This will be long winded as I've crossed over into a new phase with my '79 930.
The car has been driven minimally since my daughter was born in 2000. Very minimally in the last 10 years especially. I'm a computer engineer/technologist by trade. My first real project was titled Project Freiberg a few years ago where i set out to fix all my oil leaks mainly related to oil return tubes. I ended up learning to use a Mapp torch laying sideways under my car to aid in nut removal.
I still barely drove the car as it needed more attention requiring funding not as readily available as once upon a time. Last year I again spent some cash buying a European exhaust to replace the thermal reactors and paying to have it installed, new tires (old ones were dry rotted) and getting the suspension dialed in and corner balanced. The day I was to pickup the car they noticed a washer and diagnosed it as a broken head stud. I had never heard of that problem at that time but I knew it was not good. Upon researching and learning the cost I threw up my arms in frustration and again parked the car. I then went through the ignore it phase and then the anger phase.
I've been looking for ways to start the project realizing I don't have the funding to pay someone. Hence the new phase. I have to learn how to fix my car. If that means I need to learn how to replace head studs then so be it. Luckily a friend and customer offered to help me remove my motor. And the first phase of Project Krankenwagen requires engine removal.
My dad flew out from MD for Thanksgiving so I scheduled with my friend to get the car to his shop (they are a generator sales and service shop) and remove the motor the saturday before Thanksgiving. My friend has removed many motors but never a Porsche motor. No big deal, I have the 101 projects book and a few friends on these boards who have experience in these things. And, I've got my dad here to make it fun!
Friday night my dad and I picked up the rented trailer from uHaul and got the car secured onto the trailer. It's amazing that I discounted this as just part of the process but in reality its not fun or easy. I've never driven a trailer, secured a car, etc etc. We used my wife's Denali to tow the car. This part scared me once I thought about what I was doing. I was stressed that we didn't secure it properly and the car would pass me on the freeway. The wheels have to be completely forward on the trailer and required wood shims as the car is very low. The netting and straps used to secure the front wheels are not a good setup and I never felt good about this process. One came completely loose during the drive. After a stop at one of the few CA Dunkin Donuts at 5a to fuel and check straps we set out on the 1.5 hour drive on Sat morning. We made it to the shop at 7a unloaded and got her up on the lift.
We began engine removal around 8 and had everything disconnected by noon or so we thought. My friend was convinced we could remove the engine and transmission without removing the rear sway bar. This was not possible and caused us some extra work during the removal process. Using a forklift we were able to slowly and gently remove the engine and transmission once we removed the sway bar. Engine was out of the car by 1p.
I used a checklist from Infrared Calvin aka Pat to keep track of everything. I also referenced the 101 projects book on a number of occasions. I've read many times how in hindsight the removal is pretty simple. Personally I don't think there was anything simple about it. In hindsight it was challenging and had I done it on my own in my garage it would have taken a very long time. My friend and dad were extremely helpful in the process.
Now I had a car and motor separated from one another. Her guts sitting on a pallet and me staring at a project way outside of my comfort zone.
We loaded her back onto the trailer to get her home sans the motor which would stay at their shop for a few more days. We got the trailer back in time to only pay a single day. $55/day plus insurance of $18/day. Since they screwed up my reservation I was given a $50 credit. $22 spent for the trailer. But, a scary experience. I'm going to look at other options when the car goes back for reinstallation.
More to come in another post. We've since made more progress but tonight is the first night I've had time to get this thread going. There are so many details to this experience its hard to remember everything. I'm sure for many of you this is all normal stuff but it seems like every part of this project offers challenges and potential for problems if not catastrophe. Especially for a guy doing all of this for the first time!
More pics:
