New Porsche Owner Here, Need Advice.

[MattTHEpainter]

Hello!

I'm Matt, and completely new to Porsche. Last week a friend of mine told me he knew of a Porsche for sale in his friend's garage. I buy/sell/collect vintage motorcycles, so he thought to give me a call. He sent me this photo:



So I was very interested at this point. I arranged to inspect the car and gather details:
-Two owners
-1977 Targa 911S
-Repainted (not the best job) luckily I was a painter
-72,000 miles
-Car was sitting for 5 years, put away 18 miles after an oil change.

Basically the previous owner was well off and chose to drive one of his other ten cars and this one sat under a cover in a heated garage. We struck a deal and the 911 was mine:



Got the car home and started going through it. A lot of the seals are leaking oil, not too much but from sitting oil has dispersed all over the bottom of the engine. I will clean this off and pinpoint locations. Put a battery in the car, and with some patience she started right up. Clutch was stuck to the flywheel, so I popped it in 5th and it came lose. Drove it down my drive way and then let her idle for a couple minutes. A lot of the oil is burning off now.

So looking at this car is completely different from anything I have experienced. I have a very solid mechanical background, from a twin turbo mustang to a complete WRX swapped Subaru RS coupe. Restored plenty of classic Harley's, but this Porsche is German to me.

My question to all you gurus is: what would you do to the car before actually driving it?
I know there is a sticky caliper so the brakes will be addressed. Aside from that how would you tackle this car? I know the '77 isn't the best year 911 with the head stud issues and chain tensioner, but I'm just looking for a reliable car that will get a complete exterior makeover this winter. I'll be changing the oil (best brand?), replacing the gas, and cleaning her up. Can someone elaborate on the thermal reactors? I have these aluminum hoses that go to a fan box and would like to replace them. Best Service Manual?

Sorry for all the questions guys, and I am not new to forums so I will totally be searching.

Any idea of value?

Thank You!

[Justin@Athens]

Welcome! Owning and driving a Porsche is an experience, an one you will not soon forget. Most of us have multiple cars, and could not imagine driving anything else.

The oil needs to be changed, Brad Penn 20w-50 is the most used and recommended brand on this forum. Others will chime in with their favorites.

Chances are the valve covers a leaking pretty significantly, so now while the oil is out would be a good time to pull those and replace the seals and check the head studs.

101 projects for your Porsche by Wayne Dempsey, and a Bentley manual would be nice, but frankly there is a TON, I mean an absolute wealth of knowledge right here on the forum--the search button is your friend.

Look at the belts and other rubber bits including CV joints, and suspension bits up front--tires are probably really dry by now and will not perform like new rubber so keep that in mind.

Good luck and have fun! Ask us questions, I am not the most knowledgeable on the mid-year cars, others will chime in. Oh, and add your location to your user CP, lots of Pelicans all over willing to lend a hand.


(Hey look post 1000!) Once you get to this point, you know you are in deep!

[sugarwood]

This car started up with 5 year old gas?

Normally people suggest a Bentley manual.
But I only see them for SC (78-83) and Carrera (84-89)

You want ZDDP oil. Racing oil with zinc.
a) 20W-50 Valvoline VR-1. 12 qts for $68.
b) 20W-50 Kendall GT-1. 12 qts for $45

The paint looks great in photos.
Can you post a close up of how the paint is not great?

[javadog]

Without seeing the car, my list would include:

Rebuilding all of the brake calipers. Change all the rubber brake hoses. Probably would replace the brake master cylinder. Replace the brake fluid.

Replace the tires.

Check all of the rubber hoses and replace any that needed replacement.

Replace the fan belt.

Pull the valve covers, adjust the valves, replace the gaskets.

Repair any oil leaks.

FLush all the crap out of the fuel system and replace the filter.

Replace the air filter.

Adjust the clutch, replace the transmission fluid.

Clean everything.

Dress any leather in the interior.

Replace the washer fluid and blades.

Wash and detail the exterior.

Replace the fuses and clean the contacts. Clean the area around the battery.

Clean the wheels and put vaseline on them.

Fix the fog lights.

