vwsamba

hi,
new here. i just picked up a 77 2.7 targa that's been sitting for 10 years untouched, i was wondering if there were any special things i should do before trying to start it? thanks...

GaryRC

Depends on why it was sat there.

Do an oil and filter change.

I would take the plugs out and try to crank it with a spanner by hand. With a shot of light oil down each bore.

If it turns ok like that, I would spin it on the starter with plugs out and see if I get any oil pressure.

Then I may try a start.

In the end, it may be fine, It may wreck it. Only a strip down would tell for sure, as I say, what state was the engine in when it was parked up ?

If the engine needed an overhaul anyway, don't risk the extra damage?

Ed Hughes

I hope you stole it in this car market...not one of the best motors and not running for so long...

theiceman

er.... new gas and new filter might be in order.....

vwsamba

thanks for replys, what is wrong with the 2.7 engine design? and what is wrong with the car market? i just sold my mbz c32 amg and bmw wagon. i walked past this open garage with a dusty old porche peering out. talked to the guy and he stopped driving it because of too much cop attention and it was stolen twice. said he had motor rebuilt and car painted just before storing. looked nice so i took it home. i figure if it never runs again its worth it just to look at it every day. i'll get to the basics next week. i just wonderd if there was anything specific to this model or type of engine i should do as i've never had a 911 before....thx

Ed Hughes

Do a search on 2.7 problems. Also, I'd also be inclined to spend time looking at other important bits such as brakes and fuel lines. As to the car market, do a Google search on "US Economy".

IMO, a 77 Targa that hasn't run in ten years is getting top dollar if it sells for $4K. You can easily double your investment with minor repairs leaving you with a car that MAY be worth $8K.

But, I can guarantee you'll have fun working and exploring. Good luck.

theiceman

what's wrong with the car market ? you just come out of a cave or something ?

anyway do a LOT of reading even before changing the oil .. if this is your first 911 with a dry sump just educate yourself on the 911 system before doing ANYTHING ..

ricster

I would put new gas and new filters and oil for sure. I would crank it ever so slightly pulling the coil wire off so it doesn't start. Build oil pressure this way..then connect and fire away...you should be fine.

theiceman

if you don't want it to start just pull the fuel relay so youcan generate some oil pressure ... don't just pull the coil wire as you will dump in raw fuel without igniting it .. and when it does you can add an air box to your list ..
pull the red relay in the front . crank it a few times until you see oil presssure come up . this is after your other checks of course.

gr1275

These are the steps I've taken on a couple of cars.
- Have the gas tank professionally cleaned
- Flush or replace the fuel lines
- As already noted, replace fuel filters.
- Remove and clean the injection system.
- Drain the oil and change the filter.
- Remove the plugs and spray oil (I use Marval Mystery Oil) in eash cylinder
- Check the valve gap.
- Turn the engine by hand with the plugs removed and spray more oil in each cylinder
- If the engine turns by hand for a few revolutions, try it again with the starter. Again as already noted, without the plugs.
- Once the oil presure has come up, apply ignition and try to start it.
If it runs, let it run long enough to warm up, if you're lucky it will lbe ok. If so, drain the oil and replace the filter.
Now, you have to do the brakes, wheel bearings, shocks, shift linkage, clutch cable etc before you should attempt to drive it. Don't forget to drain the trans as well.

Good luck
Gary

Edgy01

As the former owner of a new 1977 Porsche 911S Coupe I can tell you that the 77 cars are probably the least popular year for a 911. The magnesium cases are problematic unless some money has been spent on it updating it to better fasteners.

Once you change all the fluids (assume nothing,--and don't skip the brakes), you will inevitably have air leaks that will affect the CIS injection system. I would suspect rubber deterioration both at the air box (larger twin rubber boot) position and at each of the fuel injectors (6, obviously). This car is very much problematic when those parts leak. Make sure the air box has a pop off value BEFORE you even attempt to start it the first time (perhaps this advice is too late).

Good luck. I owned mine from 1977 to 1983 and was happy to see it go. If every other 911 buyer were to base their future 911 buying upon the performance and maintenance of the 77 the 911 line would have died off a long time ago. Any 911SC (1978 through 1983) is a quantum leap over the 2.7 litre magnesium-cased 77 car.