Funny world we live in where we consider the complete teardown of an engine with 35 hours to be "not serious". But other than the stomach acid, that's oddly true.
Early 911S Registry # 2395
1973 Porsche 911S in ivory white 5sp MT
2015 Porsche Macan S in agate grey 7sp PDK
Short update. Engine prepped and ready to go back together last week. Waiting for new main bearings. Out of an abundance of caution.
Early 911S Registry # 2395
1973 Porsche 911S in ivory white 5sp MT
2015 Porsche Macan S in agate grey 7sp PDK
Any üpdates? . . .
. . . I know-I know --- weather + all that, but still
..........................
Ah well, yes there are, and I'm not happy.
First the good. The engine was put back together back in September. There was also a bent rod in the warm up circuit of the MFI (where the hot air hose comes in) that had produced some inconsistent cold starts. Also fixed.
Robert Gross took it upon himself to do some porting of the heads, something he used to outsource, but now does in house along with is flow bench. The result of that is the car was developing a lot more hp. A LOT more. 212 hp on the dyno to be precise, and was running quite lean above 4000 rpm (16:1 or thereabouts). So obviously its capable of even more hp, but to get the AFR right requires some work on the space cam, and as people who have done that know (or even those who have read Check, Measure Adjust or Michael Burgess's book), that's a time consuming process.
Now the bad. After sending him 21 texts and emails in October and November with no answer, I dropped in on the shop on Dec 3rd. Robert was there, working on his new commission, which is a half million buck restoration of a '65 911. My engine was on the dyno still and my car on his lift. Needless to say I was pissed. Instead of completing my warranty job, he took on another big, complex job that will take years and I'm willing to bet he won't touch my car in the mean time.
For those counting, it is now 7.5 years in restoration minus the month or so that I had it in my garage in the summer of 2019. A lot happens in 7.5 years. I was diagnosed as a Type 2 diabetic 2.5 years ago and while my blood sugars are well under control with exercise, diet and the lowest dose of metformin (I was never obese), kidney function has been declining precipitously. I started occasional dialysis in early December while they figure out what is wrong. If they can't, I'll soon be on a transplant list.
I explained to Robert I would like to get the car back so I could work on it over the winter and drive it before I die. I told him about my health. Dying somehow seems a lot closer now than it did 7.5 years ago. He said he would drop everything and finish it off. Well, that was Dec 3rd and I've never heard from him again.
No matter how good someone is at restoring Porsches, if they don't give a crap about the physical and mental health of their customers, then they should be avoided at all costs. There is simply no excuse for this kind of behaviour.
It finally started snowing, so I'm going to have to figure out my plan of action in the next few months. I may have to bite the bullet and get the motor, transmission and car on a truck and send it somewhere where I have to pay to get the MFI tuned up. What good is a "free" repair if you die waiting?
Ravi
Early 911S Registry # 2395
1973 Porsche 911S in ivory white 5sp MT
2015 Porsche Macan S in agate grey 7sp PDK
Wow! Ravi sorry to read this. First I hope your health issue is addressed and you get to enjoy your S. I've been around the block with restorers and for the most part have had good experiences. I've found that the bad ones are just lousy businessmen. Hopefully you get some peace on this. I'd crate it and send it to Ed Mayo.
Last edited by steve shea; 01-05-2020 at 07:29 AM.
Steve Shea #1 joined a long time ago
58 speedster
66 912
67S
73S
97 VW eurovan
1132 honda snowblower
member Jackson Hole Ski Club
So sorry to read about your situation, Ravi --- health + the project . . .
. . . we never have quite as much time as we think, do we?
As for 7.5 years --- well, I'm sure it softens/spreads-out the financial impact, some . . . but/still, like you said . . .
Might be time to move along, maybe come to some arrangement w/Robert regarding the extra work/cost/etc
.........
Hi Ravi.
Best wishes on your health which, of course, is number the #1 priority. Feel free to reach-out to the community for anything you might need.
Regards,
Bill
Bill
1969 911T - sold
2001 911 Turbo - sold
1996 911 C4S - returned
1982 911SC - gone
1960 356 Roadster - sold
Ravi, sent you a PM