Seventy Nine 911 SC New Project Thread

[koolkozak]

Hey guys, so some of you may already gotten to know me from my previous post, and from the consensus on that thread, im starting a progress thread in hopes of restoring my newly acquired 911 with the help and experience from all of you good people.

So i just bought a red Seventy Nine 911 SC Targa. The car runs, and drives. The only apparent issue is that it is dripping a little bit of oil, more so when it runs for a bit than when not running and cold. There also seems to be a slight clanking noise coming from the engine, not sure if its something serious or if its supposed to make that noise, i will post video later. Other than that, no other major issues noted with the engine compartment.
Other flaws of this car include (1) grinding of the first gear if I try to slip into it too fast, but if I go slowly, it goes in without grinding. (2) the read drivers side shock appears to be shut, as the car is about 1-2 inch lower over that wheel than the passenger side, but i have not gotten a chance to take the wheel off, its only my speculation). (3) Alternator belt is very loose, and cracked along the way, also it looks like it is worn out from the inside of it. (4) paint has many flaws, first of all it has been painted, or touched up unprofessionaly since i can see overspray and running of the paint, also there are many spots where the paint is eaten away and you can see rust, but doesnt seem like it has eaten away through the metal aside from 2 spots, on the inside of the driver door and inside of the passenger door ( I will show pictures later on). Also one of the head lights is out, and from my research here I have H4 bulbs. the taillight covers are cracked (if anyone has any spare ones, i could definitely use them, if not ill be searching ebay). Also there are a couple dents here and there but nothing major that cant be pulled out/patched and sanded.

So thats all i can think of right this second. Definitely a lot of work needed to restore this baby, but i got it for a good deal and will be happy to slowly bring her back to life. I created a channel on youtube and will be uploading videos after this post and posting them here. For the finale, enjoy some pictures of the car...

[koolkozak]

First video... Here I focus on the V belt being loose as well as cracked. You can see me moving the fan but the belt is slipping through and staying in place. This is definitely not normal right? I think that the reason for this is the fact that the inside of the belt (side thats touching the metal) is worn out from friction through out the years. Also my manual states that the size for the belt is 9.5 x 725. Would a 10x725 fit as well, because they have both on PP and the review for the 10 width states that it fits his 79. Here it is...

Alternator belt slipping? (79' 911 SC) - YouTube

[sobamaflyer]

well officially welcome and congrats on the purchase

If you have adjustable rear spring plates the left one may be dropped down. Otherwise you are going to have to take the spring plates off the bars and re-index them.

Just out of curiosity what's with the blacking out of any id'ing marks?

[koolkozak]

ok, i heard that it is adjustable. I will take a look when i take the wheels off.
the blacking out of numbers is just for safety reasons i guess. also the plates in that picture were from the previous owner, and it was before i bought the car so i didnt want to put them out into the interwebs. Dont worry ill be posting more pics from my garage.

[timmy2]

Replace your belt... Get the genuine Porsche belt for $13 there have been some recent threads on problems with other belts and sizes.
This one in green highlight:
Porsche 911 & Carrera Miscellaneous - Page 23

Also, before you order check to see you have all of the tensioning washers, someone may have removed some.

The coupler whisperer should be able to clear up the first gear selection trouble along with all new bushings at the shifter and tunnel...

Check for a broken torsion bar mount for your height problem.

And, Welcome aboard!
Your car is the opposite of mine... Black with red interior...

[Cherry Bomb]

Congrats and welcome aboard! Looks good in pictures and seems to have the right bits as well.

If it has been sitting for a long period of time expect to go through everything at least once. As mentioned in your other post, DO NOT AutoZone your Porsche parts!!! Pelican has it all in Genuine Porsche and/or OEM at very competitive prices. Cry once and do it right. That will be the difference between a country drive or a flatbed ride, lol.

Go for the tuning parts first, i.e.; Oil & filter, fuel & filter, cap-rotor-wires-plugs, valve adjust, check timing, fresh fuel, inspect brake brake lines & related brake system parts!!

Get it running safe & proper, then as you go for a slow neighborhood cruise pay attention to the handling and ride. Most likely your drooping driver rear is a broken T-bar. Expect to overhaul the suspension at some point. It's old, it will be rewarding when the budget allows.

Take your time, do it right, make it yours and ENJOY the ride!

[koolkozak]

Thanks dennis, that was the one I put in my shopping cart, i just didnt know if the 10x725 would fit as well, seeing how it is more than half the price.
So far in my PP shopping cart:
V-belt
Mahle Air filter
Mahle Oil filter
Oil Tank Drain Plug Sealing Ring (x2)
Magnecor Wire Set
Bosch distributor cap

[timmy2]

rotor, Engine sump drain plug washers, high zddp content 20/50 oil,..... and the list will grow!
Better invest in some velcro for the slippery slope!

[koolkozak]

added Bosch ignition rotor and Bosch fuel filter(will check if its the same number as my existing one before check out) and bosch spark plugs Pelican Parts - Product Information: 999-170-170-90-M14 ...are these the preferred ones to use on my car?

[koolkozak]

Im having a field day

[pete3799]

Sump plate gaskets (2 required)
Valve cover gaskets.....you'll want to get in there eventually to check valve adjustment and check for broken head studs.

[sobamaflyer]

Oh the field goes on and on Slippery slope is absolutely right.

Noone will talk you out of catching up on potentially ignored maint. items like those on your current list but aside you really need to take a really good stock of what you have, take a little time to figure out what it is and isn't doing right.

Brakes would be #1, how are your hard and soft lines, what's the fluid look like? Are they pulling one way or another, leaks anywhere?

[koolkozak]

breaks are rough right now. But i havent taken the wheels off yet and inspected them so not sure what the problem is. It doesnt pull to any side but it requires a LOT of pressure for the brake pedal to get a decent grip. and the pedal doesnt depress all the way down, only about an inch or two from starting position.

Is fuel preference specific of this car or will 87 octane do the job? I know i would be putting in 93 in a new bmw or new porsche but since this is a 79, does it require high octane? (sorry for not using search box, im sure this has been asked hundreds of times)

[sobamaflyer]

Caliper rebuild in your near [hopefully] future, soft lines may have failed on the insides (likely crusty on the outside but...)

Premium only! 100% gas (no E85) if you can find it but that's not easy.

[koolkozak]

I believe the highest octane offered at the pumps in my state (CT) is 93. 91 is hard to find. Usually its either 87, 89, or 93.

[koolkozak]

Alternator belt slipping? (79' 911 SC) - YouTube

[koolkozak]

Engine clunking 79' 911 SC - YouTube
you can hear the clunking the best at 00:27-30 seconds

[timmy2]

Your '79 with 8.5:1 compression should run just fine on regular unleaded.... Although many will say not to do it. Most SC's have higher compression than the '78 & '79's do.

First things to get and read are Waynes 101 projects and engine rebuilding book. Spend a few weekends and evenings getting familiar with the books and your new ride.
Then as your list grows, tackle one project at a time.

[Jcslocum]

Originally Posted by koolkozak

Engine clunking 79' 911 SC - YouTube
you can hear the clunking the best at 00:27-30 seconds

Sounds like valve tap to me. Not a deep enough sound to be from the bottom end. A valve adjustment is in order IMO.

Was the engine cold when that vid was taken??

[911SauCy]

Originally Posted by koolkozak

Alternator belt slipping? (79' 911 SC) - YouTube

Belt is slipping because its on backwards, the teeth are supposed to be on the inside.