Intro and my first (finally) 911!

[JohnJL]

Well done. Keep the pics coming mate.

[gearheadgreg]

Thanks - it's progress, and this board is a huge motivator. As everyone knows, juggling work, life, other projects, home projects, etc. can get hectic, but that's kind of what my first post in this thread alludes to: Get your one best/favorite project, get rid of the rest, and focus on it so you can enjoy it.

Anyway, a pic of the side with removed rockers:




A pic of the decklid with 15yrs accumulated dirt with no where to go:







And freshly cleaned - the flat black comes off with light fingernail pressure, so wetsanding should take care of it without even breaking a sweat. Though I will have to do something about those extra holes from the whale tail mounting....




The Ansa/Monza? Sport muffler (now up for sale) in surprisingly good shape, and a few extra bits that came out when I pulled the bumper off. Heh.

[gearheadgreg]

Got a little 15x8 ebay present today to see if I like the look. Price was right. Me likee.




Made good progress on the decklid wetsanding.

[dw1]

I've had Minilites on some of my Brit cars and never really considered them for a 911, but after seeing some recent photos on this board - and especially your close ups - wow Those are going to look great on the car. And not something one sees every day.

BTW, the wet sanding looks like it is cleaning up the decklid nicely.

[gearheadgreg]

Thanks - The one car that really made me consider them is this one:



This thread is great. http://forums.pelicanparts.com/showt...light=Minilite


I think I will have to go 15x7 all around to start, and then step up to the 8s in the back when I have the flares installed. Or maybe by then I will be confident enough in my welding to do it. Heh. Everytime I read the story about cnielson's ST tribute car that makes me shake my head how he did it himself, 1st time welding.

[gearheadgreg]

Well, it took 3 years to make much progress, but at least it's progress.

It's on the trailer to get the front pans replaced by a local metal working master. Bumpers to get painted and need to fab/buy some seat brackets. Started it for the first time today - runs surprisingly well... Then it's driving time!

[manbridge 74]

Greg, looks good. Liking the minilites a lot.

I'm in Woodland Park and must see your finished creation at some point.

Maybe we can assault Pikes Peak.

[RichHawk]

Woo hoo! progress.
Isn't that what they say? if you've stalled on a project, just go out and clean something small for it. and then another, and then maybe re-attach something small, and before you know it you'll be waded back in chest deep.

Not that floor pans are small, but you've always had a different definition of what "Small" modifications mean.

It makes me miss mine.

Richard

[gearheadgreg]

You are totally right, Rich. Small bites - baby steps, whatever, just to keep the momentum from stopping.

I've got a 71 Bus in the garage now too, that is getting re-assembled. Too many projects, not enough time.

[gearheadgreg]

Oh, and something funny - I have been through around 20-30 sets of Recaros over the years, and have abou 6 sets and partial sets of mounts and sliders in the garage. I knew I had SOMETHING that would let me bolt the seats into it, right? Nope. So they are just sitting on a pile of garage sweatshirts.

Steering wheel adapters? I've got like 5 or 6 at least hanging around, all VW & Porsche, and thought for sure I would have a momo one for my Prototipo, right? Nope. I DID have a Nardi one and a funky 4 spoke wheel that works, though, for the time being.

Time to order some more parts.

[gearheadgreg]

Back story - so, a while back, I had oiled the cylinders with some very lightweight oil, (removed plugs, squirted in oil, cranked it over by hand several times, then installed new copper plugs). Batteries were tested good and slow charged to full weeks ago. On Sun afternoon, installed them, put the plug wires back on, and hooked up the battery charger just to help. Unplugged the ignition box (Crane) and cranked it over several times. Cranked pretty well, actually. Heard the electric fuel pump clicking, then hum a bit. Saw the oil pressure come up on the gauge. Checked the clear fuel filter in the engine bay and it had some, though not much, fuel in it. So, plugged the ignition box back in, used a spray bottle with gasoline in it and squirted a few times in each carb barrel and got in, looked around, and realized there wasn't really anything keeping me from trying, and turned the key to start. Pumped the throttle a little bit and it fired right off! But, only for a few revolutions - not surprising, really. Figured it was only running on the sprayed in fuel, and didn't know if the carbs were gunked up or what.

Why not do it again? Few more squirts this time, get in, hit the key, and it ran a bit longer, then as I expected it to die off again, sputtered some more before dieing. Hmmm. Maybe it is getting fuel... Cranked it without the gas from the spray bottle, pumping the pedal and VAROOM! It ran, had to pump it but it ran, and not too badly. A couple lean pops out the carb throats, likely a plugged idle passage or something, but it ran. And on half+ throttle, it reved well enough to raise an eyebrow. Big smile.

Look into the alley and can't see the neighbors garage all of 25 ft away... Lots of smoke. The oiled down cylinders are to blame, so it will take some time at temp to really burn off. I didn't run it very long because I wanted to check for leaks - lots of gas leaking from the carb accel pumps on the zeniths, and a little from the fuel inlet fittings - tightened those a smidge, and put a rag under the leakier carb, and was able to back it out, shut it down, pull up to the trailer and shut it down, check ramp alignment, and start it up and pull on. Easy.

Today, at Bulli Klinik's shop, to unload it, it started up on like the first revolution - Mike even commented on it, and I was a little pleasantly surprised. It seemed to rev and idle better, though not perfectly, and it didn't seem to leak much gas at all - maybe even none. I assume the dried out carb gaskets swelled back up a bit and maybe sealed better? Will still disassemble and replace them after I get it back from his place and make it road worthy. BUT - it's not fighting me yet. =)

Oh, and that flat six song I haven't heard in way too long - Sweet, sweet music. Helps to get the juices flowing on a project again.

[gearheadgreg]

Well, since my old photos have been lost, I decided to reload and post them again, so we have a starting point.

When I was picking it up for the 1st time:

[gearheadgreg]

As soon as I got it home, stripped the offending extra pieces off - bumpers, skirts, whale tail, Momo seats and wheel. Started cleaning off that decklid by wetsanding (still needs some work).

[gearheadgreg]

Well, Mike at the Bulli Klinik Bulli Klinik let me know he was making a little progress after finishing up a slpit window VW Westfalia nose and floor replacement.

Anyway, the PO let me know the reason he parked the car was because of the front suspension pan needing replacement. Seeing these photos makes me wonder if he was teh one that covered it up, or if it was an owner prior to him? Either way, scary. I don't think there is a thing called structural cardboard...







So glad I have Mike replacing the front suspension pan for me.

[timmy2]

That cardboard looks pristine! I can't believe the car rusted around it!

[gearheadgreg]

Ha.

Some updates - and progress! Yes - thanks Mike! Even with a bum finger because the 911 bit him (6 stitches).

[jsoderbe]

Wow, that front pan fitted like a glove. Which brand is that? Doesnt look like he had to "massage" it too much either....

Regards,

Johan

[gearheadgreg]

1. Mike is good. Really good.

2. Ordered all the metal from Pelican!

[gearheadgreg]

Pan is welded in! And he reinforced the so-so looking spot welds on the front control arm mounts. Getting closer...

Thanks Mike!