81 sc targa intro / puzzling noise

[81TARGAPAUL]

hello,

Would first like to thank everyone on this forum for giving an unpresedented amount of time helping each other. Over the last three years I have learned more than I could ever have hoped, so thank you all! Thought it would be high time to introduce myself and my porsche in progress.




History: Purchased 81 sc targa three years ago. Car had complete history and maintenance records from day one. Originally a US car brought up to Canada in '98. I am the 5th owner and car currently has 68,xxx miles. Reason for purchase was due to the loss of my previous "baby" MB 190e 2.3-16v.

History since purchase: My mechanical talent is equal to one "dude" in the 101 projects book. So basically I know how to wash a car! Never the less I have tried to tackle a few projects during our very long winters (+/- 8 months). Most projects start as follows: 1) turn on computer, 2) open beer, 3) read as much as possible on this forum, after getting totaly confused, 4) open beer, 5) stare at the car for a long time, 6) procrastinate, 7) take a deep breath, 8) take lots of pictures from every angle, 9) dive in!! Probably not the recommended way but it seems to work for me.
Past small projects include, cleaning engine and painting fan:



Fairly easy and a great way to start the ownership bond / love affair! After that things became a little more interesting including: Wevo SS engine and transmission mounts, RSR style engine carrier (this was a ton of fun!), fabspeed exhaust and cat by pass, rennshift short shift, stromski coupler, front spoiler.



Of course, between projects is still the most fun as the reward for finding the right road at the right time makes it all worth while. How much fun a 29 year old car can be continues to amaze me!

Upcoming projects include:

1) seats - PO tried to dye seats with terrible results. Dilemma now is recover, replace with "vintage style" rallye seats, or modern "recarro" seats?

2) suspension - Car rides nice (ie. wife thinks its smooth and confortable), so obviously it needs work What is a good comprimise Sportiness and yet usable as tourer? Change the torsion bars to something beefier but retain rubber mounts or move to monoballs as well? O track days, a couple auto x per year.

3) engine - valve adjustment has been done twice in the last two seasons (approx 4000 km interval). Mechanic says he needs to open her up to see what underlying problem is causing this. Have done a ton of reading and research and still cannot figure out if this is necessary for my car or for my mechanic!! He has a great reputation and all, but does this sound reasonable? Car runs strong, uses "normal" amount of oil with slight blue smoke at start up, but runs clean after. This is causing me to lose sleep at night as this is beyond my one "dude" talent and thus out of my hands. Once its open the possibilities are endless and its like a kid in a candy store!

4) to Quack or not to Quack? - change to duck tail or leave "turbo" tail?

5) fuel pump - noticed a high piched whine while driving a few weeks back eminating from the front of the car. Over the next few days it would get worse but would be intermittent (on startup it would be high, then disappear, then come and go). Purchased fuel pump to install today and have a few questions (this is the procrastinating / double guessing myself part of my "process'): is it truly the fuel pump? Sound seems to come from front of car, but fuel pump is more between the front wheels. Used to hear the hum of the pump before starting, mow don't, but car still runs strong! Am I missing something?

Thanks to everyone on this great forum, and to our host, for all your help, inspiration, and fanning the flame of possibilites.

Cheers

[crustychief]

Nice looking targa!

[Bob Kontak]

Howdy 81911Paul,

Welcome to the forum and thanks for a well written post. I like the color of the fan. Understated but clean.

Regarding your front end noise, I had a screeching noise coming from my (1981) evaporator fan until I replaced it and that would come and go as to frequency. Aside from the fuel pump I think there are only three pieces of rotating equipment in front of the dash aside from the fuel pump and wheels; the blower I mentioned in the smugglers box, the a/c condenser cooling fan which is way up front and the fresh air blower just in front of the dashboard.

What was the reason for the valve adjustments? Could valve tapping be heard? I have heard 1980's 911s that have no valve tapping but I have never been able to silence mine completely using feeler gauges and dial indicators. I don't think a little tapping is the end of the world but others will speak up if not so. The main thing is not too tight.

Smoke on start-up is normal but I don't get that every start-up. Intermittently. Must have to do with where the exhaust valves land when you shut it off that allows more oil to flow down?

Tail - Targas look real good without tails and I like the Carrera tail more than the Turbo spoiler. If you don't have a front spoiler - get one to balance the reduced lift the current tail provides.

Try refinishing the seats again yourself using Surflex products. Color-Plus : Interior Leather Care, Coloring, Repair and Restoration for the Auto Enthusiast

[mholbrook38]

Ditto on the front spoiler. With the whale it will be really nose happy.

You have a nice car there. Go forth and enjoy.

[81TARGAPAUL]

Thanks Guys,

Front spoiler has been installed as one of the first "must haves".

Bob, there was slight tapping to be heard before adjustment. After adjustment all was fine but I would say that the tapping is comming back ever so slightly. The greatest difficulty is that the car is rarely driven with the top on so normally do not hear any of the more delicate noises other than exhaust note and wind! Have resorted to forcing myself to drive with top every now and again to see (hear) whats happening. Truth be told though I am much more confident when the top is off and the noises are drowned out. Ignorance is bliss!

Smoke with start up is only when car has been sitting for a bit. With regular use all seems to be well.

Regarding the evaporator fan: have pulled the ac compressor out and blocked off the hoses as I find ac to be rather pointless with a Targa (although my wife disagrees). Thus make sure the sytem is off at the controls but have not thought if the cooling fan would still run regardless.

Think I will still replace the fuel pump if for no better reason than peace of mind.

Paul

[pete3799]

Don't quite understand why your mechanic thinks he needs to open her up.
Valve adj. once a year is not cause for concern. A little valve noise is normal.
How much oil are you using per km?
Nice car by the way.