DIY Tips

[AJ's 911]

First post on the board...really motivated to do more DYI after scrolling through the threads. Furthremore I have become a little wary of so called German car specialist in the area who will ask how old is your Porsche? When asked what oil or gear oil they would use for an 84 Carrera, they would answer whatever the manufacturer recommended type...they have never heard of Brad Penn or Swepco?

Has anyone ever seen the Yellow Cap Garage DVD?

[DRACO A5OG]

Welcome aboard

You definitely can do most yourself, just check here or ask. Many pelicans in the sf valley too.

[haggis780]

Funny - was just watching the Yellow Cap Garage DVD last night in preparation for my first valve adjustment on my 88. Very thorough and worth the couple bucks. With a couple of valve cover gaskets and feeler gauge purchased from our host you are good to go.

Looks very straightforward and the dvd covers every step. Good luck.

There are 2 videos from them that I know of - the first one covers brakes - which I also used to tackle that job. Excellent.

[AJ's 911]

I do like the idea of seeing it in video versus reading from a book. I probably need to get some tools since mine did not come with OEM toolkit. Did you find yourself adding to your tool collection and also buying a heavy duty car jack? Thanks in advance for your responses!

[Peter Zimmermann]

Originally Posted by AJ's 911

I do like the idea of seeing it in video versus reading from a book. I probably need to get some tools since mine did not come with OEM toolkit. Did you find yourself adding to your tool collection and also buying a heavy duty car jack? Thanks in advance for your responses!

My advice is to pick a job that you want to do, then go out and buy the tools you need for that job. There are many sources for tools of all quality levels, ranging from Harbor Freight to Sears to your local SnapOn truck that stops at local shops. You can also buy tools at on-line stores using Google. I do not recommend buying "sets" of wrenches/sockets until you know what tools are comfortable for you to use.

As an example, I have wrenches made by Stahlwille, Hazet, SnapOn and a few by Mac, and I have favorites for different tasks. I have sockets made by SnapOn, Hazet, and Craftsman, but my favorite 3/8" ratchet is made by Proto - go figure. You will need some 1/4", and 1/2" drive sockets/ratchets, but you will do most of your work using 3/8" drive tools.

Having a quality click-type torque wrench in 3/8" and 1/2" drive sizes is necessary. Screwdrivers are another tool available in a wide variety of quality levels; I prefer SnapOn because the tips are very well made, and the handle design is comfortable in my hands.

Buy lifting equipment that you trust, and always with safety in mind (quality jack stands, etc.), and learn how to use them. Having a jack plate that inserts into your car's jack holes simplifies lifting.

This is only a start, and a suggestion. Never work on your car without first thinking through your safety issues, and having a plan to get from the beginning to the end without hurting yourself.

[tirwin]

I haven't seen the Yellow Cap DVD but I have seen another one (can't recall who makes it). It was helpful for a novice but I now know it contains at least one "myth" regarding setting the AFR. Point is, be careful. I'm not saying the YCG DVD is that way. Just that additional reading and knowledge is a good thing.

[AJ's 911]

Originally Posted by Peter Zimmermann

My advice is to pick a job that you want to do, then go out and buy the tools you need for that job. There are many sources for tools of all quality levels, ranging from Harbor Freight to Sears to your local SnapOn truck that stops at local shops. You can also buy tools at on-line stores using Google. I do not recommend buying "sets" of wrenches/sockets until you know what tools are comfortable for you to use.

As an example, I have wrenches made by Stahlwille, Hazet, SnapOn and a few by Mac, and I have favorites for different tasks. I have sockets made by SnapOn, Hazet, and Craftsman, but my favorite 3/8" ratchet is made by Proto - go figure. You will need some 1/4", and 1/2" drive sockets/ratchets, but you will do most of your work using 3/8" drive tools.

Having a quality click-type torque wrench in 3/8" and 1/2" drive sizes is necessary. Screwdrivers are another tool available in a wide variety of quality levels; I prefer SnapOn because the tips are very well made, and the handle design is comfortable in my hands.

Buy lifting equipment that you trust, and always with safety in mind (quality jack stands, etc.), and learn how to use them. Having a jack plate that inserts into your car's jack holes simplifies lifting.

This is only a start, and a suggestion. Never work on your car without first thinking through your safety issues, and having a plan to get from the beginning to the end without hurting yourself.

