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Larry,
I had clean forgotten you have not yet driven an early 911.
That will make this trip even more exciting and memorable.
A new car and a new way to drive...all wrapped up in hopefully sunny fall weather.
Makes me recall fonldy the great trips I did down that way in mmy &E Tagra thro the colours and smells of autumn...
OK, someone (you know who you are) needs to come clean. I'm expecting a new thread that explains the Highway Patrol reflection on your door! There's got to be a worthy story there (other than Tom's photoshop skills). Who's riding in the back and what did you do to get there?
:D
One other manditory item for the road trip tool bag would be...bail money. (Cash only) Also, DO NOT keep it rolled up with a rubber band!
Shawn. :(
The seats arrived yesterday afternoon from Autos Intl, and they will be installed this weekend. Getting really close. Tomorrow night we fly to New York. Judy is still looking for B&B's. "Oh, that one isn't too far away, it's only an inch away on the map." :D:D
I got the results on the PPI from Spencer Cox at Speedsport Tuning. Good news and bad news. He said that the paint, body work, and interior work was among the best that he has seen. He said that I was stealing the car from Mike for what I paid for it. The trunk is immaculate, the interior is like new, the paint looks fantastic, the lights are outstanding - I guess he means clarity of the lenses and lack of scratches. Spencer said that the underside hadn't been detailed, but I knew that. Didn't pay for that to be done.
Then we get to the bad part.
The brake system, which was supposed to be brand new just before Mike bought the car - the master cylinder is leaking, and the front brake pads are gone. Mike is replacing the master cylinder and replacing the front brake pads. Ok, good.
He said that there was an oil leak at the thermostat housing line, but he gave Mike a new fitting to replace that one. OK, good. He said that the cam chain housings are leaking a bit, but not very much. Not unusual for an early car.
Leakdown measurements
1 -- 8%
2 -- 22%
3 -- 5%
4 -- 4%
5 -- 1%
6 -- 20%
Not good. I had asked him to also do a compression test, but I guess that he didn't. He said that the car would need a top end sometime soon. It seems that someone adjusted the valves and didn't do it right, because the intake valves are burned on cylinders 2 and 6. This is certainly an expenditure that I wasn't planning on making. He said that the car pulled strong, and ran fine, but that this was in the offing. If I was lucky, it would be 3 - 5 years, if I was unlucky, it would be 1 year.
He said that there was some seepage at the transmission, and some gear noise, but it wasn't bad. If the transmission was just rebuilt, why should there be gear noise and seepage? Obviously not done as well as it might have been.
Wheel bearings. Front bearing needs adjustment (Mike is going to repack them), and the Left rear bearing is a bit loose. They tried to tighten it a bit.
End result. I am really pleased with the physical appearance of the car. I am not happy with the mechanical condition. What I should have done was had someone do this level of PPI before I decided to buy the car. Having Mike do it, and report to me was not really the best approach. What was I thinking? I don't believe that he tried to deceive me, only that an independent view is always the best. He is making good on the brakes and master cylinder. I just need to plan on some engine work down the road.
Looking back, would I have bought this car had I known that the engine needed this? Maybe not. But I now have a car with a pristine body. It will take a bit of mechanical work down the road to get it "right." But it's not a new car. I guess that I knew that. Everyone had said, "don't spend your last $ buying the car, you will need $3 - $5K to take care of things after you get it." So true.
I have made a full disclosure to Judy - she gave me this sick smile. Here's hoping that the trip works out OK. You know that I will make a full report, complete with Pictures.
larry
All,
I rather like Tom's thinking...I suspect once Larry gets a chance to sort these mech. issues out in his mind, that he'll see the"bigger picture" that Tom's sketching out...
I, for one, can conceivably help get this show started...
As I recall, Larry is in Deerfield, correct? I have relatives in Northbrook - I can commute (no need for me to impose on Larry & family). I would be up for helping with the "laundry": This would be getting engine out of the car, dismantling, and getting the right pieces to the right people...like CE, out here in Bodfish, CA
Then, when the right pieces are back in Larry's hands, the rest of you guys can come screw it back together...
This would be fun for me, as I also get to see some family members on their own turf (which is a seriously rare occasion).
Just some thoughts...let's demonstrate what a community we 911 guys (registered members or not) really are...:cool:
Further thoughts on this anyone?
Cheers
Thom Kuby
Tom, U R TOO funny.....! :DQuote:
Originally Posted by sithot
Wow, I knew something was up seeing at how incorrectly Mike set-up your ride height, but sorry to hear about the extensive mechanical fixes you will need. I guess it's time to get the car away from Mike ASAP and to a real Porsche mechanic immediately. How are you shipping the car home?
Larry,
Before you panic too much about the engine, I have a question. I have a vaugue recollection of a picture of your engine out with the heads off. how did they look? I am thinking a possible bit of carbon. An italian tuneup may fix your problem.
If not, negotiate for the cost of a top-end rebuild and move on. Fixing mechanical problems, while costing $$ have the satifaction of knowing you only do it once every 50-100k miles. It is not like body/cpometics that seem to need endless touchups.
You have a very nice car. Go enjoy it.
FWIW worth, I drove my car for almost two years needing a top end. I finally got the $$ to get it done but no lasting harm seems to have resulted.
Man, you guys are quick and eager to bash this guy. As I recall, it has been pretty clear that Mike didnt do any of the mechanical work on the car?Quote:
Originally Posted by SandyI
I seem to remember Paul saying that early cars all cost $25K. So if you buy a car for $15K, you will probably need to put $10K into it.
Smug Larry felt that he had beaten the mark by getting this car, ready to fly for $20K. Well, there is another $5K in there somewhere. I am sad about this event, but know that it is easier to fix an engine than to fix a body. Most of the mechanicals can be done a bit at a time, over time, with me learning and doing along the way. The body, not so easy. And the body, you will see from the photos, is really really nice.
So, in spite of the fact that Tom wants me to host an "engine rebuilding" party, I need some direct information. The brakes have been redone, so no problem there. Will I have any immediate problems driving with this engine? Both Mike and Spencer say that the engine runs well now. Spencer said 1 - 3 years for a top end.
How likely is it that there is carbon involved here? Is that just wishful thinking? Harry - what is an Italian Tuneup? Obviously the engine had a recent top end done, or the numbers on the other 4 cylinders wouldn't be so low. What would cause two cylinders to have such radically bad numbers? Do I hasten the top end if I drive the car hard, or doesn't it matter? Should I keep the revs down - below 5.5K - or doesn't it matter?
Some experienced answers would be welcomed.
larry