Newbie with question - Am I backdated?

[deeking55]

Elementary to this forum I realize that - but with all that has been done to my 83 SC, I am still not sure. I have read all there is to on this, but pictures speak a thousand words. Also, what is the purpose of the gauge that sits between the carb stacks? Do I need to be watching it for anything?
Thank you so much....

[silverc4s]

Well, that Weber set up is from an earlier era, and it looks like the top end air ducts have been backdated as well. It should have 2 out heat exchangers, either steel or SSI's and a 2 in 1 or 2 out exhaust to complete the picture, engine wise.
The front end still has a short hood, so even with that giant tupperware snowplow on the front, it is clearly a mid year car from the front.
The gauge in the fuel block is to allow you to set the fuel pressure down to the proper level for the Webers, which is between 3.5 to 5.0 pounds I believe. Much lower that the CIS fuel pump puts out, the reason for the pressure regulator.

[silverc4s]

I am sorry, please excuse my bad manners. Welcome to the board, and thanks for posting pictures right away. where are you located? Therfe is a way to put your LOC in your banner info.

[warner53]

Nice car Deek

[MotoSook]

It's not fully backdated. You have backdated hot air ducts and what looks like early headers and an after market muffler. The carbs are not really a "backdate" item as they are an induction mod for more HP.

Its not a "mid-year" (74-77 911) buy an SC with an aftermarket bumper. With the carbs and the headers you have a little more performance than a stock SC. if the rear bumper is also fiberglass, then you also have a lighter car. A good combo


Enjoy the car and welcome!

[zippy_gg]

Unless you will use this car for the track only I would suggest replacing the missing firewall pad. I am all for comfort...

[onboost]

The car is an 83 as evidenced by the owners post and the male plug for the 02 sensor in the first pic.

With the switch to Weber carbs and early style exhaust/heat exchangers/system, the motor has been, well, ...back dated!

Should be a fun car..

[deeking55]

Sorry pelicanites, I have been reading this forum for months but no proper introduction. Live in Louisville, KY and my beautiful wife surprised me with this on Father's Day last year - I won't forget that! It is an 83 SC and yes that giant snowplow called a front bumper will be for sale - I already have a replacement in the wings. I have SSIs with a 2-1 out muffler, so should I assume it is completely backdated then?
I see no way to adjust the fuel pressure and everything is running well. Is it something I need to check or just leave alone?
thank you again

[tcar]

Originally Posted by silverc4s

The front end still has a short hood, so even with that giant tupperware snowplow on the front, it is clearly a mid year car from the front.

Not midyear (74-77), it's an 83 SC as you can see from the rear flares.

The 'snowplow' is awful. Car needs a nose job.

Yes, the heat is backdated, but nothing else.



Oh, and deeking, you need to keep your eye on the fuel pressure gauge while you are driving.

[irl]

You have an unusual and great wife. And welcome to the board. If you've been reading for a while, I hope you understand the irreverent tone of the old timers but we didn't have new people coming on, excited to participate and asking "simple to some" questions this place would eventually die off. Glad to see another new person not afraid to jump in and get involved.

[silverc4s]

Originally Posted by deeking55

Sorry pelicanites, I have been reading this forum for months but no proper introduction. Live in Louisville, KY and my beautiful wife surprised me with this on Father's Day last year - I won't forget that! It is an 83 SC and yes that giant snowplow called a front bumper will be for sale - I already have a replacement in the wings. I have SSIs with a 2-1 out muffler, so should I assume it is completely backdated then?
I see no way to adjust the fuel pressure and everything is running well. Is it something I need to check or just leave alone?
thank you again

A lot of different interpretations of backdating are out there. You have a really nice SC, that appears to be in good condition, body-wise. I assume the Guards Red is a repaint, how is the condition?
To backdate a late model 911 engine generally means going to early HE's & the associated air ducting from the fan to the heat exchangers, making it appear much like the pre-1974 engines.
Backdating the body can include a conversion to use long hood in front, and an early front bumper assembly, either for real (welded in) or fibreglass bolt on pieces. In the back, the bumpers and license panel can be replaced with earlier items, but it's a lot of work to replace the impact bumpers. Do search and you will see a LOT of threads here on various types of backdating.
I think your car will look pretty sharp with just a bit less imposing front bumper/spoiler like the RUF style, or the IROC type.

