where to spend first....

[rob911]

Have owned 84 3.2 cabrio for almost 1 year, this has done 172,000 MILES and still pulls really well. This is my wife's car, however I take it for a spin every chance I get. I am also interested in trackdays, which makes the wife nervous (looking for a 944, just for track).

The 911 goes and stops really well. I have replaced the seats (leather electric from a C2) and door cards, will do the carpets in the winter. Top end was overhauled 30k ago.

During service I was recommended to get a gearbox (915 type) overhaul (£1500!) due to worn syncro's and to do the clutch (£300) at the same time.
I can live with this for now, double de-clutching adds to the fun.

There is a more pressing issue in rust showing on both front wings around the headlights. Also in the passenger side door shuts.

Should I deal with the rust first or the mechanics?
Has anybody attempted a gearbox strip down and/or clutch replacement?

This could save me £££'s in labour if I arrive at my mechanics with boxes of gearbox parts for inspection and replacement.

Any other intersting ways I can inject cash into our car?

[rob911]

guess I'll look elsewhere for advice. Maybe I will try the general forum.
Should I only post detailed technical queries here?
I have seen lots of discussion about non-tech stuff.

Is there anyone else in europe on this site, perhaps I belong to the wrong continent?

Hopefully some of you experienced guys can give me the benefit of your wisdom. I am a 911 man for life. I just want to know how to start the ongoing projects on our 3.2.

[rob911]

great, but I have another (related) urgent query.

The engine lid will not open, the mechanism (in door shut) is seized. Tried squirting WD-40 into it and covering with a rag soaked in more WD. Still no joy.

Worse still the oil level gauge does not work. Tried a tip from the projects pages and removed the sender to inspect/clean. It all looked OK but couldn't get a resistance reading on my multimeter.

Should I be able to see the resistance change as I move the wiper across the coils of wire?
How do I remove and(or test the gauge in the dash.

Might have to resort to some butchery. I am thinking of cutting out a section of the cable guide in the LH rear wheel arch to pop the lid by pulling the cable. Don't want to drive it without keeping an eye on the oil level.

[AirCooledExcellence]

Hi Rob,

Looks like you'll be needing a new oil gauge sender unit. You should definitely be getting a resistance on your meter as you move the sensor arm up & down.

You could try cleaning it up again, but I reckon you've got a broken wire in the coil somewhere.

Cheers,

Tim.

1983 SC

[pwd72s]

Let's see, rusting, bad gears, engine lid won't open, and other problems. Rob, are you SURE you want to keep this car? '84 Carreras are nice cars, but produced in relatively large numbers. Maybe you could find a better example for less money than the repairs needed on this one? Just a thought...

Rob
Yes there are other europeans here. You have rust the exact same places as I did. I think many 911s in europe, that are as old as ours' (1984), will be more or less rusty. The door shut panels are classic problem areas. If you find a good and cheap workshop it shouldn't cost a fortune to fix, although it will not be cheap. Front fenders are very expensive (I paid almost £900).

When reading 911&PorscheWorld I get the impression that there are lots of options in England regarding used 915 gearboxes. you might try that instead of restoring the one in your car. Could be cheaper?

[rob911]

Originally posted by pwd72s
Let's see, rusting, bad gears, engine lid won't open, and other problems. Rob, are you SURE you want to keep this car? '84 Carreras are nice cars, but produced in relatively large numbers. Maybe you could find a better example for less money than the repairs needed on this one? Just a thought...

I am having the same thoughts myself....a few problems though.

1. bought this car for my wife as a christmas present. It was her "dream car" and she loves it, will not consider losing it.

2. The car drives and handles superbly. Previous owner invested much time, effort and cash (maybe £8k) getting the whole suspensiom setup for fast road/track use.

3. still paying for it!

As long as I know what problems there are I will continue driving and enjoying it. There is no chance of finding a 911 in my price range with no real problems, not a quick one anyway.

[mike911]

Dont worry your not alone in Europe!

Think you should try changing your gearbox oil with synthetic before you try anything else, it should make complete transformation.


Re rust the door shuts or kidneys, are a notorious spot, think you should find good workshop do do repairs, its close to xmas however, try asking for a cash price!!

[911pcars]

If you're up to it, you could save a few bucks and pull the engine/trans. yourself. Separate the transaxle from the engine and have it rebuilt or exchange it, then replace the clutch assembly. This might be worth about $400-700 (USD) in savings (and besides, a good DIY skill). Rebuild and parts cost, $1500-$2500.

It may or may not be cheaper to replace or repair the fenders. It depends on the extent of corrosion. Used SC/Carrera body parts are fairly plentiful over here; not sure about ROW.

Also not sure about the cable release. If there's corrosion inside the cable sheath, perhaps a cable lubrication tool (cycle shops have them) and some spray lube could be your first low-cost solution.

Sherwood Lee
http://members.rennlist.org/911pcars

[emcon5]

Probably not much help, but I have heard of having someone pull the engine lid release cable while you push/pull wiggle on it can sometimes get it to release.

Good luck,

Tom

[rob911]

Hallelujah.
Engine cover is now open. I had to butcher the cable conduit in the rear wheel arch. I cut a small access hole with a junior hacksaw, then pulled the cable with a large screwdriver. Guess this tool will live in the car from now on.

I am currently looking around for a good (independent) body shop to see to the rusty parts. I might get the new wings (fenders) if I can get a good price for the overall work.

Anybody recommend a good body shop in central england?

Once the body is sorted I will have a crack at the transmission. I think I can remove it myself, then will shop around for a re-con unit. That should allow time to strip and overhaul the old one myself, should keep me busy for years to come. Maybe I will just trade it in......

[dickster]

rob

you're not alone, i'm from uk (south)

i can't beleive you butchered the conduit! did you call porsche first?

anyway, i agree you should get the body sorted first, and choose carefully the garage to do the work - if you want quality phone porsche and get the number for an approved body shop.

what's the gearbox like to use?
if it needs it spend the money on a properly fully rebuilt gearbox and it should easily outlast your ownership of the car.


just my opinion!

dickie

[rob911]

Richard

It was a choice between running low on oil or surgery.
My regular mechanic (Porsche specialist - factory trained) couldn't figure out how to open the lid.
Also with the rusty bodywork I figures I would have the conduit repaired and new cable installed at the same time. The release mechanism is really jammed, like it has been welded.

The gearbox drives OK, there is next to no centering in the 3rd - 4th plane, 1st only engages cleanl at standstill, 2nd often feels reall "stiff" but engages with more pressure or a slight wait. All pretty standard 915 by all accounts in these BB's.
Maybe I will do the synthetic oil, and fettle the linkages. If that helps I might even stretch to a "Robotek device" which helps avoid those horrors when looking for 3rd but engage 1st.

Does anyone have any experience of them in UK? I would like to see what it feels like.

Also does anyone stock them in UK?
If they are $300 I bet that will mean £300 over here.

[dickster]

gearbox sounds ok.

mine will only select first at standstill, but is generally ok.

i am going to try the robotec and factory short shift as rec. by the suppliers who race with them, i'm going to order it direct from the states.

i'll let you know how it goes!

richard