Impulse bought a 912 -- need some basic questions answered

[david05111]

Hey gents-

Recently picked up a '68 912 on impulse. Thought it was a good buy. It's a very solid car, cosmetically and mechanically.

I've owned a 911 SC for some time now and am used to how the CIS system works. But I have zero knowledge about the 912 ignition system, Porsche carbs, etc.

I bought the car at auction and I'm supposed to pick it up in a few days. The seller and the auction house have left the car at a secure location and I'll pick up the keys along the way. By the time I've gotten to it, the car will have sat for about a week.

The first question I have is: how do I start it safely? My gut tells me to try and turn it over a few times to build some oil pressure first. Then pump the gas a few times and try to turn it over again. Repeat as necessary. It doesn't have an electric fuel pump or priming mechanism, AFAIK. I haven't really contemplated trying to prime the carbs with gas or starter fluid, though if that's the recommended procedure, I suppose I could work that out.

I think it has a hand throttle, and frankly I have no idea how it fits into all this. My guess is that once you get the engine running, you should set the hand throttle to hold the RPMs at like 1500-2000 for a time, then discontinue it's use. But I'm not sure.

Can anyone give me a crash course? I'm guessing that once it's been running, starting won't be an issue if I drive or start it every few days. As it will be a true cold start first time for me, I just want to make sure I know what I'm doing with it.

Thanks

[callard]

Hopefully, you have seen that the engine runs before you go pick it up. BTW there is no hand throttle on a 912 like later versions of the 911. If the car sat for a week or so since it last ran, the fuel in the Solex carbs has probably evaporated. The fuel pump is activated by a push rod while the engine is cranking so it will take a while to pump fuel into the carb bodies. Crank for about a minute (this will also turn off your low oil pressure light) and then let the starter cool for a few minutes. Crank it again for 30 seconds or so while pumping the gas pedal. Once the carb bodies get some fuel in them, the pumping on the gas pedal should start fuel coming from the accelerator pumps and squirting down the carb throats.
Assuming you have a spark, you should hear the engine starting to fire up when the raw fuel gets to the cylinders. Since Solex carbs have no chokes you will have to do a bit more liberal pumping on the gas pedal to get the engine to rev and run of all 4 cylinders. Several minutes of 1000 plus RPM and the engine should start idling better while it warms up.
As a short cut in case the engine has run recently, you only need to pump the gas pedal several times while cranking it and it should get smooth quickly.

[david05111]

Originally Posted by callard

Hopefully, you have seen that the engine runs before you go pick it up. BTW there is no hand throttle on a 912 like later versions of the 911. If the car sat for a week or so since it last ran, the fuel in the Solex carbs has probably evaporated. The fuel pump is activated by a push rod while the engine is cranking so it will take a while to pump fuel into the carb bodies. Crank for about a minute (this will also turn off your low oil pressure light) and then let the starter cool for a few minutes. Crank it again for 30 seconds or so while pumping the gas pedal. Once the carb bodies get some fuel in them, the pumping on the gas pedal should start fuel coming from the accelerator pumps and squirting down the carb throats.
Assuming you have a spark, you should hear the engine starting to fire up when the raw fuel gets to the cylinders. Since Solex carbs have no chokes you will have to do a bit more liberal pumping on the gas pedal to get the engine to rev and run of all 4 cylinders. Several minutes of 1000 plus RPM and the engine should start idling better while it warms up.
As a short cut in case the engine has run recently, you only need to pump the gas pedal several times while cranking it and it should get smooth quickly.

Thanks, this is perfect.

I saw the car run and drive a few times before buying it. I had an emergency and had to leave town the day after the auction, so I couldn't grab the car. But I was there in the room when the hammer fell for it.

Now I have a pretty decent idea how to handle it. I'm going to try and pick it up Monday.

[MrArt2u]

David, I’m curious how it all worked out with your impulse auction purchase? Are you enjoying it, compared to you6 911SC? Any unexpected surprises? I also impulse bought a 912 and am finding surprises daily (and I *knew* it had been parked for a loooong time ;-) )
Cheers,
Art.