Spare parts to have in the car?

[Porsche-poor]

I know use the search engine but it hates me.

What I am wondering is this. Does someone have a list of parts and tools to carry in the car? It is a 79SC

I have a spare fan belt and clutch cable with tools required for road side assembly.

What else might there be?

Thanks.

[kidrock]

I would definitely include a fan pulley tool and some screwdrivers. I also carry metric allen heads, some miscellaneous wrenches and a handful of other stuff.

It's only limited by your imagination and/or mechanical abilities.

Some may choose to carry very little due to weight concerns. An AAA card is about the lightest "tool kit" in your arsenal.

[James Brown]

it's kind of like a winch. When I got stuck a lot I got a winch for the 4x4, never got stuck again. So I have a enough tools and parts to do just about everything, never had any failures on the road. Paranoid? yes. But equipped

[RWebb]

several threads on this:

[Grady Clay]

Randy,

Please re-do the list as links.
Use the 'Quote Function' I think.

Best,
Grady

[Porsche-poor]

Perfect thanks guys!

[Grady Clay]

David,

The first category is cell phone, AAA-Plus card and credit card (some cash also helps). A hand GPS, 5W CB radio and a weather radio can also be helpful. Be sure to have recharge cables for the cigarette lighter.

Also useful is the ability to call or link to Pelican Forum.

Carrying tools and spares for a 911 is an art. The key is carrying the right tools and parts.

New spare parts have a much shorter ‘shelf life’ traveling in a 911 compared to sitting in your heated, A/C garage. Over time, they become expendable. Keep this in mind for expensive parts. Some tools need protective cases or packaging.

The choice of what to take depends on where you travel, how unreliable you feel your 911 is, how determined you are to ‘press on regardless’, your mechanical skills and a myriad of other factors. There is one truism: You can’t take everything.

A great deal of ‘what to take’ can be reduced or eliminated by having your 911 in excellent mechanical condition. This means top flight maintenance – not replacing service items as they fail. Maintenance is, by definition, replacing service parts before the get too close to the end of their expected life.

Lets consider several possible scenarios:

Roadside problems;
Flat tire, engine or car noise, misfire, wipers quit, lights go out or the 911 just stops – things that force you to stop and deal with the issue right now. The goal is to be able to fix it and continue on your way. In some cases you may be able to limp to the nearest stop. Some you may need a flatbed tow to the nearest shop. Diagnosis is important.

Won’t restart:
This is common when you stop for gas or a quick meal. It is usually an overheated old starter/solenoid. It can be other – fuel pump, CDI, switch, etc. The key is diagnosis.

Won’t start in the morning cold:
Commonly battery connections or something left on. Again the key is diagnosis. With the multimeter and jumper cables, you can repair and be on your way quickly.

Develop a noise and drop a cylinder while driving:
This can be serious or something simple. The key is to find out which. Some conditions, you should not even crank the engine. Other can be a cracked plug connector came off the sparkplug.

Whatever the issue, you need to determine if you can fix it, need to tow somewhere or organize your 911 hauled home and rent something to continue on your adventure.




For a ’79 911SC away from home, spare parts might include:
Fan belt (already run-in, not folded into 1/3), outer pulley half, cup washer, alternator nut and six pulley shims. A ’79 911SC can continue driving without the air pump belt in place.

Fuel pump relay, fuses, headlight bulbs (H4, H1, etc.)

Cap, rotor, one plug connector, six sparkplugs (gapped and terminal tight).

Clutch cable with clevis, lock-nuts and all the ancillary parts, Omega spring, throttle cushion.

Gaskets for valve covers, chain covers, sump, transmission shift pivot, seals, rings.

* One each inner and outer valve springs, rocker arm, ‘elephant’s foot’, lock nut, rocker shaft with hardware, rebuilt chain tensioner.

Gas cap, oil tank cap, dipstick, valve stem caps, tire plug kit, aerosol tire repair and five lug nuts.

Set of keys, extra wire pull for trunk, engine lid and gas fill latches – all under the fenders. If you have locking lug nuts, make sure the key works.

Bring a copy of wiring diagram and fuel system diagram & diagnosis.

Your engine oil, washer fluid.


