Finally, my car build.

[Hebrewhomeboy]

Well, I've been drooling over pictures for months and saving my pennies and stockpiling parts, and I finally have enough to actually start something. In about 5 minutes I'm leaving to go to the car shop to install my RS carpet, SSIs, M&K, and fix a few dead bulbs. In the future, look for me to change my mind constantly about my car, since I'm very indecisive

Once I get back I'll post pictures of everything.

Oh, and this should be interesting... I've rebuilt engines before with the help of my dad (mechanical genius), but for some reason I'm terrified to touch my Porsche. I open the engine cover and just stare, thinking "aah, what do I do?" So armed with my Chilton's manual, here I go!

[RWebb]

the motor is just like a VW on steroids....

but be clear on your goals before you start!

it is easier to prototype something in your head than in metal, wood, or plastic.

Street?
- or % street
- Track or AutoX? what class do you want to be in? (or be forced into by the car)

Cushinness?
- Wife, GF?
- whine factor?
- your age?
- long multi-day trips? or just short ones?

Motor noise?
(see above)

[Hard-Deck]

Can't wait for the photos.

Get a Bentley manual, throw the Chilton's away or use it for kindling.

[Rikao4]

A, you have more mechancial background and exp..
compared to me..most women do..
one of my favorites times and moments..
was dropping the motor...
and it started and ran better than before..
it's the .Porsche mystery' that keeps folks at bay and afraid..
don't be..it's a hoot..
besides..nothing you do ..right or wrong..
somebody has tried/ done it..
have fun..

Rika

[robert walsh]

I have found the bentley service manual very usefull, also the haynes.

[Hebrewhomeboy]

Well, I was able to successfully install the SSIs and the M&K... The only problem was that I snapped off a few exhaust studs in the process. Now, after searching, I learn that most people take a torch to it first. I really wish I had searched first. This is going to be expensive to fix, I know it. So those are on, and I get to enjoy the nice "rumble" of my new exhaust, as well as a nice exhaust leak. Hi, I'm the guy with a beautiful old Porsche... That sounds like a tractor. I feel terrible right now... A mixture of anger, disappointment, a few other things. I will say one thing though, it's a pain getting all the heat exchanger gaskets to stay on there when your putting the heat exchangers on the engine.

I also removed the huge black rubber bumpers from the rear bumper. Heavy things, just like everyone says. I didn't have time to install the carpet, or anything else, unfortunately. I guess this is my "trial by fire". I finally got down and started really working on my car by myself. It's sad that now I have to pay someone to fix my mistakes.

Can anyone tell me how much it costs to have snapped exhaust studs replaced? 1 thousand? 2? I had been saving that money for some wider fuchs and PMOs, but looks like it'll have to go towards this now. I am no longer an Atheist... I believe in god, and I believe he hates me. I'm going to go shower and clean up, then I'll post a few pictures.

[Hebrewhomeboy]

On the brighter side though, I didn't even need the manual, I was able to install everything without it. Even the new oil line, although that took me a minute to figure out where they went.

[Hebrewhomeboy]

Well, here's some pictures. I didn't take as many as I wanted to. Next time I'll take more.

On a side note, it appears that people are successfully drilling out their own exhaust studs. I guess I'll give it a try. Better than paying some guy 4 figures to fix it.


Here's what I'm starting with. 1978 911SC targa. Garage queen for the first 29 years of it's life. Only 40K original miles.



Here's the underside of my engine. Totally stock except for a crappy Bursch muffler that I hate. The wet spots on my heat exchangers are WD-40, which was sprayed liberally onto all exhaust studs. Shame it didn't help.



While I'm in there, might as well remove these big black rubber bumpers. Looked simple enough.

[Hebrewhomeboy]

It's out! Very simple job.


