Who wants to take Bruce Anderson's Engine Rebuild Class with me?
 

As a thank you to one of my technical editors for the engine rebuild book, we both are heading up north to the San Jose area (northern CA) to take Bruce Anderson's engine rebuilding class in early December. We figure that Bruce has been doing this for many, many, many years, and there are probably lots of little tidbits to gather up and learn (possibly for version two of the engine book).

Anyways, I thought it would be cool if a bunch of us Pelican-heads were up there at the same time. Might make for some interesting dinner conversations at night. Plus the collective engine-rebuilding knowledge in the room (between Bruce, Jerry-Woods, and my tech editor) would probably make for some interesting class discussions.

Anyways, if you're interested, here is the information. I've already got my hotel room, and I've told Bruce I'm coming, so unless there's some family emergency, I'll be there. The dates for the class are December 10th-13 (Tues-Fri).

I just thought it would be fun to get a bunch of people together!

-Wayne

Here are the details that Bruce provided to me:

Hi Wayne,

Thank you for your interest in our Porsche® Technical Training classes. We
are currently offering a four day seminar on the 911 engine, a two day
transmission class and one day tune-up seminars for the 911. Our courses are
informative, interesting, and entertaining and they are intended for anyone
who really wants to know about all of the inner workings of their Porsche.
The courses are tailored to be valuable for students ranging from the
enthusiast, who just want to know all there is to know about their Porsche,
to technicians who are already in the Porsche business. The content of our
classes can range from stock to modified depending upon where the interest of
the class is. We try to respond to all of the class questions.

Jerry Woods and I originally started these courses in May 1986 with the 911
engine overhaul course. The course was such a success that we have continued
to expand the program to include tune-up classes and the transmission
overhaul class. We will continue to expand this program in the future so
please contact us to see if we offer the course you need or suggest adding it
if we don't.
The following is the outline for a typical 911 engine overhaul course:
o OVERVIEW
o EVOLUTION OF 911 ENGINE
o 911 ENGINE MODIFICATIONS
o DISASSEMBLY AND INSPECTION
o RECOMMENDED CLEANING METHODS
o COMPONENT BY COMPONENT EVALUATION
o EVALUATION OF AND RECOMMENDATIONS FOR MACHINING REQUIRED
o ORGANIZING WORK FLOW
o PARTS AND MATERIALS NEEDED FOR REBUILD
o ASSEMBLY PROCEDURE
o SUMMARY AND INFORMAL QUESTION AND ANSWER PERIOD

ENGINE OVERHAUL CLASSES
These classes offer a thorough, comprehensive, hands-on look at all stages of
engine disassembly and overhaul, combined with a historical overview of
evolutionary as well as high-performance developments.
During the disassembly a component by component inspection will be performed
and each part will be evaluated. The benefits of updates will also be
discussed as well as cleaning and machining procedure recommendations. Time
will be spent suggesting methods for work flow organization, as well as how
to acquire the necessary parts, materials, tools and literature to make your
engine overhaul easy and efficient.

TUNE-UP CLASSES
The Tune-up class is great follow up to our engine overhaul courses (but not
a requirement) These classes provide more than just tune-up information and
include information on complete maintenance of Porsches. This is an excellent
opportunity for you to develop and improve the skills, techniques, and
knowledge required to perform the routine maintenance your Porsche requires.
A complete step-by-step service will be demonstrated during each class with
the instructor covering standard maintenance procedures such as valve
adjustments, oil changes, suspension inspection and maintenance and brake
maintenance. You will be given tips on what to watch for during the life of
your Porsche, and tips on the proper parts and tools needed.

TRANSMISSION CLASSES
Our transmission class begins with a general overview of all Porsche
transmissions, we will then focus on the specific transmissions and present
their disassembly, inspection, and overhaul in much the same way we do our
engine overhaul class.

Plenty of time will be allowed during each of these classes for discussion
and question answering. The size of each class is limited so that we can
tailor the classes to the attending students, so we suggest that you register
early. To reserve your space in one of our classes, you must make payment in
full by check or money order to Bruce Anderson, 1485 Yukon Drive, Sunnyvale,
CA 94087.

