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Chronicling the restoration and rebuild of Wilbur, the Pig
"Call Uber, this car's going nowhere..." After a Triumphal journey from Ft. Lauderdale to Boston in the new 964 last Summer, I brought the new 964 over to my trusted mechanic Bill Pfister at Eurotech Advanced Automotive for a closer inspection. Bill put the car up on the lift, and promptly informed me of the bad news pointing out a cracked oil hose ready to blow. "Call Uber, this car's going nowhere." In response, soon-to be named Wilbur squirted some oil on Bill's floor. Bill keeps a tidy shop, and was unamused by this transgression. Bill quickly wiped up the spill with some carb cleaner, and continued assessing the car. Lots of deferred maintenance, lots of work to be done. Even the $4,933 in engine work just performed needs to be re-done, as the head studs were over-tightened and the engine is leaking up top. Bill told me flatly that I had been "hoodwinked." Wilbur peed more oil... A prudent person would have moved on, but I had grown attached to this pig, and I'm not very prudent. And so begins the journey. The first wave of maintenance included re-painting and re-sealing the oil tank, replacing the thermostat, all accessible hoses including vent hoses and oil cooler hoses, re-charge the A/C, replace the A/C bely, Brad Penn oil, new oil cooler fan, new horns, new oil cooler temp switch and relay, rewiring the horn correctly (formerly a red switch on the steering column), and a new set of horns to replace the rusted horns. https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/rennlis...efcd62e69a.jpg Tail of the Dragon driving back to Massachusetts https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/rennlis...4e5e147dda.jpg This car's going nowhere https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/rennlis...a6baf32f9e.jpg Lots of rust to be found https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/rennlis...909862b6ae.jpg https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/rennlis...6fb1c43280.jpg Hoses need to be replaced https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/rennlis...d2d47f3f0d.jpg https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/rennlis...a44bcc1598.jpg The repair work commences https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/rennlis...59cf32bf89.jpg hoses are out https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/rennlis...5e1107d122.jpg https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/rennlis...b93c87d138.jpg New bits :) https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/rennlis...4728f3a267.jpg Was this car doing submarine duty? https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/rennlis...68fd65c9ad.jpg New bracket |
https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/rennlis...67d3bd0d44.jpg
More rust on the oil can https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/rennlis...998f53a213.jpg Thrifty repair https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/rennlis...9450e90514.jpg https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/rennlis...5169c8908d.jpg That's better https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/rennlis...e4af9a3bd3.jpg https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/rennlis...aa7433a2c5.jpg |
The goal is to to tidy up the car as we go.
https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/rennlis...b94ddf39d4.jpg https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/rennlis...4154e0ffb1.jpg New hardware, https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/rennlis...deec2d72cb.jpg And new lines going in https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/rennlis...6a2b080bb3.jpg https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/rennlis...54eb271d4b.jpg https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/rennlis...c8b4c4b5a4.jpg https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/rennlis...1b04006064.jpg Repaoirs to the broken securing tabs as well https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/rennlis...f651ec3d06.jpg Bill does nice work https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/rennlis...09272fd9a2.jpg The exhaust has discolored the rear of the rear of the car. A little polishing compound did the trick https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/rennlis...88ce4a376e.jpg https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/rennlis...88df849c9d.jpg Here's the old horn button. Not easy to reach behind the steering wheel. New cover installed. |
The front tires were badly chewed up form slamming into the front fenders. After grinding down that notorious protrusion at the front of the fenders the rubbing stopped. But the Bridgestone RE 71R;s were no where to be found. My shop found one of the last rears available, and we installed the tires. We also re-sealed and straightened one of the front wheels. The rear wheel also apparently had a slow leak, and by the time I realized the tire was leaking the inside of the tire had shredded. This was a costly repair, but worse there were no rear tires to be had. I had a tire shipped from OH just in time for an autocross event.https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/rennlis...088f9ff87c.jpg
PCA NER Autocross https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/rennlis...5bf5fa98b2.jpg I took the car to Fort Devens for a PCA Auto Cross event. Other than lowering springs the suspension is completely original. The car was loose, and leaning and tilting all over the place. So I began focusing on a rebuild for the suspension. I picked up a few bits including ERP spring plates, a set of 993 calipers, Elephant Racing Front Control Arm Bushings (sport), RS stabilizer bars, links, mounting brackets and bushings. MSC 2 ways is the current thinking, but the suspension project is on hold for a bit, as I'm hoping the RS wheel carriers will become available to help keep things on budget. In the meantime, it feels a bit like driving a submarine. |
The fan hub bearing was the next thing to go. Thankfully I could hear the blown bearing, and the fan didn't seize. Bill had an RS fan hub waiting to go in the shop, and the install went smoothly. I like the fact that I can change a fan belt without having to call AAA, or remove the alternator belt.https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/rennlis...d422de6205.jpg
Nifty puller https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/rennlis...7cd2e4705a.jpg https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/rennlis...ac5324bf88.jpg https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/rennlis...7531ba3293.jpg |
The car was a bit sluggish at the autocross, and starved for fuel when I let the gas tank get real low. I purchased a Steve Wong Chip, and spent a Saturday afternoon doing the install. I discovered the PO had formerly installed an FVD Chip. I never would have suspected this, as the FVD Chip pales in comparison to the Steve Wong Chip.
