On a stupid cold SAT morning, my brilliant and beautiful wife supported the Carrera pickup. Everything went surprisingly smooth, and the car is home and tucked up in the garage. The drive home was a good time to hear all of the gremlins in my head, but I had a huge smile on my face.
To be sure there are things to do - the car is back on the road after a long storage period. As noted earlier, all new brake components, all new oil lines, major service, fuel filters and pump, cleaned fuel tank, new LED headlights. In no particular order, my initial efforts will be:
- #1 Fuel Safety - track down source of fuel smell - there are no obvious leaks, so may lead turn and replace the engine fuel lines with Len Cummings set up. My wife reminded me this is why I bought the car - so I plan to make the decision and order the parts. Of course this will require removing the heater blower and air box, and likely the intakes. I am reading as much as I can and cannot believe the gap in detailed photos of those processes. I have no doubt I can get everything off, and "most" of it back on...
. I know there are some wicked smart and experienced calm voices of reason there. I do not want to drop the motor - yet. But I will get there.
I will do some "while you are in there" items and take both intakes off. New intake gaskets and intermediate flanges, intake manifold sleeve, oil pressure switch and seals, oil thermostat o rings, cranks breaker and cover gasket. Also plan on replacing some of the hoses in the fuel tank filler and expansion tank connections as well as the fuel pump check valve.
Question 1 - Am I missing anything there?
Question 2 - the engine is dirty, which is on my to do list in the coming weeks once it warms up and I start taking things off for access - but
WHAT IS THIS CONNECTOR TO? Driver side near the sensors connections and O2 sensor - it almost looks like an injector connector?
- #2 Ride height adjustment - the work done in the past 6 months included new Bilstiens all around and a front drivers side control arm. I suspect they did nothing with adjusting the ride height, and when may have sent the car for alignment that ended up with an inch higher on the passenger side, front and back. Also need to address ride height - somewhere between US and Euro makes sense to me. Currently, floor to fender lip - L front 25 3/4", R front 26 3/8", L rear 25 5/8" and R rear 26 3/4". This is something I want to learn to do, and welcome input as well as "whatever you do, don't do.." notes.
- #3 Along with #1 - need to address engine compartment and drivetrain cleanliness. So will clean the intakes and air box etc, groom the heater box and replace the oil restrictor hose
- #4 MISC near term - steering wheel support bearing, shift pushing replacement, various interior small trim parts, repaint targa bar and make some paint chip touch up repairs. Minor cosmetics interior wear items. Figure out the washer bottle and nozzles...which of course don't work - fix contact points on interior light, replace all gage lights
These are near term - them want to just drive for some time and see how she settles in.
Mid-Long term higher $$ items include
- AC update with Griffiths or Retro
- install Porsche classic system and new speakers
- when we get to it - refresh gear box and clutch - when the engine is out, will bit bite the bullet and replace tunnel fuel lines.
- Paint correction and minor resprays to address chips and clear issues in a couple places.
- Replace carpets and other interior
I am hesitant to drive a lot until I sort the fuel, and will likely get an opinion from a local mech who does 911s near our facility.
Equal parts excitement, and anxiety.
Chris