1971 911T or "OMG what have I done"

[Jlockmon]

OK, I'll try to keep this to the Readers Digest version...

6 weeks ago I joined Pelican after I purchased my first Porsche. A 1988 911 Carrera Coupe. At that time I posted as a newbie and received some nice feedback on my new car. I've been driving it all over and loving every minute of it. So I found my 3.2 on the local PC site when I was doing some research on a 71 911T. You see about a half mile down the road there's been this 911 sitting outside a house for about 6 years now. I've always been curious about it but never pursued it. Anyway, when I found my 88 I figured I was good to go.

Well, long story not so short I still felt like I needed to rescue the 71. I've been glued to the forum for the last several weeks and feel like I'm learning things everyday. All of a sudden I felt like I might know what I was doing. In reality I probably should have run the other way.

So I knocked on the door and the current owner was done with her and willing to let her go. I got her "right" and she came home with me today. Had to carefully tow her about 4 blocks but got it in the garage and started to just clean her up and go through everything. Most of the known problems are there. Rust, oil leaks, engine won't turn, brakes sort of seized up, etc... So before I loose my audience, here come the pictures.











All right, So I'll be searching the posts for all of my issues and will have many questions but right now I'm looking for some input and guidance on a couple of things.

1. Key steps for manually turning the engine after sitting for many years?

2. Where can I research the VIN to to find specifcs on the car (Paint code? no sticker under the hood) VIN # 9111121708.

Last but not least I'm open to any suggestions on the best route forward on this particular car. I'm not looking to do a big $$ restoration but I would like to drive it if possible.

One last comment. Can't believe how awesome the garage looks with 2 Porsches in it!

Let the feedback begin... Cheers,

[bigel]

Nice work Jess, heaven holds a place for who pray...and those who save 911 cars from rusting away! As rough as she sounds from the description of her condition, she sure looks majestic.

Good luck with 'them' and have fun!

[Joe Bob]

Marvel Mystery Oil MAY free it up after soaking in the cylinders for a few days up to a week.....you may have to pull the motor depending on how bad it is.

May be a good idea anyways, depending on other issues not shown in the pics.

The Cert of Authenticity available from Porsche will give you 'some' of the original details.

[timmy2]

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/porsche-911-technical-forum/189572-long-term-commonly-neglected-maintenance.html
This thread is always a great resource.
Congratulations on finding and getting that car, I'm sure you'll enjoy it for a long time to come.

[ARCSinAK]

You have company in your position. I have a sweet 80SC but couldn't help myself. Maybe we can form a support group. Figure we can have a fun journey if we ever burn out there are plenty of addicts around here.

hel

[Cornpanzer]

Looks like a great find. Nice honest looking car.
You might also want to spend some time on the Early 911S Registry where they are a purely focused on 73 and earlier cars (including T's).
Have fun with it!

[eolson]

Very cool, I'd fill the garage if I could. Everyone should save a long hood at some point!

[Arne2]

I'm really enjoying the 3.2 I bought last Fall, but I could see myself doing the same if the opportunity arose. I'm jealous!

[SilberUrS6]

I dunno - the car looks pretty good.

Maybe not a high-dollar or fast restoration, but something to take your time with, being satisfied that *somewhere* down the line, you'll be driving it. And learning all kinds of interesting stuff.

Good job.

[Wiese]

A great find and a great story. I'm glad you rescued her! She looks very good. Complete, even the original seats and Fuchs wheels. Do a sympathetic restoration and see of the paint is original. If it is, leave it (just polish it). It looks like a great unmolested car. Enjoy!

Regards,
Kay

[RWebb]

price?

Grady has posted on stuck motors, but I dunno a link

[combatic]

Welcome to the addiction Jess! That looks like a very solid and unmolested candidate to get back on the road! It looks like the little details are in place on this one...washer fluid bottle, charcoal filter, etc.

