Take my 911 on a long trip?

[woywitka]

Hey Folks,

I have been very happy after completing my first month of 911 ownership. The car has been great, put about 2,000kms on it I am sure! Just did an oil change and that is it.

1978 911 SC, 231,000 original KMS, engine never been apart. Rebuilt transmission at 150,000kms.

The car was driven very little over the past 10 years, like more in the last month than the last decade.

Aside from an alternator on its way out (I will replace), what would make you hesitate to take a car like this to California and back to BC? Aside from no A/C was ordered in my car.

The PPI was favorable, but the mechanics said it wouldn't be a good idea to take it on a long trip. I do not really understand why not though. Perhaps they feel I'm just a dumb 22 year old with a car I don't understand. I've been running old European cars since I was 16. I mean, I have even replaced a head-gasket on the side of the road, I'm not inept. I'm not a 911 expert, but I understand the respect you need to give such a car.

I've been watching things like oil pressure, oil consumption, brake performance, stability at high speeds over the month. The car feels very solid. Fantastic 915 transmission, and the engine runs well within the normal operating temperature. I added half a litre of oil in this time

I have a pinhole leak from the oil cooler and possibly the cam through bolts, but aside from a bit of oil seepage, nothing major to report.

My rubber brake lines are getting tired according to the PPI. I looked at them and I've seen worse, might change them within the next year.

Was thinking of taking my alternator in to be rebuilt correctly (pressed diodes) not soldered. Plus I'm getting a moan/roar at low RPMS which sounds like bad alternator bearings.

Any reasons I should not take a car like this to California?

[pioneer1]

Hi: I've been around vintage cars for ever and the key ingredient for a drive like that is 1-cell phone
2-AAA membership
Actually,the further you get south the more you will find Porsche support

[paulgtr]

do some research about reliable shops along your route. the only trouble with a road trip is that if you do run into trouble you can be at the mercy of some less than stellar mechanics.

[kidrock]

Originally Posted by paulgtr

do some research about reliable shops along your route. the only trouble with a road trip is that if you do run into trouble you can be at the mercy of some less than stellar mechanics.

Kinda like that movie, "Doc Hollywood", where he gets stuck in some podunk town when his 356 breaks down.

[Scott Douglas]

I'd recommend changing the brake lines and fluid, and thoroughly checking any of the other rubber lines especially in the fuel system.
Did you replace the tires? Fuel filter?
After sitting for ten years you'll undoubtedly loosen up some crud in the fuel tank with a long drive.
Have a good trip!

[kkkarpuk]

Woywitka,
If you have confidence in the car, tune it up and go. You will have a trip to remember. I flew down to LA to pick up my 911 and drove it back to Penticton. I got a chance to get familiar with the car in the 3 days of spirited driving.The cars are built to drive and the hours you spend behind the wheel will forever connect you to your car. The things you will learn about your car and it's capabilities are yours to discover. Go for it if you feel confident that the car is up to it!!
Have fun,

Ken

[porsche9]

A cell phone and AAA do come in handy. Like any other car give it a thorough checkup. Also, besides replacing tires, filters, and so on, have you thought about making sure the electrical connections are working well? Bon voyage!

[woywitka]

Hey guys!

Thanks for the tips and encouragement. I feel like this car is very solid, it doesn't do anything "funny" and I'm starting to slowly enjoy it more and more. Such a great feeling.

I just have a fear of the engine blowing up on me, far from home, and I'm like...wish I took the Saab.

I'm going to order new filters and that stuff for sure!

[daepp]

Hell yes. Take thé trip. I jus finished a thousand mile trip in m'y 72 with m'y so. A trip neither of us Will ver forge t

[Jim Richards]

BC to CA and back? I thought you said you were taking your SC on a long trip.

I would fix every known mechanical problem before you travel, carry some spare parts, find out where you can get help along the way, meet Pelicans, and have a great time.

[da Vinci Dan]

Highway miles are the easiest on a car. Point it in the right direction and put your right foot down.

My first long trip was in 1992 in a '74 Dodge Dart. It was just about 2K miles, cars are made to be driven.

Do plugs, valves, filters (all), rotor and cap.... all the normal tune-up stuff if you have no records of it being done recently.

Don't take chances on something like the brakes. If you need them - might as well do them now.

Tires - really important that they are not old - even if they have tread. They can be rotting from the inside out. I never keep tires for more than five years regardless of miles - just not worth the risk. Especially when I like to periodically open her up to 100 mph +. A blown tire and you're toast at these speeds.

[diverdan]

I'd worry more in a newish electronic vehicle. Enjoy!

