Tips or advice for first time owner of '86 911 ?

[newguy1986]

Just got a 1986 911. Dont know anything about them.

1) Any mechanics in Phoenix who are competent and reasonable ?

2) What brand and weight oil should I use ? Car has 186,000 miles. Compression is approx 170 all around.

3) Any serious weakness to watch for in these cars ?

Thanks

[sc_rufctr]

An 86 is a good car...

More details please before people chime in with advice....

Post some pictures... You're new so that's a tradition on here.

I use Castrol Magnatec in VW Golf VR6.
I'm very happy with it but I'm looking for new oil for my P car so I'll be watching this thread.

I was using Mobile 1 but it's a bit over rated IMO...

[slodave]

Hi,

Pix would be nice and are pretty much required.

Can't answer your first question.

There is a great thread on oil...
Ultimate Motor Oil Thread or Why we hate CJ4/SM oils

In short, since you are in a desert climate, you have a number of choices for the weight, but it needs to contain certain amounts of "stuff" - read the thread. I use Shell Rotella T 40 wt. There are a few days in winter that are too cold, but not that big of a deal in SoCal.

Yes, they don't like to sit for extended periods. Mine is not a daily driver, so I try and get it out at least every week for a couple of days. No short trips either. If the market is 5 miles away, make sure to drive the long way (about 20 minutes), before you park and go shopping. First gear can be tricky on down shift, most avoid the DS. Don't lift in the corners....

[slodave]

Oh yeah, you can't check the oil level when the engine is cold. It needs to be at operating temps - about a 20 minute drive or so, then checked on level ground with the engine running. Level should be in the middle of the two marks.

Have fun.

[dshepp806]

Step one: be sure (as slodave mentioned) to check the oil properly,..or you WILL have a mess on your hands should you overfill her. She MUST be running, level ground,..and quite warm....

Never "speed shift" that tranny, or else. Forget those ricers who want to sprint redlight to redlight...they're just asking you to rebuild your tranny.

Rev limiter won't protect you on a missed shift (dropping into 2nd, while going for 4th gear).

Start getting a good feel for your car's temp readings,..watch that guage religiously. Drop a belt and not pay attention to the instrument panel will screw your day up BIG TIME. Keep a spare (and needed toold in the car at all times......ALWAYS keep a spare DME relay in the glove box.

Be very careful when leaning over the engine while it's running,...that fan belt will grab anything that hangs near it...be very safe here.

Keep those RPMs somewhat low until she's up to operating temp (no revving a cold engine...)

Inspect your fuse box for good connectivity and weathered fuses. I go through mine each year. Keep spares.

DO not let it idle for extended periods,...crank her, then drive it within a minute or so.

I never touch my gas pedal when cranking her.

A voltmeter (of sorts) is a good thing to have so that you can monitor the charge voltage. I make use of my Passport radar detector for voltage monitoring while plugged into the cig lighter.....overcharging can cause several problems.

Others wll post additional nuances....

...my 2 cents.

Best,..and congrats!

Doyle

[KNS]

On top of all the advice above, these cars are not too hard to work on, pick up a 101 projects book and a Bentley manual for you car.

On the '86 and up, the sway bar mounts can crack and break, not a huge deal to get fixed but common.

Beck's on the north side and Stutgartt Southwest on the east side are good shops

[Barrpete]

The PO of my '86 was in Phoenix and the service records were from Beck's in Scottsdale. Never used them personally, but the car was in very good shape. The PO described them as very anal about doing things properly.

[tonythetarga]

Originally Posted by newguy1986

Just got a 1986 911. Dont know anything about them.

1) Any mechanics in Phoenix who are competent and reasonable ?

2) What brand and weight oil should I use ? Car has 186,000 miles. Compression is approx 170 all around.

3) Any serious weakness to watch for in these cars ?

