SVU-Boat

I've been down that prideful road where I thought I'd read enough and/or felt I could do something, only to come across, what later turned out to be a stumbling block, fixable, but wish-I'd-asked-ahead-about.
For e.g., the last one was doing some stone-chip touch-up painting (when choosing between two evils: blobbing is better than whiping/smearing).

Anyway, I'm working off of Dempsey's 101 projects and I'll be changing both the oil and manual transmission fluids one of these upcoming wknds.
From Pelican Parts (?is there a better or cheaper place?) I'll be ordering the Mahle oil-filters, Swepco 201 tranny fluid, some extra magnetized plugs/seals and ratchet attachments for the oil-filter and plugs. I'll locally buy a couple cases of Castrol 20W-50. I've got a 12 quart drain-bin and some gallon milk-jugs saved up for recycling.

Are there any hints or regrets that you'd share with someone in my position (besides cool engine, and don't look up at the plug .
I'd just hate to get half-way through these projects only to discover something that would cause the car to remain on stilts for 2 weeks while I fixed or ordered "xyz."

Much obliged!!
Micah.

hook682

Just did it for the first time a week ago. Went very smooth and there is definitely a noticible difference in the shifting. I used the 3/4" tubing method. Just make sure you remove the fill plug before pulling the drain plug. Harry

r911

'cuz you want to be sure you can add new fluid and that the fill plug is not frozen.

For the engine oil, get a big big pan & be sure it fits under there OK.

Engine & trans should be warm so mor eoil will drian out. Don't overfill.

pgsandiego

Just did my oil for the first time last week. Super easy. I did make one mistake though;

I refilled the oil and kept adding until the oil was half-way between the dipstick marks. Correct right? Wrong. The oil was cold! When I went for a drive, the oil expanded (heat) and I found I had added too much! Not a huge deal (I drained out 1/2 quart), but I wont make that mistake again (I hope).

Hugh R

Get a hand pump to pump the SWEPCO into the trannie. A couple of bucks at most any parts store. If you round out the allen wrench (hex head) trannie fill and drain plugs, you'll have a long night ahead. If so, come back here or Pelican and do a search and you'll find lots of suggestions. What worked for me on a rounded fill plug was to use a clench wrench from Sears, kind of like a plumbing basin wrench. One fixed jaw, one spring loaded, the harder you pull, the tighter it grips. It destroys the plug, but you get it out. PULL THE TRANNIE FILL PLUG FIRST.

r911

This is a good time to put in the "outie" hex headed drain and fill plugs (as used on the 911 trans).

HarryD

Do a search on Oil Changes, there are tons of threads. Be prepared for a gusher. It is unbelievable how much and how fast it comes out!

For your tranny, I just did mine. Here's my story: http://members.rennlist.com/harryd/Trannyoil-Change.htm

paradisenb

Caution!!! You know the oil will be hot when you change it. Absolutely buy a pair of gloves that will withstand the heat. They should come as far up the arm as possible. That oil will come out so fast you won't believe it. Grainger is one place you can get these. Likely Pelican or ....?
Have you checked prices at VertexAuto? They usually have good prices. I buy from my local repair shop, $7.

tac911t

For the drain pan, since the oil will pour out of the sump and oil tank quickly, be sure the pan is the open, short bucket type. Not the enclosed, neatness type with the small hole in the middle. There was a post concerning someone using this type of bucket, who had the oil flow all over since very little flowed into the hole.

A 12 qt or larger drain bucket should be fine, be sure to empty the bucket between draining the sump and oil tank.

kach22i

101 Projects for your 911 Porsche book has all you need to know in it.

Bill Gregory

You might check Rennlist sponsor Paragon Products (www.paragon-products.com) whose prices and service are top notch. On Swepco 201, the best price I found was from Foreign Intrigue in Maine, especially during their annual winter sale. You might check with them at www.foreignintrigue.com. [note I've used both companies and can recommend them]

You don't need new magnetized plug(s) however you will want new copper seals. If need be you can usually pick those up locally for not much.

SVU-Boat

Wow!... great stories.
I think the best/most trouble-averting insight was opening the tranny fill plug first. That makes so much sense now, and I'm not sure I'd have had the wits to think of that at the time.
Ditto on the hand-pump idea.

I did run a search for "oil change" as I certainly didn't want to burden the forum with repeating a recent discussion, but I came up with essentially nothing on old threads... I did not check in to projects, etc. however.

Nonetheless, I have thoroughly enjoyed these experiences. I can totally see my self in any of your shoes, shredding a hex nut, not ordering a spare this-or-that, having the oil literally dump all over, so fast (I've bought the biggest (widest) oil collection drain-pan now).

Incidentally, Paragon did have the best price on Swepco (I think $38 vs. $40 for a gallon) but many of the other parts (Mahle filter, some of the plugs and ratchet adapter(s)) I could not locate, so for $2, I'll combine it all in to one shipping pkg at Pelican .... although I'll check ForeignIntrigue and VertexAuto too.
You all rock!

Keep 'em coming
warmest regards,
Micah.

P.s. I hope this mongo-sized image hasn't been irritating folks... I don't know how to shrink it at it's storage source (roadfly's photo albums).