'87 911 Rebuild -- where to start...
07-08-2014, 10:34 AM
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'87 911 Rebuild -- where to start...
Recent new owner of an '87 911 Coupe that we inherited from a relative who had turned it into his project car. It was very well maintained/garage stored vehicle and ran great when he first purchased it 10 years ago; however maybe 5 years ago he decided he wanted to do a total rebuild and seems to have been more excited by the taking apart step than the putting back together as he had pretty much taken everything apart and put very little back together.
When he passed he had just finished putting the transmission back together but otherwise everything else is in pieces (exception being the steering and front suspension).
We are planning to have a specialized Porsche mechanic put the engine back together as every bolt/component had been taken apart and putting it back together from that condition would be a bit out of our depth.
That being said, when I look at the body/frame, empty interior, empty engine compartment, etc; I am a bit hesitant on where to start as I essentially have a stripped down vehicle with all the parts sitting on a work bench.
I thought I would see if I could get any opinions on where to start -- or simple things that would be quick wins to get the ball rolling -- and if there are any systems that are easier to put together before the engine/transmission get re-mounted? Are any systems that should specifically be re-installed in sequence?
When he passed he had just finished putting the transmission back together but otherwise everything else is in pieces (exception being the steering and front suspension).
We are planning to have a specialized Porsche mechanic put the engine back together as every bolt/component had been taken apart and putting it back together from that condition would be a bit out of our depth.
That being said, when I look at the body/frame, empty interior, empty engine compartment, etc; I am a bit hesitant on where to start as I essentially have a stripped down vehicle with all the parts sitting on a work bench.
I thought I would see if I could get any opinions on where to start -- or simple things that would be quick wins to get the ball rolling -- and if there are any systems that are easier to put together before the engine/transmission get re-mounted? Are any systems that should specifically be re-installed in sequence?
07-08-2014, 04:45 PM
#2
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We need pictures of everything. Your task is not impossible, but it will be a steep climb for a beginner. I too have an empty shell that I am putting back together. Fortunately I've got a complete car too and lots of friends and a great couple of suppliers too.
Welcome, and post pictures. We need to see what we are working with.
Welcome, and post pictures. We need to see what we are working with.
07-08-2014, 06:42 PM
#3
These cars really are pretty simple, so your task is not impossible, just be prepared to spend a lot of time, research, and be methodical. Some questions.
First, what is your end-game? If you plan to keep the car, and enjoy doing mechanical work, this could be a fun project, if not, this could get you financially under-water real quick.
A really nice 3.2 is easily a $25-30K car in this market, but putting it together will require some cash-flow, and if you don't feel comfortable doing most of the work yourself, shop rate at a good Porsche specialist is $75-100 hour depending on your location, so outsourcing the bulk of work is probably not economically feasible.
Second, how well documented is it? If all the parts were carefully labeled and placed into bags, for example, it will be easier, if its all just jumbled together in boxes, IMHO, you have a real problem on your hands... like a do-it-yourself heart transplant.
Third, did your relative buy new parts where needed, or just tear it apart... even a relatively good condition car will need some new parts, and these cost money.
My advice is to put a detailed plan and budget together, and be realistic about your level of mechanical skill... once you start, you could pour a lot of cash into it and still end up with a bundle of parts... it's like swimming halfway across the ocean.... if you are not confident in seeing it to completion, your best bet may be to simply sell the whole lot to someone looking for a project.
First, what is your end-game? If you plan to keep the car, and enjoy doing mechanical work, this could be a fun project, if not, this could get you financially under-water real quick.
A really nice 3.2 is easily a $25-30K car in this market, but putting it together will require some cash-flow, and if you don't feel comfortable doing most of the work yourself, shop rate at a good Porsche specialist is $75-100 hour depending on your location, so outsourcing the bulk of work is probably not economically feasible.
Second, how well documented is it? If all the parts were carefully labeled and placed into bags, for example, it will be easier, if its all just jumbled together in boxes, IMHO, you have a real problem on your hands... like a do-it-yourself heart transplant.
Third, did your relative buy new parts where needed, or just tear it apart... even a relatively good condition car will need some new parts, and these cost money.
My advice is to put a detailed plan and budget together, and be realistic about your level of mechanical skill... once you start, you could pour a lot of cash into it and still end up with a bundle of parts... it's like swimming halfway across the ocean.... if you are not confident in seeing it to completion, your best bet may be to simply sell the whole lot to someone looking for a project.
