911 e..... Restoration

Maf15 · Post by **Maf15** » Tue Jul 03, 2012 8:34 pm

I have been the proud owner of a 1972 911 e for almost 10 years... During this time I have always only done enough to keep the car on the road and never really been able to spend the time on it and been scared in a way that I lack the technical know how.

Having had various run ins with so called expert Porsche specialist garages I have at last found someone local who know what they are talking about.

However , after taking it for its Mot the news is not good from the garage, the car has failed on the sils which turn out that some one has used escort sils On a previous repair, all news to me!

This repair I am led to believe could be as much as 3-4k to sort out. So it looks like I need to bite the bullet and get started on the cars restoration as I had always planned to do.

Where do you start? Should I just leave it to the experts and shell out probably 20k min on doing this or can a complete novice all be it an enthusiastic one do some of the work himself and save some cash.

What are the most expensive parts of a Resto project , is it worth me attempting anything?

Any advice guidance and direction would be appreciated...

Matt

Ian 2.2S · Post by **Ian 2.2S** » Tue Jul 03, 2012 8:53 pm

Hi Matt and welcome.
Great car to own. Plenty of advice will be forth coming from this lot, but most are on their way to Classic Le Mans, so it might take a little longer than usual to get replies.
However, in the meantime (if you have got a ciuple of hours

) see
http://www.ddk-online.com/phpBB2/viewto ... 28&t=31622

Ian

Mick Cliff · Post by **Mick Cliff** » Tue Jul 03, 2012 8:59 pm

Lots of help on here...
You could do no worse than reading this thread http://www.ddk-online.com/phpBB2/viewto ... 28&t=31622 if only for inspiration and practical advice.
Use the search facility for other help - there's loads!
If you are capable of doing it yourself then there will be immeasurable help, advice and support.
Just be aware that a LOT of members are away at Classic Le Mans until early next week so it will be quiet initially

Mick Cliff · Post by **Mick Cliff** » Tue Jul 03, 2012 8:59 pm

Ian beat me to it!

sladey · Post by **sladey** » Tue Jul 03, 2012 9:46 pm

Hi Matt and welcome,

I'm facing similar problems with my car but I'm planning on doing all the work myself. I've had no proper training but over the years a can-do attitude combined with research has stood me in good stead. You usually find the raw material cost is a small part of the overall expense - in which case you can usually afford to cock it up a couple of times and still be ahead financially. Also as you keep learning new skills the sense of satisfaction is fantastic.

I bought a hobby welder a few years ago and made a few things to start with. Earlier this year I bought a better welder which is much easier to use. My welding still leaves a lot to be desired but it's getting better. I'd like to go on. A welding course and will do if I find one - for the moment practice is working ok for me.

I'm also planning on trying paintwork as well. With each job I'll have a good go and if it's not working then I'll pay someone. However I've managed to get most things working so far.

I can recommend good dvd for bodywork skills.

If it all goes wrong you can sell the equipment

So go for it!

You'll have fun along the way, get a terrific sense of satisfaction, and save yourself money

Just my opinion - but I am biased

grannysmith · Post by **grannysmith** » Tue Jul 03, 2012 9:58 pm

Hi Matt
I would maybe look at getting help with the sills. They are probably best done by someone with the proper jig. But then as Mr sladey says above give the rest of it a go yourself. It can be very satisfying and leaves you with more beer money

Maf15 · Post by **Maf15** » Tue Jul 03, 2012 10:09 pm

All good words of encouragement I think I need to find out exactly what the main issues with the car are and then I can take it from there....

Trouble is when you don't know much ( and I should I have had the car 10 years) it's sometimes hard to know what iSight and what is wrong with things.

I guess I should just strat taking the thing to pieces, right!

sladey · Post by **sladey** » Tue Jul 03, 2012 10:10 pm

I wouldnt be put off doing the sills but would want to warm up on other jobs first. From the ones I've seen people weld a bar or two across the gap to hold everything steady while the work is being done.

911hillclimber · Post by **911hillclimber** » Wed Jul 04, 2012 6:52 am

Common sense, patience and research will stand you well.
I've restored a few cars and scratch built too, all skills self taught.

I restored my 73T in 1988, 8 months of intense part time welding/fabrication.
I had restored MGB's etc before (very similar construction). I painted them in my one car garage...
and converted it from LHD to RHD etc.

It is a great reward for the work, and work it is. This is why a pro job is so expensive, they do the same work just more efficiently.

You must weigh-up the quality of the finished job and also the safety of the work as a DIY project.

When done, the car with you in it may have a crunch. You want that welding to be factory strong.

As to jigging the car before work, yes of course BUT if the shell is bent due to weakness caused by corrosion then you will jig it 'bent' and restore it 'bent'!
Buy the books on restoration of bodywork and read well.

I do NOT mean to discourage you, I have done these things as a hobby for 40 years, so passing on my opinion.

Last note;
Get the best welder you can, good quality tools (you do not need many) and don't rush it. It has to be accuratly done.

Graham.

Maf15 · Post by **Maf15** » Wed Jul 04, 2012 8:59 am

Thanks graham all sound advice, I think I need to make a long list and get reading and planning, to see what is within my capabilities and what isn't.

squirdan · Post by **squirdan** » Wed Jul 04, 2012 9:16 am

take it to a proper porsche specialist and get them to give it a thorough going over and give you a menu pricing list

then have a think about what you can do and what is better done by pro's...

there are some amazing threads on here - look under the Restorations section... many of which have been totally done by owners (sadly I am not one of them - just wrote the cheques)

What q a few people do is get the bare metalwork done and then do the rest themselves...think that can be quite cost effective

210bhp · Post by **210bhp** » Wed Jul 04, 2012 9:50 am

Matt

Be prepared, your car will be like an iceberg, the sills are the one tenth of the likely repairs you can see. The other nine tenths are sitting there out of sight just waiting for you to uncover as you go along.

The other factor is time. JohnM's thread mentioned above is inspirational but he knows what he is doing in most areas, planned his restoration carefully, pre booked his bodywork slots well in advance,
had all the parts on hand and also had a very local expert for support when needed. And it still took two years to complete.

All the best

Regards
Mike

Maf15 · Post by **Maf15** » Wed Jul 04, 2012 10:49 am

Can anyone recommend any good books and places to look to start my research for this project?

210bhp · Post by **210bhp** » Wed Jul 04, 2012 11:01 am

Maf15 wrote:Can anyone recommend any good books and places to look to start my research for this project?

I would think on here or the early S registry is as good if not better than any book (although there are several available on restoration of a 911). The search button is your friend any whatever you type in under 'search' will bring you lots of information.

I seriously concur with the thoughts above. If you spend a couple of hours reading JohnM's restoration thread you will get a better idea of a full resto (with good pictures) than any book.

Good luck

Regards
Mike

911hillclimber · Post by **911hillclimber** » Wed Jul 04, 2012 12:52 pm

In '88 I had the then new Lindsy/Porter book for my project which works well along side the /haynes book.
The internet had not happened then (!!) so it was mainly done by feel.
The resto threads on here over the years are fantastic and must be studied. It is very good this info is so available.

Haynes now do a lot on this subject, amazon or Halfords!

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