New BBS Member / 911 Owner

[Rob McKibbon]

Hello,

I am a new BBS Member and my questions/Inquiries for subscribers are:

1. Any tips on using BBS - Do's/Don'ts would be appreciated?
(I lost my first posting by adding a picture file too large)
How do you add a picture to the posting? I downsized to 60K jPeg, but it still won't attach?
2. Any suggestion/ tips/ maintenance ideas for my 911 ?
3. How to avoid speeding tickets - I've got the best Radar Detector, but still get busted with Lazers. 3 tickets in 4 months.
4. 2.7L engines : What to watch out for?
5. Planning to convert the car to Turbo one day - another 50,000 km or so? Can you convert the 2.7L or possibly drop in a 3.0L Turbo.
Basically, I'm very interested in learning more about my car.



The Story (Intro):
I recently returned to being a Porsche owner from about 12 years ago. After selling my previous car, I've always wanted to buy another one. The plan was to wait until the kids were older and my wife and I could enjoy a two seater. My office is filled with Porsche posters, books and models - dreaming of owning a 911 one day..... then the phone rang, and the dream became reality.

I was tipped off about a 911 for sale in Vancouver, the guy had alot of money invested in the car and was selling it for a very good price. Being up on my current values by always searching through eBay, Trader sites and books, I realized the car was a "hot" deal. It was Wednesday and by Friday I'd made the trip to Vancouver (5 hours), bought the car and left my SUV with the seller to truck it home to me! Too Wild. I knew I was going to own this car one day... just wasn't planning it so soon? I was able to drive the car for 4 months before winter storing and am happy to say it's a huge success - Runs Great!

The Car:
Originally a 1974 911 Targa was converted to a 1989 911 Cabriolet with Whale Tale (no turbo), it has a 2.7L rebuilt 50,000 km ago. Runs very well. The conversion included new bumpers, fenders, quarter panels, top, whale tale, leather seats, shifter knob, steering wheel, dash, '92 C2 rims with Dunlop Z tires, carpet mats and paint (black). The car looks and runs very well. People have asked me if it's a brand new car, it looks great.

Winter Projects:
I'm changing the gauges to white faced, upgrading fog lamps to 550's, adding an interior light above the mirror (similar to boxters), repairing a loose wire in ignition switch, cleaning rims, installing a backpressure relief valve on air chamber and waiting for Spring.

Thanks for taking the time to read my introduction, I've really enjoyed reading up on the BBS and look forward to some interesting replies to my first posting.......

Rob [IMG]C:\My Documents/Image Expert Images\Porsche\0 SmAtt Pic911.jpg[/IMG]

[Rob McKibbon]

P.S.
I also have a Pelican Parts Webpage - How do I show the link at the bottom of my postings (seen it on others) Thanks!

[Jim Sims]

Welcome; I have a '76 California model 2.7l w/ thermal reactors gone and usual upgrades done.

1. Stay on topic, use the search function, be polite.
2. Don't overfill the oil (correct is mid-way between dipstick marks with engine warm and idling on level ground. Change the oil often (use Mahle or Porsche oil filters), pause between gear shifts, change the transmission oil at least every two years, bleed the brakes at least every two years. Your brake hoses if original likely warrant replacing. Don't drag race - the car isn't designed for it. Understand the fan/alternator belt tensioning system; ensure you have a spare belt and tool to change. Never run the car without a fan belt. Do not disconnect the battery with the engine running. Do not press the trip odometer reset button while the car is moving. Watch out for failing bushings in shift coupler and failing timing chain tensioners. Buy 101 projects, Haynes manual, Porsche technical spec book for your year and get an owner's manual if you don't have one.
3. Slow down; race on the track.
4. Overheating (probably not so much in B.C.), warping case, pulling cylinder studs, weak valve guides, two few blades on original fan. Recommended upgrades: remachine case, thread inserts and new cylinder studs, pressure fed oil tensioners, 11-blade fan, new valve guides, external oil cooler and trimed cylinder air baffles.
5. 2.7 magnesium case won't live long with horsepower increase; need to go at least to a 3.0

[Rob McKibbon]

Hey Jim,
Thanks for your notes - they're perfect and just the kind of thing I was looking for! I'm gonna love this BBS system, just discovered it yesterday and can't get away from reading all the great info.
Your tips are very good and I appreciate them.
I've been previously warned about the engine oil level and watch it closely - it does burn a little oil. Over heating hasn't been a problem and it does have an 11 blade fan. Got a spare belt but I don't really "understand" the alt/fan belt tensioning system? The previous owner told me to keep an eye on belt tension, which I've done and in 4 months of driving, it never changed? However, I would like to be able to adjust it properly myself if needed - any tips?
How do I watch out for failing time tensioners?
Ordered the book - 101 projects; it's on the way.
Thanks again!