Verify the existence and condition of the jack, tools, spare tire, etc.

I'm sure you'll find other stuff along the way.

JR

Put it on a lift and look at the suspension bushings, tie rods, wheel bearing play, etc.

Adjust the handbrake.

[Lapkritis]

Welcome - My $.02:

Use Delo 400 oil - by Chevron. 15w40. $12.57 a gal right now at wally world. Buy filters in bulk that are German.

While you're doing the brake work/unsticking things, change the brake fluid.

Pull the spark plugs/inspect and change as necessary. While checking plugs, look at #6 hole where you can see the top of the oil cooler and make sure it isn't covered with debris (popular mouse hotel/leaf collection point).

Get a fire extinguisher and mount safely such as behind driver seat.

Make sure all lights work especially brake lights... the switch mechanism/circuitry for that specifically is a very bad german joke.

Avoid the temptation to poke a sleeping bear - if the engine is running properly well then I wouldn't look twice at the CIS system.

If you live near a marina, seek out non-ethanol gas for this car.

Start saving for little things that can and will fail such as the shifter coupler bushings.

Most of all, enjoy the ride.

[MattTHEpainter]

Originally Posted by sugarwood

This car started up with 5 year old gas?

Normally people suggest a Bentley manual.
But I only see them for SC (78-83) and Carrera (84-89)

You want ZDDP oil. Racing oil with zinc.
a) 20W-50 Valvoline VR-1. 12 qts for $68.
b) 20W-50 Kendall GT-1. 12 qts for $45

The paint looks great in photos.
Can you post a close up of how the paint is not great?

Started up after a few tries, now it starts right up. I will be draining the fuel, but of course there's 3/4 tank. Thank you for the oil recommendations!

There are spots where the lacquer primer has shrunk and "haloed". Slight over-spray on some moldings. I can take some pictures when I get home.

[MattTHEpainter]

Originally Posted by javadog

Without seeing the car, my list would include:

Rebuilding all of the brake calipers. Change all the rubber brake hoses. Probably would replace the brake master cylinder. Replace the brake fluid.

Replace the tires.

Check all of the rubber hoses and replace any that needed replacement.

Replace the fan belt.

Pull the valve covers, adjust the valves, replace the gaskets.

Repair any oil leaks.

FLush all the crap out of the fuel system and replace the filter.

Replace the air filter.

Adjust the clutch, replace the transmission fluid.

Clean everything.

Dress any leather in the interior.

Replace the washer fluid and blades.

Wash and detail the exterior.

Replace the fuses and clean the contacts. Clean the area around the battery.

Clean the wheels and put vaseline on them.

Fix the fog lights.

Verify the existence and condition of the jack, tools, spare tire, etc.

I'm sure you'll find other stuff along the way.

JR

Put it on a lift and look at the suspension bushings, tie rods, wheel bearing play, etc.

Adjust the handbrake.

Thank you so much for the information. So you would just rebuild all the calipers? Any recommendations on part kits? A new MC seems like a good idea too.

[MattTHEpainter]

Originally Posted by Lapkritis

Welcome - My $.02:

Use Delo 400 oil - by Chevron. 15w40. $12.57 a gal right now at wally world. Buy filters in bulk that are German.

While you're doing the brake work/unsticking things, change the brake fluid.

Pull the spark plugs/inspect and change as necessary. While checking plugs, look at #6 hole where you can see the top of the oil cooler and make sure it isn't covered with debris (popular mouse hotel/leaf collection point).

Get a fire extinguisher and mount safely such as behind driver seat.

Make sure all lights work especially brake lights... the switch mechanism/circuitry for that specifically is a very bad german joke.

Avoid the temptation to poke a sleeping bear - if the engine is running properly well then I wouldn't look twice at the CIS system.

If you live near a marina, seek out non-ethanol gas for this car.

Start saving for little things that can and will fail such as the shifter coupler bushings.

Most of all, enjoy the ride.

Thank you for the information. Any plug recommendations?

[MattTHEpainter]

Originally Posted by Justin@Athens

Welcome! Owning and driving a Porsche is an experience, an one you will not soon forget. Most of us have multiple cars, and could not imagine driving anything else.

