Engine drop "party" in the spring
 

Hey all, is anybody interested in a weekend of grease, grime, beer and relaxation in the woods near lake Huron? :)

I need to drop my engine to crack open the transmission and fix a leak, plus repair any damage I might find while I'm in there, and I'm going to need a few hands to help, especially if those hands have been involved in dropping an engine and tranny before!

I'm not looking to do this until March, partly because temperatures will be a bit warmer (though the garage will be heated) and partly because I just won't have time to do it until then. I also need to do it soon enough that I've got time to diagnose the transmission, order parts, fix it and get everything back together in time for the driving season. But I figured I'd post it now to see who's interested and available, then hammer out exact dates closer to the time.

The old girl just went away yesterday for the winter at my folks' cottage just outside Grand Bend, on Lake Huron. It's about 45 minutes north of London, 2 1/2 hours west of Toronto. I'll have all the tools required, so no need to bring anything. This would of course be on a weekend, and there's room to sleep 8 people (though much of that is double beds, but hey, we're all friends :) ) plus a few couches. And of course all meals will be provided, lots of beer (or whatever your beverage of choice may be). Figure drive Friday night or Saturday morning, get the engine out Sat. afternoon, then drive home Sunday. (is that too optimistic?)

Interest now doesn't mean commitment then - I just want to get an idea if anyone wants to come.

Thanks!
Chris

Hey Chris,

What kind of beer were you thinking?

I'm interested, but I don't know what my schedule will be like. I'd definitely like to lend a helping hand. I dropped the motor in my 87 on my own, but I'm by no means an authority in any way whatsoever. Also I broke some things... breaking ones own car due to inexperience is one thing...

Cool! Well, that you're interested - not the breaking things :)

As to beer, name your poison!

I'll try to pick a weekend that works for as many people as possible.

Thanks!

Hey Chris, I'd definitely be willing to make it if my schedule allows, which it should. I haven't broke anything...yet....Corona is my poison, but Rich says I slow down a lot once the beer comes out, so maybe I should layoff till the job is done...

Speed isn't the main thing, it's getting it done right. Of course, beer can often make that challenging too!

Do you think Rich will be ready to return my "how to take apart a 911 engine" book by next march?

LOL

Does he still have that? The car is done, so he should have gotten it back to you. Unfortunately he is in Asia for an undetermined period of time, I would guess two months. What a guy.

Thinking of that, Chris you want to get the car done before Rich can offer to "help". Just take my word for that, ok?

I could probably assist a bit...
 

My name is Mike and I'm in Hamilton too. I'm fairly familiar with removing things safely from these 911 cars. I have some tools you might find usefull... I have a factory engine stand that you can use to mount the tranny while fixing it... I'm not planning any engine work during that time so it'll be available.

My family had a cottage in Port Franks up until about 5 years ago, so I'm fairly familiar with the area too.

Juat drop me a line when the time gets closer.

Later...Mike

Ha! I'm overseas for the next few months but if you (James) need it, Steve can steal it from the garage. Looking forward to helping out with the drop-- I should be back in town by then! Chris, I have the two LARGE wrenches (around 36" and 40") needed to remove the 72-specific hard oil line. You should start on the oil line before you have everyone out there or we will spend most of our time sitting around drinking-- which doesn't sound too too bad, but I would also like to see your engine out.

Steve, I'll try calling you again later today.....

Too late! Hide your tools! Hide your tools!

Well I'm well experienced in the 944's and have given some rebuild work to a few other Pelicanit's in the area. I should be around. I have a cottage in Amberley just up the lake.

Pick a date later and I'll come up. I'm interested in doing some 911 work as it's my next project. Frequently rebuilt my VW engine for dirt racing. Similar design. Should be fun.

Paul

Hey guys, thanks for all the interest so far!

Richard, thanks for the tip about the hard oil line. I'll pick those wrenches up sometime either from you, or just buy them.

I'll peg down a date sometime in February, most likely.

I just bumped the rennlist thread, so I'll do the same here. How's everybody's March shaping up? I'm thinking of doing this the weekend of Mar. 15/16.

There's been a bit more action on rennlist and it looks like the 15/16 weekend doesn't work for a lot of people. How about next weekend, mar. 8/9?

Were about are you, outside Grand Bend. I assume E. off 21? How far from Amberley.

We're in Huron Woods, south of Grand Bend, lake-side of 21. It's between Southcott Pines and the Pinery.

Ok, from a great list I found on Pelican, here's the list of what I don't have and/or what I'd rather not have to buy (there's a bunch of small stuff I'll buy - oversize wrenches and sockets, etc.)

small med and large torque wrenches
oil seal picker - what's this?
circlip pliers - what's this?
2 furniture dollies

The "ideally" list includes:
air compressor, impact gun, impact sockets, a set of 39 piece Sears tap and die set, various picks, magnets.

So Jim, looks like your air compressor and assorted tools would be very handy. Not sure what the tap and die set is for - maybe in case something breaks or gets stripped?

Can everyone who wants to come please pm me so I can assemble a list and send out directions?

Thanks!

An oil seal picker is like the tool the dentist uses to pick at your teeth.

Circlip pliers are pliers that have small pins on the end to open (or close) circlips.

Both are cheap and both are sold at Princess Auto. Even the cheap Princess Auto torque wrenches seem to be okay.

I thought circlips just came off with fingernails! :)

So is this weekend not a great date? I've so far only got one confirmation.

Too far for me, Hamilton I could do, half-way to Wawa is too far. :)