My 356. Now sold.

[IMPI]

From Personal experience Don't cut holes in the tunnel!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
the tunnel is a structural member and any holes will weaken it as has been said this kind of repair happens once in thirty years so sweat it out You will be rewarded with a sweet shifting gearbox.
Getting the little round clip around the bush is the most difficult bit but I have found that by filing the ends of the clip flat and then opening the clip so that the ends but its an easy slide over and twist to release in the right position
Armand

[acpaterson]

Morning,

so to add to the saga that is this car, and it's previous mechanics, my "Stop Plate" as it's known, was in two pieces when I took the gear lever off.. It was also on the tunnel the wrong way round, which probably also added to the fact the whole process of changing gears was as I think Roger put it, "stirring a spanner around a box of nuts and bolts".. It wasn't a nice "gate" for want of a better word.

Picked up a new one from Flatfour Racing, and after putting it on how the old one was on, well the gear selection was firmer due to the bush and coupling replacement, however, there was a whole load of nothing where first gear should be.. I should have checked online, but it also seems there are many references to Left hand drive cars obviously.

So, mine is what I'd like to think, the right way round. And the lever is very accurate now. Dead flat against left of 1st and 2nd, across for 3rd and flat again down to 4th.. It's awesome once again, and all freshly greased up, it changes gears perfectly now. Pictured below, the raised section is on the driver's side of the tunnel.



Another dirty job done...

[Mustang Sally]

Sir, you are a raconteur of note!
So glad that other people also have interactions with their beloved golden oldies requiring double church visits to make up for verbal sins!

[Tony Z]

nice one, good progress

[acpaterson]

Seems there's a couple of assholes that live out in Somerset West\Helderberg area...
I emailed and Sms'd "Louis" this morning about an Alfa Wooden Steering wheel. Said I'm keen to take it, could he please just measure it for me as it's for a project. 'Sure, I'll do so and come back to you"...
Sms'd him now enquiring about the dimensions.. "Sorry it's sold!!!"

Douche Bag.

[flatfourfan]

Seriously?

The one that I gave you the info on?..........he probably realised that he was selling it too cheap.

That's horseshit.......

[Sambabus]

Lets round up a possie and go lynch that guy,.......then burn his car seats,....and tell his wife we will pay for the repairs,.....and we dont ever call her again.

[flatfourfan]

^^^^^LOLZ.......

[acpaterson]

Naa, screw it.. not serious for now.

Finally managed to have a good chat with Logan from Replicars. have sent him an email with my shopping list. This will cover the last bits needed to complete my car, including roof, carpets, dashboard bits, and a few other things. I'm still well below the going rate these things sell for 2nd hand, which is a good thing, so, if I manage to finish this one off to a high level of detail, that looks awesome, and for less than the 2nd hand prices they go for, then it's a win. If I ever DO sell it, the new owner will have a REALLY awesomely finished speedster.. But for now, we fok maar voor.

regards

Alan

[acpaterson]

Here's the list of whats been done in over the past few weeks.

replaced hooter with Fiam twin air horns with 30 amp relay & wiring updated
headlights loose, stripped and re-furbished them - subsequently purchased brand new lights from the USA
replaced swollen battery and cleaned out leaked battery acid
replaced king and link pins
re-aligned wheels
replaced 4 tires with pirelli 205 60 15's
replaced brake master cylinder and refurbished, re-piped brake circuits, replaced handbrake cables, replaced brake shoes
replaced fuse box and associated fuses, cleaned up faulty wiring
repaired steering column wiring and hooter circuit
re-upholstered interior and seats to tan colour
replaced old side mirrors with genuine 356 Speedster mirrors from Germany
replaced gear linkage and bush
repaired Bowden Tube inside tunnel and fitted correct tube end on clutch cable
replaced leaking solex carb with twin 36 mm ICT Weber Carbs and hex bar linkage from Empi
replaced all leaking fuel hoses and fuel filter repositioned outside engine bay area
replaced iffy coil with new coil
replaced engine wiring and removed un-wanted broken cabling
tightened up almost every nut and bolt in engine bay - Everything was loose, or rattling loose, or had fallen out
project to replicate rear lenses with resin and coloured tints, 80% successful, but also purchased new rear lights and chrome bezels from the USA

so it's a pretty extensive list so far. Still to come, Carpets, Dashboard, Gauges, Roof, Steering wheel. Then we'll take stock of where it's at.

[Porscheguy]

I don't see replacing the gauges on your list?

[acpaterson]

Friday, it's a great day. After putting in a lot of effort and emails left, right and center, I'm very glad to say I have managed to acquire 3 period style Gauges for my Speedster rebuild from Dirk M, Porsche Spares fame.. (I think that's you Dirk.. Thanks VERY much for your awesome help buddy.)
And, so that when I redo the Dash at the panel Beaters next month, I'll be able to fit these in how the car should look. Also, so that I can SEE them properly, I've bought a 390 mm wheel from @Muds, who's been really cool to help facilitate this, and which will hopefully be able to just bolt onto my existing Boss and work correctly. Thanks Muds, you're a gentleman buddy..

have also fired off an email tot he manufacturers up in JHB to get a list of items, including Carpet Kit, Roof, Dash components etc.. Hopefully that all falls inside my allocated budget. Once I get the Porsche back end of April, I can start a proper rebuild and he'll look brand new.. VERY cool....

cheers for now

regards

Alan

[beetlefanatic]

Gauges are looking good. Was going to offer you this, but now you don't need it anymore.

Porsche multifunction Gauge 1974-76.jpg

[acpaterson]

Thanks man, appreciated, these three are very close to what they should look like, so all good.

[Tony Z]

nice one!