Let's get started - jack & tool kit replacement

[jcfitz7]

Hello Everyone,

Let me introduce myself; my name is Jason. I live in Los Angeles (Culver City to be exact). I have been lurking on this forum for about 6 months and after much studying of the for sale ads here and on Craigslist/Ebay/Thesamba I zeroed in on what I believe is the best car I could afford. I bought a 1980 SC that seems to be really well sorted out in some aspects and a total disaster in others. I'm betting that is not unusual.

This is my first Porsche, after many years of being a "Land Rover Guy". Part of what I enjoyed about owning those trucks, especially the earlier models was the ease with which one could wrench on them, bang on them, kick the ***** out of them and then put them back together. I was part of that community long enough to learn who the real "masters" were; the parts guy at the dealership 1200 miles away who could source anything, even stuff that was out of the system for 20 years or the transfer case whiz in Texas that would spend an hour on the phone talking you through a re-gear project, etc.

Since taking possession a few weeks ago I have managed to stumble across some really fantastic people/resources in the LA area (Tony & Marco Gerace, John Esposito, Marty at Team TVD, Magnus Walker, etc) and beyond (Chris Powell at Chris' German). I am routinely amazed at the patience all of these nice people display when I approach them with the most obvious of noob questions and display my nearly complete lack of Porsche knowledge. They just smile and answer and explain and demonstrate and lay on the ground or crawl under the lift and look at my "problem" and then suggest the best solution or, most often, the solution I can afford. I hope that I will someday be able to do the same for someone else.

My plans are to drive the car for the next few months and get to know it well. In October I'll go to my first POC Track event, the Performance Driving Series at Fontana. Between now and then I plan on spending 3-4 days a month mastering Angeles Crest Highway, to the best of my ability. Beyond that, I hope to become familiar enough with the mechanics of the car to maintain and tighten, repair and re-fill and adjust and tinker with all but the most intimidating systems, as time permits.

I caught myself yesterday, sitting in the car, parked in the garage, nearly in the dark, tracing the lines of the headliner from pillar to pillar, around the sunroof opening, back to the zipper and along it, and around again, for almost 10 minutes. It was oddly intimate. So much so that when my wife walked in I looked guilty, as though I'd been "caught". It's a powerful attraction this car has.

This is the first of what will probably be many posts with basic, "how do you" questions. I always search the forum for the answer to my questions and likely I have read a few different responses that may seem contradictory or complimentary, depending on the subject. I know that most questions which are not very specific (What size bolt is the factory motor mount on a 1980SC?) have many answers, mostly dictated by peoples personal experiences and preferences.

So, today I ask, if you had NO original jack and no tool kit in the boot what would you get together, in its place? What is the best replacement jacking mechanism/tool to travel with and what set of hand tools would you make sure you always had with you when you set out to drive around for a day or two? Lug wrench and spare fuses are already in place but what else is "essential"?

Thanks for taking the time to read all of this and I look forward to hearing what others recommend.

Cheers'

/jason

[Fast Mike]

Welcome!. My car came with a pretty complete tool kit. I would try to source the spark plug tool. It is fantastic, I wish I had one twenty five years ago. Also the pulley wrench. It works on the alternator pulley and the strut tower washer.

[jcfitz7]

Thanks, Mike. Appreciate the help.

/jf

[Winter]

Nice car and welcome!

I was able to find a jack via the used parts classifieds here. They pop up regularly, so that's the first place you should look or post a WTB ad. Remember that these jacks are a bit funky and really only good for roadside emergencies. You need to use them with care and caution.

You can also find tool bags via the classifieds and if you have the cash burning a hole in your pocket complete original kits (big $$$)

If you don't want to spend that kind of money on a the tool kit, and merely want function over originality, there are a lot of ways to go but the pulley wrench (which is a must) is sold by our host, and is where I bought mine. For the rest of your on-board tools there are some great threads on the subject particularly in regards to long distance road trips.

Here's a good one:

Tools and spares for road trip Europe

a search of the forums will turn up a few more.

Good luck with it!

[jcfitz7]

Originally Posted by Winter

Nice car and welcome!

I was able to find a jack via the used parts classifieds here. They pop up regularly, so that's the first place you should look or post a WTB ad. Remember that these jacks are a bit funky and really only good for roadside emergencies. You need to use them with care and caution.


