Purchased a '85 911 & have many, many questions

[feds]

Hi,



1. I'll start at the beginning. I am trying to figure out where to place the jack and jack stands. I have checked the bentley manual and the picture is vague at best, it seems to indicate somewhere near the corner inside of the wheels. Seeing some damage where previous owners have got it wrong, I am wondering if someone can describe exactly where I should put the jack or even better a picture.

2. Need to change the oil. I have read the porsche approved oil bulletin, but it leaves many, many options. I have heard that synthetic oil in a car of this age is not the best idea as tends to finds leaks. Does not need to be the best of the best but I would like to reduce wear and treat the engine the best I can. Wondering if someone can suggest something they have used for years, that works well and takes a common sense approach to the matter.

3. Oil filters, haven't done much research here, but I checked at the local auto parts store and they carry a Baldwin filter for the car. I have used Baldwin filters in industrial applications as they come highly regarded, wondering if anyone has experience with them or can suggest something better. I feel a top quality filter is worth the money.

4. Transmission oil. As she's a bit challenged in the shifting department, I would like to get the best available. I have adjusted the linkage and will be replacing the bushings which will help, but I feel a good quality tranny oil is worth the investment. They have Royal Purple at the auto parts store, wondering if the same theory applies and a synthetic tranny oil will finds leaks there as well? Any suggestions?

5. Tires. There is a lot of information on this topic as well, however wondering if someone with experience can make a suggestion for me. I live in western Canada, do not drive it all year, but will certainly encounter rain at times. I use the car as a weekend / daily driver. No racing, but I do enjoy driving it and with more experience I will likely get a better sense of mine and the cars limits. I don't drive it too much so wear rate is not my first priority, although its not my last either. Again, I'm not looking for the best of the best and would like to keep the cost reasonable, but I would like a good tire. I figure I'm looking for something that's good at most things and likely most important has a gentle breakaway (to keep me out of trouble). It has stock Fuchs.

Thank you to all that reply, your advice, suggestions and experience are much appreciated.

So much to learn.

Feds

[edgarcia737]

Wayne's 101 Projects Book is a must read. It covers proper jack points and lots of other "must know" stuff.

Engine Oil: I use Castrol 10-40w I live in AZ

Tranny oil: Swepco 201

I strongly recommend Wayne's 101 Porsche Project book.

Good luck and have fun,

Ed Garcia
1977 Carrera 3.0

[HarryD]

Originally Posted by feds

Hi,

Hi and welcome tothe best Porsche BBS. For fun and grins, we encourge people to post a picture (or a few hundred) of their cars. We like seeing nice rides!

1. I'll start at the beginning. I am trying to figure out where to place the jack and jack stands. I have checked the bentley manual and the picture is vague at best, it seems to indicate somewhere near the corner inside of the wheels. Seeing some damage where previous owners have got it wrong, I am wondering if someone can describe exactly where I should put the jack or even better a picture.

Many posts on this topic. This post is one of the best:

Originally Posted by Bill Verburg

X's for lifting O's(and X's for stands), there are others, the Os are almost impossible to get a jack on

2. Need to change the oil. I have read the porsche approved oil bulletin, but it leaves many, many options. I have heard that synthetic oil in a car of this age is not the best idea as tends to finds leaks. Does not need to be the best of the best but I would like to reduce wear and treat the engine the best I can. Wondering if someone can suggest something they have used for years, that works well and takes a common sense approach to the matter.

Many threads on this topic. This is the best. Ultimate Motor Oil Thread or Why we hate CJ4/SM oils

Cliff notes: Use 20W-50 or 15W-40. Good brands include Brad-Penn Racing, Vavlvoline VR-1, Kendall GT and SWEPCO 306. There are others. I'll let you read and learn.

3. Oil filters, haven't done much research here, but I checked at the local auto parts store and they carry a Baldwin filter for the car. I have used Baldwin filters in industrial applications as they come highly regarded, wondering if anyone has experience with them or can suggest something better. I feel a top quality filter is worth the money.