Thanks

Did you get any service records?
If not, I'd change the oil and filter with Brad Penn 20 50, change the trans oil with Swepco 201, go through the brake calipers and check the rubbers for damage/cracking and rebuild as necessary and definitely flush the brake fluid.
Next I'd ...ahhhh.... DRIVE IT and listen for creaks, knocks or other suspension noises that might suggest the original equipment is still there. After you determine that, you might want to think about freshening up the suspension bushings, maybe tie rods and ball joints.
When you don't know what you are starting with you need to start somewhere and go through the car bit by bit.
The 86 is a great car. If it was serviced properly, you should have no day to day issues. If your a/c works well, chances are the PO spent some money on the car because, for most of us with the Carrera or earlier a/c, it becomes dead weight and engine bay clutter.
Enjoy the car and POST SOME PICTURES.

[Warviking]

I have an 85 and it's been a great car. I've replaced a few things here and there. I think the next one will be tranny mounts.

With all the talk of oil make sure you don't miss the small tube when you replace the dipstick. Lots of people have dropped them and then they gone.

[GH85Carrera]

Welcome, as the others said, post some photos. 911 photos are like looking at pretty women. There is a ton of photos on the site and we always want more!

[nesslar]

ALOT of great advice there! I have an '86, and follow these sage words, of course! Especially the "be careful here" type comments. Again, really good advice. So where are the pictures......

[Peter Zimmermann]

Originally Posted by newguy1986

Just got a 1986 911. Dont know anything about them.

1) Any mechanics in Phoenix who are competent and reasonable ?

2) What brand and weight oil should I use ? Car has 186,000 miles. Compression is approx 170 all around.

3) Any serious weakness to watch for in these cars ?

Thanks

Engine oil = Kendall GT-1 20W/50 Dino
Trans oil = Kendall Three Star 80W/90 Dino - make sure you check for Limited Slip!

Can't help with a tech recommendation, but I humbly suggest that you pick up a copy of the 8th Edition of my book, The Used 911 Story. Also, please check out this link - http://forums.rennlist.com/rennforums/911-forum/189606-the-pre-purchase-inspection-by-peter-zimmermann.html - to make sure your car has been checked over properly.

That'll get you started!

[TroyGT]

+1 on all mentioned above.

Learn how to jack it up or you can damage oil lines or worse.

I have an '86.. use Castrol GTX 20w50 in mine... always have. My A/C sucked, so I removed the compressor and never looked back. Cruise control is not very reliable, mine had even been disconnected by the PO... I finally just removed it. When serviced regularly and taken care of they are very reliable cars. Mine is a daily 40 mile commuter.

Listen to the Pelicans... none are hacks... all of them have wonderful experience with these cars and will happily point you in the right direction if you need any help. Our host is the best place to get parts, period.

Once you get the car in good working order, definitely talk to Steve Wong about one of his performance chips... it's money well spent and it's usually the first upgrade people consider for these cars.

-Troy

[911st]

Known issues for that millage if not already addressed are worn valve guides and sagging suspension bushings that may allow the torsion bar springs to contact metal.

To check the valve guides I think you can have someone drive your car at freeway speed and in a low gear at high rpm and let off the gas. If you see smoke coming from the tail pipe, they may be worn.

For the bushings. Out back look in front of the rear wheel under the fender. You will see the Torsion tube sticking out. Look to see if it is close to centered to the swing arm at the retaining plate.

Up front, look at the ends of the tube that is the hinge for the A arm. the ends should look centered. They can not sag very far before there may be contact with metal on metal.

Most popular performance mod is to get a cat delete pipe and add a 911Chips.com chip for about a 22hp gain. Car stays quiet. Throttle response midrange is improved and pulls harder up top.

Good tires, shocks, brake lines, and alignment are worth looking at.

Mostly, just enjoy it.

[craigyirush]

Originally Posted by Peter Zimmermann

Engine oil = Kendall GT-1 20W/50 Dino
Trans oil = Kendall Three Star 80W/90 Dino - make sure you check for Limited Slip!

Can't help with a tech recommendation, but I humbly suggest that you pick up a copy of the 8th Edition of my book, The Used 911 Story. Also, please check out this link - http://forums.rennlist.com/rennforums/911-forum/189606-the-pre-purchase-inspection-by-peter-zimmermann.html - to make sure your car has been checked over properly.

That'll get you started!

Pete - what do you think of Brad Penn's 20W/50?