[Grady Clay]

colinsco,

Ok, Some basics:

Clearly you need new plugs. The #2 is a mess. I wouldn’t do anything about adjusting the valves other than verify that you have clearance until after you do an “Italian tune-up” and check the cranking compression and cylinder leakage.

All the other seem to be normal maintenance and insure everything is correct.

Remember new Schnorr washers and re-torque the CV joint bolts.



One of the real “arts” of owing these age 911s is being able to Remove & Replace (R&R) the engine and transmission quickly and effectively. With the correct tools and equipment and some practice, anyone with a macadam of skill should be able to do this in a day. That includes some serious work like replacing a clutch, fixing oil leaks and even re-gearing the transmission.

For DIY at home the big issue is parts availability. Most of the time you don’t know exactly what you need until you have things disassembled. There are two choices; have everything in stock or wait a day or two and order from Pelican.

There are some things that I think every DIY Pelican should stock. Those are; maintenance parts, tune-up parts, oil leak repair parts, brake maintenance parts and engine-transmission R&R parts. With care almost everything has a shelf life far longer than your 911.

Most of these parts you are going to need sooner or later. Why not have them “in stock” and avoid Priority Air Shipment?

To R&R your engine & trans should be an easy 2-3 hour process. It takes two floor jacks, some jack stands, the correct hand and air tools and the necessary replacement parts. Having available the less usual parts (mostly nuts & bolts) allows you to not be stymied.

For a non-A/C ’65-’89 911, this can be less than 15 minutes removing and an hour installing. Practice, Practice, Practice.

In the fall ’06, John Cramer posted a list for early 911s. The same can be for every year.

Even a rank amateur can accomplish this for the first time in a weekend or two.

Sure, you can adjust valves, torque rockers, torque heads, check cam timing and more with the engine installed. Given how easy it is to remove the drive train and how much better the access is (particularly for DIY amateur), there shouldn’t be a question.

Best,
Grady