I have heard nothing but good things about Baldwin but the filter of choise is either the Mahle (sold here by our host) or a Porsche Filter fromthe Dealer (or here). Ther are several threads on oil changes. Be aware there are two drain points and you will remove/replace 10 to 12 quarts of oil.

4. Transmission oil. As she's a bit challenged in the shifting department, I would like to get the best available. I have adjusted the linkage and will be replacing the bushings which will help, but I feel a good quality tranny oil is worth the investment. They have Royal Purple at the auto parts store, wondering if the same theory applies and a synthetic tranny oil will finds leaks there as well? Any suggestions?

I think you have a 915 transmission. Oddly, for this transmission many transmission oils are too slippery for the transmission syncronizers to work properly. Many here (including me) use SWEPCO 201 (again you can get it from our host) but Steve Weiner is an all round good guy and has this to say on the topic:

Originally Posted by Steve@Rennsport

Any good GL-5 rated non-synthetic 75w-90 will do the job.

915's really suffer with synthetic oils as they are too slippery for the Porsche baulk-ring syncros to work correctly and excess wear is the result.

5. Tires. There is a lot of information on this topic as well, however wondering if someone with experience can make a suggestion for me. I live in western Canada, do not drive it all year, but will certainly encounter rain at times. I use the car as a weekend / daily driver. No racing, but I do enjoy driving it and with more experience I will likely get a better sense of mine and the cars limits. I don't drive it too much so wear rate is not my first priority, although its not my last either. Again, I'm not looking for the best of the best and would like to keep the cost reasonable, but I would like a good tire. I figure I'm looking for something that's good at most things and likely most important has a gentle breakaway (to keep me out of trouble). It has stock Fuchs.

I cannot be much help here. If you think you will be driving in cloder weather on wet roads, a High Perfomance All season tire may be the ticket. If you are more of a warm weather, mostly dry driver, the Summer perfomance tires may be a better choice. Go to Tire rack (Tire Rack - Your performance experts for tires and wheels) and check out your choices.

Thank you to all that reply, your advice, suggestions and experience are much appreciated.

You are welcome. Ask away. We all were in your shoes at one time or another.

So much to learn.

Feds[/QUOTE]

[Poor-sche Lover]

I'm sure you will get more detailed responses, but here's my take.

1. I place the jack directly on the engine case with just a wad of newspaper in between to protect metal-to-metal contact. The usual place for the stands is the rear torsion bar end caps. It has been done by many for years. It's okay.

2. The general preferred oil is Brad Penn Oil. You have to find a place that sells it, but it is a very popular choice around here.

3. The general preferred transmission oil is Swepco. It can be found on this site

4. Tires, I can't help you on. Sorry. I don't know enough about the subject myself.

[WIL84911]

Oil: Royal Purple 10-40 works for my 3.2 though I will try Brad Penn at some point.
Filter: Mahle OC54 from the host should be good enough.

[RWebb]

most important - brake hoses & fluid

see the Long Term Maint. thread, active today

[Apollo]

You can use a filter from a Buick. Sorry but I can't remember the model,but they are identical.

[s_morrison57]

101 projects from our host is a real good place to start, covers a lot of first timer info.
I use the Mahle oil filter and don't forget your fuel filter as well. I get mine from Pelican cause it is cheaper than local suppliers, I bought a stock air filter from a local supplier and it was almost $100.00 with taxes
I use Swepco 201 for the tranny, our host supplies it.
I'm not an expert but there are lots of guys with tons of knowledge on this board and the great thing is they don't mind sharing the knowledge, unlike any board I've ever surfed.
Welcome and post some pic's when you get some, the search is a good thing too, or so I'm told but I can't get it to work

[SCWDP911]

I have been uising Wix brand filters ever since Charles Navarro did extensive research and posted results. My local O'Reilly's carries them for the 911.

[jurhip]

Tires -
I am running yokohama s.drives on 7&8 inch Fuchs. Given the price, I really like them. Good in the wet weather, relatively quiet, and stick pretty good. Breakaway is very predictable, even in the wet. Tires with a rounder shoulder typically have better smoother breakaway characteristics, but who knows. Its a summer tires though. Probably not too great once in the 30's (F).
Ride is also nice, but I came from old goodyear f1s on 18's (way too big imho).