Dan

[s_morrison57]

woywitka
Check out with the parts suppliers close to you , I have found that our host has better prices than I could find locally, a good example was an air filter that I got at Lordco it was about 90 bucks and wayne sells a K&N for half that , give or take, only bummer is it takes about 10 days to 2 weeks to get the stuff.
Gonna send you a PM so check your messages, I'm in Poco by the way, where did you get your car and who did the PPI?
Scott

[steely]

Hi woywitka,

I'd say go for it too - you are your only best judge here. If it feels sound based on your current driving experience with it, your past experiences with other cars, and the advice gained from your PPI and here, I think you will have done all you could do. Consider maybe a shorter test drive if you want more confidence.

You might search here as well for other threads that advise what to bring (like oil) for "emergencies" beyond the AAA/CAA card and cell phone mentioned above.

I picked up my car in Alabama and drove it with my wife to Pennsylvania - what an adventure. After a 'good' PPI, the only problem I had was the fan belt started shredding (it passed the PPI as best it could). I was 200 miles away from Alabama, and 800 miles from home - had a spare but had to buy a socket set to remove the alternator/fan belt nut. Lost half a day. This happened on my first day and shook my confidence a little, but the rest of the trip was issue free.

Congrats, and go for it.

[Grady Clay]

woywitka,
First, welcome to the Forum
You will find a lot of help here.

Lots of good advice above.

I will second the recommendation about tires.
The tires have a ‘date-of-manufacture’ on them. If anything older than a few (like four or five) years old, replace them.

The rubber flex brake hoses also have a service life. When you replace them, take careful note that you don’t develop a leak at (in) the brake master cylinder.

The plastic fuel hoses in the engine compartment bear watching (particularly with your nose). If anything leaks only a bit – fix it immediately.

Your fuel tank has a screen filter in the bottom. It is wise maintenance to drain the tank of fuel and clean this filter screen. It takes a 22 mm Allen – a 22 mm hex nut welded to an old ½“-drive socket works well.

Needless to say, a few oil changes over several modest trips will get you all clean oil in the system and all the engine/transmission/car parts ‘friendly’ working together again.

When you change the transmission lubricant, be sure to loosen the fill plug first. Removing the shift pivot plate (installing a new gasket) gives your more insight into the transmission than just the magnetic drain plug.



A trip down the Pacific coast is easy and beautiful – unless you only park on the I-5. A combination of the PCH, Cascades and the Sierra Nevada will make for a memorable trip. I recommend a different route down and back.

A bit of advance planning will get you in touch with the huge Pelican and PCA community along this route.

You may find it fun to have several Porsches join you on all or parts of your trip. A ‘tour’ is fun and there is “safety in numbers”. You will find that a 911 makes a great ‘backpack’ for car camping in the National and state Forests and Parks.

Timing your trip with an event or two is also fun. There is always something going on at tracks like Laguna Seca, beautiful, luxuriant Willow Springs and more. If you make the time, you can take a significant ‘tour’ of the West Coast.



I think the only ‘spare’ necessary is an extra fuel pump relay. Of course there is the requisite cell phone (and laptop with internet connection), AAA-Plus card and a very capable Visa card - true for any form of travel.


Vancouver to San Diego and back – a ‘walk in the park’ – literally.

Best,
Grady

[tshih]

Have you updated the chain tensioner to post 1987 tensioners ? Aside from the usual new spark plugs, wires, carry a new fuel pump and tire patch kit along with the inflator for roadside temporary repairs. The SC are pretty dependable years with the reputation (if well maintained) of being bulletproof (rare to have engine blowup).

[RWebb]

only some parts of the Oregon coast have cell service so be aware - it is even spottier in the desert

both areas are well worth a visit however

[msublett]

Take some extra relays, fuses and bulbs, check the spare and definately don't forget some basic tools and a flashlight. If you go at it with the right attitude a break down won't hamper your fun. I've met some of the most interesting people after getting stuck somewhere for a day or two.

[rr262]

I have an 83 SC Cab, which I bought in Tahoe. I live in Seattle. The original plan was to fly down, get the car and drive it home, but I wussed out and had it shipped. I regret not driving it home, although it was getting late in the season, (October) and I was a bit worried about the mountain passes. But it was probably a great adventure I missed out on. The car is great and definitely would have made it home with a ton of great memories to boot....So go for it. There is AAA, and you can always rent a truck and trailer from uhaul and haul it home...

[woywitka]

The tires are......10 years old. Fak!

The tires loook sooo good too. Yoko Avids. The car was garaged. I have a set of 2 year old Potenzas Pole Positions on my 9-5 Aero that look more degraded.

I'm so picky about tires, but these ride so nice, look really good, and have lots of tread, more than 60%.

I knew when I bought the car, but the mechanic made a good point that nobody have conclusively proved that the magic 6 year mark is anything more than a way to get people to buy tires more often. He said it should be done case by case, sometimes 3 years, sometimes more. US DOT doesn't spec a replacement or sale age. So some tires have 8 year old date codes and are sold every single day.

I just feel so bad about throwing away good tires. If they were down to like 30% I wouldn't second guess myself. Even one crack, no question!