Newbie lessons and in need of help! Long but may raise a :o)

[jaymatwhit]

OK I think its time as much as it hurts me to admit that I am crap at working on my 1972 911 2.4Te with MFI.

1: Exhaust
I purchased some lovely SSI's and a DANSK SS back box all nice and shiny. I enjoyed fitting as it was so easy like hand to glove, ok so I didn't have the correct gaskets but it was such a gorgeous day and had promised my 4 year old son to take him for a drive in daddy's Porsche. So you can imagine the frame of mind I am in when I realise that the SSI’s don't seem to have all the pipe connections I need. I had just driven all the way to London to pick them up so was not about to go back. I have an MFI, but undeterred I fitted them anyway thinking well I did order for an MFI so I guess I just don’t need all these pipes connected BIG MISTAKE. OK so I don’t really need the cold start hose but although the car ran fantastic at speed with no popping on over run etc. she just didn’t like to tick over and was a bit smoky! Yep you guessed it I didn’t connect the MFI solenoid heat hose thingy. Not a problem I thought I will just send them back, OH BUGGER ive used um!!!!! 3 weeks later still waiting for the 25mm SS U tube to weld to the SSI’s when I can find a guy to weld light gauge SS that is.
Lesson 1: Don’t rush it!

2: Brakes
The brakes were not great so I put Goodridge Hoses on and upgraded front discs to Nitrac cross-drilled and grooved vented discs with EBC green stuff pads. On bleeding had no help so used Easibleed system - BIG MISTAKE after using a whole litre of brake fluid in 14.5 sec’s with no Tel tale signs of leaks under the car I frantically ripped out the interior looking for master cylinder to see if it was leaking into car - nothing, where could it all of gone still no pedal and even I know the callipers if all drained couldn't swallow that much juice in 14.5secs. Then 1 small drip from under front of car around petrol tank and O CRAP there it was or rather there I was looking at my reflection in the pool of brake fluid swimming with my tools and the new spare wheel and tyre in the spare tyre well - 1 litre + of prime brake fluid stripping my new underseal, tyre and soaking my new carpets. I then found the overflow tube!
Lesson 2: Wise up donkey!

3: Lubrication
So I got some very expensive real synthetic engine oil – most of its on the floor now. The experienced among you will know why!
Everybody loves Swepco, I DON’T I now can not get into 1st or 5th and the really annoying thing is my box was great before I changed the oil!
Lesson 3: If its not broke don’t fix it!

4: Rear parcel shelf
Like most all rusty but I needed a strong one to mount seat belts for my kids in the back. All went great until I tried to put the rear screen back in, it shattered.
Lesson 4: shite happens!


5: Suspension
No chance, that’s the reason for this note. My car is all over the shop, comfortable but can not keep it in a straight line! Firstly I just don’t know what bits to purchase, I only use the car on the road towns/motorway no motorsport as such and I have a bad back so don’t really want to feel every stone like I did in my TVR. Secondly would it be easy for me to sort baring in mind above!
Lesson 5: Use the forum and wise up!

I live in Burton on Trent near Derby and travel to Leicester allot is there anybody in these areas that could look at her for me. I remember reading on here about a company in Leicester that sets up Porsches for racing I think it was Chris something.

Do I regret adopting her – NOT ON YOUR LIFE

Jay

[Lightweight_911]

A bit of bad luck there Jay !!!

As for the 'wandering' - has the car been recently MOT'd ?

The problem could be caused by a variety of (or combination of) factors :

worn balljoints/shockabsorbers/suspension bushes
incorrect toe in
old (hard) tyres
incorrect tyre pressures etc

Is there any sign of uneven tyre wear ?

[jaymatwhit]

Yes new MOT

new P6000 195/65/15 on 15x6 Fuch. 29psi F 32 psi R

Anti roll bar bushes look new

[Lightweight_911]

Did you put the new tyres on ?

Was there any sign of uneven wear on the old tyres ?

[Nige]

Zentrum in Notts have a good reputation there is also PH Sportcars in Shardlow, although I've only bought the odd used part from them.

There is also a GSF carparts branch in Derby for spare parts

[drummerboytom]

Yes it did raise a smile , but you have my heart-felt comiserations .
Better to have tried and failed at a few things than to have never tried at all.
Not everyone is a born mechanic . I know i'm not .
All helps us to realise we have our own limitations and appreciate those that do this kind of thing for a living or just for the pleasure .
That way it doesn't hurt quite so much when you visit a specialist and drive away with a running car and an empty wallet !

[IanMcLeod]

The chap you are thinking about in Leicester is Chris Sargent 0116 2780900. Pop in and see him ... I think you'll be happy you did.

Also I have a set of SSI's sitting on his shelves which we are about to grind the stainless steel covers off ... can't remember if it has the MFI bit on it ... think it does ... anyway ask him and if it does you are welcome to cut that bit off if you don't get your 25mm tube sent to you.

Ian.

[jaymatwhit]

Many thanks guys, will phone Chris and ask about the MFI pipe - cheers Ian.

Jay

[Andy]

Brilliant made me smile a lot! Look forward to your next article

[bjmullan]

I certainly laughed at the brakes...as I did the same thing but at least it wasn't a litre! Please give the Swepco a chance as it does take a while for it to work it's magic. At least the car is now yours! I think a car doesn't belong to you until you a spilled a little blood, sweat and tears over it

[sladey]

Good stuff - it's not just me then! I did a similar thing to the brakes with engine oil. On a previous car I put 10 litres of oil in before I heard the squelching at my feet and saw the river of clean oil running down my dads drive. I then noticed the sump plug all clean and shiny and waiting to be screwed back in.

the lessons you learn through mistakes are the ones you never forget

[jamie]

Haha! So many parallels - not just with the Porsche, but with other cars I have owned, too.

I had a similar thing with the brakes (calipers not tightened together, and then found a clamp on one of the brake lines). Fluid everywhere, brakes intermittent. Also had fun fitting my new SSIs with a mechanic friend - took an entire day to remove the old ones, then we realised I had been sold the wrong studs. I went home that night in a ten-year-old diesel Fiesta.

[wizzman]

Hi

Just bought some new ss1s' from Pmjt but they are going on my SC so I don't need the mfi pipe sort. If you want to swap its no problem

Ian

[jaymatwhit]

Thanks all for your comments and offers nice to know im not the only one.

Anyway I visited Chris Sargent in Leicester and met Ian from here made me feel better right away - me thinks the bank manager may not feel the same though!

Im looking at the MFI Solenoid modification with the electric cold start button. Will see what Chris thinks when I take her down – snow storms willing.

I think I now know why she is all over the place at moderate speed. My rear is set at 25 ½” but the front is 27”! Also the black front struts are actually red Koni’s that look as old as the car so will have to check the inserts. The rear dampers look new – BOGE.

With the pound so strong at the mo I think its time to look at some handling parts from the States, anybody got preferences as to whom is most reliable and what tax has to be paid on importing?

Once again thanks for your help and must say it was nice to meet some of you at Chris's in Leicester this week.

[Nick Moss]

My rear is set at 25 ½” but the front is 27”

Get your car set up as the factory intended, maybe a little lower (25.5" Fr, 25" rr) before you spend a penny on modifications. Get an alignment done afterwards and I'm sure the car will feel completely different.