2002 CLASS SCHEDULE
911 Engine overhaul class December 10-13, 2002 $600.00 USD
911 Tune-up Class December 14, 2002 $150.00 USD
Transmission Class December 16 and 17, 2002 $400.00 USD


The courses will be held at Jerry Woods Enterprises, 491 McGlincey Lane #1
Campbell, California 95008 and will start at 9:00 AM and last until about
5:00 PM. depending on the number of questions. The Phone Number is
408/369-9607. The closest Airport is the San Jose, California airport, which
is about 15 minutes from Jerry Woods Enterprises, you can also fly into the
San Francisco airport, but it is about an hour from Campbell.
1)Take Highway 17 towards Los Gatos. Or if you were staying in Los Gatos take
Highway 17 towards San Jose.
2) If coming from San Jose take the Camden off ramp at Campbell and turn
left under the freeway. Turn left at the first opportunity, which will be
Curtner Avenue
3) If coming from Los Gatos take the Camden off-ramp at Campbell, turn left
at first opportunity and go straight at the traffic light which will be
Curtner Avenue.
4)Turn Left at the first opportunity, which will be McGlincey. McGlincey
turns right at an intersection where it looks like you should go straight so
watch it. Were on the left up about a quarter of a mile. 491 McGlincey Lane
#1. Number one is on the left facing the building, and please park your cars
over on the left hand side of the lot.
We try to have between ten and fifteen people in each of our classes, we have
found that the interaction of a class that size works best for us.
We provide a class handbook with each of the courses. We have not done any
video tapes yet, but we have plans for tapes for some classes in the future.
We will permit you to tape the audio portion of our class, but we do not
permit videotaping.
We will provide your lunch and beverages.
We do not arrange for hotel accommodations. However, if you need a place to
stay while you are here, try one of the following:
Los Gatos, about 10 minutes drive from our classes, lots of nice restaurants,
nice place to hang out.

1) The Toll House Hotel down town Los Gatos, they say that their hotel is
European style and that it captures the charm and tradition of Los Gatos.
Within walking distance of lots of nice restaurants
The Toll House
140 S. Santa Cruz Ave.
Los Gatos, CA 95030
Inside CA 1-800/821-5518
Outside CA. 1-800/238-6111
Fax 408/395-3730

2) The Garden Inn of Los Gatos is also in down-town Los Gatos. Within
walking distance of lots of nice restaurants. They also offer use of the Los
Gatos Athletic Club.
The Garden Inn of Los Gatos
46 East Main Street
Los Gatos, CA 95032
408/354-6446
800/888-8248
Fax 408/354-5911

Campbell is close to the shop, in fact we have had people walk to class from
the Campbell hotels. The problem is that there is not really anything handy
to these hotels except our classes.
3) Motel 6 is about a mile away for where the classes are held.
1240 Camden Avenue
Campbell, CA 95008
408/371-8870

4) Executive Inn (Suites) their new name is the Carlyle Hotel, is just
around the corner from Motel 6, upscale from Motel 6 and handy to the classes.
Carlyle Hotel
1300 Camden Ave.
Campbell, CA 95008
408/559-3600

We are look forward to seeing you here in one of our classes. If you have
any additional questions or need any help please call or fax me
Sincerely,
Bruce Anderson www.911handbook.com

Why don't you strike a deal with ol' Bruce and market a video for us folks who can't make the trip. Let's see now, royalties from 2 books and a 1st class video with the master = "early retirement".;)

Wayne,

I have been thinking about this for quite some time and am definitely interested. I've gotta burn up the 500k United miles I have before they go under anyway. THe timing is good for me too. (with my blown motor and all)

What hotel are you staying at? What was the rate?

THe overhaul class is probably most appropriate for me and the price is less than I expected. Either way, let me know of e-mail me off-line, would love to meet and take the class with the Pelican crew.

Cheers,

Chris

Campbell is in the south SF Bay area, so the daily drive would be about 8 hours, each way:D

I would like to do this, but hopefully my engine will be rebuilt by December. That is, if some author would get off his duff and get writing:p

Tom
(Waiting patiently for Waynes rebuilding book, while my car languishes in the driveway)

I would like to attend the ovehaul class, but I don't think I will have the extra time-off to tak it. I am planning to take the tune-up class though. Just to see if I have been adjusting my valves properly.

any chance for a group deal?

I've considered attending these classes but wondered how they could be sufficiently "hands-on" and comprehensive in the four day time frame. Do groups of students take apart and inspect engines in need of an actual overhaul and then assemble others that have had all the inspections and machine work done ahead of time on their components? Or do they just watch? It seems the way to do these courses is have people ship their own engines in ahead of time. Spend a few days disassembling the engine and inspecting it. Then send the parts out for machining plus order the needed new parts. Then dismiss the class. Six weeks later reconvene and reassemble the engines under the instructors' supervision. A lot more expensive (6-10 days) and two trips to California but more instructive. Having said that I'd still like to attend these courses some day. Cheers, Jim

Group deals, videos? You guys' cheapness never ceases to amaze me. I have nothing to do with the class - you'd have to email Bruce...

-Wayne

hahaha...

save money there...

come back armed with a false sense of security to tear my engine apart

buy rebuild parts from PP

I think PP is the one that ends up ahead!!

That is indeed a good point, more money saved via Bruce, is more money spent at Pelican, right?