[Jack Olsen]

Instead of attach image button, use the attach multiple images one, and simply attach the single image. You can post files that are up to 100k that way.

[cary]

Welcome, Jim about covered it.

I can't over emphasize the use of the search function. There is 5 years worth of data here. It's not that we don't want more posts or communication. But asking the same question again overloads the data base. So when you go to use the search function. It will be a long list of posts to go thru.

And you'll ruffle some feathers occasionally. That's mainly when the same question has been asked 3-4 times that week.

To ad to Jim's point #2 list. Buy a large pair of Channel Locks to take the dust cap off your front wheel bearings. LOL.

Once again, welcome.

[Jim Sims]

A failing timing chain tensioner will cause a timing chain (there are two chains, one for each side) to make a noise at idle that sounds like a metal tow chain being dragged out of a metal bucket. If this happens shut off the car and have it flat bedded to a repair facility; do not drive it in this condition. If there are small metal lines going to the timing chain case covers your car already has the upgade to pressure fed tensioners; once installed and working properly these give little trouble.

If your tachometer needle starts bouncing this usually means your ignition point dwell is off and the point gap needs to be reset. Ignoring this will cause your car to eventually start backfiring. If you do not have an airbox pop-off valve this will blow the airbox. Pull off your air filter cover and look under the filter; if there is a spring loaded valve that looks something like minature toilet flapper valve then someone has already installed a pop-off valve. If not there, this is a feature you need to add or have someone add for you.

Keep your tires properly inflated; look in your owners manual for the pressures. If you lack this information then for the time being use 29 psi front and 34 psi rear (cold). Use a torque wrench with a soft socket to install your wheel lug nuts; the torque value is 94 ft-lbs.

Close the front hood by pressing on the Porsche crest badge; close the rear hatch by pressing on the air inlet grill, not at the lower lip (otherwise you'll leave dents in the lid edge).

Remember to keep track of the red generator light at the bottom of the oil gage and the red brake/seatbelt lights at the center of the dash. If these come on while driving it probably means the fan belt has broken. Stop the car and shut off the engine immediately.

To change or re-tension a fan belt you'll need a couple of tools; if you have the original tool kit that came with the car it will contain the special spanner wrench for holding the pulley while loosening and tightening the pulley/fan clamping nut on the alternator shaft. There should also be a socket type wrench for the alternator nut in the tool kit. If these are missing then you can buy the special spanner wrench from Pelican Parts and use a standard metric socket with an extension and a ratchet for the alternator nut. If the alternator has been replaced there is a chance that it's shaft nut no longer fits the socket wrench that came with the car. Check this out before you need to use the tools beside the road. The tension on the fan belt is obtained by a two piece pulley system and a set of shims that either go between the outer pulley and the fan (the fan is the inside half of the pulley) or on the outside of the pulley under the dished washer and nut. There should be five or six shims and they must go somewhere. Do not leave shims out of the system. To add tension to the belt remove shims from between the outer pulley and the fan and put them outside under the dished washer. To loosen the belt move shims from the outside to in between the outer pulley half and the fan. Be careful that the shims stay in place and that the outer pulley half seats properly as the belt tends to pull things to one side as one is tightening the system. Do not lose the dished washer; these are hard to find. I like to run my belt as loose as possible (easier on the alternator bearings) but if it squeals on a down shift it is too loose and I move a shim to the outside.

One can turn over the engine (only clockwise as you look forward at the engine standing behind the car) with the alternator nut. Put the socket on the nut and apply pressure inward on the right side of the fan belt to keep it from slipping.

Do not fix a blowing electrical fuse by installing a higher rated fuse; you can melt the wiring harness.

I have the illustrated factory parts catalogs for 1974-1977 if you need a part number.

That's enough of a "core dump" for now.

