356 Touring

[Mike Smith]

Following the discussions on Pulley Halves and Rocker Cover Gaskets a couple of people have asked me what sort of Spares Kit they should be attempting to build up for that longer than normal trip

It is of course endless but here is my own thinking on the subject

Sorry, that it goes on a bit but maybe one or two of you may deem it useful

Mike at PR
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General Advice
1) - If you are NOT `Handy` join a Motoring Organisation with foreign recovery
2) - Take a list of all the people who might be able to help in an emergency (All the Porsche Independents and Main Dealers etc)
3) - Know how to change a Fan Belt and Adjust it
4) - Know how to get to all your Bulbs
5) - Know how to change a wheel - (Check Jacking Points are strong enough) (Use Copper Slip on the Studs and the Cone Face of the Nuts)
6) - Know whether your car is 6v or 12 v
7) - Know how to set your contact Breaker Gap and what it should be
8) - Know what each `Idiot` Light on the dash is telling you
9) - Know what your Tyre Pressures should be
10) - Know what Oils should be used in each of the specific areas
11) - Check whether you have the `Soft Link` in your Accelerator Rod (just forward of the transmission Bellcrank) - If it is the old style Unit - CHANGE IT - it WILL Break

On-going advice
1) - Have your car service regularly and properly by people who understand these cars
2) - Check the Oil Regularly
3) - Check the Tyre Pressures regularly
4) - Buy your fuel from a garage that has a high turnover in Fuel - Fuel now has a short shelf life (6-weeks for optimum volatility)

If you want your car to start without drama every time -
1) - Make sure the fuel is fresh
2) - Leave it connected to a `PROPER` Battery Conditioner Unit
3) - Fit an electric fuel pump

Don'ts
1) - If the Generator light comes on STOP IMMEDIATELY
a) - Check whether it is a broken Fanbelt
b) - If it is a broken belt - replace it - DO NOT think that you can just drive a little further - you WILL kill the engine
c) - If the fanbelt is still there then it is a generator or a regulator problem
d) - You can drive 200 miles on the battery provided you do not need Lights or Wipers (I managed it back from The N`burg Ring without a problem)
e) - Do not turn off the engine - Unless you are pointing downhill or there are enough people to push you

2) - Try not to change a wheel on Soft ground, unless you have no option
3) - Try not to change a wheel on ANY sort of incline (If the car moves the Jack Arm WILL twist)
4) - Put a pad under the Jack Foot
5) - Always chock the wheels - Handbrake on and In Gear
6) - DO NOT park the nose of your car uphill - The fuel will drain from the tank to the carbs and may cause a hydraulic lock when you come to start

General Spares - To be carried - Remember that you are NOT going to be able to find these parts on Sunday in Siberia
1 x Drivers Handbook - (Has all the essential Information & will allow someone else to work on your car, if it is beyond you)
? x Engine Oil - (Always make sure you take enough on a long trip or know what Spec Oil you need)
1 x Litre of Brake Fluid - ( If you are using Silicone)
1 x Set of Bulbs - (See Drivers Handbook for Ratings)
1 x Set of Fuses - (See Drivers Handbook for Ratings)
2 x Fan Belts - (Essential)
1 x Pair of Pulley Halves - (Essential)
1 x Set of Contacts - (Useful)
1 x Rotor Arm (Useful)
1 x Distributor Cap - (Useful)
1 x Condenser - (Useful)
4 x Spark Plugs - (Useful)
1 x Spark Plug Connector - (Useful)
1 x Clutch Cable - (Essential)
1 x Clutch Cable Nut - (Essential, for an `A` or a `B - If it breaks at the transmission end - The nut will be in the road somewhere)
1 x Wiper Arm - (Useful) - I have lost them on more than one occasion
1 x Wiper Blade - (Useful)
2 x Wheel Nuts - (Useful - but you can always pinch one off of each of the other wheels)
1 x Coil - (Optional)

Specific Tools
1) - Spare Door & Ignition Key
2) - Porsche Tool Kit - See Drivers Handbook
3) - Pad for under Jack - To stop Jack sinking into soft ground
4) - Wedge for wheel - To stop Car from rolling and Jack from Twisting - On slope
5) - Brake Adjusting Bar - Also jams Generator Pulley to un-do Generator Nut (We have a Good Hazet Unit)
6) - Feeler Gauges
7) - A GOOD set of Jump Leads (You can jump a 6 volt car from a 12 volt car but not forever)
8) - Electrical Meter - Maybe some Wire, Terminals and a Crimping Tool - ?
9) - A Tow Rope

Bits and Pieces
1) - Roll of Insulating Tape & Gaffer tape + A Torch + Overalls + A Kneeling Pad + Rag and handcleaner

Useful Books
1) - The Drivers Handbook for the Model you drive - (Essential)
2) - Porsche Technical Manual - Elfrink - (Handy for the Do it yourselfer)
4) - Porsche specs - (Full Technical Specs for all 356`s)

[hot66]

great post Mike & applicable to all our early cars.

[40 scout]

Cheers Mike

I've started assembling already!!

Steve

[Burma-Shave]

Nice one Mike. Can I ask why pulley halves are so important? (And should I get a pair before I do a 300 mile round trip next weekend.. he said, expecting the answer Yes)

I guess they fail more often than you might expect..how come?

[Mike Smith]

Pulley halves do seem to disintegrate from time to time and when they do you are in the same predicament as not having a spare Fan Belt

You have, of course, already answered your own question but naturally, if you buy a pair, Murphy’s Law says that `you will never need them`

As much as I would like to sell you a set, I cannot currently match Roger Bray`s price - obviously something I will be looking closely at

Mike at PR

[Mike Smith]

Having just read the note on the French Police and their antics - I should, have course, have remembered to add Yellow Vests - Triangles etc etc to the list of `Stuff to Carry

Also do not forget your Vehicle Documentation

Mike at PR

[sjm]

Mike - great post! Very helpful for a complete numpty like me

[Mike Smith]

Come, Come, Simon - you being hard on yourself

No more posts for 3 x Weeks - off to the West Coast Holiday and all things American Porsche


Mike

[KS]

Best advice:
1) Leave old car at home and take a modern.

[jwhillracer]

Best advice:
1) Leave old car at home and take a modern.

No sense of adventure left on a Monday morning then KS? Load it on behind your Classic Camper and have twice the fun...............



With this combination, if either of them gave trouble, we always had a complete spare Type 4 engine!

Cheers

JW