My strategy would be to make it work THEN start cleaning it up the cosmetics little by little. You get to enjoy the car and restore it as you have time & money. You will find that the construction of these early cars are pretty straightforward and purposeful so if the time comes to paint, do a major motor overhaul etc, they come apart and go back together relatively easy. (I was shocked when a friend helped me get a motor running that had been sitting for years THEN we dropped the motor out of the car in under two hours!)
Besides...there is something pretty cool about seeing a survivor back up on the road. It looks like your paint can come back if buffed & polished



Based on the 'Make it work THEN cosmetics' plan I would consider the following-

-First I would definitely identify any rust in the front pan/tank support area and in and around the rear torsion tube for structural integrity. Rust in a door or a hole in a floorboard never stopped any of us =) (More detail shots of the trunk and underside, back in the engine bay etc...please! The 'been there done that' crowd can help identify trouble areas ...if any)

-Refresh the brake calipers and replace all the flexible brake lines. Stopping is a good thing.
-Replace all the flexible fuel lines! leaks + air cooled = hot hot heat
-Inspect the fuel tank for rust. Carb'd cars are very finicky about their fuel and it will save you headaches later in trouble shooting running issues.
-New tires and valve stems.
-check behind fan for debris/nests from rodents.
-motor= refresh all the fluids in the motor/tranny of course and do a search for prepping a motor that has been sitting. Grady Clay and others have some highly detailed step by step instructions they have listed out for people just in your situation. You will usually find the "how to start motor that has been sitting" question asked in barn find threads. I sure others will chime in here as well.

Here is my car that just got up on the road a couple of months ago based on the make it work plan - Project 69



Can't wait to see it! Keep us posted and bring it to Triple XXX. As a matter of fact drive your 88 to the XXX Saturday Breakfasts -2nd saturday monthly this coming weekend. Most of us early guys wrench, restore, rebuild motors etc. and can be a invaluable resource as you work through issues with the car or if you have simple questions like, 'which oil do I use?' etc. instead of having to read the 3000 page Ulitmate Oil thread and trying to make sense of all the opinions

[Lukesportsman]

It always starts with ONE........then there is Pelican and well the rest is history. Currently shopping, but isn't that always the case!

[JT912]

Not sure if your "engine won't turn" comment means, you put a battery in it and it won't turn over or it won't turn over 'cause it is seized. If it is the former, might try cleaning both the body grounds (assuming there are two like in a SWB). Just had a similar thing happen on a 912 I found that had been parked with the engine out for 20 years. Put in a new battery and nothing. Cleaned off both body grounds (by battery and by trans) and that seemed to do the trick. Marvel Mystery oil is commonly recommended to help lube the cylinders minimizing potential damage.

[Jlockmon]

Thanks everyone for the feedback. I'm going to grab some Marvel Mystery oil and let the engine soak for a while. I think I'll tackle the brakes first and start a complete rust survey. More pictures to come soon.

[cali4sun]

Nice congrats on your purchase. Owning more than one Porsche is an addiction. Looks like a nice example!

[Jlockmon]

Just a quick update and a question. I got the car safely up on jack stands and have removed all 4 wheels. The tires are toast but the wheels look to be the original Fuchs and are in nice shape. No curb rash or major blemishes. They'll recondition nicely.

On 2 wheels the brake pads and rotors had "bonded" from rust. A little WD and some persuasion got all the pads removed cleanly. I ordered and received new brake lines from the host and will proceed to replace them and bleed the system. At some point new rotors and a caliper rebuild are in order but for now this will address the stopping issue. Keep in mind that the car does not run so there won't be any driving anytime soon.

That leads me to the engine. As recommended I've shot some Marvel Mystery oil in each cylinder and poured the rest into the oil. I'm letting it marinate for a while and then will perform an oil change. Here's where I'm stuck. I've tried turning the engine by placing a 22mm socket and breaker on the fan nut. The fan turns but the belt just slips. Is there a way to actually get a tool on the crank and try to persuade the motor to turn? The plugs are removed. Before I assume that the engine is seized up it seems like one should be able to apply a little more torque to the problem.

Any guidance would be appreciated.

[kwikt 911]

You can try using a 19mm box end wrench on the crankshaft bolt at the other end of the fan belt. Remember to only turn clockwise.

[Joe Bob]

Pull the plugs, toss in some Marvel Mystery Oil. There are a few home made brews that work as well.

Try to turn by use of the 19mm, if stuck wait a day or two....spray in more oil.

[Jlockmon]

Ok, guess I'll wade into the dumb question territory... Doesn't appear to be a 19mm nut on the end of the crank at the lower pulley. As they say, "a picture....



What am I missing? Is there a special tool required.