I goofed up! 1979 Porsche 911

[Last911]

So, I recently bought a 1979 911. It was cheap but it will wind up costing me (in either time and money, most likely both). But, I don't care! I was smitten, had the cash and I leapt forward. Now, you lucky guys can help me fix what's wrong with it!

The power windows don't work, I took apart the door (more of hack'n'test) and I got there!



A little closer...



And even I can figure the problem out now! How can I fix this? The power winder works when power/ground is applied. I need help with wiring some type of forward/back/neutral switch for the window...

[Porboynz]

Search is your best source, try this: Power Window Switch schematic

[javadog]

Man, you took apart way too much stuff. The usual problem is a bad switch.

In any event, I would not have pulled the regulator out.

JR

[jdbunda]

^^^^ Either the switch or the relay under the dash.

[boyt911sc]

Originally Posted by javadog

Man, you took apart way too much stuff. The usual problem is a bad switch.

In any event, I would not have pulled the regulator out.

JR

Have you checked and tested for the power supply to the motor? Why on earth have you removed more than you need to troubleshoot this simple task? Sit back and relax! It could be simply a bad switch or an electrical anomaly since you have a motorized window regulator. Good luck on your project.

Tony

[Last911]

Well I do like doing things the hard way! There were other issues with the door, the door latch would not work from the outside, the speaker was a mess, and of course the windows didn't work. And most important of all, "I felt like taking apart something beautiful...."

The power regulator works and thank you for the wiring diagrams, I think I understand how to fix it! Next bit of Johnny 5 DISSEMBLE!!!

Took out the AC and the blower fan and I need to buy the ducts for 'backdate...'

Before;


After;


I have alot of oil leaks but I hope it is mostly spilled oil from the filter, and valve covers, and the sump.

[Last911]

Simple question; is this a 3.0L engine? It looks exactly like a 2.7, what is the telltale sign that it's not? I have no reason to believe the engine is swapped, but I would like to know.

Is it the green shroud on the alternator?

[timmy2]

The serial number on the right side of the fan housing support will tell you what year and type of motor it is. Also a type number cast on the flat part of the block near the oil pressure sender.

[boyt911sc]

The serial number is the best way to identify your engine. Or check the CIS components and CDI for a quick check. A '79 would have a 6-pin CDI compared to 3-pin CDI for 2.7 motors. The '78-'79 MY has the bigger 38-mm ID intake runners, others would have the smaller 34-mm ID intake runners. Alternator housing is also different from these years. So what is the number on the WUR (mounted on intake #2). Do you know which is cylinder #1 and #4? Since you like to work hard, I can not wait till you start tearing the engine parts.

Tony

[Jdub]

Ha - Too funny! But God hates a coward...

The SC is a great car, and provided you do not have rust or a bent tub you can pull these cars back from the edge. Lay out your VIN and other ID numbers and repair work in order (an Excel spreadsheet is what I do) so you know where you are.

Search is your friend. Baseline the car (air/fuel/oil filters, trans and eng oil and brake fluid, etc.) and make a list of trouble areas. Good luck!

[KerryM]

You didn't ask for general advice, but here is a few basic things from a just above newbie status owner. I bought a '78 about a year ago with multiple small and large issues. I learned the hard way that one needs to go about fixing these cars in a somewhat systematic fashion.

Keep a written running list of everything that needs attention in logical groupings and by priority. For me it was groupings like electrical repairs, body repairs, general maintenance, interior updates, missing parts, etc. There will obviously be some overlaps.

I had a lot of minor electrical gremlins such as power windows, wiper parking, glovebox light, interior light, headlight brights, rear brake lights, etc. Some were related and I got pretty efficient at using my multi-meter. Finding a glob of melted fused wires behind the dash led to many of the fixes.

I have many "bolt-on" items to replace and I did those as time and money permitted.

Almost every nut/bolt/screw/washer I have unfastened I have replaced with stainless steel. Exceptions are high certain strength safety fasteners. Overkill for sure, and perhaps a waste of money but we all need our quirks.

I tried to attack things in very roughly the following order; Safety, Engine, Shifting/Transmission, Brakes, Steering, Suspension, Other electrical, and Interior.

Body/rust repair will come later as I don't really care what the car looks like at the moment, just how it starts, drives, and stops.

I also mix in some simple fixes to give me a feeling of accomplishment between the larger more expensive items. For example it "only" took about an hour to get my glove box light working correctly. It was a pretty low priority item but it felt good to get it done.

