77 911 - Getting it going again

[theblindchicken]

Hey all,

My dad's had a 1977 911 with the 2.7L hanging around at home kinda wasting away. If I remember correctly, it was originally set aside due to an issue with the airbox? Possibly cracked, who knows. Haven't taken a good look at it yet. Hasn't ran in 10+ years.

Would love to get it running again even though it will take a good amount of work.

Here's the things that I know for sure would be necessary to get her running again:

Tires
Battery
Clean out fuel tank & lines
Engine Gasket Set
Brakes - bleed & probably new pads and/or rotors
Fully cleaned
Carb rebuild & tune.

Here's what she need to get on her way of lookin pretty again:
Body work - few dents here and there
Paint - needs to be completely stripped and redone, since it's flaking off all the way to the galvanizing or primer
Headliner - sagging and needs to be redone


Couple of questions for y'all:

1. What size & brand tires are you guys running? She's currently sitting on a set of rotten P215/60R15's
2. What do y'all recommend that needs to be checked and/or replaced? (Used to old and newer chevys)

Appreciate any and all help/guidance on this project.

 

[theblindchicken]

Some pictures

 

[theblindchicken]

more pictures

 

[theblindchicken]

more

 

[1987 GMC Jimmy]

Hey all,

My dad's had a 1977 911 with the 2.7L hanging around at home kinda wasting away. If I remember correctly, it was originally set aside due to an issue with the airbox? Possibly cracked, who knows. Haven't taken a good look at it yet. Hasn't ran in 10+ years.

Would love to get it running again even though it will take a good amount of work.

Here's the things that I know for sure would be necessary to get her running again:

Tires
Battery
Clean out fuel tank & lines
Engine Gasket Set
Brakes - bleed & probably new pads and/or rotors
Fully cleaned
Carb rebuild & tune.

Here's what she need to get on her way of lookin pretty again:
Body work - few dents here and there
Paint - needs to be completely stripped and redone, since it's flaking off all the way to the galvanizing or primer
Headliner - sagging and needs to be redone


Couple of questions for y'all:

1. What size & brand tires are you guys running? She's currently sitting on a set of rotten P215/60R15's
2. What do y'all recommend that needs to be checked and/or replaced? (Used to old and newer chevys)

Appreciate any and all help/guidance on this project.

1. On the tires, the Hankook Optimos would be a cost effective choice and a popular one at that. Walmart's got them on special for $65 a pop. I run them on my Caprice with no problems, and they're a fairly close diameter and aspect ratio to what yours are. I'll likely switch to Goodyear or Cooper to keep it American, but it's got nothing to do with the tire.

2. How long's it been sitting? If it's been a long time, I would be skeptical of any soft rubber parts that sat touching E10 gasoline for say a decade give or take a few years. This would especially include the rubber hoses in the sending unit, the fuel pump diaphragm, and perhaps the fuel accumulator. Don't forget your fuel filter! Any rubber lines may need to be replaced if they're cracked. You mentioned cleaning the tank, blowing out the lines, and rebuilding the carburetor. I say you can check fuel off your list with that. Air. You mentioned gaskets, and check for vacuum leaks when you first get it running. Spark. You're gonna need new plugs, wires probably, and you'll need to make sure the dwell angle is up to spec and your timing is set to spec, maybe a smidge advanced, but don't let it ping. I'll attach an article that'll give you some more info on that. Gotta change that oil and filter. Make sure the fan belt isn't cracked or floppy. If it is, replace it. That fan is your cooling system, and you don't want it to overheat. You mentioned the battery, but also note how well it starts with a new battery and how well it charges. Good call on the brakes. Make sure those front calipers aren't sticking after sitting so long. You'll know if you find the rotors to be draggy, or if the car pulls to one side when braking. Here's that link I mentioned. I don't know if they have a Porsche 911 Haynes manual, but if they do, I would get it. There are other how-to's on this website. I didn't even look to see what they consisted of, but good tech articles and a manual that you can flip through the pages on will get you a long way. Good luck!

http://www.pelicanparts.com/techarticles/101_Projects_Porsche_911/23-Timing/23-Timing.htm

 

[theblindchicken]

Greatly appreciate ya taking the time to give some insight on her.

Yeah, she's probably been sitting since 2002-05ish. Good call about all the rubber hoses. Will definitely make sure to check those all out.

I'm hoping to get some necessary parts together for father's day or for his birthday in late summer. Not expecting to having her all squared away anytime soon, but progress is progress.

Any preferred primers for the old galvanized panels? Doesnt have to be pretty, but definitely needs to protect.

Sent from my SM-G935P using Tapatalk

 

[1987 GMC Jimmy]

I'm not as metallurgically inclined as some of the other folks, but I think any run of the mill acrylic primer would be fine. I think the key to a paint job that works and lasts on galvanized metal is doing really thorough prep work so everything binds well and doesn't start peeling and flaking prematurely.

 

[Honky Kong jr]

Pay close attention to the push rod tubes after sitting that long they are gonna spew oil everywhere. Also oil cooler should be flushed you don't want any blockage in that sucker. Also I'd clean out the oil tank real good as well.

 

[theblindchicken]

I'll try to remember about the push rods. I'm planning on doing a full drain and flush before any new fluid goes in.

 

[GMeee]

How's the build going?

 

[Rusty Nail]

1977 was the year the oil cooler/radiator changed. Does that car have oil lines that run from the rear to the front?
Airbox issues are common. (straps)

 

[theblindchicken]

How's the build going?

Hasn't started. School finals are here, focusing on that.

Been more looking to plan out exactly what needs to be torn into first and foremost, then chug along through with that.


This one will be a ton slower than my truck's progression hahah.

 

[theblindchicken]

1977 was the year the oil cooler/radiator changed. Does that car have oil lines that run from the rear to the front?
Airbox issues are common. (straps)

I'll have to check on that one. Seems like they're pretty prone to cracking along the seam between plastic plates.

 

[1987 GMC Jimmy]

Oof, finals. My last one is tomorrow at 8 a.m., and then I'm outta here! (Not GMSB, just New Orleans)

 

[GMeee]

Hasn't started. School finals are here, focusing on that.

Been more looking to plan out exactly what needs to be torn into first and foremost, then chug along through with that.


This one will be a ton slower than my truck's progression hahah.

That's fine. You can still do it little by little. Slow progress is still progress.