-Wayne

Well how's this?
If there is still space,(which i thought there was until i saw this post)and if i can get in, I would be able to put someone up at my place if someone is in the $$$ crunch and can't afford the hotel but can afford the class and is stuck. I live about 45 minutes north (15 minutes north of the GG bridge) of the place and had planned to take this class just hadn't signed up yet.
You'de be crashin on my futon in the living room. + help with gas $.
Anyone interested?
Email me if you are.

PS i had better try to enroll tommorrow.

Has anyone asked Bruce about doing a traveling class? ie. A bunch of us on the east cost pay his plane & hotel fare and have the class take place in someone's well equipped garage (or rent space at a local shop?) I know people that have done this for "masters" that calibrate televisions. It ends up being a LOT cheaper to ship Bruce out here than what it costs to ship us out there.

jason andreas
1993 964RSA

Wayne,

I'd be interested in taking the class. Will they allow beginners like me?

I'm sure your grandmother would be welcome if she pony ups the "tuition."

I asked Bruce about doing a class here at Pelican. His response was that it would be "prohibitively expensive." I asked him for a figure anyways. He dodged the subject. I don't think he wants to travel.

-Wayne

I'm in for the tune-up class. 1/3 the cost of a valve adjustment where I live.

(That, and I can talk the wife into it because we were married in the bay area... "Honey, I am feeling sentimental...")

JasonAndreas,

Im with you on the East Coast class idea. I spoke with Bruce earlier this year about doing an East Coast class or even a video and he hadnt any plans to do so. In a very nice way he said "Just pay the money and come to the class". The big problem with doing an East Coast class is not being in your own "kitchen" when you cook which I can appreciate. They have been running this class since about 86, and Im sure they have it down to a science in Jerry's shop. It would basically be a big hassle for him and Im sure the price would be more than 600.00.


PS. Otto is supposed to be doing an engine rebuild video.

"We estimate the value of a 911 engine rebuilding class to be $250. At $600 we think the student paid too much..."

Looks like I might go to the Tune up class. My sister lives in Santa Cruz so I would be able to attend the class and surf the Lane. Not a bad combo.

I took the engine rebuild class at least 8 years ago. Not sure if much has changed with the class. When I took it, it was all just watching... no hands on at all. I took a lot of notes, and did get a number of pointers and tips for rebuilding a "stock" 911 engine. What I did come away with from the class is that there are many, many things that can go wrong with an engine (that's why you're rebuilding it, right?), and it takes a lot of experience to know what is critical, what is not, and it's easy for the inexperienced "rebuilder" to miss something big. And missing something big is really costly on a 911 engine. You could be looking right at a big, lurking problem and never know it! That's a bit scary if you ask me.

So is this class valuable.... in a word, yes. Is it interesting and informative, yes again. Is it worth $600.... depends on how you value your hard earned money. Will you be an expert 911 engine rebuilder after completing the course.... no way. It's like everything else in life, most things take a lot of practice in order to become proficient.

Bottom line, I still think it's worth attending if you have the surplus time and money.

cheers

These are my thoughts, and I rank myself as fairly mechanically competitant.:cool:

Wayne, I'm sure the reason they don't want to hold the class anywhere else is that they have all their "props" at the shop. All the different components you see in his 911 book such as different heads, pistons, etc are all laying around shop. They just pick them up, and pass them around during the course of the course. A lot of the value of their course comes from seeing all the different engine pieces. It would take a semi to lug all that stuff around. Plus they always show the dyno room, etc.

Wayne? Several times I have met, and exchanged words with, (last time, May 2001) the great B.A. I will do my best to avoid this happening in the future. 'Nuff said.

And at Pomona, you can easily find this class for $150.

"You could be looking right at a big, lurking problem and never know it! That's a bit scary if you ask me. "

All of these 'scary' issues will be covered in the new book!

-Wayne

just in case you guys are wondering...bruce said no group deal...even for 10 guys...oh well worth a try.

Wayne...a suggestion

I'd release the book, let it get out there for a while, and then throw a engine rebuild seesion at PP yourself...

and you have the ultimate advertizing tool...BBS and book...most parts on hand...

plus if its local guys you can stretch it out to incorporate sending stuff out for machining etc...

you could even find a rebuild candidate on this board...add a parts coupon with the course...etc...etc...

So wait,

THis isn't a hands on class? I'm not interested in spending 4 days WATCHING someone else do this...

I guess I'll call Bruce's shop and find out...

Gee Chris, I think you might be figuring things out.......

To be able to take the courses taught in Germany by Porsche do you need to be working for an authorized dealership?

jason andreas
1993 964RSA

I just wanted to be the first to volunteer my engine for Wayne's 911 Rebuilding Class!!! Pick me! Pick me!

For sure the best part of the engine rebuild class was Jerry Woods. I don't think there can be any question he is a highly knowledgable and competent hi-perf 911 engine builder. Their record when running the Garretson 935's speaks for itself. I could lose the "BA" portion of the equation and not skip a beat.

