So I bought a 911SC

The big things you will hear a lot about are the chain tensioners and the airbox popoff valve. Hopefully it has both. Other than that, there is just the usual stuff-- a/c (which never works all that well in air cooled 911s under any circumstances), stuff like cruise control and power windows, etc.

My recommendation to anyone looking to start with an air cooled Porsche is to go for a 911SC, ideally one just like yours.

Some track or autocross is a good idea, so you can get used to the handling at the limit. It's really not as crazy as the reputation would lead one to believe-- I think compared to an understeering American car of the 1960s or 1970s it would have seemed crazy, sure, but with any practice and common sense it is really great. My 75 911S is really quite tractable at the limit, and does not surprise at all. You can steer it very well with just your foot-- in fact, that is the preferred method.

 

There are some upgrade options for the compressor for the A/C that make a significant improvement on what is otherwise the weakest part of that era 911. I don't recall, off the top of my head, who sells it, but have seen them on several used 911's of that type.

And Mark? I'm a little green with envy, that's a great looking car, and they're a hoot to drive. enjoy.

D

 

Looks like a great car! I believe older 911s to be among the best and one of the more interesting hobby cars out there. I second the thought of doing some track days, etc. - they're more intuitive to drive on the limit than the reputation would suggest, and your 911 experience will be richer for it.

If you haven't already, spend some time over on the Pelican boards, http://forums.pelicanparts.com/

A great basic book, one that I picked up early on and has been super helpful with all sorts of projects (unsurprisingly I suppose) is
https://www.amazon.com/Projects-Porsche-1964-1989-Motorbooks-Workshop/dp/0760308535/ref=sr_1_2?keywords=100+projects+for+your+porsche&qid=1683252910&sr=8-2

 

Great car. I know everyone thinks these are common, but nice coupes are still a bit of a hunt.

In terms of projects, I have a ‘93 964 so supposedly 85 percent redesigned under the skin, but last week I had the fuel lines replaced due to age and also suspension bushings while the engine was out. One leaky oil hose as well. The car has run flawlessly but with older cars I don’t wait for failures.

Also I’m thinking this may be a forever keeper so I’m indulging my OCD.

Good luck and enjoy.


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A few years ago, I hemmed and hawed and decided to buy a gorgeous quartz ‘83 SC with 24k miles for $23k!!! I called to place my deposit and…GONE!

Glad you didn’t have the same experience, they’re lovely cars! Congrats!

 

The trombone oil cooler is fine unless you are doing extended track work. I would worry about that last.

Sounds like you have the oil-fed tensioners (referred to as the "Carrera Tensioners") which is what you want. You probably have the airbox popoff valve as well.

 

And electronic ignition.


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Unnecessary on a 911SC unless there is something wrong with the original system. I'm pretty sure it has some sort of electronic ignition already.

 

Congratulations- looks great!

Most of these had the Carrera tensioners installed years ago (a superior design that was used starting with the 1984 911 Carrera- thus the "Carrera tensioners" terminology). If the tensioners haven't been updated, they still can be, not a big deal.

My first 911 was a red 1978 targa- since then I've had a 1987 911, 1993 911 (964), with a ~9 year detour through a 360 Modena then 355 spider... I loved (and still love) the Ferraris but got fed up with the repair costs..couldn't get the late 80's 911 out of my mind and ended up with another! (89 911 cab turbo look/widebody)

Rock solid cars- sort of drive like a truck (not a car for everyone), but if you are an air-cooled 911 person, there is no substitute for the feel/look/drive/sound/design/smells- those of us that love them...love them! The best steering feedback of most any car, bank vault build quality, excellent reliability.

My quick comments for a new owner:
* Check oil level with the car fully warmed up, on level ground with the car idling. Aim for oil between min and max on the dipstick- no need to go all the way up to max as you are more likely to overfill the car (or if the car gets hotter than when you are checking the oil, the oil will expand and could exceed the maximum). There is almost a 2 quart range between max and min so just shoot for the middle. The oil level gauge will register after idling for a few seconds- should drop to zero once you drive off (the oil leaves the sump when engine speed moves above idle). I have found that oil level gauge to be pretty accurate in all 4 of the 911s I had.

* Due to the rear engine configuration, if driving quickly and approaching a sharp turn, do all of your braking in a straight line before the turn- if you are carrying too much speed use the very powerful brakes in the straight to really scrub off speed before getting into the curve- turn in and get on the gas in the turn- the rear will hunker down with the power and it will be wonderful (vs the alternative of braking hard in a turn & spinning out). Also, be careful with the speed in turns in the wet.

* I have always used high quality non-synthetic 20W-50 over the years. Most recently, my mechanic recommended Motul mineral classic oil (20W-50).

* Since you don't know much of the car's history, I'd recommend you flush the brake fluid. Should be done every few years anyway (the manual says every 2 years)

A couple of side stores on the oil cooler since you mention it (this was only in my 911SC that had the stock trombone cooler vs the oil radiator the Carreras have):

Back when I had that 1978 it was my only car (bought the car used in the late 1980’s), thus I couldn’t avoid driving in the rain. I remember driving my car in the summer and if the car was fully warmed up and the oil was circulating through the trombone oil cooler, if there was a summer rain storm and I'd stop at a traffic light or stop sign, and in the first minutes of rain there would be steam coming up from the passenger wheel well- scared the heck out of me the first time it happened- ha! Once that pipe was wet for a little bit I remember the steam subsiding and visually being able to see the oil temperature decrease some. Pretty cool.

The other thing is, especially in summer once the oil warmed up enough to open the thermostat and circulate the oil through the cooler, I could hear the oil like running water going through pipes in a house, even though that was 20W-50 oil (fairly thick when it's room temperature!) I don't notice this in my 89 likely since that oil radiator muffles the sound.

Anyway, you can't go wrong with this car- looks great, sounds like you got a great price and are enjoying it. Drive her in good health!

-Andrew

 

I had a big-time Porsche mechanic in New Jersey put electronic ignition in my 1973.5 911. He couldn’t believe the difference.

Paterek Brothers




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1973.5 is ten years older than a 1983 911SC...

 

It's really funny you mention that, because my newly acquired 1980 930 makes the same sound (and it has an oil radiator), and I was wondering what it was!

 

Yeah I get that in my 86.

Does your speedo make a periodic "ticking" noise? Not like a clock ticking, but sounds like a tossed small pebble bouncing off the face of the gauge, at random times. Car doesn't have to be on.

 

Speedo? No. My clock makes some noise, though.

 

My mistake, I misspoke. I did mean the clock.

 

Did the ‘83 come with electronic ignition?


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Yes. All 911SCs did. According to my copy of "Original Porsche 911" -- "A new capacitor discharge and contactless system was introduced in the ignition."

 

Paterak Brothers are still at it- they installed a new windshield when I purchased my car (I didn’t want anyone else doing a job like that)

In fact, they hosted a local Porsche Club meet up just 2-3 weeks ago. They showed us a sympathetic restore project- this 356 will be an (awesome) driver! It sounds like the owner is not repairing the rust (maybe going to stop it from spreading any more though)
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Congrats! Classic 911’s are going up in value and are fun analog machines.

 

Congrats Mark, beautiful 911! Love analog!