1976 Targa rebuild in Oz.

[wasserkuhl]

I better get bidding!

[racetek]

Tackled the syncro dis-assembly this morning and found it relatively painless. Purchased a decent pair of circlip pliers and used the wood chisel method to remove the dog ring. Took about 10 minutes in total. The syncro looks very good and I think the dog ring was in pretty good shape except for its missing teeth. Measured all the other syncro's and inspected closely all the dogs and teeth and I am satisfied that all is well.

Had a close look at the needle bearing and it looks to me as if the carrier has split open at the spot where it was joined in manufacture. Is this a common occurrence?

Anyway I am pretty pleased with the outcome and now have to wait patiently for my next Pelican delivery and I should be able to start the rebuild.

[racetek]

Waiting for parts from overseas does have its benefits. I have been able to get on with other little jobs that need to be done. This last week I have started on my new door cards which will be sans the speaker holes and window switches, and I have tracked down some bailey channel for the doors which seems to be a very good replacement for the originals.

I wanted to fit a new steering wheel but being the skinflint I am I wanted to do it on the cheap. I already had a wheel from my racing days ( I can't even remember what car it came from), but of course it didn't have a hub.I searched all the usual places for a cheap hub, but to no avail. The original wheel is rubbish in my opinion, no offence to those who love them, and I really wanted something that made a statement about the purpose of the car, that is a weekend warrior. I looked at the original wheel and decided I could dismantle it and use the parts to make a hub for my old wheel.

This is what I ended up with after removing everything I didn't want.



Just the spline and the collapsible column. Next I turned up an adapter which would bolt to the end of the column and would take the new steering wheel, horn button and kill switch.



Finally bolted it all together after tarting up the wheel a bit.






Still have to fit the shroud and horn button, but the overall effect is what I am looking for. As I see it there are a few advantages to this method and one disadvantage.

1. you get to retain the collapsible column.
2. you get to retain the original horn ring assembly and indicator reset.
3. You can make the adapter to a length that best suits your seating position
4 It's cheap.
5. Downside, you don't have your original wheel anymore.

Now to order a horn button and wait for that to arrive

[wasserkuhl]

Cool stuff!

I actually really like the original wheel.

Are you keeping those seats? they look like a science teachers jacket

[racetek]

Actually they are fantastic seats, they look like new and are nice and firm, but they oh so don't suit the car. They will be replaced with something that can accommodate a 4 point harness and give some real lateral support.

[wasserkuhl]

Originally Posted by racetek

Actually they are fantastic seats, they look like new and are nice and firm, but they oh so don't suit the car. They will be replaced with something that can accommodate a 4 point harness and give some real lateral support.

I have 76 Turbo seats in mine and they are the best seats I have ever had in a car. Although the hard backed recaro's in my 968 CS are better for keeping you secure.

I have a set of recaro's that you may be interested in? they are black cloth and are very comfortable.

[racetek]

PM me some pics of the seats.

[racetek]

Here's a pic of my new trunk panel. Hope you like the added Targa emblem bling.

[strikee]

Very good. Did you make it yourself or is it Rennline. I am in the market for a panel, the old one is lying in a sad state in my shed.

I hope you are not going to cover your good work with a front trunk carpet.

Thanks
Ed

[racetek]

Thanks Ed, I made it myself using a piece of 3mm aluminium. I removed the brackets from the old cardboard panel and used them to mount the new panel. If I had it to do again I would bend the aluminium before I drilled the holes because once you drill the holes it is very hard to get a nice even bend.

There is no way I will put the trunk carpet back. This is my 4th Porsche and I still can't believe they put such a crappy carpet in the trunk. I have seen better in most cars costing a quarter of the price. Its hardly a weight saving but I am definitely leaving it out.

[wasserkuhl]

looks great!

just one thing missing from your luggage space......(no, not the fuel tank)

[racetek]

Whats that?

[wasserkuhl]

Strut Brace

[racetek]

Of course, how could I forget that. Now where did I put that spare piece of moly tube.

[wasserkuhl]

Buy a decent one, you know it makes sense, they aren't that expensive!

*Notes that you are careful with your money

[racetek]

yes, its areal drag waiting for the pension cheque.

[wasserkuhl]

Originally Posted by racetek

yes, its areal drag waiting for the pension cheque.

C'mon we know all Australian Pensioners have their cash buried in bundles 100 notes.

[coolngroovy]

Sunshine milk tins.

I can't believe i haven't seen this thread before. I have a '74 Targa which was originally this color.

[wasserkuhl]

Originally Posted by coolngroovy

Sunshine milk tins.

I can't believe i haven't seen this thread before. I have a '74 Targa which was originally this color.

Welcome to this great thread, really interesting progress. Good to have some fellow antipodeans about!

[tassie targa 76]

great stuff