time to get this thing back together

[911finally]

hi all, first happy new year!

After more than 5 years of a stop start project i think I can crack into getting this car back together in 2023, and i know I'll need lots of help from you all!

I was going to lay out all the painful details of what happened over the years that has lead to me having to reassemble the car myself, but I've decided to just look forward instead . The short story is this started as needing to repair a dent in rear passenger fender in spring of 2017, but went down the well trodden slippery slope of lots of new sheet metal and a full repaint. Here's some pics that show the start, middle and today of the process. Have 5 years worth of pics to add over time!

Kinda hoping this thread will keep me accountable to my goal of being on the road again by spring.

Here's my outline plan, would love any advice and feedback, I have already bought many fresh pieces of rubber, seals, assembly bolts etc. etc. and reckon I have 90% of what I need, so PP can expect some orders.

1. get new battery in and ensure all the wiring for lights etc is working, get all the connections cleaned up/replaced as needed
2. get the oil tank and lines hooked back up
3. freshen the gas and refill oil, get the engine fired up
4. start reassembling from the rear bumper and move forward

When I get to the front fender assembly I'll have lots of questions having watched some youtube vids...

But to start what's your opinion on just junking the AC system?

Wish me luck!

[EC900]

Even on the hottest days in the Midwest, I don’t even use ac in my pickup everyday, so I’m no fan of ac.
I completely deleted the 45 yr old ac (and smog pump) in my 77 911 and so far I found the engine access neater, accessible and of course +70lb lighter. Prob saved 1-2 hrs of labor charge too on the next valve adjustment.
Newer ac systems for 911’s are said to way more efficient and by totally removing your old one, including the hoses, ahead of time while the rest of the car going thru rehab will make the install of a new system that much easier should you decide to add one later.

[FA-18C]

finally - AC removal or update is akin to asking oil brand and type...stand by. There are many on the board that have taken the effort to update their systems and they work great. So its a personal choice. I am planning on gutting mine, more because I like having it gone from the engine bay. I had an 87 coupe with 20K miles in the early 90s and even when new, the AC, in my opinion, was never great. I am leaning towards the electric AC in a couple years.

Good luck getting back on the road.

[911finally]

hey yes thanks Chris, read a number of threads about AC deletion! I'm kinda with you and EC900 in that it's not much good as it is and I might eventually add one of those new systems and seems like nothing much worth saving in the main plumbing.

[Bill Douglas]

Nice and shiny fenders. they came out well.

[EC900]

Some also will argue that a 911 that spends most of its time in the garage either by lack of driving, repairs or seasonal driving limits will find the inactivity of any ac system cause the seals to fail and discharge the refrigerant over extended period. Like would like ac for it defrosting and dehumidifying rather than it’s dismal cooling ability.
Mine spent its life in SoCal, daily driven with ac (and thermal reactors!). It appears the main culprit of the demise was the front rt. fender mounted dryer line had corroded and/or wore away from road debris.

So to each his own.
Nice rebuild you have going on.

Fail safe, dependable, dual control, analog air conditioning…

[FA-18C]

I miss the manual windows, front quarter vents and the rear quarter tilt-outs. Plenty of air. Of course the targa has plenty of air, different challenges. The electric AC will be more about making it habitable for my wife, and will be the final mechanical before a respray and calling the car done.