Tools over and above the Factory tool kit:
(Check you have the correct two tools for the fan belt and all the other tools.)
Driver’s Manual, Spec Book (WKD.422.720 for ’78-‘81 911SC).
Tire pressure gauge.
Test light, timing light, multimeter.
Fuel pressure gauge, mixture adjusting wrench.
(I like to bring my little [$23 HF] IR temperature ’gun’.)
* Valve spring install tools, cam timing dial indicator & holder P-207, valve adjust P-213.
* For ’81 and earlier, the P-202 & P-203 are necessary for cam timing. The (P-)9191 & 19 mm socket are necessary for ’82 and later.
A 10 mm long Allen 3/8” socket (SnapOn

You can get as carried away as you want bringing mechanic’s tools but you don’t need much. Think through what is needed for only the repairs you can do.
* Not everyone can or should be prepared for internal engine repairs. You should be able to diagnose or confirm a problem.

Important may be the few tools necessary to detach the engine and transmission in some ‘boon-dock’ service station – oil lines, mechanical speedometer drive, CV joint bolts.



Check spare, compressor, TP, jack, lights, headlight aim, wipers, washer fluid & aim. If the engine and transmission have been out, torque the CV bolts.

Of course there is much more.



There is also your ‘emergency road kit’ common for all cars:
Current Rand McNally road atlas, state map, regional map and city maps.
Kit of three reflective triangles.
Fire extinguisher.
Signal flares (dozen 15-min.)
Flashlights and extra batteries.
Jumper cables, 2’ piece of emery strip (terminal cleaning).
Tow strap, ‘bungee’ cords.
Rain hat, coat and pants, work gloves.
Reflective vest.
Bright red and yellow 2’ sq+ warning flags.
First Aid kit, TP, foil baby wipes, waterproof matches, sunscreen, survival kit.
Swiss Army knife, Leatherman tool.
Multi-bit screwdriver, large diagonal wire cutters, Vice Grip.
Magnet-on-a-stick, grabber tool, flashlight wand, mirror.
Duct tape, zip ties, safety wire, electric wire.
Windex, roll of paper towels, several 39 gal trash bags.
Drinking water, hard candy – keep fresh.

In mountains or winter;
add parka, warm-ups, hat, gloves, big sox, down bag, under-clothes, bivy shelter, small tarp, 1/8” braided nylon cord. Small, collapsible snow shovel.
More water and food.

In heat or desert;
add a lot more water.
Broad-brim hat.


Now you are thinking: “I can’t possibly fit all this in my 911.” You are probably correct and the subset of this list is use/trip dependent. Think of your 911 as a backpack. With the choice of small lightweight items and judicious packing, you would be surprised what a 911 pack will hold.





Don’t service your 911 (or any car) just before you travel. You want a few days of test driving the work and time to repair something (again).


I pay attention because here in the West it can be days and hundreds of miles to help. Some self-sufficiency is necessary. Well … last week it was true in Up-State NY.


When these cars were new, you could drive from LA to Daytona, successfully run the 24-hour and drive home. There isn’t any reason why that can’t be done today. There is no substitute for keeping your 911 in top-top shape, ready to travel coast-to-coast and border-to-border.

Paying attention to how to survive road difficulty probably indicates your 911 will be better prepared in advance.

Best,
Grady

[Gunter]

Porsche-poor,

One of the first items I got was a spare 6-pin CDI module because I noticed the price for a new one: ~$1500.- !!

I also carry a spare coil among many other parts and tools plus the Bentley.

If you ever get stuck in the middle of nowhere, finding a used 6-pin might be tough.

Grady gets first prize for being prepared.

[Grady Clay]

Originally Posted by Gunter

Porsche-poor,

One of the first items I got was a spare 6-pin CDI module because I noticed the price for a new one: ~$1500.- !!

I also carry a spare coil among many other parts and tools plus the Bentley.

If you ever get stuck in the middle of nowhere, finding a used 6-pin might be tough.

Grady gets first prize for being prepared.

I agree.
A known good used CDI or a rebuilt and tested one is a very useful rescue part. In fact having it always tested and available makes paying through the nose for a new one moot.

An extra CDI is also a valuable diagnostic tool.
Many running issues can be either fuel or ignition related – sometimes difficult to distinguish which.
Swapping in a ‘known good’ CDI eliminates the ignition CDI as the problem.
Same with a 'coil'.