My first try starting the car - nothing. It was as if someone had removed the DME relay. A quick google search revealed the problem. The FVD Chip has an adapter board underneath, and I had failed to remove the adapter board. I was much quicker installing the chip the second time around. My assessment of the Wong Chip - incredible! The car has much more kick and less lag in second gear, and the RPM's no longer dive down when I step on the clutch. What a great mod! https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/rennlis...36568573ec.jpg Newe Steve Wong Chip https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/rennlis...f5a890ea72.jpg New Chip Installed, but note green FVD connector board underneath https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/rennlis...41ee5dd37d.jpg Removed the offending connector board, and all is good! |
Deja vu so far. Good to see you are giving the car the love it needs.
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Winter was coming, and I wanted to keep the 964 on the road with some winter wheels. I had a set of Sport Classic II's ready to go, but hat required some spacers. Great excuse to install some bullet-nosed racing studs on the car. I picked up a set of SWAY-AWAY 65mm rears and 54mm fronts. Rennline spacers, and Rennline open-end lug nuts completed the package. Ready for Winter!https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/rennlis...7d4e268375.jpg
Rennline spacers and open end lug nuts, Sway Away racing studs https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/rennlis...c2ee0f20db.jpg Bit by bit https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/rennlis...b82fb4de0e.jpg New studs with the summer wheels https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/rennlis...c0545422be.jpg Winter wheels are on and ready to go! https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/rennlis...9497120167.jpg Driving in the snow to the local brewery, Trillium :) |
Originally Posted by John McM
(Post 14878694)
Deja vu so far. Good to see you are giving the car the love it needs.
I was reading your thread on broken door stay repairs - yikes! We had a Nor'Easter here two weeks ago here in Massachusetts. One of my co-workers living on the South Shore opened his car door, and the 70 mile winds blew the door, and the hinges, right off the car. They're still trying to figure out how to repair the damage, and are considering totaling the car. |
We haven't met, but something tells me our cars have been at eurotech together. Great read with a happy ending. Bill is one of a kind. Hope to have a chance to get some of the Boston 964s together this spring
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nice looking piggy foxman
good luck with the refresh it tests our patience and wallet but in the end these 964s are such great driving cars it is so worth it |
Car looks great with the ducktail. Sport Classic wheels look good. You say they repaired the other wheels - I would be cautious about performance driving on them (i.e. track, auto-X).
But if you're concerned about corrosion, be aware that MA is infamous for using some of the most corrosive snow melting methods. That said, it does look great in the snow, last pic! |
Originally Posted by Jjm4life
(Post 14878741)
We haven't met, but something tells me our cars have been at eurotech together. Great read with a happy ending. Bill is one of a kind. Hope to have a chance to get some of the Boston 964s together this spring
As for the story, it's just getting started...
Originally Posted by golfnutintib
(Post 14878773)
nice looking piggy foxman
good luck with the refresh it tests our patience and wallet but in the end these 964s are such great driving cars it is so worth it
Originally Posted by FrenchToast
(Post 14878779)
Car looks great with the ducktail. Sport Classic wheels look good. You say they repaired the other wheels - I would be cautious about performance driving on them (i.e. track, auto-X).
But if you're concerned about corrosion, be aware that MA is infamous for using some of the most corrosive snow melting methods. That said, it does look great in the snow, last pic! |
As the days grew shorter, it became increasnigly apparent that he headlights needed an upgrade. The LED lights from Flat6 Illumination are a great plug and play solution, The service from Francois was exceptional. https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/rennlis...c145ade5ef.jpg
Flat6 Illumination LED's https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/rennlis...89004326bb.jpg Yes, more rust https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/rennlis...4a9691c87b.jpg Cleaned the housings and knocked down the rust. Note to self, keep plenty of white Rustoleum primer around. https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/rennlis...55de597c93.jpg New LED light of screen left https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/rennlis...2d0438b288.jpg Old headlights https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/rennlis...7c5712a112.jpg New LED Headlights - happy! |
Porsches should smell like leather and gas, but the gas fumes in the cabin seemed a bit excessive. A quick peel-back of the frunk carpet revealed that the vapor recovery unit was cracked. I made a quick DIY repair with some Oatey medium black ABS cement (great stuff!). That eliminated the gas fumes. I ordered a new shut-off valve (Part #964 201 175 03). Also picked up an RS storage box (Part #964 552 157 00), heater by-pass duct, and relay (Part #964 610 184 00). https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/rennlis...e2304ee9e1.jpg
shut off valve cracked https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/rennlis...0a472aaff4.jpg Temporary DIY repair until new shut off valve arrives |
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