'66 912 engine rebuild.....

Franco912 · Franco912's Garage

Hey all,

I should be able to keep all of you with extensive knowledge and experience with 912s busy all fall and winter long with questions. My previous background has been with BMWs but I've always loved the original 901 body style since I was a kid.

My questions (this is the first installment) revolve around the engine. I bought a '66 912 about a year ago to begin working on. The body appears pretty solid and the engine starts and runs but now, after its runnning a short while, it begins to smoke in a big way. I call it my "cropduster". Anyway, the car begins to labor a bit ( could be that at least one of the rear calipers is frozen or gets hung up and she drags her feet, so to speak) and smokes pretty good. I'm thinking of the common causes such as rings, valve seals etc. but didn't want to overlook other things such as timing (she will ping pretty good, too, but thats as it labors because of the brake issue...). Any other things to look for before I pull the motor? It was pretty good when I first bought it and suddenly it started the smoking thing. A friend with a repair shop suggested a broken ring(s).

Depending on your answers, how much knowledge do I need to do rings, etc. on this motor?? If I've rebuilt a motor before should it be manageable? The motor I did two years ago (non Porsche) is still running strong!

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Frank

P.S. As an added bonus, I'm not sure what the motor is exactly. It is surely a Porsche motor but it has at least a rear cover with a tach cable coming out of it. That would suggest it is an older motor, which is ok with me, but I need to know some basics in the event I need to order parts. Did I neglect to mention the motor does not have any numbers on it? Is this starting to sound more like a puzzle than a question?

Franco912 · Franco912's Garage

No one likes a challenge?? 56 readers to this post and no notes at all? Anything would be helpful.

Frank

Jerome Ryals · 10-22-2003, 03:52 AM

Frank, if you don't already have one, you may want to get a copy of the '912 Handbook' I think Pelican has them, about $24, you may also want a 356 Porsche Technical Manual - it sounds like you may have an early model 356 engine possibly worth some big bucks, anyway the manuals provide great details, torque settings etc. It sounds like you do need at least a top end rebuild-new rings, valve seats, etc. Good luck.

Morrie · 10-22-2003, 03:17 PM

It's pretty straightforward, at least in the top end... Or so Big D tells me..... We'll see, I plan to drop mine and start taking it apart this weekend.

Morrie

Franco912 · Franco912's Garage

Thanks guys! I was thinking about a "top end" redo over the winter and observe how it goes in the Spring. I really don't want to have to crack open the case if I don't have to.
Jerome: I have the 911 & 912 restoration book (no engine details) and the complete 912 Guide but no 912 Handbook. I'll look it up.
Morrie: Please let me know how it goes with your motor. I know I don't have alot to offer the list at this point because I am newer to Porsche (althought I've had a 944 before)but once I get up to speed I'll pay all back with tips and experiences.

Thanks again.

Frank

Jerome Ryals · 10-23-2003, 05:09 AM

The 912 Handbook I am talking about has an orange cover with a picture of a racer on the front. This manual also includes a full reprint of the original 912 Drivers Manual that came with each car. Mine is well worn, Morrie how are the Texas guys doing, I visit you guys web site, looks good - keep up the P-car spirit.

craign · craign's Garage

I don't know if you can still get them but if you come across any manual by Harry Pellow (The Maestro), grab it.

The printed versions are becoming hard to find and $$ but I think HCP might still be selling engine rebuild videos etc.

Keep and eye on Ebay, the printed versions turn up there somewhat regularly.

http://www.hcpresearch.com/

Craign

Morrie · 10-23-2003, 05:20 AM

Jerome,

We're good! Just picked up 3 new members. About 20 listed on the site and another 20 on mailing list. Keep visiting and always drop me an e-mail if you find a bug, error, misspelling, or have an idea to make it better!

KTF,
Morrie

craign · craign's Garage

jerome,.

Get your butt to the south-central 912 Rendezvous next spring!

C

Hoffman912 · Hoffman912's Garage

craig, dont you mean south east

Morrie · 10-23-2003, 06:47 AM

Harry,

I'd expect a road warrior like you would be able to make Oklahoma from Ohio! JoAnne from the tub club says you're an aspiring 356 owner too and we're trying to get them to co- host and attend also!

A definate do not miss event!

Morrie

Hoffman912 · Hoffman912's Garage

since when were you guys gonna do a roundup in okie? hmm... one or two days drive.. not bad.. when? where about in ok?

dude, you know the trinkles!?!? holy crap! small world! if they are gonna be there.. hmmm... damn.. you guys get me talked into the craziest adventures

first craig gettin me to go to solvang and now you (and im greatful for that too! i wouldnt normally thing of such foolishness!

)

hmmm.. could go to ark, and meet them, the caravan up from there...

Morrie · 10-23-2003, 07:17 AM

JoAnne adopted us down here... Hopefully they'd come over. We're thinking south of OK City on IH 35, exact location TBD but it will be scenic and hopefully rustic. Would be great to meet you Harry!

Morrie

Hoffman912 · Hoffman912's Garage

JoAnne is a sweet heart, and her husband Robert and i have had alot of great conversations, and he helped me with some ideas of how to do my trip. man.. now youve really got me goin, meetin you, troy, bob anderson again, and joanne and robert.. wow, i cant pass that up.

when is it going to be though? if its any time before spring, i cant do it, as the maroon machine will be goin in for a long nap pretty soon, when it turns into the frozen tundra.

craign · craign's Garage

Harry,

Do you have an enlarged version of the "steal your face" logo you are using??

Very cool, would make a very cool decal but I think GD Productions might have a say in that.

C

Morrie · 10-23-2003, 07:25 AM

craign · craign's Garage

Harry,

Very cool "steal your face" logo, do you have an enlarged version you would care to share?

Craig

Morrie · 10-23-2003, 07:28 AM

First weekend in May Harry, the snow is gone by then. No excuse there!

Hoffman912 · Hoffman912's Garage

craig.. i photoshopped it (very badly) from the tiny logo on the registry next to the names of members.

i have this as my rennlist avatar, again photo shopped

if you give me a few mins ill come up with a bigger one with the registry logo

Hoffman912 · Hoffman912's Garage

morrie how about this (craig..you'll love the license plate frame to)