Porsche 911SC 1978 Refurb and light Restoration

November 2003

This 911 SC is one of the last fitted with the 3 speed Sportomatic transmission, It has undergone a partial restoration by the previous owner. Which includes new wings, lock panels, doors e.t.c. It has had a gearbox rebuilt in the past 10,000 miles and a top end rebuild about 50,000 miles ago. It has 147,000 miles on the clock with a full history mainly by camtune.

But the restoration was incomplete it still needs alot of work, the doors have been hung badly after replacement. It is not a sport model yet it has been fitted with the sport front and rear spoilers and spot lights. The tortion bar covers and headlight squirters are both missing. The bonnet shocks are shot. The cookie cutters are in terrible condition. The wing mirror has been put on with sealant instead of a gasket. I have also found a small hole in the rear passenger side arch where the engine lid cable bracket is attached. The restoration work which the previous owner has had carried out has not been sealed and protected with underseal yet either.

Mechanically the oil level gauge is giving a bad reading which is off the clock, the dashboard indicator lights are stuck on, the rear passenger wheel bearing is very noisy and the engine is heavily leaking oil by the oil tubes. The accelerator pedal action feels a bit sticky and full pedal travel feels restricted.

The Interior is fairly tidy, but it needs a door panel lock control knob surround disk, door open handle and the side pocket is hanging off due to a missing lid hinge block. The seats are also torn along the seams and need replacing.

Here's the picture as it was on purchase, I will post more pictures as it develops.

Update 8th March 04.

The SC has come on a long way since purchase, the doors have been rehung, the front and rear spoilers, drivers lights and roof ariel have been removed and are being welded and painted as I write. The bonnet shocks have been replaced as have the tortion bar covers which are to be painted at the same time as the other panels. New bumper bellows have been fitted.

The underside of the car and inside of the arches have all been cleaned back and resealed, the passenger side rear wheel arch cable pull bracket has been rewelded and sealed.

The sunroof has been removed and new seals have been fitted and the mechanism serviced, new seals have also been fitted to the door mirror and the sealant has been removed. New headlamp squirters have been fitted and connected.

The oil level float mechanism was removed from the oil tank under the rear drivers side arch. On removal it was cleaned using solvents and refitted, it now works as it should.

Mechanically, the engine has been serviced including new expandable oil breather tubes fitted all round, which stopped one of the oil leak on the engine. The emmission pump has been removed and replaced with blanking studs, this has been done for easier access to the engine bay more than the marginal increase in performance which is gained.

Both of the rear wheel bearing has been replaced and a new gaitor fitted. Behind the pedal boards, the floor has been cleaned and painted whilst the pedal assembly bushes have also been replaced.

The Interior, has had the broken plastic parts replaced and is all looking pretty clean and original apart from the front seats which are in dire need of replacement. I may change the headlining to freshen things up further.

I have bought a nice set of 16" fuchs alloys, new tyres and had them mirror polished. They have come up a treat.

I will post the pictures of its current condition within the next couple of weeks, I'm pleased with its progress and looking forward to some summer fun.

Update 2nd June 04

The engine has been removed from the car to service a couple of the remaining oil leaks, a new oil cooler and seals have been fitted and one of the oil hoses which was leaking was replaced along with a couple of the engine studs. New engine mounts were fitted along with a replacement bracket which the accelerator cable was mounted on. the original was snapped.

A nice pair of black leather turbo front seats of the same period have now been fitted and bring the interior standard up to that of the rest of the car.

With the fitting of chromed wheel nuts this weekend to match the polished 16" fuch alloys the car really does look nice, I'm very pleased with the results.

It's completely rust free, having had all of the necasary replacement panels fitted and sealed against the elements. The car is oil leak free having had an engine out service including a couple of replacement studs, hoses, seals gaskets and an oil cooler.

Unfortunately I have spent in the region of £6000 on the car in parts and labour not to mention what the previous owner must have spent to bring the bodywork to the standard it is at (new wings, lock panels etc) But it was never about money, as most of us are well aware, you rarely make money restoring a car for yourself.