Back Yard Porsche Mechanic

[jrb964]

I'm in the final stages of a new clutch, flywheel and all of the other appropriate parts on my '80SC Weissach Edition. Removed the CIS, cleaned the engine, repainted the sheet metal, used more q-tips than my wife had, red rags were always clean, (clothes washer always greasy and dirty).
The most difficult task was the installation of the "clutch helper spring". Is this over engineered or what? The problem became how to you compress that "omega spring" to fit. Remember that "back yard mechanics" only have basic tool plus a vivid imagination.

After pressing the spring on the clutch release mechanism, put he spring in a vise with about half of it above the jaws, compressed the spring. wrapped a dryer (yes clothes dryer) clamp around the half above the jaws, tightened the clamp, installed the release mechnism in the car, released the clamp, and it was finished.

BUT there was some bad new. I had to sacrafice the clamp by cutting it off. The clamp currently resides in clamp heaven, knowning it was selected for a special job rather that collect lint and dust in back of some dryer.

101 Project and the technical on Pelican make this seem so easy but not for the average back yard mechanic.

Just picked up my new leather seats. They look great with 100% leather that matched the original exactly. Great job by a local shop here in Phoenix.

John 964 Cab Tip
John 911SC '80 Weissach Edition

[surflvr911sc]

Great job! I’ve been known to get a little “creative” myself. Admittedly, I haven’t dropped the motor or tackled a cluch yet, though.

I’m curious to see what the pro wrenches think about your method. Unless they suggest not to for some reason I might try this approach when the time comes.

[Jdub]

Welcome to the 'board, and nice car!

Did you perform a Search here on the helper spring? It would have saved you some grief I am sure. It has been some time since I performed this R&R (with the pedal rack and new clutch cable to boot - AMAZING difference in clutch pedal feel) but it was pretty easy on my '78 SC which, but for the hold pin in the shaft, is identical to your setup.

I guess my point is to study the archives and all manuals you can get your hand on. For example, only the Haynes manual clearly shows the need to drive out the hold pin in the shaft to which the helper spring is attached via the interference fit.

John

EDIT: You know, now that I think about it the fact that the clutch cable was not hooked up may have made all the difference. I HIGHLY recommend replacing the cable when you do the helper spring, and do purchase a fresh bush for the trunnion pin at the pedal rack end of the cable (this is a must!).

[Ed Robitaille]

John,

Actually it is rather easy to compress but it is not written up in any manual I've seen???

Install the arm and spring in the uncompressed position. If you look just in front of the arm/spring assembly there is a square block of alum. about 1 1/2" long by 1" high. Place a ball peen hammer handle between the arm and alum. block pry back (carefull the sping is stiff) it will pop into place. Then just follow the adjustment instructions.

[Jeff]

John,

Welcome to the board. What is the name of the shop you had your seats done? Were they reasonable? Where in Phoenix are you?

[AZ1977911]

Hi John,

Good job I'm with CU L8R (John). Who did your seats, and how much? I'm going to do mine later this year, and I'm considering whether to do them myself. My decision will be based on money probably.

TIA
Greg

[CrossT]

I too had difficulty with installation of the helper spring. After assembling on the spindle twice due to doing it backwards the first time [doh!], mounting it on the trans and getting it into position was accomplished with the help of me on one end of a long broom handle and one of the kids to hold it in position on the spring to get the umph to rotate it into position. Probably not the 'kosher' procedure, but it worked.

todd
=-=-=-=-=-
86 cpe

[boyt911sc]

John,
I agree with Ed's remark that it was easy. You need a long screw driver or rod to get leverage and it's done. It's a simple operation. If your having difficulties, you're not doing it right.

I have an engine/trans ready for installation. Let me know if you need some pic for illustration.

[RarlyL8]

I haven’t dropped the motor or tackled a cluck yet, though.



Man, I don't know about you California folks. Midwestern rednecks don't even mess with chickens. Sheep maybe, but poultry? That's just plain sick.

[Chuck Moreland]

It's been awhile since I did the spring. But I do recall it does not require compressing. Seems the trick was getting the lever arm in the right position to start, obviously uncompressed.

Seems like maybe you swing it further than normal range. I'd have to take it apart to figure it out again. But it does work.

That spring is really strong, compressing it could be dangerous.

[DonNewton]

RarlyL8,
SNORT!!! That's f'n funny. . .

[Superman]

You did it the hard way. Install the spring and long arm, then use a huge screwdriver to pry it into tension.