For our race effort, we carry the complete ignition system: CDI, wiring, ‘coil’, HV wires, cap, rotor, plug connectors, spark plugs and a complete, run-in distributor.


A ‘known good’ fuel pump has similar diagnostic benefits and is a useful spare part. A used fuel pump should be stored with lightweight oil run through it (MMO).

I forgot to add a spare fuel filter and the 21 mm Allan socket for the fuel filter screen in the bottom of the fuel tank to the list. Contaminated gas is not uncommon from a rarely used premium pump.
I’ll edit that in.

More suggestions are welcome.

Best,
Grady

[berettafan]

screwdrivers, various wrenches/sockets, breaker bar, belt and corresponding tool, timing light, fuses, oil, zip ties, fire extinguisher (in cabin), cell phone, feeler gauges, other stuff.

[RWebb]

Grady, why does one need an already run-in Fan belt, and not a new one?

[Superman]

Piston ring compresser.

[Porsche-poor]

All of this is great information! Thanks.

Looks like it runs from light weight (AAA) card to John Walker and his work shop!!!!!

[Grady Clay]

Originally Posted by RWebb

Grady, why does one need an already run-in Fan belt, and not a new one?

It will easily adjust to the correct tension and probably not require re-adjustment for some time, Hopefully until you get home from a long trip.

The same issue with a 1/3 twisted belt.

Originally Posted by Superman

Piston ring compresser.

I’ll add:
* Piston ring compressor. In a pinch, a worm-type hose clamp will work.

Originally Posted by Porsche-poor

Looks like it runs from light weight (AAA) card to John Walker and his work shop!!!!!

The great part is he and many others are ‘on call’ here on Pelican.
All you have to do is have internet access when in distress.


Another I’ll add:
I always carry my ½” drive torque wrench for lug nuts.
It also serves as ½’ ratchet for all other purposes.
It fits to turn the engine by the crankshaft pulley bolt.


Some in the list are to protect me from a personal lapse:
“Gas cap, oil tank cap, dipstick, valve stem caps and five lug nuts.
Set of keys, extra wire pull for trunk, engine lid and gas fill latches – all under the fenders. If you have locking lug nuts, make sure the key works.”

We sold many caps and dipsticks over the years. I suspect they didn’t wear out.

I’ll post a revised version of the above list with all the suggestions.

More suggestions welcome.

Best,
Grady

[aadrew10]

Wasn't the piston ring compressor a joke?

[Gunter]

If it isn't already listed, add a spare plug and seal for sump/oil tank.

I consider the open-end wrenches in the factory tool kit marginal at best and surprised that the Germans didn't go with box-end types. The pliers are, well.............. useless.

The J-wrench for changing the fan belt is the wrong size. useless.

The whole kit is more for show, IMHO.

Nothing like a quality box-end wrench to prevent rounding off the hex. I can imagine the damage to the valve-adjuster-nuts if one were to use the open-end junky wrenches. yikes!

[RoninLB]

I also carry cheap Harbor Freight socket, wrench, etc sets permanently

[Porsche-poor]

Been looking hte list over and making a shopping list. The one item I am having trouble with is the "throttle cushion" what is that?

[fred cook]

In my '80 SC coupe, I carry a spare fuel pump relay, some fuses, the original tool kit, a small flashlight and a small utility bag with some extra screwdrivers, wrenches, etc. I also carry a spare fan belt and an extra quart of oil. The jack and a lug wrench round out the list. I guess I trust my car more than most folks trust theirs!

[JP911]

Originally Posted by Porsche-poor

Been looking hte list over and making a shopping list. The one item I am having trouble with is the "throttle cushion" what is that?

Ooooh...that's a good one. I had that fail on my car.

There's a piece in the throttle linkage between the tunnel/firewall and the bell crank on the transmission that is designed to absorb vibrations. The original design is a rubber part with threads on both sides, but the rubber can tear and effectively disable the gas pedal. There's a factory fix that puts a metal "barrel" around the rubber part as a failsafe. Some cars have it some don't. My car didn't...

Here's the part: Pelican Parts - Product Information: 911-423-081-02-M260