Peter,

Thanks for the advice on tools and safety! On a totally different topic I almost pulled the trigger on a White 83 SC Targa that supposedly belonged to you from someone in Indiana.
This was his story...
This example was formerly owned and maintained by Peter Zimmerman, founder of a Santa Monica independent Porsche repair shop and author of "The Used 911 Story," a very popular book about purchasing a used 911 now in it's 8th edition. Pete sold it to Jim Schrager, author of the "Buying, Enjoying and Driving The Early 911", as well as a regular contributor to Excellence Magazine, Panorama, and Sports Car Market. During Pete's lengthy ownership of the car, it was shipped to Northern Indiana (summer of 2000) when Pete and his family moved to the South Bend, IN area and Pete worked on many of Jim's cars for the entire summer. When Pete headed home to California at the end of the term, Jim talked him out of his car. It has remained in the Schrager family (also owned for some time by Jim's cousin, before being bought back by Jim), essentially since this time. I acquired the car from Jim a little over a year ago."

He has decided to keep it for the collector value having been owned with distinguished provenance!

[AJ's 911]

Originally Posted by Peter Zimmermann

My advice is to pick a job that you want to do, then go out and buy the tools you need for that job. There are many sources for tools of all quality levels, ranging from Harbor Freight to Sears to your local SnapOn truck that stops at local shops. You can also buy tools at on-line stores using Google. I do not recommend buying "sets" of wrenches/sockets until you know what tools are comfortable for you to use.

As an example, I have wrenches made by Stahlwille, Hazet, SnapOn and a few by Mac, and I have favorites for different tasks. I have sockets made by SnapOn, Hazet, and Craftsman, but my favorite 3/8" ratchet is made by Proto - go figure. You will need some 1/4", and 1/2" drive sockets/ratchets, but you will do most of your work using 3/8" drive tools.

Having a quality click-type torque wrench in 3/8" and 1/2" drive sizes is necessary. Screwdrivers are another tool available in a wide variety of quality levels; I prefer SnapOn because the tips are very well made, and the handle design is comfortable in my hands.

Buy lifting equipment that you trust, and always with safety in mind (quality jack stands, etc.), and learn how to use them. Having a jack plate that inserts into your car's jack holes simplifies lifting.

This is only a start, and a suggestion. Never work on your car without first thinking through your safety issues, and having a plan to get from the beginning to the end without hurting yourself.

Peter,

Thanks for the advice on tools and safety! On a totally different topic I almost pulled the trigger on a White 83 SC Targa that supposedly belonged to you from someone in Indiana.
This was his story...
This example was formerly owned and maintained by Peter Zimmerman, founder of a Santa Monica independent Porsche repair shop and author of "The Used 911 Story," a very popular book about purchasing a used 911 now in it's 8th edition. Pete sold it to Jim Schrager, author of the "Buying, Enjoying and Driving The Early 911", as well as a regular contributor to Excellence Magazine, Panorama, and Sports Car Market. During Pete's lengthy ownership of the car, it was shipped to Northern Indiana (summer of 2000) when Pete and his family moved to the South Bend, IN area and Pete worked on many of Jim's cars for the entire summer. When Pete headed home to California at the end of the term, Jim talked him out of his car. It has remained in the Schrager family (also owned for some time by Jim's cousin, before being bought back by Jim), essentially since this time. I acquired the car from Jim a little over a year ago."

He has decided to keep it for the collector value having been owned with distinguished provenance!

[Peter Zimmermann]

Yes, indeed! That car was mine, and it fits neatly into my "that's one that I should have kept" category. What a sweetheart of a car! Last time that I drove it, the trans and clutch were great, it ran/started perfectly, didn't leak, and drove like a great '83 should. And it's white (my favorite color for that vintage). And, yes, Jim bought it from me at the end of summer, 2001 (the current owner was off by 1 year in the above story!), so that my wife and I could return to SoCal together in one car.

[yelcab1]

Originally Posted by AJ's 911

... When asked what oil or gear oil they would use for an 84 Carrera, they would answer whatever the manufacturer recommended type...they have never heard of Brad Penn or Swepco?
?

For what's it worth, I have been playing with Porsche for over 20 years and I have never heard of Brad Penn (is it Penzoil?) oil. And while I have heard of and used Swepco, I have to say that it does not impress me with my Porsche. I much prefer standard gear oil for the 84 and something from Redline for the G50 boxes. And, whatever the factory recommends is always a good base line.