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Semper Fi,
I have not yet reached a final decision on whether to continue using that rear undercladding panel. The reason for consulting with this forum of experienced experts was to gain a general opinion on the subject. I thought it would be old news, already settled...........but the response has been otherwise. In fact, most seem to believe that the shield adds no threat of engine overtemp. That opinion of most current members seems to fly in the face of the firm advise of respected rebuilders, such as Henry Schmidt and Bruce Anderson, both of whom advise removing the item. That expert advise is based not upon such owner issues as indicated oil temp. readings, which may not seem to differ whether the undersheet is on or off, but rather, upon the observation of early/excessive valve guide wear on every one of these series engines they have into...every one! For my money it is best to go with the experience and the advise of a true professional.
Yes, there are other possibilities. For sure, these poor air-cooled cars were finally beat out of existance by government regulation. The requirement for all emission polution to be contained and recirculated through the engine must combine with the extreme temperatures of the cat converter. The combination is a great strain even without the tremendious output of the 3.6 displacement as compared to the 2.0 I started with in the 67 car. Just could be that the last of the "true" 911 cars were already beyond it in terms of cooling. I remind others that Porsche was the very last of the line in this regard. VW backed out in 84 with the four cylinder water boxer.
BUT my fellow members, the professionals have taken all that into their collective thinking, a year or ten before it comes up here for discussion.
I have no intention to abandion the wonderful air cooled Porsche cars, that I came to age with. Just want to cut through the various regulations and give my own 964 the best hope for long life.
I wait the imput from others before a decision, but one thing is sure. The panel will never go out for trash pickup without checking with you,
Semper Fi!
James
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