I also removed the rear lower valance. My car was repainted to it's original color, and this made me want to punch the painter right in the babymaker. He bolted on those rear bumperettes while the paint was still tacky. So, it's wrinkled and none too pleasant. Plenty dirty back there, too. My rear engine cover fits fine, but it wasn't latched down, that's why it looks crooked.



Time to remove the exhaust studs! The allen nuts came off no problem. The other ones, though...


There's two of them snapped clean off.

[Hebrewhomeboy]

What's this thing? It's like a cooler of some sort at the front of my engine.

I have no idea what it is. Can anyone tell me?

Anyways, now I tried to tackle those pesky oil lines. I honestly had no idea which one went where. After plenty of cursing, I managed to find out where they went. Oh, but make sure you remove the rear tire, or else you can't get to it, and even then it's a pain in the rear end. a 36mm wrench is hard to get anywhere.
New oil line installed: (well, all except for the little support bolt, which I then fastened).


So, once I got that done, I started bolting on the SSIs. They wouldn't go on straight, I didn't understand why... wait a minute, what's this? I then realized that little tab on them bolts right to the engine case. So I undid them, and bolted them on correctly. (no pictures, sorry. I had to work quickly as the place was closing.)

The M&K went on without any issues. Nicely made, easy to install. It was getting dark by then, and my camera SUCKS at pictures when light is anything less than optimal. When I go to fix these stupid exhaust studs I'll take more pictures.

[Hebrewhomeboy]

By the way, all that reddish orange you see on the underside of my car isn't rust, it's all the red clay out here in Hawaii. That stuff gets EVERYWHERE! I can't stand it.

[slodave]

The Behr item is your primary oil cooler.

Do yourself a favor and use a different product besides WD-40. It's not desinged for what you are doing. Get a can of PB blaster or similar.

[Hebrewhomeboy]

Originally Posted by RWebb

but be clear on your goals before you start!

I'm just sticking with simple (ha!) mods for now, ones that I want no matter what I do to my car. So basically, SSI/M&K, later on a prototipo, RS lightweight carpet, and eventually PMOs and 964 cams (when I have the money).

Down the road I want wider Fuchs, slightly different front and rear bumpers, maybe some sports seats... who knows. I'm just doing basics for now. Nothing that can't be reversed.

[robert walsh]

It may sound stupid but I always liked the rubber bumper gaurds on porsches, although I like the smaller euro version better. I even like them on TR-6'S, alot of people remove them, they just seem kinda cool to me, very fitting for the time era I suppose.

[Paulporsche]

Homes,

Don't get dscouraged. Everyone, even the pros, sometimes screw up. Sometimes studs snap no matter what you do.

BTW if it's not too much trouble could you post a reverse shot of the bumper guard, showing the side that faces the bumper? I can't recall what that looks like, and I'm thinking of keeping mine but hollowing them out to remove weight. Don't know if this is viable or not. Thanks.

[Hebrewhomeboy]

I don't have any pictures of that side, but it's not as thick as you think. There is room to hollow it out though. I'll try to get my camera out there and get a picture for you later today when I wake up.

[Brother]

Never be afraid to ask what you might think are dumb questions. Just ignore anyone that snaps at you.

When Rika and I dropped my engine to fix some air leaks, we were total newbs, but we learned a ton. You can always get it fixed later. Enjoy the process.

Did you get a quote yet on the exhaust studs removal?

[village idiot]

Looks like you were at the Navy auto hobby shop. Engine looks pretty leak free(more than I can say for mine). Car looks in great condition overall

[RWebb]

budget?

I'd get the m&k muffler and Euro crush tubes in back to kill some of the wt. on that heavy rear end.

as per above either Euro bumperettes, '74 US bumperettes or little silver plugs for the holes.

Bon Appetit!

[Hebrewhomeboy]

Originally Posted by Brother

Did you get a quote yet on the exhaust studs removal?

No, I didn't. However I'm going to give it a try myself. There's a guy on here that sells an apparatus that makes drilling them out fairly simple, if slightly time consuming, and I'm going that route.