1973 911 redux
 

So I typically don't post very often but after "playing" for the past 2 seasons on my '73 and seeing some great do-it yourself projects I figured I'd show my results of sliding on the slippery slope.

Since I live in a seasonal area (The Great White North) the winter season allowed 2 revelations to unfold...1) I can get some good projects out of the way 2) I have found that I am very apt to get pulled into the "while I'm in there" syndrome.

So this being my second winter with my beloved Porsche I can show a bunch of pictures from my playing around in my Garage.

So almost two years ago to the day I ended up finding this 1973...I knew I wanted a '73 specifically and I knew very little about what I ws getting into but some times you just take a leap of faith.
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1359862304.jpg
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1359862337.jpg

In hind sight it wasn't much to look at but she seemed sound (for a 40year old), has matching numbers engine and tranny and the MFI 2.4 runs strong, all be it that every single point that could leak oil did. I don't think I put more that 800miles on it the first summer since I was scared I was going to burst into flames.:D (no really).

Anyway, I didn't do too much over the summer since I was just getting up to speed what an old 911 was all about. I did take care of some quick cosmetics though...
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1359862833.jpg

As you can see I learned the art of sanding/polishing/finishing aluminum...by hand

Before:
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1359862988.jpg

After:
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1359863019.jpg

So now comes last winter (my first season off) let's see what I could do by myself in a few months...

So first winter I undertake of course my inaugural engine drop ole skool style...

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1359863559.jpg
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1359863592.jpg

So the idea is to clean it up a bit and get rid of the dirt and oil...figuring every gasket and seal is more than likely leaking I ended up getting to this...

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1359863739.jpg
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1359863777.jpg

a couple of weeks of cleaning, learning, and installing a few gaskets, seals, and lines I ended up with this...

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1359863884.jpg
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1359863926.jpg

Now comes my first instance of "while I'm in there"...with the engine out the rear suspension is soooo accessible:) My torsion bar bushings are pretty much done. The trailing arm bushings are falling apart and the rear shocks I can compress with no effort. So one things leads to the next and I end up removing a few items...

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1359864862.jpg
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1359864900.jpg

A little more cleaning and refreshing...

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1359864966.jpg
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1359865057.jpg

and a few more items since they are easy to get at...

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1359865114.jpg
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1359865152.jpg

Nice work.
Sometimes winters are a good thing.

Now it's time to put everything back in and I realize that the engine looks actually...pretty, in manly sort of way. (it's actually a very attractive piece of engineering) So it would be a shame to put it back into an engine compartment that doesn't look the same...now I know I'm committed:p

Before:
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1359865559.jpg

After:
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1359865678.jpg

So I have never done any body work or painting and I have a month to go before I want to be on the road so I figure lots of time to learn something new:eek:


http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1359865826.jpg
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http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1359866039.jpg

Oh yeah, I put the engine back in too.

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1359866143.jpg

Anyway, that wraps up my first winter and this past year was a blast and I had some real fun. Joined a couple a drives and even went out for my first autocross event.


http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1359866643.jpg

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1359866687.jpg

So now comes this current winter when I really go overboard...;)

Outstanding work! Looks like new at from where I am sitting on the left coast. You have learned a ton and put it to excellent use. Well done!

Looking good. Looks so much better w/o the tail.

regards,
Al

Nice Work! Looks Great.

Very nice work!! Post up some more project pics, love them. Give me motivation :-)

looks great! any particular reason you wanted a '73?

Way to dive in and do what needs to be done! She looks terrific.

Mike

Last of the long hood and I was going to do the RS thingy, but honestly, it shares by birth year so figure if I can keep this old thing going I might be able to do the same for myself :)

Part of the reason I spend more time at work on this site than work...it does keep one going and encouraged. I've never done anything like this and I pretty much jump in with both feet. You learn a lot and have fun (most of the time). So that being said here's what I have accomplished so far this winter...

With the rear end pretty much new and refreshed and a good summer of driving the front suspension was up next. At this point I have resorted to getting shipments sent to my office to keep my loving wife off my trail:D Honestly, she's great I spent a lot of free time when the kids are in bed etc in the garage and a lot can be accomplished when you do a hour here and there in the evenings.

Before:
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1359911774.jpg

After:
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1359911822.jpg
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1359911859.jpg

When I took out the inserts I found some well tired KYB's so I can't wait to see how new Bilsteins feel.

So of course while the suspension is off I can get to a few items up front as well...

I have no idea the state of the inside of my fuel tank and I want to keep my MFI running happy and it seems like an easy job.

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1359912255.jpg

I got lucky and the inside is near perfect with no rust so after a few rinses..

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1359912345.jpg
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1359912412.jpg

And since no one ever looks in the smugglers box I might as well do it...:p
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1359912616.jpg

I'm not too worried about complete originality it's more to make sure I have something sound and it's not completely rusting away at my feet.

So now again I look at this nice tank and I have the idea that I think I will run without trunk carpet and I have this urge to make sure I have no dangerous rust in the the front pans, etc...

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1359912879.jpg

Now this is where I blame my father in-law:D who states " I wouldn't put that suspension on yet you should take the fenders off and give it a cleaning"

So after 15min of humming and hawing and arguing with myself and his help I go for it...

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1359913048.jpg
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So for the most part I am lucky...no structural rust. You can see the issue areas are the front lip and the inside fender joining panel.

So finally I get a chance to use a mig welder and see what kind of damage I can do. After a few practice minutes it's my first attempts at automotive welding

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1359913559.jpg
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1359913579.jpg
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1359913601.jpg

Very happy with fitment, looks, and overall accomplishment

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1359913666.jpg
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1359913685.jpg

So of course now that I can weld and semi fabricate I go for my first(ok not my first) impulse buy and modification

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1359913813.jpg

I already had a bolt in strut bar but this just looks so period correct and cool:cool:

Quite an improvement! It had MFI stock?

And, were those reflectors on the front rubber trim added or stock on Canadian imports?

I would bet that those are to cover the divots in the deco molding left from the ugly 73 bumper tits that were removed by a PO.

You are correct...the little lights were connected to a high end after market Pioneer alarm system (circa 1982)...which of course was one of the first items removed.