Finally found one... My 57 356 A

[Hendrik Moulds]

If you ever decide to change that front badge for the correct one I'll buy it off you!

Noted!

Please explain why it's wrong? Apart from it was initially fitted in a wonky fashion!

Cheers.

Gill

Badge looks fine to me.

[vwgillybilly]

If you ever decide to change that front badge for the correct one I'll buy it off you!

Noted!

Please explain why it's wrong? Apart from it was initially fitted in a wonky fashion!

Cheers.

Gill

Badge looks fine to me.

I thought so too..................

[roy mawbey]

Gill,

If you look at the font style of your front badge it is too close together. Look at my 356A style and you will see the difference. You photo is on page 2 of your thread.


The badges have prongs at the back, possibly your badge is stuck on? I can't see how the person could have drilled the 4 or 5 holes for the pronges to go through so out of line?

You can buy rthe correct one from UK sources Roger Bray shows the correct one on his on-line catalog.

Roy

[vwgillybilly]

Great observation skills - I personally wouldn't have noticed!

I removed the badge to straighten it & it has two prongs. The badge has 'R' stamped on the back & seems to be original. Anyone know what model 356 it's off, or is it a rear badge?

Thanks.

Gill

[roy mawbey]

Gill,

Your badge is from the later 356BT6 and 356c. 2 studs and 200mm long.

This ' Stoddard' page describes it.

http://www.stoddard.com/356-1/decals-em ... blems.html

Roy

[vwgillybilly]

Thanks Roy - I'll get it sorted soon!

Saw the car for the first time in 7 weeks yesterday.

Managed to re-fit the freshened drums & wheels & bring it back home as it's been in my Dad's garage.

Much happier with the look now.

Gill

[vwgillybilly]

Few more Christmas holiday updates...

Blaupunkt Frankfurt de luxe - a gift from the other half!

Bonnet straps now fitted.

Headlights refurbished & built up - can't decide between clear or Green Bosch scripted to match the foglights?

Can someone clarify if my A should have Ivory dash knobs? I have all kinds of wrongs happening at the minute so need to know the correct colour so I can standardise them.

Also I need to sort the horn so it works off the push & not a separate switch. Does the earth travel up the column as it would on a VW bus? Got as far as uncovering the fresh ZF steering box, then had enough for the night.

Happy New Year!

Gill

[roy mawbey]

Gill,

The 356A cars dash panel knobs were in the majority light tan or I always term ivory in colour. A small
percentage were grey. In 1959 with the introduction of the 356B they made them black. I know some who have sprayed the black ones ivory to save on the cost from memory, Stoddard sells spray cans. You can buy repros now of the knobs and the gear stick one but not cheap of course.

The steering wheel on your car has a horn ring and the centre push witht the badge should operate as a flasher. I know woodrimmed wheels are converted to make that the horn. How is your set up?

One of your headlight lens is yellow ( possibly painted for a French trip? that might come off with paint thinners ?? ) Plain looks best IMHO don't know of a blue script?? Are your spot lamps plain?

Roy

[vwgillybilly]

Thaks once again Roy.

I think I'll do it the right way & source new Ivory knobs from either Brezelwerks or KK.

I have two pairs of lenses, clear & yellow scripted Bosch which match my foglights - I decided with yellow for now.

As for the horn push/ring - it's currently set to do nothing! I'm currently torn between leaving the ring off & just having the centre to operate the horn. There is a brown & black wire coming up the column & I'm yet to ascertain where they go. Most of the wiring is unmolested but like any old car it has it's share of 'mods' - someone has put the horn on a push button which previously occupied the now full radio hole, hence my reason for getting things to work correctly!

Thanks.

Gill

[roy mawbey]

Gill,

I see your 2 photos of the steering wheel. The brown wire that travels up the column is the earth for the head light flasher. To see where that goes you first have to remove the black plastic Porsche badge in the centre of the wheel. There are 2 holes diametrically opposite each other at the back of the wheel on the boss they are about 3mm diameter. Get 2 rods to go in the holes and radius off the ends a little because the plate the rods press on is fibre. Lightly tap each one a little till you see the badge assemebly start to come out. Do it equally on each side. Some have made special tools but I have always used the factory method and its always worked. Do not prise the badge off!

When removed in the centre of the brown fibre plate is the reception for the brown wire with the bullet connector. If you look on the steering column just below the dash there is a brush connector to transmit power. The same for the horn ring. I guess these brush connectors are there for both flasher and horn so they both work when the wheel is turned.

PRS sell new brush connectors. From memory I could see only one one my 59 car.Possibly Mike might be able to advise if the 2nd one is nearby? I could mail you a colour coded 356A wiring diagram if you pm me your mail address.

Roy

[vwgillybilly]

Thanks Roy.

I managed to coax the hornpush away from the steering wheel using the method you suggested. I also removed the wheel as I am going to refurbish it whilst it's off. I wet flatted it back last night & it's in good condition, so it seems a good opportunity. What was confusing me is how the current is transfered through the column, I'll have a look for the brush connectors you describe tonight but I'm pretty sure they're not there. Hopefully they'll be intact & I can resurrect the original wiring.

There are two relays under the right hand side of the dash board (lhd car) however these seem to be defunct. As I say the horn was on a makeshift loom & the end fuse holder of the original fuse box is broken off which I suspect is something to do with some of the DIY wiring.

The colour diagram would be great. My email address is aaron_gillies2002@hotmail.com

Thanks.

Gill.

[roy mawbey]

Gill,

I had a look in the factory manual about the horn contact brush and the flasher one. Its now much clearer. It would seem there is only one brush (the horn one) to actually see on the steering column.

As I mentioned if you look roughly 200mm down from the wheel you will see this approx 10m dia x 20mm long shaft screwed into the column. Inside that Is a spring loaded carbon type brush that rests on the the commutator shaft that is part of the steering column. But I noticed today the 'flasher' is noted as having the same system of brush but its fitted internally somehow in the steering column shaft itself.
Thats why I believe I see only one externally.

Look to see if you have a hole where it should be. PRS sells the complete item if you look on their website.

I will mail you now the wiring diagram which does show both brushes but no identification.

Roy

[roy mawbey]

Gill,

Further to my last mail above I confirm there are two relays 7a and 7b that control the horn and the flasher unit. You will see them on the diagram I have just sent you.

Roy

[Mike Smith]

Look to see if you have a hole where it should be. PRS sells the complete item if you look on their website.


They also sell the Ivory Knobs that you need

[vwgillybilly]

Thanks John & thanks Mike - noted. Though I may just flat & paint them after doing the wheel.

Anyhow, wheel done & new horn push fitted - really happy with the match & finish. It took 3 hours of flatting, 5 costs of paint, 3 hours of wet flatting with 1500 grade & a polish! As for the paint, it's Wilkinson's own brand cream enamel which offers a good match & durable finish.

Also fitted a new flasher can as I wasn't happy with the flash rate of the indicators. Tried my luck at a fiver for a motorbike one of eBay - plugged straight in & worked a treat!

Decided to MOT it on Saturday, I know it's exempt but I'd rather hold my head up & have it tested to avoid any potential insurance loop holes.

Gill.