Cost to Get a Barn Find Up and Running

[Avanti]

Hi All,

I also posted this on the 912 forum but there is a lot more action here and many of you are familiar with the 356s and 912s. Thanks in advance for your input!

Hi All

Hoping to add a 912 to my garage. Now Looking at a 69 912 that has not been driven for a while and in a garage. Plates are 5 years expired so it’s been off the road for at least that long. Asking the Brain Trust’s opinion the cost to send to a Porsche specialist shop to get it going. There are no records but the seller says it’s an older 20 year or so restoration. From my experience, it will need: - Estimates are for parts and labor.

> Fuel tank drained and cleaned - $500
> Fuel pump replaced - $200 (possible ruptured diaphragm)
> Carbs rebuilt - $900
> Oil and trans fluid changed - $250
> Full tune up - plugs, points, adjustments - $350
> Adjust valves - $300
> Air and fuel filters - $100
> New battery - $200
> 4 Tires - $600
> Brakes - Replace master cylinder, rebuild or replace calipers and replace rubber hoses - $1000
> Misc Electrical, - $500

Am I forgetting anything? Looks like around 5k. Thoughts if my estimates are too high or low? Been a while since I paid to have work done.

[Steve F]

A few comments, not to be judgemental..... $300 to adjust valves seems a little tall for a 15 minute job.
A new gas tank is around $300, unless you really want the original.
There are no wheel cylinders on a 912, just calipers.

Good luck!

[EC900]

Add 20-30% if the shop is 20-30 miles of a major metro area….flat $200 hr and not prorated for a 15 min job.
My recent 6 cyl valve adjustment & new gaskets on was $350, just trans and engine oil and filter, gasket was $600 range, disposal fees included. That’s a nice down payment on a 2 post lift for next years DYI oil service and brakes.

[Avanti]

Good point on the shop location and higher rates. Thanks for the replies.

[AG81]

Questioning where you got your cost to rebuild carbs. I've been quoted much more by reputable
weber rebuilders. I thought the cost so high that I just recently bought new PMO's.

[Avanti]

@AG81 - This is why I asked.

I'm just going from years ago experience. What's the going rate to rebuild carburetors today? Off the car or RnR plus balancing?

@Steve F - I was also looking at a 356C too so there were rear wheel cylinders. Does anyone charge .25 hours for a single job? I would think 1hr. is the minimum hourly labor charge.

My estimate$ were parts and labor and I updated my question to say this.

[doswald]

Avanti, why was it parked? Your list doesn’t include any mechanical repairs that may be necessary.

dho

[AG81]

Originally Posted by Avanti

@AG81 - This is why I asked.

I'm just going from years ago experience. What's the going rate to rebuild carburetors today? Off the car or RnR plus balancing?

I was quoted $3,500 off the car. The cores are worth about $2,500. The wait is about 18 months. Granted the carbs I acquired were in poor shape but running on a 2.7 that needed everything. With that information I opted for new PMO's.

[isby]

Your numbers seem very light to me, especially (as someone else mentioned) if you’re in a major metro area. Here in S. Florida, my guess is that you’d need to at least double them.

[Showdown]

In Chicago, you’d be double if not triple that for half if not less than that amount of work.

[deckard]

if you want a better idea as to how much it will cost you go out and get three different estimates.
then add them up.

[Flat6pac]

I possess most of 912 carbs and some other parts.

60’s 912 carbs, air cleaner, kits
Got pictures here on “for sale”
Bruce

[Avanti]

Thanks so much for the replies and suggestions and source for carbs. This is very helpful! Like I mentioned, I haven't paid anyone to work on a P-Car recently and I had the feeling my numbers were light.

@doswald - Why it was parked, the family just says it was owner age related.

No keys, but is in good shape overall cosmetically. Glass out respray 20 years ago, but with a color change in a correct for the year Porsche color. Motor is not frozen. Zero rust. only signs of one minor body repair. Its a "pig in a poke" from an engine/trans perspective but my gut says (fingers crossed) it will not need major mechanicals. I'm seeing similar condition "sorted" and running driver quality 912s sell for the $50k neighborhood give or take.

I'm speaking to the family and it looks like $20-25k is the number we are talking about. Some say too high. Others say too low. There are other variables that I won't be able to confirm without a more thorough inspection which is not possible due to access and family.

Thoughts on sale price?

[AG81]

Avanti,

I would take as much precaution as possible. You know the situation better than we do. I can just say that I have rebuilt a few of these cars and I always get surprised by something not anticipated.
I am going thru this with my current build. I didn't anticipate dropping the motor again after initial install..... but here I am.

[mepstein]

A shop can give you some rough estimates but we would work on time and materials. Who knows what you will find on an old car that hasn’t been run in a while. Until you get into it, it’s all a guess. Best bet is to find a trusted mechanic and let them do their job.

[Avanti]

@ag81 and mepstein - sage advice. Thank you!