'66 911 suspension refresh - part deux

[Rich Lambert]

The rear is DONE! Some issues, but nothing insurmountable.

Let's recap...

Before, unfresh rear suspension:






After, very fresh:



After again, still fresh:




The front suspension is on hold for the A-arm mounting bracket holes to be "ovalized". Hopefully one day this week.

[304065]

That's FRESH! Nice work.

Are those Schnorr washers under the camber and toe adjusters? My race mechanic threw my "Schnorr" washers in the garbage and used Nylocks.

A nice detail step is to paint the edge of the rotor and the hat-- go on Gunnar Racing web site and you can see how they do it, keeps the rust from coming back.

Great job! I might be able to help you with some torsion bar covers.

[Rich Lambert]

John,

No, no Schnorr washers present. I put the wavy washers that came off the old A-arm back on. "Schnorr"...I love that word.

I'll check out the rotor edge painting thing. I've spent many happy hours on the Gunnar site, but haven't been there in a couple of years...thanks. Do you recall which project the painted rotors were on?

Never mind...I found it on the first project I looked at; the '73 RS. What a good Idea. I'm gonna do that.

[304065]

They do it on all of them, but check 904-090.



Photo credit: www.gunnarracing.com

[bob tilton]

Looks fantastic! Please tell us about the finish on the calipers.

[SP2]

Hi Rich,

That looks great! How did you get the wheel wells to look that nice? What are the new parts you chose. (Maybe I need to search for a "part un"). Nice job man!

[Rich Lambert]

Bob,

The caliper finish didn't go at all the way I envisioned. The original plan was to yellow cad plate the calipers (like Eric's caliper thread on the 911S list). I emailed Eric and he sent me the little seals for the middle of the calipers and told me the yellow cad plating charge should be between $10 & $20 per caliper. Cool, my VISA might have that left on it. So I go to Queen City Plating in Mukilteo, WA for an estimate. When I called there earlier a woman said they have a $145 minimum charge for plating, so I figure I can bring the rear brake backing plates in too. A guy comes out to look at my parts and says, "$62.50 per caliper half and $150 for the rest of the parts, plus a 7% EPA charge.". Needless to say I didn't go with Queen City Plating, now or ever.

What I did go with is Dupli-Color silver caliper paint for $6.95. I know, I know...that wasn't the plan at all. I took the calipers down to shiny bare metal and cleaned up all the hardware, so there was a lot of prep work before I painted. For now, I'm pretty happy with the results.

[Rich Lambert]

Hi James,

How's the 'E' coming along?

For the wheel wells, I cleaned 'em with Simple Green, then paint prep, then Dupli-Color semi-gloss back. Considering the way they looked before, I couldn't be happier with the way they turned out. The new parts are Sway-a-way adjustable spring plates, Bilstein HD shocks, new rotors, and Elelphant Racing poly-bronze bushings.

Hey, the motor & tranny are going back in next week and I might need a cardioligist standing by if it doesn't run.

[bob tilton]

Honestly...I think the caliper looks much better than gold/cad plated. I would have done the same.
May I ask what makes you say "HD" Bilstein? I have nearly the same shocks but the invoice does not indicate HD nor does any part description I have read from parts venders. I had just assumed they were standard replacements for the SWB cars. On another note, I was at a shop over the weekend and the owner is currently "restoring" a 67. The new rear Bilstein shocks were black - not painted black by him - but black with the Bilstein logo. I do not understand Bilstein model identification when it comes to the SWB cars.

[SP2]

Hey Rich,

The E right now is sort of dead. Contractors at my house have zapped all of my energy. When are you lifting the engine and tranny? If I am not working, maybe I can lend a hand.

[Rich Lambert]

Bob, when I talked to Chuck at ER about shocks, he said they had Bilstein "sports" and "HD's" (I guess there's no LD?). He suggested the heavy duty's for what I wanted out of the car.

James, "contractors"...sorry man. I'll let you know about the engine install...thanks for the offer.