Chris, you should find out whether or not the class is hands on.... I doubt that it has changed. It was pretty much show & tell when I took it.

Wayne, I think people are on to something with you holding your own 911 rebuild course. There are so many hands-on things you could teach from dial indicators to torque wrenches to cam timing to on and on. You have such a following here, I can't help but believe you'd be inundated with students. You'd need to have a number of hands on examples and tasks.

And wouldn't it be great to have someone from Pacific Fuel Injection or PMO or SSI or Mahle or god knows who else for short topics (I guess I'm really dreaming now). Anyway I think you get the idea. There are a number of people out there just dying to learn how to work on their cars in a more independent fashion.

Just some more thoughts.

What new book???
:rolleyes:

I would really like to go, but as others have mentioned, it would have to be hands on for $600. Sort of a "here's you motor to rebuild. Listen to what I say and follow the handouts that are a complete guide to rebuilding a 911 and yours to keep."

Alternatively, I will sit and watch if BA rebuilds MY motor in the class and I get to take it home. I'll even drop the motor and truck it up to the class!

Seriously, it will be a great experience but I can't get away.

i hate to get ahaed of ourselves..(I need a break from studying...so cut me some slack) but imagine this...

some garage space on the PP premise...and bring your own or borrow tools...about 6-9 engine stands with our own engine...and a warehouse full of parts!!

all of us under the guidence of Wayne and some others do the same stage of the rebuild at the same time...first do disassembly and cataloging...tear down the top end...etc...we can try to syncronize the process...send all the parts out to machine at the same time...assemble...etc...

fees would include PP's guidence, storage space...and maybe we can swing some group deals on machining...parts...etc...

now that would be cool...

MJ

hahaha I can just imagine the thoughts going through wayne's head when reading this...a bunch a frat boy porsche nuts running around mucking up his hard earned built business waving around torque wrenching downing beers...hahaha..."so wayne which way do I turn to tighten this bolt" "Wayne superman hit me" "wayne I think I dropped a washer in the combustion chamber"...fastest ticket to insanity....

so is this a hands-on event or...??

Well close (thougts in my head), but not quite. Heck, we can't even find the time to do a beach barbeque, let alone a seminar like that. I wouldn't count on it any time soon. Read the "new book" if you want my advice. Easier for me and you!

Hands-on with Bruce Anderson? You guys are funny. It's a four-day class, you want to bring your own engine and work on it there? Like eigth-grade shop class? That would take a lot longer than four days...

I didn't really expect this to turn into a big debate (silly me for thinking it wouldn't). Just a simple thread that says I'm taking the class, I'll be there, and it should be fun, enjoyable, and educating.

-Wayne

Well that explains the oxymoron phrase "hands-on look" in the course description. Appears to to be a presentation on 911 engine rebuilding not a course. A very good presentation no doubt (and one I would like to attend) but not to be confused with a course that would fully prepare one to overhaul a 911 engine.

There was not much engine overhauling going on in any 8th grade shop class I know about. The closest I recall is a Mexican National student in my 7th grade ghetto school shop class in Riverside who was put to work sectioning a six cylinder engine with a hacksaw because he couldn't speak a word of English.

Cheers, Jim

I've heard about these classes and I'm actually surprised by how inexpensive they are. Technical classes I've taken usual run my company about $2K per week.

If this was a hands on class they'd probably have to charge $3k per student. They would have to provide a motor, a workspace, and a set of tools for every couple of students. Logistics would be a nightmare because each motor would probably be different.

Hah! That would barely cover liability insurance. The only way to do this sort of thing is informal (didn't Super have an engine drop awhile back?).

i saw BA do a slide show at the German AutoFest last year. with all due respect, i found it boring and walked out early. i believe the topic was performance modifications to the 911 engine, and i recall seeing tons of slides about the difference between connecting rods from year-to-year -- mainly right out of his book on performance.

i agree it would be virtually impossible to do a hands on class for $600, but if this turns out anything like the slide show i saw, it would be a tough 4 days !

i think i would save my money up for a REAL hands on class.......doesn't jerry woods offer one for a couple of grand??

Yep!
 

It was great! I totally agree with you, informal is the way to go.

10+ guys, many of whom had never met each other, standing around watching The Artist Formerly known as Brainiac (Tyson), Tacoma911 and Superman actually doing all the real work....while the rest of the assembled mass told lies and drank beer.....in the rain......in the winter......in the PNW. I take that back...Jasper had the coveralls on but as far as I could tell they were there only to keep the spilt beer off his good clothes... :-)

All that fun to be had again shortly....just north of the border this time....can you guess who?

Beer? Yes!
Lies? Yes!
Standing around in the rain? Hopefully not! (The garage should hold at least a dozen "helpers".)

The Blue Bomber is so excited, she pissed out all her oil the other night!! :eek: