912 opprotunity

[kbruz]

I found a 69 coupe for sale this past weekend. Looks like it is in good shape but I have not gotten a chance to look at it in detail or have it checked out. The price is right and the 912 would be a good car to add to my 86 carrera.

The problem is that I know very little about the 69 912. Are there any key issues that I should look for (other then rust). Are parts hard to get? Typically as expensive as 911 parts?

[Etrompke]

Anything that comes from Porsche is a bit expensive, and the 912 body parts are in fact 911 parts. So, wiper motors run nearly $300. But the engines are easy to maintain, compared to the 911, and they are mure fun to work on. Order the Stoddard and Performance Parts catalogues with price list for old 911 and 912 (one catalogue for both). Buy the Richard Lovell manual "porsche 912" at either place.

The usual things to look for are (1) uneven compression. (Adjust valves- if not done every 3,000 miles they burn, but it only takes 20 minutes.) (2) bad oil pressure (no pressure gauge like the 911). (3) miles on engine since rebuild. Usually 110,000 is the limit, but some only go 60,000. (4) transmission grinds, but they are all a bit tricky. (5) body damage, doors or hood don't fit correctly. Can be very expensive or difficult to fix yourself.

[pl69911]

Ditto on what the last guy said. If you are interested in hopping up the little 4 cyc. Get Duane Spencer's book before you buy the car.. 120-125 with no reliablity problems is all you'll get out of it. I have much more fun working on the 912 cause I can handle most of what it needs.. The 69 is a good 912 choice because most everything is 911 on it.. The electrical stuff can be confusing cause you need two diagrams for it.. but its still easy to figure out....