Looking great!!

Mike,

Just logged on for the first time in a while and just saw your to do list post. In case you didn't know, a little tip I found on the EarlyS forum is to use TarnX to clean the center caps. It cleaned mine up so they looked brand new with very little effort.

Happy New Year!

Jonny and wh, thanks for checking in!

I will definitely try the tarnx.

Cheers!

So, I took care of a few things I wanted to do before I drove the car:

Replaced this main oil hose-

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1515810732.jpg

Grounded the fuel filler tube-

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1515810732.jpg

Then I started it up, warmed it up and pulled out of the garage only to find a trail of fluid drops. I thought it might be from the oil line replacement. It wasn't. It smelled like fuel. I pulled back in and shut it down. Sure enough, it was the the high pressure line from the fuel pump. It had failed me before in 2008 and I had it repaired at a known Porsche shop.

What I found its that, although they used cheap hose clamps, that wasn't where the leak originated. The hose material itself was disintegrating. This was Continental COHLINE 2134 .0600 fuel injection fuel line. It lasted less than 9 years while the car sat most of the time. Yikes.

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1515810732.jpg

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1515810732.jpg

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1515810913.jpg

I think I will patch it again so that I can drive it, smog it, align it, and wait on new lines. Coincidently, I was just emailing back and forth yesterday and today with Len about new fuel lines...

Wow. How lucky to notice before you got on the road you were leaking fuel.

I and many others have had issues with rubber fuel hose. I wish there was a way to know what hose will last.

I recently converted both of my cars to aircraft stainless braided hose.

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1515893485.jpg

Yes but ,Braided steel lines still have organic rubber inners,so still susceptible to ethanol deterioration .

The ones I bought are "rated" for alcohol fuels.

BTW, I should have mentioned that this is the second set of Aeroquip stainless braided hose I have had on my 911. The first set lasted 25 years. YMMV.

Today was a milestone day. I was a bit nervous...not sure why really. I suppose it was because after 3 years of off and on work (mostly off), I ran out of excuses to get it smogged. Something in the back of my head said it might fail. After all the motor has 32 years and 250,000 miles on it with little maintenance. So I started by fixing the fuel line at the pump, checked for leaks and then replaced the splash shield.

I then hooked up the charcoal canister:

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1516153991.jpg

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1516153991.jpg

I cleaned the ICV as it was giving me a little fit when starting cold. What a difference that made! Just about the best 10 minutes of maintenance I have done:

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1516153991.jpg

Put some fuel in it and it passed smog! Here she sits. The blue tapes denote chips in the old paint that need to be addressed.

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1516153991.jpg

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1516153991.jpg

Now I need an alignment while I wait for the tags...! Yippee.

I few more details to take care of and then I drive the car - as much as I can.

Jesus. That looks brilliant. Great job.

Congratulations!

Very nice job.

Perhaps you've considered it but to my eye a "T" rocker deco would look great on that car and hide a few mounting holes?

congrats, Mike! long time coming!

Congrats!
Feels great, I’m sure.
Now drive it like you stole it. :)
Johan

Thanks for you support guys!

I am pretty happy to be nearing the end of the project after some 3 years. I got bigger and more involved than I imagined, but it has been really rewarding.

After getting an alignment, I still have the door, targa and top windshield seals to install.

Then it is my daily driver. I imagine I will still tweak the look here and there (metal engine lid grill, rocker area deco type trim (as suggested by jonny042), wheel caps (maybe), etc.

Ultimately, I plan to do a full suspension upgrade down the road, but it drives real nice now, so that might get pushed out.

Really envious that you get to drive your car!! I keep coming back to look at the pics. It sure looks good.

I have to move somewhere warmer. We are having unseasonably warm weather for a few days but it's still below freezing :)

Yikes! There is something nice to be said about it being 75+ degrees in mid-January! One can get a lot done.

Got her aligned today and got new license tags. Time to drive her.

I still need to install the door, windshield top and targa seals and take care of a few other minor cosmetic issues. This was post alignment:

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1517366050.jpg

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1517366050.jpg

Not sure they parked it in the handicap spot. I am kind of liking the 2007 Carrera S next to it though...hmmmm

Looking great!

Thanks!

I had some time to spend so I looked at seeing if I could save my wheel caps. Back some 20+ years ago rather than replaced them as the paint in the emblem feature was worn off, I bought some small emblems and installed them. Well, they didn't stand the test of time. Also the dissimilar metal cause corrosion on caps.

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1517687556.jpg

I removed the emblems and used 100 grit and finer to remove as much of the corrosion as possible. I then set about making them usable by masking off the area I wanted to paint, shooting some satin black from a rattle can, and letting it dry overnight.

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1517687556.jpg

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1517687556.jpg

I few minutes wet sanding with 600 grit and they are okay.

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1517687556.jpg

From normal viewing distance they look fine - for now.

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1517687556.jpg

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1517687765.jpg

That really finishes off the looks of the wheels. I also like that the black inset helps to hide the holes left from removing the emblems.

Nice! :)

Wow, that is really looking nice!

Thanks for checking in! I am working on the targa bar, windshield and door seals now.

What a pain, but it is finally done (mostly)...the seals I mean. Ugh. They made the targa top very difficult to get on and off while gluing sections - particularly the rear seal. At one point I was convinced the taga roof was stuck on forever...I was ready to ask Elon Musk to launch this car into space. Compared to that seal the windshield seals and door seals are a breeze. Man is that top in tight and solid. There is no sound out of it when driving and when going over speed bumps.

I still have to install the two plastic retainers on each upper corner where the upper targa pins insert. I am waiting to get up the nerve for those.

