Ruby's Rebuild Redux
04-21-2010, 07:40 PM
#168
8th Gear
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Atlanta
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Awesome motor build and great pics sir.
I have just one question. Where do you learn this stuff? I work on cars but have never gotten further than suspension and basic drivetrain mechanics. Where do you learn the skills to build a motor like this from scratch? Engineering school or trade school? Thanks!
I have just one question. Where do you learn this stuff? I work on cars but have never gotten further than suspension and basic drivetrain mechanics. Where do you learn the skills to build a motor like this from scratch? Engineering school or trade school? Thanks!
04-21-2010, 08:21 PM
#169
Rennlist Member
Awesome motor build and great pics sir.
I have just one question. Where do you learn this stuff? I work on cars but have never gotten further than suspension and basic drivetrain mechanics. Where do you learn the skills to build a motor like this from scratch? Engineering school or trade school? Thanks!
I have just one question. Where do you learn this stuff? I work on cars but have never gotten further than suspension and basic drivetrain mechanics. Where do you learn the skills to build a motor like this from scratch? Engineering school or trade school? Thanks!
Most of us do it Nike-style, aka "Just Do It". I was 18, and 3 months after buying a '68 I had a holed piston. ('69S pistons milled .040" for even more compression. No wonder the previous owner had the timing retarded 8 degrees!) I had no "real" automotive experience, so I jumped in. A couple of local shops, owned by old-school German ******** said it couldn't be done. But I was starting to hang around with PCA, and Bruce Anderson, Jerry Woods, and Jim Pasha (among others) were VERY encouraging. Oh, and a very non-******* German guy also gave me guidance, so I can't paint with too broad of a brush there.
About 3 months later I had a "repaired" engine, and a guy who owned a local service shop that my friend worked across the street from figured if I could build a 911 engine first time out, I could probably help him change oil and do tune ups. So there was my college job; and I ended up doing all the heavy work, and earned enough to do the IROC look/2.7RS engine conversion on the car by the time I was 21.
Bottom line is that they're not that complicated, most everything to keep a stock torsion bar car going is cheap (I've still got about 6 engines worth of mag case stuff sitting around), and if you're not a total buffoon around mechanical stuff you'll get it done just fine.
Oh, and there are plenty of us who are more than happy to help out.
04-21-2010, 08:46 PM
#171
8th Gear
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Atlanta
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Can only speak to my experience, so hopefully this isn't a hijack; but I noticed it as the most recent post...............
Most of us do it Nike-style, aka "Just Do It". I was 18, and 3 months after buying a '68 I had a holed piston. ('69S pistons milled .040" for even more compression. No wonder the previous owner had the timing retarded 8 degrees!) I had no "real" automotive experience, so I jumped in. A couple of local shops, owned by old-school German ******** said it couldn't be done. But I was starting to hang around with PCA, and Bruce Anderson, Jerry Woods, and Jim Pasha (among others) were VERY encouraging. Oh, and a very non-******* German guy also gave me guidance, so I can't paint with too broad of a brush there.
About 3 months later I had a "repaired" engine, and a guy who owned a local service shop that my friend worked across the street from figured if I could build a 911 engine first time out, I could probably help him change oil and do tune ups. So there was my college job; and I ended up doing all the heavy work, and earned enough to do the IROC look/2.7RS engine conversion on the car by the time I was 21.
Bottom line is that they're not that complicated, most everything to keep a stock torsion bar car going is cheap (I've still got about 6 engines worth of mag case stuff sitting around), and if you're not a total buffoon around mechanical stuff you'll get it done just fine.
Oh, and there are plenty of us who are more than happy to help out.
Most of us do it Nike-style, aka "Just Do It". I was 18, and 3 months after buying a '68 I had a holed piston. ('69S pistons milled .040" for even more compression. No wonder the previous owner had the timing retarded 8 degrees!) I had no "real" automotive experience, so I jumped in. A couple of local shops, owned by old-school German ******** said it couldn't be done. But I was starting to hang around with PCA, and Bruce Anderson, Jerry Woods, and Jim Pasha (among others) were VERY encouraging. Oh, and a very non-******* German guy also gave me guidance, so I can't paint with too broad of a brush there.
About 3 months later I had a "repaired" engine, and a guy who owned a local service shop that my friend worked across the street from figured if I could build a 911 engine first time out, I could probably help him change oil and do tune ups. So there was my college job; and I ended up doing all the heavy work, and earned enough to do the IROC look/2.7RS engine conversion on the car by the time I was 21.
Bottom line is that they're not that complicated, most everything to keep a stock torsion bar car going is cheap (I've still got about 6 engines worth of mag case stuff sitting around), and if you're not a total buffoon around mechanical stuff you'll get it done just fine.
Oh, and there are plenty of us who are more than happy to help out.
I have always dreamed of owning a 911 and am currently saving my pennies for a used 964 or 993. I'm a little nervous with the prospect of higher maintenance costs and the prospect of having to farm out work to shops in my area. Your response has given me some encouragement that given a little time and effort I can also work on these cars and maybe even delve into engine work when the time comes.
Out of respect to the OP and not wanting to clutter up his fantastic thread with my newbish questions, I'll not post any further questions here. When the time comes when I get my car I look forward to accessing the wealth of knowledge here on Rennlist to help me in my endeavors.
