Hello, just bought a 911 and I NEED HELP!!!!!!

[Jeffaudio]

Hello to all that use this list. I'm not really sure how to use a list like this, as I am on a Triumph list that just forwards emails, but I'm sure I'll get the hang of it. I bought a 1971 911T from a neighbor that had had the car sitting for about 14 years. Its got some strosek type body panels on it as he had wanted to turn it into a C2. I've purchased the haynes manual and the green book but I can't say they've been too helpful as they are pretty general. Since I don't really know the car very well, where is the best place to see detail pics of cars so i can see how things are supposed to look, as well as get the best info for repairs? Thanks
Jeff Lyons

[Geronimo '74]

Welcome to this forum

You've come to the right place, this is without a doubt the best source of 911 info you can find online.

This is an example of what your car could look like, many other pics can be found on this BBS or on the net (this pic was googled)


I can imagine it looks better like this than with a Strosek kit. (those kits are not the most popular here on the board.)

Besides the Haynes Manual and the Bentley manual, I strongly suggest that you get following books:

How to Rebuild and Modify Your Porsche 911 Engine

and

101 Projects for your Porsche 911

Both are written by our host (Wayne) and are a must have for every home mechanic.

I assume that it will take a fair amount of work to get your car back in its original state. You have the bodykit to thank for that.
But you will learn a lot about your car and its working, you will learn to love it!

Last but not least, post pics of your car (outsides, interior, enginebay...)

Other Pelicans, more wise and more experienced than me will add to this.

Good luck!

[88-diamondblue]

Welcome to PP board. As said above pictures would help us answer your questions.
There is a wealth of info from the members and doing a search using the search feature. Great to have you aboard

[Jeffaudio]

Thanks Guys,
I appreciate the input. After browsing the forum for about an hour, I am even more juiced about getting this thing going. Bummer about the strosek kit not being too popular. I like the smaller headlights and the wide rear end tho. First real question tho. Are there bumper shocks on the 71 911 t or was it just a bar?
Jeff

[g111mds]

would be interested to see some pictures of it, especially the strosek parts if at all possible.

Thanks, Jamie

[sancho]

Jeff
post some pictures, we love pictures.

welcome

[sfoster13]

The first thing you'll want to do is check for rust. Unless it lived its entire life in a safe/dry climate, it will have rust. They typically rust out in the rockers, floor pans, package shelf, fenders, etc. Do a real good assessment and then go from there.

[tharbert]

Welcome to the board! As mentioned, post some pictures. As your car isn't stock, it's hard to say what you have. There are no stock bumper shocks on a 71. With your kit? It's hard to say.

If you like the look of the car, don't worry about moving back to stock. Get her running, polish her up and drive the snot out of it.

[berettafan]

The Haynes people should be shot for publishing the crap they do. Just awful. DaVinci did a better job explaining his inventions than the Haynes does. Crap pictures, crap descriptions, crap crap crap crap.

Get Wayne's books for starters then set about identifying any rust issues before you start spending money.

[Grady Clay]

Jeff,
Welcome to the Forum
You will find a lot of help here.

Congratulations on your purchase.
You now have a great responsibility.
You are the caretaker of a very special car.

That said, I’m going to change hats and play The Grinch.
I want you (with the help of the Forum) to carefully assess the condition of the ‘T’ before you go much farther.
There are four basic areas of investigation:

First, and most important, are rust condition and if any previous crash repair. If the body conversion pieces were for aesthetic purposes on a sound virgin chassis - great. That can be easily reversed if you want. If the purpose was to cover damage, recovery is more difficult. You need to find out the exact current condition so you can make informed decisions.

Next is the condition of the engine and transmission. This is very straightforward to assess. It is very important due to the potential cost.

The running gear is important as it affects the safety and enjoyment of driving. Again this is relatively easy to assess. This involves tires, brake system, shocks and other suspension components and more.

Finally there is the ‘general condition’. Obviously paint, upholstery and trim are the visual part. A fun car is one where the wipers work properly, the windows go up & down easily, the locks operate smoothly, the heaters function and many more.

After almost 40 years of use, enjoyment, abuse, TLC and neglect, the 911T can be a remarkable survivor or a donor of parts for others. The only way to tell is careful assessment now.

Part of the enjoyment (at least for me) is the constant tinkering and state of flux of my cars (plural). Some run just fine, some are resting quietly and some are in ‘process’. All fun.


We (including myself) are all dedicated enthusiasts. It is improper to not let that enthusiasm overcome good sense. Well … at least not at first.

Please take my sage 2¢ as intended – to maintain a macadam of reality. The only reason we have these cars is FUN. That fun is different for each owner. Some race. Some tinker. Some just know they have a ‘garage queen’ sitting unseen. Most are somewhere between. All enjoy.

Again, welcome.

Best,
Grady

[RWebb]

do what Grady says - always

BTW - no bumper shocks on the 71 911's - not until '74 in the US only

a '71 has the wonderful road racing shift pattern transmission - there are often clutch linkage issues tho.

be sure not to get too far underwater before evaluating the car THOROUGHLY - like Grady said...

[TechnoViking]

Hey Jeff,

When you get the chance, post your location. Lots of folks here like to help local Pelicans with projects.

Regards,
Martin

[Jeffaudio]

Wow thanks for the responses! I'm in So California right on the border of La and north Orange county. I will be taking pics as soon as I can dig out my camera!! Good to know i don't have bumper shocks!! One less thing I have to replace. The car has very little rust on it, seeing that it has been in Ca for at LEAST 14 years. Probably was originally a CA anyway, but I don't know that for sure. The Strosek part is the front end with the small lights. The rear end apparently was off of a C2 from the late 80's. I got the car from my neighbor across the street who keeps giving me small bits of info as either he remembers or his selective memory is serving him. One quick question. Do I post each question under a different heading? or do I keep writing here? The Triumph list im on is just a email repeater, so all anyone there does is just post an email and everyone gets it. This is a little different so I want to make sure my questions are going to the right eyes. Thanks again, I know this is gonna be a great list to be on!!!!!
Jeff Lyons
1971 911 t in rough shape!

[RWebb]

just keep most (non-complicated) questions here - you can also post links to other threads

post pics of the car from underneath - use light bulbs on each side at a 45o angle to the spot you are snapping pics of - if no camera, time to buy

there will be lots of 911 owners on this list in your area

you still want to do a total rust probe on the body!

[KarlCarrera]

Welcome to the board!

Post Pic's before your incinerated. These guys have no problem with that. :>)

Listen to everyone, especially Grady.

I also have so much to learn, and still am. Don't feel bad, these guys can help. (Really).

Get a feel for the board, all have great advice, not all pertains to you.

Enjoy your car, I know I am.

Karl
88 Targa

[James Brown]

And we will all get into squabbles about how to fix your car, don't worry about that, just let it ride. Remember, it's you car do what you want (as long as we agree on it).

[vash]

pictures or it didnt happen.

[76 Targa]

Be sure to join up with PCA. Excellence magazine is also kind of fun to have on those rainy days in California when you don't want to work on your new ride.