901aero

Looking at a 69 912 that needs a clutch. What's the best set up for the street? Is there a less expensive VW clutch set up that will work as well as the original?

hoffman912

best set up for the street is a stock sachs clutch. a vw clutch will not work.

Steve Jensen

Call Zims (or your preferred supplier) and get a clutch kit. Got one for my 356 C a few years ago, was about $275. Clutch, TOB, pressure plate. Remove/replace is the same process as the VW though... While your engine is out, replace the #3 sparkplug and the starter bushing (do 912s have one?)

kurt M

Stock clutch works well. pulling motor and replacing clutch is not hard to do. you can leave gearbox in place.

912 uses same starter as 911. No bushing.

901aero

Thanks guys. Actually, the first Porsche I bought was a '69 912 in 1979 (used of course) and ironically it too needed a clutch. Just been a while. I did do it myself then, but now that I have the means (getting old has it's advantages!) I will have it done. #3 spark plug? I don't remember that any of the plugs were hard to get to. I use to do the valve adjustments too and I don't seem to remember any accessability problems (not like the plugs on my 993!!!) Is that what you were getting at?

A Pilot

i'd replace the rear main seal while you have it apart.....a leaking $5 seal (which is easy to install) will ruin a new clutch

A Pilot

and on that note....i think it's easier to pull the motor and gearbox together. i did my clutch last spring and i pulled the engine and tranny in about an hour. i would have spent much more time trying to monkey around trying to keep the gearbox in the body. the entire job, from start to finish took less than 4 hours.

the sachs super clutch kit is the way to go.

901aero

A Pilot: thanks. I think I remember pulling the motor and trans as one was the way to go. And yes, I will do the rear main seal.

kurt M

Leave the trans in place! Unhook and remove the usual stuff like wires lines and the rear tin. Unhook the shift lever put a jack under the motor if you don't have a lift and loosen the trans cross bar bolts a turn or two only. Drop the motor down 3 inches or so and loop a 1 inch web strap under the trans and onto the two shock tower ends. Tighten the strap a bit and then remove the tin in the back of the motor compartment (front of motor). Remove the two top bolts and after putting something under the motor remove the two bottom bolts and remove the motor. I can pull the motor in my 912 in 20 min from the time I drive up onto the shop. This means you do not have to mess with the CV bolts and gaskets that are one time use and no crap gets into the CVs ether. Motor withouty trans balances better ona floor jack too. I can post a step by step that I used to use when only using a floor jack, 2 jack stands and a 4 foot 2X4.

hoffman912

amen Kurt. got it down to 30 mins for me.

not my pic, but this is how i do it too

kurt M

Hey, I like that. I use a strap that has hooks that I bent to catch the tower bolts but you method looks to be better.

hoffman912

yeah ratchet straps work wonders. the kind i have has hooks on the end (like you would use to attach it to hooks on a truck bed) and hooks around the strut towers. ive done this too though.

butzip

Yep, no doubt, leave that tranny in there!! Had mine out 2 weeks ago and have always done it this way. Harry 30min sounds about right :-)

Brgds, Peter

hoffman912

btw, the hardest part is the top starter bolt. need one person to loosen it with an allen down underneath by the starter, and one person to hold a wrench on the nut, behind the fan shroud. other than that, just make sure to lable which wires go where, and its cake.

toyboat

How high do you need to jack the car to clear the engine? Will ramps bring the the car high enough?