Have fun, enjoy the car. You have great wife to buy you such a nice toy!

[deeking55]

Well, I knew I had a good one when we married but I never imagined a gift like this! All kidding aside, do I need to do anything with the fuel gauge?

[silverc4s]

Originally Posted by deeking55

Well, I knew I had a good one when we married but I never imagined a gift like this! All kidding aside, do I need to do anything with the fuel gauge?

There should be a regulator in the line somewhere between that gauge and the fuel pump. Look around & see what you can find. Put up some pictures & we will help you figure it out. I think the fuel pump is up front under the metal plate covering the front cross member, steering, etc. Let's try to figure out what pump you have, so we can tell how badly you need a regulator.
Also tell us what that gauge in the engine room reads when the engine is idling, and maybe at 2000rpm or so. It should be about 5 lbs or less.

[deeking55]

I will post some fuel numbers in a bit. I understand about the body backdating, I should have been more specific. I was strictly talking about the heater backdate which it appears to be done. I understand the orange aircraft ductwork is the best, could someone be kind enough to give me the name of the ducting I need to clean up the bay?
It has been repainted at some point. Someone was kind enough to key the rear fender with the PO, but outside of some windshield rust which I am going to tackle after Christmas it looks good at 6 foot. I really like the classic look of the original bumper but I am going to put a valance on with integrated fogs from the later 80s.

[Gunter]

Try and find out if the cams were changed when the PO converted to carbs?

Pressure reducer/regulator for the fuel pump? SC pumps have way too much pressure (5 bar-70 PSI) to be used with carbs.

For weight-saving, remove the bracket etc. for the A/C compressor and whatever is left of the system like condensors, dryer bottle, blowers...............

Get a Bentley SC Repair Manual; you'll like it. Lots of info with pix.

Enjoy.

[deeking55]

PO bought from auction, so I have no way of knowing history. Is there any other way to tell about the cams? I did have the valves adjusted shortly after I bought it but they made no mention of any internal improvements.
I have removed all the a/c stuff except the last bracket seen in the pic - my understanding is this is a bit tricky - any helpful hints? Cruise and the a/c compressor were already gone when I got the car. And yes, the Bentley manual rocks.
j

[Gunter]

Removing the A/C bracket requires removing the rear engine tin if I remember correctly.
Eyeball the connections underneath to be sure; the bracket is a nuisance.

No sure way to tell about the cams without seeing the stamps on it but if they were reground at some point, an expert can tell by looking at the base circle when the covers are off.
Also, if the adjusters with the locknut sit deeper than normal, the cams may have been re-ground but the profile can only be determined by the stamped numbers.

Often neglected is oiling the upper part of the distributor resulting in wear. Remove the cap, remove the rotor and put a few drops of engine oil under the small felt in the shaft.

[euro911sc]

I like that bumper! down force is your friend! If you are going to sell it then you will have little trouble. Many of us track junkies like those as they also provide good holes for brake ducting and oil cooling.

Most of the time when you see old webbers on SC engines they dont change cams or pistons. You have to do both to get the most out of the carbs and changing pistons is usually beyond skill/budget or both. The CIS pistons will limit your valve lift for the cam making a cam change virtually a waste of money in this situation, IMHO.

Welcome to the board!

[deeking55]

Euro911sc - if you are interested send me a message. I would prefer to find downforce in a more attractive setup.
j

[Trackrash]

No smog checks in KY? You don't know how lucky you are.