The 2 Year Project to Restore Otto, a
1973 1/2 911T
The
Subject
A 1973 ½ Porsche 911T, otherwise known at Otto, purchased used in 1996 as the third owner
Originally
shipped from the factory powered by a 2.4L, 6 cylinder boxer air-cooled engine
- 1050 kg, 140 HP @ 5600 rpm, 200NM @ 4000 rpm, compression ratio – 7.5:1
- The first production Porsche equipped with fuel injection K-Jetronic / Bosch CIS – Continuous Injection System)
Background
From the spring of 1996 through the summer of 1999, this 911 lived a spirited and well-maintained life. Without incident, we ventured out on several extensive trips to San Antonio, TX; Monterey, CA; and several trips to Oregon and the coast. It was also pushed to its limit on several autocross courses and local hillclimb events. Until one faithful day at Mountain Home Airforce Base during a Sports Car Club of America (SCCA) autocross event near the end of the summer of 1999.
Around about the exit of the fourth corner of the course adrenaline took over. The corner opened up onto a long straightaway—a rarity in autocross situations, a chance to let the horses run. It was perhaps my best run all day. I exited that fourth corner with much more momentum and slammed the throttle wide open. Unlike most other autocross situations, the long straight required a shift into third gear and that’s when things went wrong.
The 915 gearbox fitted to the 1973 is notorious for being somewhat vague. Needless to say, its vagueness reached out to bite me during the second to third gear change. In my haste to find third, I mistakenly found first and let the clutch out. The rest is history.
After limping back home to Boise, I immediately deposited the car at the local independent Porsche shop. And a week later I gave to OK to tear the engine down with the purpose building a 2.7L high-performance power plant. But as life can do, all plans went on hold during the technology downturn of the early 2000s.
The car currently sits idle and the engine, with the exception of the machined case (cylinders bored for 2.7L pistons, line-bored, trued, and inspected), is bagged and stored in three large boxes awaiting to be reassembled and run up to 7000 RPMs again.
Purpose
Without tangible evidence, prospective employers are effectively taking a chance on each technician they hire. Grades, test scores, instructor recommendations, and practicums are fairly good indicators of a student’s knowledge and work ethic. But what if, in addition to the standard measurements, a student’s accomplishments, growth, and potential could be put on public display? What if all that he or she has learned is put into practice; wrapped into one ongoing project that encompasses all the knowledge gained along the way? There’s no better resume than one which is tangible and verifiable; better yet—drivable!
Aside from solidifying the knowledge I gain from the entire curriculum, my goal is to set myself apart. As Ron Martinez has continuously drilled into my Core Block class, “Effort and attitude are everything.” I take those words to heart; these are words by which to both live and change my life. This project represents my commitment to those words and in supplying the groundwork for my 2/5/10 goals also assigned by Ron Martinez.
Proposal
Applying the concepts and practices of each class in the Automotive Technology AAS curriculum, I propose to accomplish the following:
§ Formally request the services of the Auto Body program/instructors in order to:
o Repair minor body damage
o Research and color match the original paint
o Strip, prepare, and repaint the body in the original color
In completing this task, I will be experiencing real world conditions similar to those I’d experience in the restoration industry by outsourcing the restoration of a classic automobile body, budgeting, and tracking progress.
§ Develop a detailed engine specifications for the purposes of:
o Establishing a characteristics plan for the finished product BEFORE assembly
o Evaluating current engine components for use in the new engine
o Compiling a new components list
§ Rebuild/restore the original 2.4L engine (now a 2.7L)
o Research and source new parts from local and/or other suppliers
§ Build business relationship locally and afar in the high performance segment of the industry
§ Represent/promote the Boise State University’s Selland College Automotive Technology program
o Research and source machine work for various engine components
o Physically perform the rebuild applying concepts and techniques presented in class and lab
o Properly tune the engine to specifications applying concepts and practices from the Engine Management and Performance class
§ Reunite the newly rebuilt engine and chassis
§ Verify, repair, or replace other essential components by applying class, lab, and practicum knowledge
o Transmission and drive train systems
o Suspension and steering systems
o Electrical system (possible conversion to a single 12V source)
Supporting Documentation
The ultimate goal of this project is to produce a tangible representation of my accomplishments throughout Automotive Technology AAS program. As such, a portfolio will be established to track the progress of this project. The portfolio will include:
§ The original, detailed engine characteristics plan
§ The actual finished specifications relating to engine, drive train, etc.
§ Digital photos documenting milestones
§ An Internet presence (THIS SITE...THANK YOU, Pelican Parts!) for sharing progress with prospective employers and instructors
Throughout the project this supporting documentation will serve as the main communication tool. And, in the end, provide a comprehensive summary of the knowledge I’ve gained and put into practice during the two year AAS program.
Next Steps
