Thanks Dad: '56 Porsche 356A

[pdxjim]

Update: Gettin' after it!

Been spending a lot of time down in NorCal tending to my dad's property and managing his trust.

Lots of meetings with roofers, septic service guys, appraisers, electronics and tractor/old engine nerds, etc.

Silver lining is I get to spend time with my car. I'm totally obsessed with this thing, and have spent hours going over the shop manual and owners manual, and reading old threads and asking lots of questions on the fantastic 356registry.com forum.





I did a bit more excavation, and moved some junk out of the way to get the cover off for the first time in at least 35yrs.





I found the keys and bought a 6v battery, and found most of the lights work, and it didn't let the smoke (or flames) out, so thankfully the rats seem to have spared the wiring. Keys are pretty well worn after 60yrs in my dad's pocket.





I got a the Kardex (original Porsche factory build sheet) which shows the engine cases are original to the car.





... and changed the oil. I'll pull the plugs and get some penetrating oil in the cyls when I'm down there next in a couple weeks.



The engine spins free, so I'm pretty sure after rehabbing the fueling system, it should run.  The fuel tank is pretty ugly inside, and a good quality repop is only $400 (cheaper than the one I got from Yambits for my LC), so pretty sure I'll go that route and save rehabbing the OG tank for a later date (I'm so over fcuking around with rusty gas tanks).  Carb cleaning/fixing the "epoxyed jet", fuel pup rebuild, and replacing all the rubber fuel lines are next on the list.

Takeaway: Motorcycles are way easier to work on than cars.

[kpke]

This is so cool. I hope that thing runs really good. And good luck with the estate. Hope that goes well for you.

I am almost 2 years in to being executor/trustee for parents estate. It's a 2 family thing and what a nightmare. I don't recommend it. Seeing the light at the end of the tunnel now though. There was no Porsche involved unfortunately. 

[pdxjim]

This is so cool. I hope that thing runs really good. And good luck with the estate. Hope that goes well for you.

I am almost 2 years in to being executor/trustee for parents estate. It's a 2 family thing and what a nightmare. I don't recommend it. Seeing the light at the end of the tunnel now though. There was no Porsche involved unfortunately. 

Thanks Ken. 
Yeah, the executor/trustee job is no joke.  'Specially since my dad was fantastic at acquiring stuff, but terrible at getting rid of anything.  His bushes are full of old tractors, and the shop is full of ten of everything you can imagine and at least one of everything you had no idea even existed.  Most frustrating is truing to do a simple task, knowing he has all the gear needed, but it's buried under a ton of isht so I can't find anything.  Great negative reinforcement to GET RID OF EVERYTHING I DONT NEED.

Thankfully I'm an only child, so that makes things a bit easier.

[pdxjim]

Progress update:

356 is currently in Salem, OR for mechanical rehab. Been there for a few weeks already, and looking like it might get some action next week.



New aluminum 15x5.5 wheels and 195/60R15 tires have been gotten.





Front end upgrades will include new Koni shocks, new Koni steering damper, lowered beam adjusters, new steering box, new bushings, new dual circuit brake master and flex lines, four new wheel brake cylinders, new wheel bearings, etc.

Rear end gets new brake cyls, new spring plate bushings, lowered spring plates, Konis, etc.

Drivetrain will be next. OG motor will come out for a valve job and checkup, then go back in hopefully in time to get some miles in before the rain comes. Only mods will be a bluetooth programmable electronic dizzy and 1720 big bore pistons and cyls if needed. I'll run the stock topend if it checks out OK.

I've bought a 100+hp '69 912 motor to replace the 60hp stock motor, and am working on sourcing a newer/stronger 741 trans with better syncros and ratios.  OG drivetrain will be well preserved for the future.  I know myself well enough I wouldn't be able to leave it alone.  Better option to just get it out of the way and fcuk with a way less precious 912 lump.  Cam, Webers, porting, bluetooth ignition, etc.  This build will (hopefully) happen this winter and go in in the spring.



Chassis will go to the body and interior guys this fall for new rubber, minor interior repairs, and paint correction.





Glad I bought a modern turnkey motorcycle, coz this dumb old car is taking up all my time and money.

[m in sc]

    

[Kawtriplefreak]

    

[pdxjim]

A momentous occasion.
 
I drove our 356 today for the first time in 37 years.

Since we've brought it up to Oregon, we've done the usual rehab suspects: new steering box, new dual master, brake lines and wheel cylinders, wheel bearings, Koni shocks, Mobelwagen wheels and Vred Sprint + tires, Wilhoit 17.5mm sway bar, refreshed front and rear suspension, new flex fuel lines, refreshed normal engine with 86mm P&C's and 123 Distributor, etc, etc. 

It runs great, but there is some audible metal-on-metal scraping from the front wheels while turning.  Initially we thought it was the inside of the wider wheels/tires fouling on the bumpstops, but that doesn't appear to be the case.  We'll pull the drums off tomorrow for another look.

Despite the rain, and scrapey noises, it was a joy I've not felt since 1987.

[kpke]

That's awesome. Must be a blast to drive. Way to go!!!

[sav0r (CL MotoTech)]

Looks great! You lucked out on the wiring harness. What a pain in the ass that is.

[SoCal250]

Nice new wheels look good

[Striker1423]

That is beyond cool Jim. Congrats!

Maybe the tires rubbing the inner fender?

[pdxjim]

That is beyond cool Jim. Congrats!

Maybe the tires rubbing the inner fender?

Inner wheel bearings were the wrong size and the drums were rubbing on the backing plates.

That's fixed now, but unfortunately it stuck a valve and dropped a valve guide so the engine is back out and the head is at the machine shop.

Hopefully we can get it all back together and bring it home Friday. 🤞🤞

[pdxjim]

Looks great! You lucked out on the wiring harness. What a pain in the ass that is.

True. Thankfully the rats and mice spared the wiring. They loved the wiring in my Dads Honda and Acura tho.

[pdxjim]

356 is finally home!

Drove it the 60mi home on two lane rural hiway last Thursday without issue.

After I got it home, I set to work replacing all the OG bulbs with LED's to give the marginal 6v charging system a break.

I've been running errands in it everyday, and having a good ol' time.  The rain today kept it in the garage, but I've got a few parts coming, including wiper arms and blades, so that might get me back out there.

Anyway, it's running great, and I'm gearing up for the new motor and transaxle build.  912 engine will get 1720 big bore P&C's, ported heads (and maybe big valves), 40idf Webers, etc, etc.  Should be good for a bit over 100hp. Trans will get rebuilt or at least checked over.

Fcuking stoked!

[RDnuTZ]

Timeless classic beauty with looks that never go out of style