Cheers, Jim

[Rob McKibbon]

Thanks for your help and advice, it's appreciated.
I figured out how to post my picture so here's a shot of my Porsche shortly after it was purchased last August/02.
What are your thoughts/ comments?
Please feel free to comment:

Taken at our cabin in Blind Bay, Shuswap Lake, B.C., Canada

[Eric Mckenna]

Rob,
That is a great looking Cab.. nice and low and a good color as well
I'd simply loose the 16" CUP wheels and score a good set of 7&8x16" fuchs... you'd have a WINNER then..
Just my .02

I do loike the car ..

Eric Mckenna
78SC

[Rob McKibbon]

Thanks Eric,
Do you have a picture of the wheels you're talking about? The rims and tires are brand new, but I'd consider making a change in a year or two? A picture would be great though as I'm not too good as picking rims - in my day a bright shiny chrome spoke was awesome (1970's)??? Hah ha
Rob
Any other comments, I'd love to hear......

[Rob McKibbon]

There's a great thread on "Fuchs" in the 911 Tech Forum with lots of pics posted: polished/ black with assorted fuchs on 911 models. Gives a guy some great ideas. Don't go there if you don't want to spend any money? The look could cost a guy a few shackles - hah ha!

Thanks for the tip once again! I'm checking it out????.......

[Eric Mckenna]

Rob,
Yes! those are the wheels I am talking about.
I traded a set of 993 wheels I have on my car for a set of Fuchs.. I like them MUCH better..

Eric

[Rob McKibbon]

Hello Again,
Just wanted to add some notes from my third day (Sunday Evening now; past midnight); I was checking some things out on Pelican parts Friday and found this BBS then; except for some company we had for dinner today, I have done nothing else but sit at my computer and read 100's of postings and different threads...... there is a ton of information here!
I've contacted fellow Porsche owners from Canada
Been given some great tips/maintenance advise to follow
Learned about some different models of 911s
Seen a ton of gorgeous pictures and sceneries
Learned some tips about the stock market?
Seen a guy in Montana build a garage, week by week
Read a ton of technical information
Seen a great thread on wheels
and then I see over 2200 threads in just the 911 Tech Forum alone!!!! I'm too busy to spend much more time here, I just invested my weekend reading and learning, but this is going to be one great source of information for enhancing my Porsche ownership experience.
???? My wife thinks I'm nuts; I keep calling her to the monitor and now I'm getting the "yes dear" as she comes to have a look. I use to think I was nuts spending 15 to 20 minutes on my eMail each day???

Looking forward to reading and learning a whole bunch more.... I've got some great respect already for the posters and threads I've read so far!
Thank-you! This makes it almost worth paying the US exchange on our Can Bucks and of course those UPS shipping and Duty charges - Love being Canadian; But being a Capitalist Canadian in British Columbia to boot; now there's a topic for a new thread.......
Thanks Again - Appreciate being on line!
Cheers,
Rob[img] Oh yeah; I drive like I ski........ Hah ha ha! http://www.pelicanparts.com/support/smileys/sun_smiley.gif[/img] Come for a Rip Someday in the Okanagan....... Great excuse for a drive:

[jabb]

Yes it is addictive but lots of good people and good information:
My wife often jokes that I will be sucked in through the monitior of my computer and be stuck in Pelican Land forever..... One day she will here me calling for her except I will not be there for ever lost in Pelican

[stealthn]

Rob good day eh,

Welcome, and thanks for posting in the Canadian forum.

You've got most of the rules and info on your car, and yes I think this is the best forum on the net.

As stated before some rules to live by;

Don't use caps <-- yelling
Always search for an answer to your question first before posting
Whenever possible post a self gratifying picture of your car with a woman hanging over it, parked at a twisty road, lifting one wheel at the track, or showing off polished fuchs or fan
Never let your wife see you on the forum <-- will lead to the " are you on that forum AGAIN nag"

Have fun most of all....

Waiting on spring....

[Rob McKibbon]

Thanks Stealthn
Hope this is what you meant by "women hangin over the car",
My Girls, My car.....
Hee Hee

[Roy M]

Are they all that tall in Canada?

[McDaniel]

Are there any more like that about? If so, rush info on how to
become a Canadian. LOL Great looking car!!!!

Welcome, also have a '74 2.7. Mine is still a Targa, and am
restoring now.
As a matter of fact, just bought some used wooden floor boards
from a fellow out in BC that I found on this site.
It is the best I have ever found for the exchange of info, parts,
advice and how-to for P cars.