Engine Lid Fitting Help!

[epbrown]

I finally did it. I removed the whale tail on my SC and replaced with a plain one. Unfortunately, I'm having trouble fitting the new decklid properly.

Problem One:The top edge is rubbing against the paint on the body. Adjusting the lid forward and backward doesn't seem to help much. Do I need to shim this out using washers? I used the ones from the old tail, but the fit could be different...

Problem Two: The passengers side sits too low in the close position, exposing the side of the edge on the body.

Problem Three: Can't get the latch to catch. This part could be just me - with the weight of the tea tray, a gentle drop caught the latch, now it seems I have to push to close it. Should it require me putting some weight into it?

Emanuel

EP
The first prob may be related to the second. Try shimming the low side up until it's flush with the quarter panels and see if this solves the interference issue.

There are 2 different adjustments on the "male" part of the latch. If it parts slides into the recepticle smoothly but won't latch, then loosen the lock nut at the base of the male fitting. Then you can unscrew the post until it catches. Be sure to re-tighten the locknut. If the male is hitting the recepticle off center, loosen the 2 bolts holding down the base of the male fitting and adjust to center it up.

Hope this helps.
Mark

[epbrown]

Mark, thanks, you pretty much nailed it - though it took me a while. I kept experimenting with the washers until the sides were even, then went to work on the catch. Undoing the center post did the trick, though I did have to undo the sides screws and move it back and forth a bit even then.

There remains one last thing: my car's never had an engine light, and the new tail came with the light assembly, and the wire, and I was fortunate enough to order an entire bulb kit from Wayne & Co a while back so I'm good to go. Except I've got no idea where the wire goes. Odds are mine was taped off when they removed it to add the tail years ago.

That can wait, though. Now off to eBay to see what a Guards Red tea-tray tail goes for...

Emanuel

[makaio]

I have to push on my standard & Duck tail lid to get them to latch. Ther're just so light!

How much for the Turbo tail?

[Jack Olsen]

Also, there should be a rubber foot on each lower corner of the lid, which you can screw out or in to adjust the final resting position.

And one more thing: if you had two hood shocks for the bigger tail, the new one may not like all the backpressure.

Getting them positioned correctly takes a little time and patience. As a guy with four decklids (and another on the way), I've learned this lesson repeatedly.

[k9handler]

so are you selling the whale tail?

[epbrown]

Jack - I never went to dual shocks, so for the 2 years I've owned the car the lid never stayed up on it's own. I'm thrilled to be able to work in the car without a broomstick or propping it up with my head I already knew about the rubber feet, and they're fine. Love the look of the car without a tail. Tomorrow, I'll finish my H4 conversion and start shopping for a Carrera valance and inset foglights as my next summer project.

What are all these decklids? I recall you having a ducktail, 964, and the original. What's the 4th and what's on the way?

K9handler, Matt - yep, the whale tale's for sale. I'll going over the underside with Simple Green and post pictures when it's done. The tail itself is in perfect shape, but the engine lid (included as I don't need it, so the buyer won't have to butcher his original) has a crack in it below the latch and is missing a rubber foot.

Emanuel

[Jack Olsen]

I'm afraid that I buy decklids like Imelda Marcos buys footwear.

I've got:

1) the stock lid
2) the ducktail
3) the 964 retractable, and
4) a full-on factory Turbo tail (still haven't tried fitting it, since it was from a weak moment where I was considering an aftermarket turbo package).

For the recent Open Track Challenge, I got

5) an IROC tail

And I recently scored

6) a carbon fiber RS 3.8 tail for a good price on ebay, which I'll probably extend up to the roofline for maximum freaking downforce on very important trips to the track (at least on the days when I don't care about people pointing and chuckling).

Are there any important tails that I've missed?

Since the first step is admitting you've got a problem, I'll tell you all that I hope to get down to the 964 tail for the street, the ducktail for R-Gruppe-style historical stuff, and the 3.8 RS tail for the track. Then I'll sell the other three. Honest I will.

Jack, you are the King of Tail (we won't tell wifey).

[fred cook]

You should be able to tap into any of the tail light wires that are hot when the parking lights are turned on. There should be a wire in the harness that is near the left (American driver side) front corner of the engine lid. It could have a quick disconnect terminal or just be clipped and taped. If you can't find the factory lead for the light, just go for a parking light hot lead.

Good luck!

Fred Cook
80 911SC Coupe

[epbrown]

Fred, thanks - I'll take a look in there tomorrow. Any idea what color the wires would be?

As for the tail, I've attached some pics of it:





Emanuel