Good luck with it!

Thanks Winter,

Definitely NOT looking for a 35 year old "original" jack. $250 seems like a lot of money for something of unknown quality/history. I guess I was hoping there was a 21st century alternative. Thanks for the response, though.

I get the impression that the only unusual tools that were in the original tool kit are the spark plug tool and the pulley wrench. Sounds like everything else is all stuff I have multiple versions of, already packed in tool rolls.

Thanks,

/jf

[Last911]

I bought a nice portable WERA toolkit. They are awesome tools and cheaper than trying to find ratty old originals.

[Jesse16]

Since I just changed a flat, I've got to say that the Porsche jack is excellent and a must have for emergency tire repair. Seems plenty adequate, just works. You just have to be safe like any spare tire jack and the OE version is light and fits the holder perfect! Maybe gets a bad rap because you change tires in less optimal and not always level ground situations. You have to set the brake an not get under the car.
Other tool kit tools you should look for are like others said the pulley wrench and I highly recommend the Original spark plug removal tool, hands down the best way to service the plugs. I've never touched any of the other tools in the kit, as I carry a small tool bag with modern combination wrenches, sockets, hexs, screwdrivers, etc. for items I know I've serviced along the way. I'll never tighten or loosen a bolt with the open end of a wrench.

[darrin]

The original jack is an important piece to have, as it's designed to mount into the central jack point and allows you to jack up the entire side of the car at once. A scissors-type jack will not allow you to do that. Our host sells an adaptor that fits into the jack point and lets you jack the car using a floor jack Pelican Parts - Product Information: 10-6641-030-M230

There's an original jack on eBay right now that's bidding at a reasonable price (search Bilstein green dot jack) as well as one with a buy it now price of under $100, shipped -- Porsche Green Dot Jack Vintage Bilstein Straight Handle | eBay -- Like the pulley wrench, I view this jack as a "must have" if you plan to change a tire on the road

[manbridge 74]

Probably a lot of tool kits quietly rusting/resting around the LA area.

[sugarwood]

Dasl Performance 20 Porsche 911 912 930 914 356 Jack Pad Plate Tool HD | eBay

[sugarwood]

You'll want the fan belt pulley holder tool.
Porsche 911 Fan Belt Pulley Tool - New: Accessories &amp Tools Related

[sugarwood]

Most people here suggest carrying a spare DME relay and 10mm wrench.
Try installing your spare in your driveway.

[grizzfan]

You might want to start by obtaining a reproduction Porsche tool bag. Original ones are out there but very spendy. They hold about everything you need and look nice. It's a small step in trying to obtain some small measure of originality. ebay is a good source. I was able to pick up a couple of authentic tools at a reasonable price and slowly but surely have most all.

Tom

[darrin]

Originally Posted by sugarwood

You'll want the fan belt pulley holder tool.
Porsche 911 Fan Belt Pulley Tool - New: Accessories &amp Tools Related

Sugarwood -- our host sells what looks to be the same fan belt pulley tool for $12 cheaper than vertex -- Pelican Parts - Product Information: PEL-TOL-P209

Just sayin . . .

[jcfitz7]

Originally Posted by darrin

The original jack is an important piece to have, as it's designed to mount into the central jack point and allows you to jack up the entire side of the car at once. A scissors-type jack will not allow you to do that. Our host sells an adaptor that fits into the jack point and lets you jack the car using a floor jack Pelican Parts - Product Information: 10-6641-030-M230

There's an original jack on eBay right now that's bidding at a reasonable price (search Bilstein green dot jack) as well as one with a buy it now price of under $100, shipped -- Porsche Green Dot Jack Vintage Bilstein Straight Handle | eBay -- Like the pulley wrench, I view this jack as a "must have" if you plan to change a tire on the road

Picked up an original, unused jack from a local, 81 SC for $100 this afternoon. Works a charm. Found a genuine spark plug wrench, as well. Ordering the pulley wrench from our host along with a pair of relays and another belt, just because. Those, an existing metric hand-tool roll, 1/2 dozen of each fuse and a multi-meter is what I'll start with. Oh and a 12V compressor.

Thanks for all the help. I really appreciate it.

Cheers'

/jf