How to Fix and Restore your Car, without destroying your budget and Savings

[gigagaia]

I think that a really useful discussion we can have, are tips and suggestions which we all have, based on experience, on how to own a porsche, fix a porsche, restore a porsche and use your porsche without driving your budget, life savings and/or credit rating, and by extension your life, into the ground...

While Porsches are certainly not economy cars by nature, they are also famously classic and long-lasting, and so with a great market for used and older cars, buying and owning a Porsche needn't be an overly onerous, expensive or financially harrowing experience.

Let me be clear here. I think we all know (some a lot more than others) that Porsches require maintenance and attention, and this means the car will never be a "budget" car. But that also doesn't mean you have to sink gobs of money into your projects. That's what this list is about. How to do the car, do it right, and not be left crying yourself to sleep when your banks statements arrive at the end of the month.

I'm still a really big novice at a lot of this stuff, but I want to help by sharing some things I've already learned. Maybe other people can add more to the list and we can grow it to help future Porsche Bretheren...

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One big point to begin with:
Don't compromise on safety. These may save you a few dollars now, but end up costing you a lot more later. The mantra on these things should be "better safe, with a lighter wallet than really sorry"

1. Before you choose the most inexpensive option to fit in your budget, remember that owning a porsche will accrue fairly decent maintenance costs over the length of your ownership. Balance the cost of an inexpensive replacement, replacing it several times over the lifespan of the more expensive option. Sometimes you don't have to buy that really cool and really expensive aftermarket upgrade. but sometimes that upgrade will pay for itself in the long run.

2. Use lots of Elbow Grease! You can save a lot by rolling up your sleeves and doing a lot of work yourself. Many parts such as trailing arms or a-arms look scary, but simply need a lot of TLC in removing rust off the surface. Before you heap your money into fancy new parts, expensive new tools (a tough urge to resist, I must admit myself) or pricey labour, ask yourself "Do I really need a new part" or "Is this tool really necessary to do the job?" or "Can I really not do this myself?"

For some jobs, you really do need to replace the part, buy that tool or pay someone to do it for you. Many others, the cost of some cleaning solution, wire brush and sandpaper and a few hours of labour is often enough to provide you with the results you are looking for, at a fraction of the cost.

3. Plan, organise, organise, plan, organise, plan, organise, plan, organise, plan. Know what you need to do ahead of time and act accordingly. Spending a bit of time and money ahead of time means avoiding costly wastage in the long run.

4. Going along with the previous one, get lots of advice, BEFORE you start that project, because mistakes can "sometimes" cost a lot. Looking on forums like Pelican Parts and tapping into the experience of others and learning from others mistakes can save you a lot of money too. Sometimes, you have to buy those expensive parts. But you don't have to waste your valuable time and effort in repurchasing the parts you broke!

[Dantilla]

Something that's saved me quite a bit of money-

I've had space to keep parts cars indoors, out of the weather, and out of sight. Having a couple of spare Porsches to grab parts off of is a good thing.

[dentist90]

Do it right.

Way too many "the PO did this or that" comments. Remember that someday YOU will be the previous owner. They are not making these air-cooled beauties anymore. So go by some wiring loom instead of wrapping those wires up in gobs of electrical tape. Please.

[richde]

Make a list and work on it bit by bit? Do the little stuff first?

That way you spread out the cost and maximize driving and minimize looking at the car immobile in your garage.

[KCinBR]

Spend some time searching the "Pelican Parts Tech BBS" before starting any repair there are tips and tricks here that you wont find anywhere else.

And remember these cars aint complicated

[Mothy]

One thing that has helped me LOTS is finding a mechanic who is sympathetic to your goals and your need to save money.

When my sunroof refused to open, mine looked at it, told me what was wrong, showed me the right cables to buy and how to do it myself.

I use him when I don't know how, don't have the time or don't have the tools - but if the car can be off the road for a week while I do things slowly its so much more satisfying.

Also, shop around for the bits you need - second hand (ebay or PP) can save you big. Never on wearable items though - always install new bearings etc.

Checking prices also pays off. PP is great for most things. For guys like me in Australia, a rear wheel bearing can be A$230 from Porsche, A$138 from an importer or A$75 landed from PP.

I agree with KC - search this board in depth before you do anything. Many a $ is saved by only fixing the actual problem, not everythings you think it might be. I was chasing an annoying knock in the front of mine for months and after replacing ball joints, bearings, bushes, checking wear on A-Arms etc. found the problem was the seal under the lip of the fuel tank was shot and the tank was moving with the torsional shifts of the car - new $30 seal and the problems gone away!

Tim

[ChkbookMechanic]

One thing I learned very quickly from a mechanic was using a junkyard to get parts. The rear seat cushions in my car were completely neglected and saving them would require reupholstering them; ended up getting both rear seat cushions in near perfect condition for $80 from a junkyard.

