

Enjoy the ride

[TerryH]

By the time you shop and gather all this "support equipment and chase vehicles", you may as well rent a trailer.

[mike635]

Trailer? Nah. No way I'd miss pulling in my own driveway with the beast! For better or worse, driving it all the way home will be a crucial bonding experience and I am buying this thing to DRIVE it!

mike

[SCWDP911]

where are you driving it from and to?

[TerryH]

Originally posted by mike635
Trailer? Nah. No way I'd miss pulling in my own driveway with the beast! For better or worse, driving it all the way home will be a crucial bonding experience and I am buying this thing to DRIVE it!

mike

Without mutual trust, there is no bonding.

[mike635]

Without mutual trust, there is no bonding.

Oh yeah, agree with that although my trust in the car is intact, not sure about the cars' trust in me as a driver. We'll see.

You really learn this lesson when you ride a motorcycle...

Mike
'88 BMW R100RS (two wheeled 911?)

[fly4val]

How much do you trust your brother???

[mike635]

Made it home!!

The car performed flawlessly and I really bonded with it. Couple of things surprised me - The car is really an excellent highway companion, it's super smooth, sounds fantastic and of course can lay waste to slower moving traffic. Also, I got close to 27 MPG cruising around 75 with occasional blasts up to, well, illegal speeds. What a car!

Will post pics when I get some that are worth posting.

mike

[scott540]

Mike, I did the same thing last week with mu "new" 79 SC. 350 miles. Nerve wracking at first buthen all fun. I was also impressed how they ride on the highway- super smooth like you said.
Scott

[fly4val]

Mike,

Glad to hear all went well.....

In the 18 months I've owned my '88, the longest one way I've
done has been about 300 miles (one way) to PDX.

This coming Monday, the 9th, I'm shifting domiciles from EVT
(Everett, WA) to GJT (Grand Junction CO). It's about 1200 miles
one way so will be a good run for baby as well as all new scenery
and altitude (from sea level to mile high) Having my mech do some
minor stuff Friday AM then 0300 departure on Monday.

Doesnt appear to be many Pcars on/in the western slope/Moab area so
hopefully lots of admirers (of the right kind)

Can I use this thread to report my trip after?

[mike635]

No problem using this thread, enjoy the ride!

Moab is a very interesting area, keep an eye on the oil temp!

mike

[SCWDP911]

You got 27mpg!!! What am I doing wrong?! I must really need a tuneup. Best I have seen is 22... and that was with 93 octane!