07-11-2014, 04:38 PM
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The end game is to keep the car for many years to come. I am okay with a project which is why we didn't sell it. I am just unsure where to even begin in terms of approach. I enjoy mechanical work. Less so when its mechanical rework if you get my drift.
I don't mind spending the cash; its more about not spending money where its not warranted. He had what appears to be the 5 or 6 volume factory manual printed in west Germany with wiring diagrams and what not. Also about 6 second party Porsche service books.
Things are *kind of* sorted, he had taken things apart in different area's of the house. That being said things are not labeled consistently, and having packed most of it up they are a bit more jumbled than they were. I am anticipating that I will end up needing to buy a lot of replacements for bolts/nuts/gaskets throughout the car.
He definitely bought new parts where he wanted them. Lots of red baggies from Germany and lots of duplicate parts where he was looking to upgrade (which doesn't help). He had purchased lots of new components, mostly focused on the engine -- from the searching I have done, the stuff appears top of the line as if he was turning it into a track car. New connecting rods, enlarged piston heads and associated piston blocks (new, didn't bore originals), had the head machined to take double spark plugs. Brand new in the box clutch, brand new fan in the box, brand new fuel pump. We found pictures of the transmission in pieces and that he had recently put it back together. (hopefully he did it right) Like I said the engine we were planning to have a Porsche specialized mechanic do for us
The rest of the car he has less stuff laying around and is more of a jumble. The rear suspension is in pieces, however he has a new set of torsion bars (Along with old) and the associated plates (although I haven't found bolts that look like they fit) from elephant racing. Some shocks that from their bright green paint I assume are brand new. What I think is a stock sway bar.
The radiator for the A/C is pulled off and appears to be stock. The brakes have had no work done to them and are disconnected. All the trim has been removed, including seats and various ***** from the dash. Several small pieces of electrics we have found have unclear purposes. (we guessed one might be cruise control) Wires are pulled down under the dash. We have also found several, what appear to be after market sensors to measure engine knock/temp and things like that.
A lot of work is what it looks like right now I attached some of the earlier pictures I had, but will try and take better ones this weekend. The pistons in the one picture are the originals. He had other new enlarged ones still in boxes.
I don't mind spending the cash; its more about not spending money where its not warranted. He had what appears to be the 5 or 6 volume factory manual printed in west Germany with wiring diagrams and what not. Also about 6 second party Porsche service books.
Things are *kind of* sorted, he had taken things apart in different area's of the house. That being said things are not labeled consistently, and having packed most of it up they are a bit more jumbled than they were. I am anticipating that I will end up needing to buy a lot of replacements for bolts/nuts/gaskets throughout the car.
He definitely bought new parts where he wanted them. Lots of red baggies from Germany and lots of duplicate parts where he was looking to upgrade (which doesn't help). He had purchased lots of new components, mostly focused on the engine -- from the searching I have done, the stuff appears top of the line as if he was turning it into a track car. New connecting rods, enlarged piston heads and associated piston blocks (new, didn't bore originals), had the head machined to take double spark plugs. Brand new in the box clutch, brand new fan in the box, brand new fuel pump. We found pictures of the transmission in pieces and that he had recently put it back together. (hopefully he did it right) Like I said the engine we were planning to have a Porsche specialized mechanic do for us
The rest of the car he has less stuff laying around and is more of a jumble. The rear suspension is in pieces, however he has a new set of torsion bars (Along with old) and the associated plates (although I haven't found bolts that look like they fit) from elephant racing. Some shocks that from their bright green paint I assume are brand new. What I think is a stock sway bar.
The radiator for the A/C is pulled off and appears to be stock. The brakes have had no work done to them and are disconnected. All the trim has been removed, including seats and various ***** from the dash. Several small pieces of electrics we have found have unclear purposes. (we guessed one might be cruise control) Wires are pulled down under the dash. We have also found several, what appear to be after market sensors to measure engine knock/temp and things like that.
A lot of work is what it looks like right now I attached some of the earlier pictures I had, but will try and take better ones this weekend. The pistons in the one picture are the originals. He had other new enlarged ones still in boxes.
07-11-2014, 06:06 PM
#5
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This is awesome. I saw the two coils and was thinking twin plug, and you have confirmed that. That engine could be worth more than the car.
I wonder if he was active on Pelican or even Dorkiphus?
I wonder if he was active on Pelican or even Dorkiphus?