Bought an '83 911SC Targa Today

[Gordo2]

Folks,

Thanks for the advice as I was posting details about the cars I was looking at. Bought an '83 that I had posted info on a week or so ago.

165k miles, solid mechanical condition (as far as the PPI and I could tell), rough to the eye but nothing a good paint job, some TLC and $$$ can't fix... $5,700.

Intend on keeping this thing for a long time and doing my own work. What manuals are a must to start off with?

Looking at:
-101 Projects
-Porsche Workshop Manuals (Volumes up to my year, ouch about $380)
-Porsche 911SC Service Manual ($95 Bently Publishing)

Hopefully won't have to dig in too deep initially. Does the SC service manual cover most projects in sufficient detail or should I bypass and go straight to the Workshop volumes?

Feedback on 101 Projects.

Any other manual recommedations?

Thanks again, Gordo


By the way,

Can't believe my beloved '87 Toyota Landcruiser is getting kicked out of the garage for my part time ride. I feel like I'm cheating.

[eion]

Originally posted by Gordo2

-Porsche 911SC Service Manual ($95 Bently Publishing)

Saw this in my local(ish) Barnes and Noble for $70, IIRC. No help to me, though, they claimed that the 964 one that I need doesn't exist.

[nostatic]

Congrats...sound like a great deal. Besides 101 projects, the Bentley manual is great...lots of detail to fill in the gaps.

Post pics!

[makaio]

Welcome to the family!

I have servived for 2 years without the factory workshop manuals. They would be nice, but I always seem to find something else to spend the $400 on. I do have the Bentley, 101 projects, B.A.'s book ( both 1st & 2nd edition), and the Haynes manuals. I have found that these books all to be of value. For one may cover one subject better than the other.

Here's to many glorious miles.

[targa911man]

Gordo--

Welcome. If you're smart enough to buy a Targa, you should get by fine for most things with the Bentley's and 101. The Haynes has a nominal cost and covers things in less detail, but sometimes it is useful.
Keep your eye on the board for Nova Pelicanhead events, or PM DougE with your email address.

[Superman]

Find a "Spec Book" for your car. They can be hard to find but they are not expensive. They fit in a shirt pocket easily, and are packed with technical data. I'd say the Bentley is as good as the factory manuals.

[Sarah]

Originally posted by Gordo2

By the way,

Can't believe my beloved '87 Toyota Landcruiser is getting kicked out of the garage for my part time ride. I feel like I'm cheating.

Funny that you ended with this. My husband's Jeep got kicked out of the garage when we got our 930 too. Yep...now the Jeep has to be parked on the grass so either the Porsche or Explorer can get out of the garage & down the drive-way!!

[marcesq]

Gordo:

Dan is right. Welcome to the board and the NoVa chapter of Pelicanites.

Here are a couple of threads to give you an idea what's in store for you . . . should you decide to accept the mission.

9/22 NoVa Fun Run Recap

3.2 Conversion - The Final Chapter.

6/22 NoVa Drive Wrap-Up

Engine drop . . . day one

Congrats

[Gordo2]

Marc,

Looks like DougE is the man when it comes to getting the act together. Awesome pic's, you are going to have a nice fall ride if you can time it right.

I think it will be at least spring before I have confidence to take it much beyond a call to my wife to come tow me... No major problems known yet, but for the price I paid I'm expecting to find them this winter. After that I will start to address eye appeal (i.e. happy enough to have bought it, a while before I'm ready to stand next to it outside of close friends)

Still need to pick it up. Was supposed to head down to Richmond today to get it but got held up at work in Quantico (hard to focus with this on my mind). Imagined a drive back with Targa seals leaking all over me.

My wife started to get concerned today when I tossed my tow strap in her car today for the pick up tomorrow.

What can I say, I always plan for the worst... Seldomly leaves me dissappointed.

Thanks for the info folks. Will pick up the Bently manual this weekend.

Gordo

[Gordo2]

Forgot to mention:

nostatic: I call my '87 Cruiser "Steely"

I bought this car for "time out of mind".

Cool web page.

Gordo

[Doug Zielke]

The Bentley SC manual is relatively inexpensive, and although it has some errors (like pictures of some stupid Carerra parts), it may be all you'll ever need.

On the other hand, the complete Factory manual set is not only expensive, but sometimes kind of hard to navigate, at least until you get used to it. It is definitely intended for professionals, but I bought the set anyway.

The little Spec Book is out-of-print. Sometimes you can find them at swapmeets. The info they contain is especially useful if you are rebuilding.

Finally, if you can get a copy of the "Porsche Parts and Technical Reference Catalog-911 Models 1974-1989", you will likely use it more than any other manual. I rate it a "must have".

[Gordo2]

Dealer picture.

Need to show someone, my buddies just don't understand.

Gordo

[Hal & Linda]

Gordo, great choice -

we did something similar and never looked back.

Four essentials for 911 owners:
Bentley manual,
Porsche Parts and Technical Reference manual (only about $15 but priceless),
101 projects (save really big $$ but most important you understand what you need on projects)
and Pelican Parts!

[s_wilwerding]

Originally posted by Hal & Linda
Porsche Parts and Technical Reference manual (only about $15 but priceless)

Where do you go about getting this book? Pelican doesn't sell it anymore.

[Hal & Linda]

We bought the Parts and Technical Reference Manual from our friendly local Porsche dealer (REALLY!) but they had just gotten a few in stock - mostly it's lucky timing to find them.

[epbrown]

Nice looking car - I've always thought the SC looked best in metallics because of all the black trim. Light Blue Metallic is the color used in a lot of shots for the dealer catalogs that year. Enjoy the car!

Emanuel

[targa80]

I would suggest geting the Bosch Fuel injection management book. It gives a lot of info on Bosch fuel injection and troubleshooting/diagnostic tips.

I purchased the microfish version of the porsche manual from a dealership in San Diego 4 years ago. I can't remember the cost but I believe it was under $100.00 for the set that covered up to my car year. I also bought a used microfish reader from a local used electronics store for $25.00. I have used this type of reader for many years in my professional line of work. I keep the reader on my work bench in my garage and find it to be a convient source of technical information on my car. It is a cheap alternative to the original paper copy ifyou want the factory manuals.

[gr8fl4porsche]

I found my PAT on ebay.

[targa911man]

Gordo--

I asked the parts guy at Heishman's in arlandria for a PTRM and he handed one to me and started to walk away. When I asked him how much he just waved me away. Worth a try.

[s_wilwerding]

Unfortunately, Omaha has one of the worst Porsche dealerships in the country, so it doubtful they carry it or would even be helpful in locating a copy (I've dealt with them before). So, if anybody else has ideas about where I can get one or knows of a dealership somewhere that carries them, I would appreciate the information.

Thanks.