1969 912 comments please

[FenderGuy]

In my quest to find a 912e I ran across this car. First of all let me say i am just looking for a daily driver to and from work not looking to mod anything maybe put a ducktail on and carrera script and thats it. But what should I look for in these older cars?

1969 PORSCHE 912, 1969 Porsche 912 with many upgrades including an upgraded to a VW 1914cc motor, professionally installed. H4 headlights aftermarket cloth sport seats, retracting seat belts alternator and cookie cutter wheels off of a later 911. The car is painted with a 3 stage paint pearlesent metalic grey and comes with records dating back to its origional invoice

has some Body rust, 1. behind rear window, passenger side. 2. lower corner of windshield. 3. right front fender

[FenderGuy]

More info from the owner



the overall condition of the car is real good, the heater does not work, but I have installed new heater cables, eventually I had planned on switching to a Weber linkage for the carbs, and then adding a VW doghouse oil cooler with shroud, but right now its got the original 912 shroud that does not have the air outlets for the heater system. the engine was build new in the early 90's or possibly late 80's in a baja with really low milage, when I recieved it, 3 of the 4 cylinders looked new with the 4th having been scraped by a wrist pin that came loose, so in 2002 it recieved a top end rebuild with new pistons and I think the heads had a valve job. the only other problem I can think about is the passenger side door has two screws broken off in the striker plate inside the door, which needs to be replaced or have the screws extracted. this causes the door to open 9 times out of 10 only from the inside. I havent really calculated milage recently but I think it gets about 215 miles per tank. depends on how and where you drive it I'm sure. ussually when I take it to school it gets worse milage from a steep grade. but its not much worse since the conversion.

[Eli K]

Think twice before you get a '76. there are other great years with a true 356 motor. Have you driven it yet?

[FenderGuy]

Originally posted by Siberian
Think twice before you get a '76. there are other great years with a true 356 motor. Have you driven it yet?

I have been thinking for years now so yeah I know about the 76 911 body but 2.0 engine. The true 356 model is money when it comes to rebuilding almost as much as a 911 rebuild and parts are getting rare. Car is in San Diego so I cant drive it

[Eli K]

I meant the 356 engine. Earlier 912s had them. I'd post this in the "for sale" section may solicit more responses. Pretty dead on the 912 board

[FenderGuy]

Originally posted by Siberian
I meant the 356 engine. Earlier 912s had them. I'd post this in the "for sale" section may solicit more responses. Pretty dead on the 912 board

yeah friend has a 356 speedster it drove good but paid money for the rebuild besides i am looking for a daily driver a 912 with a vw would be more reliable

[Griznant]

Well, if that thing has been driven extensively I can tell you that the engine probably isn't worth a crap. People don't seem to realize that VW and Porsche really knew what they were doing when they SEALED THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT! Having the engine tins in place is absolutely NECESSARY for an aircooled engine. That thing is just dumping hot air out the bottom of the engine and then promptly sucking it back in to the cooling fan and carbs through the big open space between the engine and the back of the car that SHOULD BE SEALED! I cannot stress this enough, and yet I see so many people who do this. If it was in a Baja or a buggy, that would be different since there would be no bodywork to trap any hot air. In a full-bodied car, you need to seal the space between the top of the engine and the bottom so that the cooling fan and carbs are always receiving cool air through the decklid vent.

The VW engine makes it kind of a bastard, but if it was built right it'd be OK. The problem is that it's probably running a stock crank and rods with bigger pistons on it. Who knows what the cam/compression/etc. is on this thing so it could be a complete pig. For a "daily driver" these are not the cars to buy unless you have a back-up. They can be reliable, but they are old, and things will break and take time to buy (mail order).

As for an "upgraded VW engine", that is B.S. The stock 356 engines were good runners, if a little low on torque. The VW motor with a questionable history as a Baja engine, and not knowing the internals or components that went into the build, I'd be hesitant to even consider the engine as anything but a running core.

Sorry to be negative, but that engine SCARES me. Nice wiring job, and the vent tube that is crushing the right aircleaner makes me question the "quality" of this work. Yikes!

Later,

G

[FenderGuy]

Originally posted by Griznant
Sorry to be negative, but that engine SCARES me. Nice wiring job, and the vent tube that is crushing the right aircleaner makes me question the "quality" of this work. Yikes!

Later,

G

no problem thats why i post to get comments like yours honest and real i already passed on the car after i got email stating the car leaks oil and other things

[Big D]

I bought parts from his 912 motor and he shipped a cyl head and flywheel together. Damage cost me more than I paid. Once he got money by payal he could have cared less. Provided no shipping info so I had to eat repare cost. Would not deal with this lowlife. My 2 cents DG

[bmwloco]

All I can add is AMEN to Griznant post SEAL THE ENGINE!

An unsealed engine compartment is a recipe for disaster.

Don't walk. RUN

[FenderGuy]

I never even replied back to the guy so i guess i didnt run i did it he lasy way I ignored