I broke two of the plastic screws that are lower on the sides of the targa bar. I later found out it was due to buggered threads in the targa bar on one side. I chased them with a bolt of similar size and pitch and the replacements went in easily after that.

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1518218926.jpg

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1518218926.jpg

I installed the new threshold covers before installing the door seals. I bought the Uro coupe door seals and cut them to fit. Those went on easily:

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1518218926.jpg

Installed the fresh air vent cover:

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1518218926.jpg

and as a celebratory gesture I installed the old hood emblem from the impact bumper car onto its reincarnation. To me this signifies the end of the journey. There are still things I want to do, but the car is back to being my daily driver now. It is official.

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1518218926.jpg

The list of things I want to do (not in any particular order):

a) Come up with a fresh air fan system..
b) Come up with a windshield washer system.
c) Replace the rear bumper to body seals with modified version of the front bumper one.
d) Replace the rear bumper deco trim seals with the 356 version which is solid underneath the deco trim.
e) Replace the interior rear view mirror which is decaying away from 32 years of California sun.
f) Replace the front wheel bearings. The right one makes some noise coming into my driveway turning left slowly.
g) Check and adjust the throttle cable based on a recent thread.

Surprisingly, the suspension feels real good to me. I am liking the new rear Neatrix bushings I put on it.n The car is light, nimble and predictable. I love the sounds I hear since I got rid of the rear seat insulation.

well done! you beat me, i'm still a few weeks out...

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1518223587.jpg
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1518223611.jpg

i've been just a bit behind you the whole time and taking notes. i have an idea still for the fuel door release...

Keep at it, you are almost there!

So I decided to roll up the costs of this three year adventure to see where I am at. I can't seem to attach an Excel Spreadsheet so I will do it in images:

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1518294250.jpg
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1518294250.jpg
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1518294250.jpg
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1518294250.jpg
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1518294250.jpg
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1518294250.jpg

Breaking it down roughly into groups (including part freight and sales tax):

Paint and Bodywork (all steel fenders, hood, bumpers and related) - $11,000
Restored 7s and 8s, new tires, mount, balance and alignment - $3,600
All new Interior with Custom Dash - $2,750
New custom electrical system setup - $330
Backdated Lights, Mirrors, Handles and related bits - $1,500
Heat Backdate Related - $400
Door Overhaul including interior RSA Panels - $1250
Engine Carrier, Motor/Trans Mounts, Rear Suspension Bushings and other related - $460

My labor - free

The feeling that it is finally over - $priceless.

My new favorite thread! Just read every page. Job very well done! I can’t even imagine the satisfaction you feel having done all this yourself! I love it!

I am really enjoying the car. I think I can hear the throw out bearing when idling at a light, but I don't care right now. Love the setup, the tires, the alignment, the look the feel, the sound. It all just feels right. No regrets.

Mike,

The car looks great! Glad to hear you are finally enjoying driving it again.

Question for you. What did you use to glue in the new door seals?

Thanks Lou.

I haven't glued them yet. For adhering to the seal channel I have the blck 3M weatherstrip adhesive that I used elsewhere.

I bought Coupe door seals and cut them, so I have some leftover to test adhesives on. I plan on trying Superglue and some of the 3M weatherstrip adhesives I have. This will be to glue them to the ends of the overhead targa seal and windshield seal.

It will be a while before I glue them. They stay in place pretty well as is.

Mike

well done mike.

fwiw, i was able to use my pull cable for the fuel door with some some small modification to the guide tube on the fender and a slight trim of the plastic tube that goes between the fender and the body. i actually had to trim a bit of the fender joining panel so said tube would clear and the fender could fit back and down as it was supposed to. kind of a pain, but i got it to fit. not sure if the carrera's are different than my '76.

enjoy your car, looks incredible!...

Rmind me never to keep a spreadsheet to keep track of my expenditures on a project. I want no incriminating evidence to be accessed in my absence.😉
Nice work and enjoyable thread.

Car looks great! This thread is an inspiration for me.

I highly recommend getting fuel lines from Len. Good pricing, great service, and the peace of mind is huge. I got the braided lines, since OEM originality is irrelevant on my car. Len said the rubber is rated for modern fuels. Truth be told, the old lines on my car looked pretty decent--not cracked like on yours.

dwelle, Thanks. I was able to get mine to work with a small section of thick walled plastic tubing. The tube was flexible enough to bend to fit yet thick walled enough to keep the pull cable in check when pulling. It might wear through over a long time, I will see. So I have the normal pull cable working and the in-fender backup.

billybek, I hesitated putting the spreadsheet together, but the money was already spent and it was spread out over three years, so it wasn't too bad. I thought it might help others in their decision making. Thanks for checking in!

madcorgi, I do have a noisy throwout bearing and will be putting together a list of things to change when the engine drops. Fuel lines are definitely on the list. That section I replaced had been previously replaced - years ago. It does make me a we bit nervous about the rest of them though.

Greatly enjoyed your thread. Likewise, your attention to detail is compelling. Thank you for sharing your journey.

DJ.

Thank you for reading my story kalinsd.

Finally had the time to read this thread all the way through. Wonderful build, great story.

Thank you madcorgi. I have a few more things planned. I recently received, from a fellow pelican, a silver painted version of the engine lid grill I will install along with my 400,000km badge of honor.

I am thinking some new wheel bearings are in the plans too.

And, I am thinking of redoing my seats as they are the heavy electric sport seats that no longer work (I disconnected the power from them due to switch issues) and the driver's bolster is starting to shred.

The car continues to be a blast to drive some 30 years after I bought it.

Those are my favorite Porsche seats! I recently had a pair done with houndstooth seating areas. I was thinking as I read through your thread how great they would look in your car.

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1540266424.JPG