How to learn how a 911 goes together? Take one apart.
 

I am not so sure this was a good idea, but yesterday I decided to take ownership of a 911 parts car. To justify the purchase I am telling myself that i am going to learn the ins and outs of the 911 chassis by pulling it apart bolt by bolt. The shell was cheap enough, and I hope that I can find some spare parts for my own car, and perhaps sell of a few items to fellow pelicans to break even (for sale posting to follow).

The car is a 1974 911, left under a cover for the last 8 years after the motor let go. Interior mostly toast, and floor pan rotting away. The front drivers side suspension pick up points are also suffering from rot. There are a few good items that might be salvageable, H1s w/ parking lights (I think), 15x7 and 15x9 BBS Wheels, Pop out windows, window frames, etc....

Anyway, this should be an interesting process, and I do hope to learn a good bit along the way.

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Definitely a great way to learn a 911! As long as you can get over the fact that you're the one who kills a 911. :p

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I preferred to think of it as "giving other 911s life again"...which, in my case, was...well, the case...

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Plus, you can get the family involved! :)

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Of course, as you can probably tell by the old pics, this was some time ago and I've since forgotten it all. :(

You also have to be prepared for the fact that they take up 10X as much space disassembled as assembled! Plus disassembly of a rusty car may be more frustrating than you bargained for. Buy PB Blaster in bulk!

Have fun.

Mike

I've always wanted to completely disassemble and reassemble an entire running car. Engine, tranny, wiring, everything. That would be a fun project (and long, no doubt).

Sounds like fun and a headache! :) Good luck and keep us updated.

Of the two options, killing a 911, or giving other 911s life again... I will prefer to think of it as the latter. Besides when I am done with my project of pulling it apart the shell will be available in case someone wants to take on the task of trying to save it, but I doubt there will be any takers on that.

Its always nice to have a parts car... keep us posted on what all you want to part with...

Klaus, in my opinion it's the best way to learn. Once you've got that parts car completely torn down, no 911 repair will intimidate you.

But I have to disagree with another esteemed lister, who said:

In my opinion, if a fitting is rusted enough to need PB, then you aren't going to be able to save it anyway. And since you are not worried about rebuilding this car... and thus, not worried about, say, snapping off a spring plate bushing cover bolt in the chassis... then don't bother doing things the careful way. Get out your cheapest tools, and your biggest hammer. A breaker bar is your friend. And the best part, the absolute best part, will be at the end, when you get to bust out the reciprocating saw.

(I'm not really kidding here...)

But where we might disagree on methods, I think we will all agree that safety is first and foremost. Don't go near that thing without safety glasses; getting rusty metal in your eye is no fun. Gloves are recommended, and ear protection when you let the Sawzall rip.

You can have this car apart in and sectioned into little bits in two days of work if you put your back into it. Ask me how I know!

Vito

The OP says he intends to sell whatever parts can be salvaged, or use them on his own car. PB Blaster is indeed in order. Or better yet, Liquid Wrench or Kroil. Take it apart CAREFULLY. Otherwise it's a complete waste of time.

Funny to see what some people call parts cars and others call projects. Out here in Kali, a 74 is smog exempt and very fixable!

Have fun!

Save all the nuts and bolts and keep them seperate.....I've parted at least 20 914s, 356s and 911s. My parts bin has saved my butt for years.....

I like the idea of saving as much as you can. +1 on the PB Blaster. I heard HORROR stories of removing oil lined fom thermostats, etc. Soaked some for a month and they spun off. If you have the space and time, take it slowly, soak everything well, for a week at least and then start pulling it apart.

Good luck!

When I looked at this car I didn't even notice that it had the S Calipers on it, so now I need to decide what parts I am going to keep and what parts will go on to find homes in other 911s (H1s already sold, thank you Pelican).

Vito, I do like the sawvall suggestion, and I did that with a wrecked 951 years ago, but I am going to try and save a good number of parts off the car, so I will avoid using it if at all possible. A local Porsche guy might want the shell once stripped, and if that is the case I will be even more cautious in the disassembly process.

Joe Bob, I am going to be saving as many of the nuts and bolts as is possible, and also snagging things like relays and bulbs, those types of spares are always good to have and don't take up much storage room in my tiny garage.

I just hope you photo each step and post here...

(esp. the front cowl area)