[bob tilton]

Rich,
Would you do me the favor of looking at your invoice? My Pelican invoice from June 1999 has the following part number: B46-0167 and the description: Rear Bilstein Shock, 911 65-71. Part numbers should be the same from any supplier.
This winter I plan to re-visit some of the suspension. If you tell me that my shock which look similar to yours are HDs I may switch course. I have a full set (4) of brand new in the box Konis sitting on the shelf but I may swap in a later front end. I like the idea of keeping what I am hoping are HDs (based on your reply) and selling my Konis.
Please let me know. TX!
Bob

[304065]

Bob,

'0167 is an SWB with the HD valving according to the Bilstein catalog.

http://www.bilstein.com/mistore/partnumber_searchf.php?PHPSESSID=0043950ea24afd39f ca95bd386edeb9c&partnumber=0167&compid=100484&dealer=no

Of course all these shocks can be revalved depending on what torsion bars are installed. I had a set of "Rallye" '0180 in my '71 with 28mm torsion bars and they worked well for a few seasons. If you call Jack French at Bilstein he can tell you what valving matches what torsion bar in their experience, and if it happens to match an "off-the-shelf" valving like HD, Sport or Rallye, you can be in business for less than the cost of custom.

I never heard of Black bilsteins, my rears are Boge. But I like the idea of Bilsteins powder-coated satin black to resemble the original. . . heh . . .

[bob tilton]

John - good to know. That really changes my plans and may save me some money! TX!
I will upload pics of the black Bilsteins later tonight.

[Rich Lambert]

Bob,

John is correct, as usual, 1-B460167 is the p/n on the invoice. I don't understand the color thing either. In the above "before" picture, the orange Koni-looking shocks are actually Boges.

[Skip Newsom]

Rich,
It looks spectacular!! I can't wait to see it in person!

(Unofficial bad influence attempt)
Ummm... Campbell Nelson has a 3.6 motor with 50k on it that looks clean and complete that would be sooo fun in your SWB.

Use your wife's Visa, she won't mind.

[304065]

Originally Posted by Skip Newsom

(Unofficial bad influence attempt)
Ummm... Campbell Nelson has a 3.6 motor with 50k on it that looks clean and complete that would be sooo fun in your SWB.

Yeah! And get yourself one of these while you're at it! You'll need it with a 3,6!

[Drago]

The Bilstein HD's I got from Steve Weiner are black. He had J. French revalve them for the 28mm Sanders bars I'll be running out back.

Nice work Rich, I can only hope mine turns out as clean as yours.

[Rich Lambert]

Originally Posted by Skip Newsom

Rich,
It looks spectacular!! I can't wait to see it in person!

(Unofficial bad influence attempt)
Ummm... Campbell Nelson has a 3.6 motor with 50k on it that looks clean and complete that would be sooo fun in your SWB.

Use your wife's Visa, she won't mind.

Oooo, wheelie bars. Wheelie bars on a street car really makes a bold statement if you drive a '41 Willys Gasser. I don't know about a SWB 911...might need 'em with a 3.6 though. Can you imagine the fab work you'd have to do to fit that thing in there? And the wiring? No thanks, I'm having enough trouble getting the 2.2 in.

Nice try $kip. Hey, I saw your car outside the 26 building yesterday...I forget how nice that thing looks. I did notice a couple of item$ that might need $ome attention...we'll talk.

Thanks Drago!

[Skip Newsom]

I am so happy with my 72!!

You're $o $ubtle Rich!!
I remember the 57 E-mails you sent when I was looking for a motor!
Everything from a 2.7 RS to a turbo 3.6...

You did turn me on to the one I have now and I'm sure Nancy Wilson would be pleased to know all the money she spent on it is greatly appreciated, it runs so sweet! and the Dansk sport is known and loved by all my neighbors... especially at 4:50 am on weekdays.

PS...
Aaron said he will bring a sawzall, a welder and some hunks of wire if you go for the 3.6.
Remember, more is always better, too much is just right... It's the American way. Dude.