My only issue is that the rim saver makes the tire look really chunky, especially the front mounted on 7" fuchs. Its also not the lightest tire by a pound or two.

[jlex]

If I'm lifting one side of the car only, It's really convenient to use a "jack pad" inserted into the jack lifting points under the running boards. The jack pad is a metal bar which inserts into the jack point to which is welded a round lifting point. You use a floor jack to jack the side with... very convenient.

[feds]

Thanks everyone, I will be ordering the 101 projects book immediately along with the other items I have determined I need.

Being in small town Canada, Swepco is nearly impossible to find and no body has heard of Brad Penn Racing oil and I'm a little leary of the shipping costs, so I am still working my oil choice.

A couple other questions though, someone suggested brake fluid and lines, which is likely a very good idea. When searching the host site, they have OEM lines and braided lines. The braided lines appear to be better, but they are also cheaper than the OEM ones. Cheaper and better do not usually come together, wondering if anyone would suggest one over the other?

Also, from reviewing the Tire Rack website, looks like my main tire choices are Pirelli P6000 OEM (I believe) and Sumitomo HTR 200, wondering if anyone has any thoughts on these? it also sounds as though yokohama's are an option as well, they didn't seem to come up, but I'll do some more research on them.

Thanks again.

[80-911SC]

Originally Posted by Apollo

You can use a filter from a Buick. Sorry but I can't remember the model,but they are identical.

WHY A FACTORY REPLACEMENT FILTER ISN'T THAT MUCH .......

come on this guys asking for help not to save $1.44

But before i bust on your b@lls to much I will ask you this ,

1--WHY would you ?
2--Do you really ? or are you being funny?
3-- If you do , please re read #1 . Unless you inherited 4 cases of filters from an uncle
and they fit a Buick that he had and you can't remember what model , but even if
thats so please re-read #1.

[HarryD]

Originally Posted by feds

Thanks everyone, I will be ordering the 101 projects book immediately along with the other items I have determined I need.

Being in small town Canada, Swepco is nearly impossible to find and no body has heard of Brad Penn Racing oil and I'm a little leary of the shipping costs, so I am still working my oil choice.

A couple other questions though, someone suggested brake fluid and lines, which is likely a very good idea. When searching the host site, they have OEM lines and braided lines. The braided lines appear to be better, but they are also cheaper than the OEM ones. Cheaper and better do not usually come together, wondering if anyone would suggest one over the other?

Also, from reviewing the Tire Rack website, looks like my main tire choices are Pirelli P6000 OEM (I believe) and Sumitomo HTR 200, wondering if anyone has any thoughts on these? it also sounds as though yokohama's are an option as well, they didn't seem to come up, but I'll do some more research on them.

Thanks again.

Feds:

For the Transmission get a non-synthetic 75W-90 GL-5 Gear oil. A decent auto parts store will have one or can get one for you. Kendall and Valvoline both offer a good product.

For motor oil, if you want a 20W-50 look for Valvoline VR-1, Total (used to be ELF) or Kendall GT oil. Royal purple is also ok but more expoensive. Your best bet is to get a Product data sheet on the oils offered in your area and look for ones with Zinc and Phosphorus content over 1100 ppm (0.11%).

Get a good quality brake fluid. If you have import or speed shop nearby, see if you can get ATE Blue or ATE 200. Both are DOT4 with very high wet and dry boiling points. Here in the states it costs about $10/liter.

As far as brake lines, the braided ones are ok but for me anyway, I use the factory rubber braided ones. Why? The service life of an OEM one is about 10-15 years and they do not have the catastrophic failures associated with the braided lines. If you go the braided route, be sure you insepct them every year.

There should be more tires than that for you. I suspect you are looking at only OEM Sizes. You can go a bit wider with no penalty. Ask around what others are using for your year and wheels. To determine which sizes have the same rolling diameter (this is what affects the accuracy of your speedomter and odometer), use this calculator: Tire size calculator.