The oil needs to be changed, Brad Penn 20w-50 is the most used and recommended brand on this forum. Others will chime in with their favorites.

Chances are the valve covers a leaking pretty significantly, so now while the oil is out would be a good time to pull those and replace the seals and check the head studs.

101 projects for your Porsche by Wayne Dempsey, and a Bentley manual would be nice, but frankly there is a TON, I mean an absolute wealth of knowledge right here on the forum--the search button is your friend.

Look at the belts and other rubber bits including CV joints, and suspension bits up front--tires are probably really dry by now and will not perform like new rubber so keep that in mind.

Good luck and have fun! Ask us questions, I am not the most knowledgeable on the mid-year cars, others will chime in. Oh, and add your location to your user CP, lots of Pelicans all over willing to lend a hand.


(Hey look post 1000!) Once you get to this point, you know you are in deep!

Thank You, location added!

[86 911 Targa]

Matt,

Congratulation!!!!!

What type, if any, external oil cooler do you have on the car?

Many years ago, we had a M/Y '77.

These cars, due to the-then emission systems ran very-very hot.

You will get a lot of help on this forum.

Good luck,

Gerry

[javadog]

Originally Posted by MattTHEpainter

Thank you so much for the information. So you would just rebuild all the calipers? Any recommendations on part kits? A new MC seems like a good idea too.

I would rebuild all of them. Think one is sticking and the others are perfect? NO...

This site sells any parts you need. I generally use genuine Porsche parts, especially on critical things. Pelican can get anything Porsche sells and they also sell aftermarket parts. There's a guy named Eric Shea who runs a brake caliper rebuilding business (PMB) and I think his products can be obtained here. His rebuild are better than what a person can accomplish at home, so that's the way I would go.

There have been some quality problems with some of the master cylinders lately, even those sold by Porsche, so do a little research here on that issue.

You can find plug recommendations in your owner's manual. If you don't have one, you should try to find one. Also, try to get a copy of the Prosche Tecnical Specs booklet for your year ('76-'77). Download a free copy of the parts software (PET) for your model from the Porsche web site.

Once you get the car up and running, then you can look at issues like the oil cooling, thermal reactors (if still present) and other issues.

JR

[KNS]

Originally Posted by 86 911 Targa

What type, if any, external oil cooler do you have on the car?

Many '77s didn't have one but if yours does and you're not sure where it is it will be in front of the right front wheel.

Nice looking car!!

[wildthing]

Why ask value? Are you flipping it?

[MattTHEpainter]

Originally Posted by 86 911 Targa

Matt,

Congratulation!!!!!

What type, if any, external oil cooler do you have on the car?

Many years ago, we had a M/Y '77.

These cars, due to the-then emission systems ran very-very hot.

You will get a lot of help on this forum.

Good luck,

Gerry

Thank you, and I will look today for an oil cooler.

[MattTHEpainter]

Originally Posted by wildthing

Why ask value? Are you flipping it?

Don't plan on it, just trying to make sure I didn't get raked over the coals.

[86 911 Targa]

Originally Posted by KNS

Many '77s didn't have one but if yours does and you're not sure where it is it will be in front of the right front wheel.

Nice looking car!!

Ours did, at the insistence of the dealership.

Still ran around 250f on the road.

With the thermal reactors removed & the car never ran over 210f.

Sold the car & bought a '78.

Gerry

[tdw28210]

Looks like it has been messed with a little, but mostly stock. It is the less-desirable Targa, but still pretty clean. I'd ballpark it around $23k.

[MattTHEpainter]

Originally Posted by tdw28210

Looks like it has been messed with a little, but mostly stock. It is the less-desirable Targa, but still pretty clean. I'd ballpark it around $23k.

Thank you, I feel comfortable with my price then.

[Fixer]

Nice Targa Matt. These cars are really bullet proof so once you go through it, it will give you years of enjoyment.
If you can afford to keep it, resist the urge to flip..
you will have more than $23,000 worth of fun with it.
Matt (also a Painter)

[RedCoupe]

Matt, I didn't see anyone else with plug recommendations so here is mine. NGK, just the copper ones not platinum.