Ronin LB and sparkle84:

Thanks for the enlightenment.

Progress update:
So, the major work for this season has now come to a close (only a couple of weeks into truly drive-able weather).
Took me a bit longer than I had hoped, due to a flurry of work related travel this winter into spring, really cold weather (unheated garage and I'm getting older and more delicate) and a house full of sick folks (I took three days off because of it!!!!).

In any case - here's the hit list, now complete:
1. Change out gearbox oil. Now running the dino-based stuff. Basically "The" Kendall spec 80-90w, but labeled as a "Coastal" brand. $15 for a gallon at my local parts store. Took my first test drive last night, and the 915 now shifts beautifully - as compared to my prior experience with a Mobil 1 (duh) gear oil.
2. Determined that my car has a factory LSD :D thanks to Peter Z and his magic gearbox part number decoder ring, and a "gut check" of spinning one wheel and watching the other go the same direction.
2a. Note that last year, I did the shift coupler bushing change - and therefore have really good feel in my factory short shifter.
3. Adjusted ride height in the rear. Wasn't able to get it quite right last year, hoped that the alignment shop would help me out (they couldn't figure it out - and I'm an hour away from a shop that runs only working hours).
4. New plug wires (Clewett)
5. New dist cap & rotor
6. New cylinder head temp sensor
7. New O2 sensor (Bosch universal 4-wire)
8. New to me Fabspeed pre-muffler (thanks to PP "parts for sale" board)
9. Oil change (Valv VR-1 dino oil)
10. My first 911 valve adjustment - thanks for the tips found here. Used traditional feeler gage method.
11. General cleaning of the engine trans (yuck!!!) used about 6 cans degreaser. (Note that hospital underpads are great for catching the crud that runs off, and protecting your floor).
12. New rear rotors, pads, wear sensors. New front pads & wear sensors. *Last year was a caliper rebuild, replaced lines (hard lines to calipers & flex lines replaced with braided STST), ATE Blue fluid & overall suspension go-through (ER front bushings, Neatrix spring plate bushings & bistein HD's all around, new ball joints, turbo tie rods, clean/sandblast & paint all involved parts, clean & re-pack steering rack, etc....).
14. New alternator belt.
15. Probably a couple of additional items that I'm forgetting.


So, I took the car around the block last night after completing these tasks. Definitely runs smoother. The sound is much better. Car previously had a lousy, rusted cat replacement pipe. Very noisy, as it was not solid any more. No brake sensor indicator light on the dash any more. Pulls nicely. Bounces off the rev limiter in the same place as before (slightly before the "red" zone in the tach). As noted in #1 - shifting is very nice for the first time since I've owned the car. Only point to note is that there is a slight backfire at letting off of the gas prior to shifting. Only occurs when pushing it hard right up to shift point. Is this because of differences in gas formulation since '85, the lack of a cat converter, or both? Or should I be digging into something else? Do I just need to break down and call Steve Wong? (Like I need an excuse to do that!)

Next, I have a couple of little wiring issues - along with the a/c blower bearings being noisy (need to either clean/lube - or replace). Should be a night or two worth of work. Then a good cleaning/detailing. After that - should be able to enjoy the car for the year. The kids love to go on ice cream runs - and so do I!

Fall/winter - decide on the next project(s).


Thanks again everyone for helping out with the knowledge pool here on Pelican!

Forgot one...

Replaced two of four oil return tubes. After experiencing the condition of fasteners on the cat pipe (two nights with dremel, followed by sawzall and angle grinder - and then drilling out a few of the bolts), I lost my inclination to pull the drivers side heat exchanger. That side was likely my winter leak - but will have to wait until next winter. If I get brave enough.

Good work. It feels good when you successfully pull a big list like that. Glad it all worked out.