[Hugh R]

I try to buy most things from PP, after all, they sponsor this site. I buy a number of things at one time to get the free shipping, or at least better shipping rates for my buck.

Feds, post your 1st name at your signature, and where you are located. Also, for the 915 the bushing replacement kit is well worth the money. A very big improvement in shifting. Read 101 projects by Wayne. Its well detailed. The only disagreement I've found with his book is in the oil tube replacement section. Wayne says to coat the O-rings with a little oil to ease their sliding. Silicone grease is the ticket. Welcome.

[my1st911]

Originally Posted by 80-911SC

WHY A FACTORY REPLACEMENT FILTER ISN'T THAT MUCH .......

come on this guys asking for help not to save $1.44

But before i bust on your b@lls to much I will ask you this ,

1--WHY would you ?
2--Do you really ? or are you being funny?
3-- If you do , please re read #1 . Unless you inherited 4 cases of filters from an uncle
and they fit a Buick that he had and you can't remember what model , but even if
thats so please re-read #1.

My dads buick had 300000 miles without openning up engine. Maybe porsches would be a little more bullet proof with a buick filter

[80-911SC]

Originally Posted by my1st911

My dads Buick had 300000 miles without opening up engine. Maybe porsches would be a little more bullet proof with a Buick filter

then your browser must be broken because you wound up at a Porsche site, and must feel awful lonely, maybe you'd be more at home at Buick regal.com or nevergetsany.org

With the availability of 911 filters either factory or aftermarket options I just do not see the revelence in recommending to a Newb(no offense) to start looking into "crossover parts" and i now I don't recommend a fram filter for the 911 although I am sure there product is fine I just cant see reason to look for a filter for a 911 and then find it only to decide that the filter fitment guide says this other number fits a Buick grandcrap I think I'll try to shove it on my Porsche and see if it fits .......may be it just me but if its made to go on a Buick it stays on a Buick and i doubt a fram filter for a Buick is going to make the 911 more bullet proof.

i could see if your filter BLEW UP in a parking lot and the only filter you could find had metric thread and was smaller dia and would seal to get you home or the next shop but I would not come out to the world and say that I had found a way to save a dollar by putting the wrong part on my car. I am sure you "COULD" put American racing rimz with a Chevy bolt pattern on your car if you jerry rig your hubs and I am sure you could fab a set of bush-wacker flares on the rear but youd look like an ssa if you posted your new bushwacker flair factory approved turbo super wide body kit on this board or any other ...........

Just think about it .................................................. ...............

[TibetanT]

Feds:

First and foremost, welcome to the Best Porsche Forum on the Internet!

Second, since I live in a very cold climate, during the Winter months I run Mobil 1 Syn. 10W-30 High Mileage in all my Porsches. Then, during the late Spring I change over to Mobil 1 Syn. 15W-50. I am no expert, but I have gotten very good results doing this for both the 911 and the 944. Brad Penn oil is the best, but I like you cannot afford the shipping cost. However, with that said, there are some people who "pool" their money to make a large purchase and then divide-up at delivery...seems like a good idea.

Third, don't buy cheap products for your Porsche. Spend the extra ca$h for these German masterpieces and your car will thank you with longevity. Our gracious host sells everything you need right here on this site and the pricing is very, very competitive. AND, the shipping is FAST, FAST, FAST!!

Fourth, SWEPCO for the tranny.

Like others here have mentioned, Wayne's book is the best for working on your Porsche 911. The Bentley manual, the Porsche Factory Manual set, and if you can find a owner's manual for your year and it will help explain lots of stuff you need to know to keep your car in good shape.

Once again, "Welcome" and have fun learning about your Porsche.

[woland]

Hi

living in a small town of italian Alps I found "101 projects" used in Abebooks

Here I found another for you:

101 projects for your Porsche - AbeBooks


Ciao: Paolo

[80-911SC]

thats more than a new one will run you from here if the exchange rate is near where i think it is ..................
Porsche 911 & Turbo CIS Fuel Injection - Page 19


$22.95 us + shipping and your buying it from the man that wrote it .