[rvanderpyl]

I can't contribute anything to this thread as I am both overbudget and have no savings left

[Porsche_monkey]

Better to be slow and thorough than miss a crucial element of repair. If you enjoy it, why are you rushing?

[DaddyGlenn]

My two cents...

Start with a list of EVERYTHING you can conceive of doing to the car. I mean E-V-E-R-Y-T-H-I-N-G, from replacing the rubber covers on the door dome light switches to rebuilding the engine. Then break the list into groups.

The first group is "Safety." These are things like replacing bald tires, repairing worn out brakes, etc.

The second group is "Corrective Maintenance." Fix the things that are not working properly.

The third group is "Preventive Maintenance." If you don't fix these, something else (more expensive) will happen.

The last group is "Cosmetic." These are the functioning but ugly parts.

Start with the first group, add estimated costs and prioritize the items. Then work trough them as time and budget permit. If it make sense to tackle something from one of the other groups in the process of completing the Safety items, go for it.

Once you finish the first group (Safety) move on to the second (Corrective Maintenance) in the same manner and so on and so forth. (I was going to add "until you are done" but we all know you will never be done.)

You will want to go back through this exercise from time to time as other issues/dreams will pop up and your priorities/budget will change.

[DaddyGlenn]

Just thought of another good one....

When tackling something for the first time, invest a good chunk of time visualizing each and every step, over and over before you actually perform the task.

It is amazing how much experience you can gain in your "mind's garage." By the time I did my first engine drop, I had already dropped the engine 15 or 20 times in my mind. So when I did it for real, there were no surprises and I didn't run into any issues that I had not already solved in my previous imaginary engine drops.

[jonbot]

Originally Posted by rvanderpyl

I can't contribute anything to this thread as I am both overbudget and have no savings left

+1000



IMHO, the underlying philosophy to go by, if you're trying to save money, is:

- Get a PPI before buying a car.
- DIY whatever you feel you can handle yourself. You will laugh at how easy some of the projects on these cars are, compared to other cars, and would be kicking yourself if you payed a "professional" to do them.
- DO RESEARCH BEFORE SPENDING MONEY. Be patient, make informed decision, try all the simple low dollar solutions first, and don't believe everything you read online, or are told my mechanics, and ALWAYS get a second opinion.

Violation of any of these suggestions just means money thrown away.

[DW SD]

1. research previous solutions by **searching the Pelican archives**
2. ask questions here. Clearly state project goals: IE trump Matteo's incredible IROC build or to save money by using poly bushings on a suspension rebuild.
3. heed advice - virtually no stone has gone unturned or no bridge uncrossed within these archives.

[dentist90]

Have a decent quality digital camera that can do some close-up work, so you can share with us if you get stuck or post your triumphs!
Also very good to have if you're taking apart something complex (like a transmission) so you don't forget which way the gear faces when it goes back in. A random example

[Ron.G]

Pay as little as possible for the car you are going to restore. Do as much of the work as you can. That way you wont come out upside down when it's done.

In a perfect world

[Mothy]

A pointer on the research on this web site. Just remember that the majority of the people who post are not mechanics. We are a bunch of well meaning people who write about our experiences and discoveries.

After a while you will know the names of those who's knowledge and opinions are valuable, and which others are guessing when they answer your questions.

Tim

[Superdave1]

Before you change any parts. Check the simple stuff first. I changed out a complete ignition system to find out I had dirty points. The points were the last thing I changed. They tested ok with a meter but they would not fire the plugs. CHECK THE SIMPLE STUFF FIRST!!!!! My first expensive lesson with this car.

I was ready to change out a WUR. Checked the screen, it was clean. Checked the vac line, it was clear. Pulled the electical connector, green and corroded. Quick spray with Krown rustproofing. Cold start problem fixed! 0$ and 10 minutes of my time.


Did I mention to CHECK THE SIMPLE STUFF FIRST!!

dave...

[ajmarton]

Definitely check the Bentley manual, PP or the Rennlist forum for advice. Search for a prior thread on the subject. Get input and then figure out how to approach the subject. Sometimes you can get great information / insight on a procedure that is not covered in Bentley or is not obvious / apparent. That will prevent you from getting into a project and then having to stop until you get an answer because you are stuck. If a problem comes up that has you guessing on the source of the problem you have to reduce the potential causes via process of elimination. I tend to think the worse and find that many times the answer is simple and does not require a part replacement. Also, don't rush - I always have problems when I try to fit a repair into a specific time slot. Leave yourself plenty of time to be patient and work slowly. Record your steps via digital camera or notes. I have several projects going on at the same time. It took me weeks to get my 928 dash repaired. I would have never remembered where all the brackets, hardware went without pictures and notes. I use blue painters masking tape everywhere with notes to myself on extensive projects so I can put things back right the first time. There is nothing worse than having to reverse your steps because you skipped a step and then redo something.