Thanks and GREAT THREAD!!
04-21-2010, 09:16 PM
#172
Rennlist Member
Thread Starter
Awesome motor build and great pics sir.
I have just one question. Where do you learn this stuff? I work on cars but have never gotten further than suspension and basic drivetrain mechanics. Where do you learn the skills to build a motor like this from scratch? Engineering school or trade school? Thanks!
I have just one question. Where do you learn this stuff? I work on cars but have never gotten further than suspension and basic drivetrain mechanics. Where do you learn the skills to build a motor like this from scratch? Engineering school or trade school? Thanks!
04-21-2010, 10:27 PM
#173
Nordschleife Master
Ken elaborated better than I can. The "just do it" angle fits. I'm certainly not a pro, and don't consider myself a great mechanic either. I do study and learn before jumping, and the design of these engines is pretty straight forward. You just have to take it a step at a time, all the while understanding what you're doing, and maybe looking forward a couple of steps to make sure you're headed in the right direction. Lastly, cleanliness is next to Godliness-the same as it is when brewing beer at home.
You may remember where that bolt came from for a few days, beyond that it becomes the bolt for the oil cooler....wait, fan shroud, no..... transmission, dang....
04-21-2010, 10:41 PM
#174
Rennlist Member
Thank you very much for your articulate response. I presently own a Subaru WRX, and I find it to be a very pleasurable car to drive as a daily. I've basically done everything on the car myself, from sway bars and end links to rebuilding stock struts with Koni inserts and such. I've replaced nearly every bushing in the car myself, and have pulled the axles and rebuilt them when seals have gone out. I have found a very knowledgeable community to help me on my projects.
I have always dreamed of owning a 911 and am currently saving my pennies for a used 964 or 993. I'm a little nervous with the prospect of higher maintenance costs and the prospect of having to farm out work to shops in my area. Your response has given me some encouragement that given a little time and effort I can also work on these cars and maybe even delve into engine work when the time comes.
Out of respect to the OP and not wanting to clutter up his fantastic thread with my newbish questions, I'll not post any further questions here. When the time comes when I get my car I look forward to accessing the wealth of knowledge here on Rennlist to help me in my endeavors.
Thanks and GREAT THREAD!!
I have always dreamed of owning a 911 and am currently saving my pennies for a used 964 or 993. I'm a little nervous with the prospect of higher maintenance costs and the prospect of having to farm out work to shops in my area. Your response has given me some encouragement that given a little time and effort I can also work on these cars and maybe even delve into engine work when the time comes.
Out of respect to the OP and not wanting to clutter up his fantastic thread with my newbish questions, I'll not post any further questions here. When the time comes when I get my car I look forward to accessing the wealth of knowledge here on Rennlist to help me in my endeavors.
Thanks and GREAT THREAD!!
04-23-2010, 09:10 PM
#175
Rennlist Member
Thread Starter
Well, a clear weekend, and plenty of big parts to bolt back on! And, Steve Wong has finished his recipe for my new chip, and it shipped today.
04-24-2010, 06:21 PM
#179
Rennlist Member
Thread Starter
Today's progress:
1. Got the headers on with plenty of anti-seize on the shiny new studs.
2. Clutch back in.
3. Painted my new motor mount console and muffler bkt.
4. Cleaned the shroud up and rewired the harness to the alternator.
5. Reinstalled shroud.
6. Bolted on air block-off plate, heater backdate and throttle linkage.
7. Installed motor mount assy.
All the while cleaning bag after bag of parts as I went, mostly nuts and bolts. I had pretty much put all new hardware in two years ago when I built the motor last, so it wasn't too bad-just a bit tedious.
So, tomorrow, I have the intake and the DME goodies and wiring to go back on, then I should be pretty much done with the engine. I'll probably pull my injectors off the rails when I get the intake on, and send them off for cleaning this week. I've also got to replace the belt on the dizzy and install the vent kit this week and then run the TWELVE sparkplug wires. Notice my new "RSR" wire holders I got from Henry @ Supertec. I actually ordered two vent kits in the last two months-the old brain ain't as good as it used to be. Good thing that's all that's wrong with me.
1. Got the headers on with plenty of anti-seize on the shiny new studs.
2. Clutch back in.
3. Painted my new motor mount console and muffler bkt.
4. Cleaned the shroud up and rewired the harness to the alternator.
5. Reinstalled shroud.
6. Bolted on air block-off plate, heater backdate and throttle linkage.
7. Installed motor mount assy.
All the while cleaning bag after bag of parts as I went, mostly nuts and bolts. I had pretty much put all new hardware in two years ago when I built the motor last, so it wasn't too bad-just a bit tedious.
So, tomorrow, I have the intake and the DME goodies and wiring to go back on, then I should be pretty much done with the engine. I'll probably pull my injectors off the rails when I get the intake on, and send them off for cleaning this week. I've also got to replace the belt on the dizzy and install the vent kit this week and then run the TWELVE sparkplug wires. Notice my new "RSR" wire holders I got from Henry @ Supertec. I actually ordered two vent kits in the last two months-the old brain ain't as good as it used to be. Good thing that's all that's wrong with me.