The board here is an amazing resource; use the search a lot and don't be afraid to ask questions if searching doesn't get you what you need.

Good luck and welcome from a fellow rookie!

[Last911]

KerryM, thank for the good words! I am all over the place on this 911 and I need to 'calm'er down' a bit and get organized. Today I skipped the door and started cleaning the oily mess that is the engine, at this rate I will have the car 100% taken apart and that's not good!!

The plan is to keep it a 'few hours to running anytime'. I was going to pull the engine/trans to fix the leaks, but they don't look that horrible now. I will put it all back together and fix two things at a time (Instead of 10!)

[Last911]

Relocated the coil. It's like Porsche wanted it moved there! I will comply!



The oily mess!!


Worse on the other side..


Don't even want to talk about down below!


Tranny too?! Oh man...


But, I got lucky, nothing in the center!


It's hard to see but it looks very clean in 'there'.


Scruubin bubbless!

[Bill Douglas]

Congrat's on choosing a '79SC. Possibly one of the very best 911s ever built

I've cleaned up engines by spraying a heap of degreaser on them, a bit of scrubbing, then a hose off. And things always look better when clean. This way you can see what is a leak and what is merely seeping. In other words don't worry about it too much.

Bill '79SC

[Last911]

Originally Posted by Bill Douglas

Congrat's on choosing a '79SC. Possibly one of the very best 911s ever built

I've cleaned up engines by spraying a heap of degreaser on them, a bit of scrubbing, then a hose off. And things always look better when clean. This way you can see what is a leak and what is merely seeping. In other words don't worry about it too much.

Bill '79SC

Thanks for the kind words! In my eyes, the '79 SC was the last air cooled 911 built (by VIN of course!) Then they went to some funky Vin scheme (take that 993 owners!). I also like the 3.0, I tried very hard to avoid the 2.7, but beggas can't be choosers, but they get lucky sometimes!

I forgot to post pictures of when I picked it up!






PS I am kidding 993 owners, I am speaking out of envy!

[RyanG]

Great choice on the car, but I'm partial to the '79 as well since I've got a coupe. I like how those wheels look on your car.

When I first got mine, I had some of the typical issues with no heat (micro switches by the e-brake), malfunctioning lights (bad grounds) and even no start for a while until I replaced the starter. But when I took a one year overseas assignment I left it with a good friend to oversee a few projects on it. And that year is almost over!

[Last911]

Well, I was very partial to a pre-79 with the 911 VIN start (but secretly hoping for a 3.0+ engine!).

The engine bay cleaned up super nice with very little effort, hurray! More to go but this is very encouraging!

[Last911]

Well it doesn't smell like burning oil now! I degreased the heck out of the engine and a bit of the transmission. The shifter was super loose so I re-did the bushing on it and it shifts really nice now.

I forgot to mark the position of the coupler (oops) but I did mark the HECK out of the shifter (it bolts in exactly the same place!). After a bit of trial and error, it shifts slick as a 915 can (hint; not very slick).

The search for 225/50/16's is on so I can run my BBS wheels but lucky for me, I had brand new rubber on some Phoney Dials. They look odd on a 911, but they'll do for now. Pictures soon!

How hard can these engines be driven? I'm babying it right now, seeing if it actually leaks oil, so far, so good! And as always, waiting for parts!

Things I did;
-change oil (the sump pump was leaking like sieve)
-valve covers (lowers were leaking)
-change S pipe
-degrease (yuck!)
-cap, rotor (ordered wires).
-fix shifter
-ghetto fix door so I can drive it until door/window parts arrive.

Still have not washed/detailed it (I live on a dusty/gravel road) so no point until I bring the car back to the city.

[TheSt|G]

Once it's warmed up, you can drive the piss out of it. Just make sure your temp gauge works first and keep an eye on it as the status of the cooling system is unknown to you.

[spyerx]

are you for hire? my top side and interior are clean, under is 85k and over 25 years of grime, and socal grime so it's not that bad :-) Engine compartment is ok, your looks way cleaner.

I'm taking it to a detail to put on the lift and steam clean the undercarriage. I'm tired of getting dust/dirt balls rained on me while under there. Sunday I was blinking dirt all day. And i'm saving my energy for replacing 4 cv boots, front damper inserts, and tranny oil change.

Your car looks great