1973 911 redux

[Sway Bar]

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.



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. (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...


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

Before:


After:


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

[Sway Bar]

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




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...




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

[Sway Bar]

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...




A little more cleaning and refreshing...




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

[pete3799]

Nice work.
Sometimes winters are a good thing.

[Sway Bar]

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

Before:


After:


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







Oh yeah, I put the engine back in too.

[Sway Bar]

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.






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

[RSBob]

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!

[al lkosmal]

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

regards,
Al

[1976 TN Porsche]

Nice Work! Looks Great.

[Jcslocum]

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

[froggert]

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

[mcaterino]

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

Mike

[Sway Bar]

Originally Posted by froggert

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

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

[Sway Bar]

Originally Posted by Jcslocum

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

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 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:


After:



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

[Sway Bar]

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.



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




And since no one ever looks in the smugglers box I might as well do it...


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.

[Sway Bar]

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...



Now this is where I blame my father in-law 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...






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.

[Sway Bar]

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





Very happy with fitment, looks, and overall accomplishment




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



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

[RWebb]

Quite an improvement! It had MFI stock?

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

[dafischer]

Originally Posted by RWebb

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.

[Sway Bar]

Originally Posted by dafischer

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.