Here at 924S944.com, we have stockpiled a lot of parts, and we have some pretty neat projects piled up in the yard. So we are suggesting that maybe you folks out there in Central Florida might want to come by the shop in Orange City for “DIY Days” where we dive into a project or job on a Saturday or Sunday so that you can get some real-life, real-time experience with jobs that you may be a little hesitant to try on your own. We can work together with a small group to go start-to-finish in a day. What do you think? Oh, yea, for free.
The first DIY DAY will be a clutch replacement in a 924S scheduled for Saturday, April 20!
I am not a “certified mechanic,” nor have I been to school to learn what I know. However, I bought my first Porsche – a ’78 924 – in 1982, and while I had worked on all of my cars in the past, that car started my education and training in all things Porsche Front Engine Water Cooled. Simply put, I couldn’t afford to pay someone to work on my car. If I didn’t do it myself, it would not get done. (Sound familiar?)
The first major DIY repair that I did was to install a new clutch in the 924. Using jack stands. On a carport. In summer. In Florida. With nothing more than a Chilton book.
The project took about a week. I needed a couple of new tools, but most of the job was pretty straightforward. The early cars had a cable clutch, so the hydraulics didn’t come into play. I did, however, have to remove the transaxle, move the drive tube, remove the bell housing…well, you know the drill. All while lying under the car on my back. I swore that I would never do anything like that again with out the proper facilities, including a lift.
I lied to myself that day.
But between my young son and I, we were able to keep that car going for over 250,000 miles. It was his first car. Finally, he sold it off, and it probably met its demise at some point. But that car taught us a lot.
Learning how to wrench on any car – or car model – that you really love isn’t work, although I’ll admit it can be a bit frustrating. Today we have the Blessing of the Youtube and the Altar of the Google to help us out – things that I didn’t have “back in the day.” But videos and step-by-step instructions can’t replace real hands-on experience with any job – major or otherwise.
Here at 924S944.com, we have stockpiled a lot of parts, and we have some pretty neat projects piled up in the yard. So we are suggesting that maybe you folks out there in Central Florida might want to come by the shop for “DIY Days” where we dive into a project or job on a Saturday or Sunday so that you can get some real-life, real-time experience with jobs that you may be a little hesitant to try on your own. We can work together with a small group to go start-to-finish in a day. What do you think? Email me if interested. Include the types of projects that you would like to learn about. There is no cost for these DIY Days!
Our first DIY DAY could be a clutch job on Sparky, my rescued 924S. It has only 52,000 miles on the clock, and I am pretty sure that it still has the original rubber-centered clutch that could be rotting away as we speak, waiting for the proper moment to fail. I need to put in a new spring-centered clutch at some point as “preventative maintenance.” By the book, this is an eight-hour job.
We have scheduled this first DIY DAY for April 20, a Saturday, from 8-6. Pre-register at ClubRegistration.net. (If you do not have an account with them, you will need to establish one. They do not sell your information, though!) Registration is limited to six! I will post announcements here and on Facebook. Also let us know what you think about this idea.
