Fuse cover in engine compartment

robert walsh · 08-22-2008, 08:06 AM

Aside from the obvious reason of keeping those parts dry, is there any other need or reason to have the cover in place? Mine is missing, there is one on ebay for $35, do I need it or just want it, probably a little of both.

trconway · 08-22-2008, 09:17 AM

I got one that looks almost new from Parts Heaven in CA for $15.00.

donporfi · 08-22-2008, 09:22 AM

$5.00 in most swap meets where porsche parts are sold, bought one this year in february during the LAlitshow.
I think it is there to protect from water entering the engine grill.

Paulporsche · 08-22-2008, 09:27 AM

I ran my car for years, even in the rain, w/o one w/ no problems. When I finally put one on I was glad I did. It helped cleane up the engine compartment.

Rot 911 · 08-22-2008, 09:36 AM

It also has a diagram that tells you what each fuse and relay goes to. Worth it just for that.

robert walsh · 08-22-2008, 09:55 AM

thanks for the info, the fuse diagram along with cleaning up the engine bay is good with me, I also ran mine forever with no poblems. The one on ebay, and I did buy it, new oem and has factory wing nuts. It is shipped from germany, another $18, I think they saw me comming. $50 and makes me feel good, cheap in the life of an old porsche owner.

VroomGrrl · 08-22-2008, 09:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kurt V

It also has a diagram that tells you what each fuse and relay goes to. Worth it just for that.

Indeed! I found the fuse cover diagram extreeemely helpful in working with my fuses. I posted a photo of mine back when I was dealing with fuse replacement - here it is again, for a 1988 911 (not sure how much this may have changed from model to mode) - if you click the photo it'll take you to my flickr.com page where you can see an even larger, more readable version. Sorry I chopped off the right end!

Rot 911 · 08-22-2008, 10:26 AM

Kathy the fact that Robert's fuse cover uses wing nuts indicates it is for an early 911 and will only have about 1/2 the fuses that a Carrera has. Which is probably not a bad thing.

tcar · 08-22-2008, 10:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by robert walsh

Aside from the obvious reason of keeping those parts dry, is there any other need or reason to have the cover in place? Mine is missing, there is one on ebay for $35, do I need it or just want it, probably a little of both.

Make sure you get the correct one. They differ from year to year.

I like having one. Look better and have the diagram.

Bought one on ebay for 15.

robert walsh · 08-22-2008, 10:54 AM

There were a couple of different models this fellow had up for auction, one early, and one specifically mentioned '83SC, I'm sure i could have gotten it for less, just hit the buy it now. Painless, regardless the $18 shipping fron the home land was the kicker anyway. Said new oem I'll let you know what it actually looks like, I have "no" idea how long it might take from germany, but paypal collected the same night from my account.

RWebb · RWebb's Garage

you can modify the holes

and spray it with vinyl cleaner / restorer to make it look better

I'd use one from a 'wrong' year while looking for the 'right' one...

Por_sha911 · Por_sha911's Garage

It keeps you from shorting something out when swinging wrenches around in the area.
ask me how I know

robert walsh · 08-28-2008, 01:33 PM

Got the new fuse cover from germany today, less than a week, brand new "made in germany" stamped on the back, 2 new brass wing nutted bolts w/washers and the fuse diagram. really a nice piece, 4 different german postage stamps on the packages adding up to {8.20} in germay currency. Just a ho-hum update, I'm satisfied.

Formerly Steve Wilkinson · 08-28-2008, 04:09 PM

So sue me. I bought a carbon-fiber one from autoextremist.com for I think $160. You better believe it looks cooler than cardboard.

1986911 · 1986911's Garage

It keeps you from shorting something out when swinging wrenches around in the area.
ask me how I know
__________________

+1 on that.

It would also keep anything flammable from coming in contact with a hot fuse right before it blows!

j_mancini · 08-28-2008, 04:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Formerly Steve Wilkinson

So sue me. I bought a carbon-fiber one from autoextremist.com for I think $160. You better believe it looks cooler than cardboard.

Hence the "gold-plated" thing, eh? :-)

robert walsh · 08-28-2008, 05:16 PM

Good point there, i didn't know they were ever made of cardboard, the geman one i bought is a nice quality ABS material that will take armoral shine when the time is due. I can think of better use of carbon fiber than a fuse box cover i bet you saved 1/2oz of weight reduction there. At least the cover was mfg in germany and not a carbon knock off from china. Did you buy the carbon fiber dash inserts with it? They would give it a nice authentic look as well i presume. relax I'm just bustin your chops. If it rocks your porsche then do it.

3.2 CAB · 08-29-2008, 05:25 AM

When did they use cardboard rear covers?? I have only seen the factory black plastic type.

Formerly Steve Wilkinson · 08-29-2008, 06:20 AM

Funny, I remembered it as being cardboard, sort of like that cover at the aft end of the trunk compartment, for which I fabbed a sheet-aluminum replacement. I'm sure you people are right; it's been years since I handled one.

No, I didn't get c/f dash inserts, and the reason I bought the c/f fuse-panel cover is simply because I think I looks nice, not for the weight saving. I also have a matching c/f engine shroud in place, and my c/f replacement panel for the rear P O R S C H E reflector just arrived.

"Authentic" doesn't particularly interest me, since an SC is in no way collectible.

javadog · 08-29-2008, 06:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Formerly Steve Wilkinson

I bought a carbon-fiber one from autoextremist.com

From autoextremist.com? That looks like a blog site. I have often seen references to carbon fiber panels like this for the older cars, or CF air filter housings, etc, but I've never found any for sale anywhere. Any ideas?

JR