First P Car Advice Needed - 66 912

[nicholasjcraig]

I need someone (or a knowledgable group of ppl) to advise me on what they believe are the important/key items I should stock up on after a first P car purchase.

I've been stalking the pelican for sale forums for a while, looking for a longhood. I finally pulled the trigger and bought a rust free, matching numbers 66 912 from California. I'm importing it to Australia and have the opportunity to fill it with goodies from the US (thereby saving shipping costs for the individual items).

Anyway - cheers and thanks in advance to those that help me out.


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[Kaizer]

Congrats on your purchase!

To be honest, without seeing the present state of the car or the motor it's difficult to recommend anything.

There could be a plethora of parts you may or may not need.

What are your plans with the car?

Are you looking to restore? track? resto-custom? daily? etc. ?

[bobsven]

If you were able to purchase a rust free then you really have a winner. If the body is in great shape then you will not need to purchase any metal parts. We have not needed to purchase any metal parts in almost 15 years of ownership.

If the motor has been checked out by professionals and they say that compression and all is well. Then all you will need is a complete compliment of travel spares.

While I carry a spare generator you might want to purchase an Alternator and the Kit to convert your car to a more modern alternator. This will eliminate the need to replace your regulator which had to do on a long distance trip.

I suggest that you check out the 912bbs.org forum which has a number posts discussing all of the spare parts that we should carry with us on long trips. You also can find information on converting to an Alternator.

Congratulations and good luck with the transportation. Regards, Bob Anderson

[nicholasjcraig]

Thanks mate.

here's the link to the ebay item (I didn't pay what they wanted!) with some photos:
http://pages.ebay.com/link/?nav=item.view&alt=web&id=171684051324

I've had an independent inspection done that hightlighted paint issues (I'll be having others look at that) and some intermittent electrical issues with lights flashing for no reason. I have about 100 odd other photo's too.

I want to keep it as simple and original as possible and use it as a daily driver.

Is there any porsche specific tools or workshop manuals I should invest in? Gasket kits?

N


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[Kaizer]

She's a beaut!

Check the smugglers box - I found two full tool kits in mine.

That may get you the tools you need.

[Jaems]

It has original interior wood paneling on the dashboard,

The 912 had brushed aluminum on the dash. The wood trim was used on the 65-66 911.

Too bad there were not more pictures. We could tell you what else may have been changed. Since you want to keep it original, most changes can be reversed.

I did find some more pictures of the car, the exterior looks great. However, by the look of the rust in the engine compartment. It has been out in the weather. Being from Venice California, it is right by the beach. I would make sure there is no hidden rust from the salt air, that might of been covered up.

The carpets were originally rubber mats. The seats look to be the GTS period Italian leather seats. They are much better and more comfortable than the original factory 912 seats. You will appreciate them after driving the car for several hours. The steering wheel is not original, neither are the carburetors and air cleaners. The rusty cap on the oil tank should be replaced. Maybe even the oil tank. They can become rusty inside if the car has been sitting for very long.

The pictures didn't show the front trunk area. However, you need to check under the battery for any rust. The front suspension connect there and will be weak if there is any rust. The problem with sitting next to the a ocean doesn't make it rust free California car.

[WFBowen]

If you're going to a mostly original look the heavier/bulkier parts to put in the car might include a set of 4.5x15 steel wheels/hubcaps; original steering wheel; seats (?) and a spare cyl. head, generator (or alternator kit).
Nice car - good luck.
Bill

[Kaizer]

Are the gauges supposed to be white vs green or is that a car by car variant?

[Jaems]

The gauges are green/black until 68. However, the Vin# makes this one a 66. It was also originally a three gauge dash. 65-66 had a three gauge or a five gauge dash with the ambient and clock. So someone along the line added a clock and made it a four gauge dash. He has only have to find a ambient gauge to be a five gauge dash.

[nicholasjcraig]

Thanks guys.

I'm interested to know more about the generator/regulator vs alternator kit - am I right in assuming the generator/regulator combination have a higher failure rate than the new alternators? Does anyone notice an appreciable difference in performance jump in say, headlights, since they've installed an alternator kit?

Bill - why do you recommend a spare cyl head? Is it something that has a reputation for having issues?

I think I'll keep what I have installed (steering wheel/seats/carbs/wheels) until I'm comfortable with the car - I guessed they weren't original when I committed to the buy. It also saves me overinvesting too early in something that may need more attention elsewhere to keep it running... Been there before with my first 4x4 and still have spares in the garage!

Just signed up to 912bbs - I'll start trawling through for a spare parts list.

If anyone is willing to offer up a spare tool kit at a hugely discounted rate, maybe they found it in a recent purchase... :-), I'm listening!

Cheers again.

N


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[WFBowen]

My recommentation of a spare cyl head is only because that is something that you might not have access to in Australia and, if needed, is one of the heavier parts that would keep the car off of the road. Also, if you're here in the U.S., you'd have an opportunity to see the part's condition firsthand - (there are a lot of used heads where the Ebay photos don't pickup the hairline cracks.)
To me the alternator kit just makes sense - you get a modern charging system, greater dependability and easy alternator replacement (Bosch VW) virtually anywhere in the world. The small Porsche 12v could then be 'plastic-bagged' should someone want absolute originality in the future.
Bill

[Jaems]

The alternator kit, I believe, is no longer available. It required a larger stand for the alternator. The folks at Parts Obsolete had these made. But they never had any more of the made. Once they were sold out.

The alternator is much better than the original generator. The generator did not produce enough current to run modern lights (H1), fogs, and etc. and stereo systems. The generator light would always be on with lower RPMs. The larger generator for the 69 912 was a little better. It also required a larger stand. Those stands can be found if you want the larger generator.

If you can find a alternator kit that would be the best.



This is one of the Parts Obsolete Alternator Kits. The oil tank attaches like on the small generator stands.

[nicholasjcraig]

Excellent. Thanks guys.

Does the oil filter need to be replaced when you install the new alternator?

I've located a couple of places that sell an alternator kit, as well as a number of places in Australia that sell the Type 1 alternators.

Bill - I'll look into the spare head thing, but as I'm not in the US at the moment, I fear you may be right and that'll it'll be a serious gamble to buy online with first seeing it in the flesh.

I will need to upgrade the headlight sealed units (at least) to drive at night here - Is there any recommendations on replacement manufacturers? I want to do the something similar to Kaizer and keep everything as reversable as possible.

Has anyone upgraded their fuse box to incorporate relays for headlights? Curious to know how this may have been done - what boxes etc were used.

I've also got to rebuild/fix a broken drivers side lock barrel (apparently the key broke off in it) - Is it easier to fix one barrel, or replace all the barrels?

Cheers,
N


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[nicholasjcraig]

Just placed the order for the alternator kit and headlight relay kit from Zims. Turns out its cheaper to send direct to Aus than to import it with the car (taxes etc). Happy about that.

Thanks to those guys (or gals?) that posted their 2c worth. It's appreciated.

Still open to any further comments or advice :-)

N