Correct fan strap

[BOYER73S]

January 73 build does it have 2 bolt fan strap painted black or 1 bolt zinc/gold plated or is it right at the crossover point so could be either?

[pss]

i thought it is 1 bolt only, but leave to experts to confirm

[smedley]

MFI ?? or CIS?? Don't know the exact crossover date....

I'm working on a very original CIS '73 T......yellow zinc , single bolt strap.

[Chuck Miller]

The one bolt is later in production... but can't find a definitive date.... My April build has one bolt....

[BOYER73S]

Hmm that an option I have never seen 2 bolt zinc

Mark its a 73 MFI car UK market car.

Chuck thanks I know it wasn't all 73's just not sure when it changed though.

[letsrollbabe]

Clyde,

The IROC cars built in the summer of 73 used the early style 2 bolt straps as seen in this pic of the Sahara Beige car. But that may have been because of the 226 mm fans which had a smaller size shroud. I think it was some time in MY 74 that the 1 bolt strap came into use. The pics of the Carrera 3.0 RSs engines show a one bolt strap, but they were built later in the 74 MY.

[damsroy]

Looked at pictures of my car today. One owner May 73 built. One bolt zinc.

[911MRP]

Hi Clyde

My Dec 72 build-date with Jan delivery to Porsche Cars Great Britain (so it is an original RHD British-market MFI 911) is definitely two bolt ...hope this helps.

Cheers

Steve

[BOYER73S]

Hi Steve

Thanks is it painted black or zinc/gold?

[911MRP]

Frankly not something I've looked at in close detail.

I don't recall one on my car ever being a "bright" cad gold finish, so I'd discount that. I got car when it was roughly a 20 year old so can only go back to the early 90s. However, I haven't restored it because I tend to lean to "preservation" . While ~ 40y/o cars with engine all done up can look very eyecatching, maybe looks a tad over-restored if the engine bits are popping with newly done white or yellow zinc passivate and all black powder coated. Personal view and each to their own of course

Sorry reply is not totally conclusive on original strap finish/colour -- but definitely know it is 2 bolt because I have noted that previously.

-----

Edit: since Clyde mentioned RHD British market specifically, I have checked various British original 1972/3 road-tests in magazines I have on shelf in my study. Certainly the model year 72 2.4 S of Jan 72 through to model year 73 RS British press RHD demonstrator pictured in Feb 73 all have dark / black two bolt strap. Clearly dark in in B&W shots and black in colour shots. The April 73 edition of magazine has a RHD T road test, the picture of a press car also has dark two bolt -- but no MFI on T in UK. Certainly none pictured in these period UK magazine sources are are "bright and shiny gold" with two bolt, as far as I can tell.

Maybe CIS introduction in some markets for MY 73 is a factor regarding single bolt introduction?

These magazine sources are original photo-shots of the RHD British importer's brand new press cars from that period - not 40+ y/o cars with engines that may or may not have been renovated and refinishes lost in time over the decades.

Also I have several factory large format 2.4 brochures that were initially printed earlier than your particular car but with reissues these brochures probably spanned that MY 73 period. There are different English language versions of these brochures ( both American and ROW) with their intermittently different text and pictures, however they both have the same full page shot of engine clearly showing black / two bolt strap setup.

Not 100% conclusive on strap colour granted, but personally I can't recall seeing gold "original" finish in combination with the two bolts here in UK, and I do see a good number of RHD 911 from this era because I often help out a well known London independent Porsche specialist friend 'shop just for fun. I do see one bolt versions on later cars obviously. If CAD /gold colour wouldn't the fan top decal blend in with gold strap ....whereas they are usually visually quite prominent decals on MFI cars?

On the basis of the 1972-73 British magazine photo evidence all being dark or black and two bolt... I don't think choosing a black / two bolt fan for your Jan 73 RHD British market car would be "demonstrably incorrect" -- even if you can't know for sure. Possibly zinc and two bolt is ok -- but I'd say not gold two bolt.

I've just invited a bunch of DDK mates for a drink at the RAC - this will happen before easter. Coincidentally the majority of them own RHD British market RHD 911 longhood S in various model guises all from around 72 to late 73 -- so maybe I'll take an informal poll on colour and bolt change. Also I will look more closely at my car strap surface finish next time I'm with car.

Cheers
Steve