Old style (T5) fuel petcock in my T6?

[Ben Klumper]

My '63 cab has some peculiarities to it. I think it was built sometime between July and October of 1962, given the documentation I have. Not sure if that makes it a very early T6, but it has a few T5 parts on it that have me scratching my head. A few examples are, T5 steering wheel, T5 windshield squirters, fresh air box with the angled drain hose (vs the one with the 90 deg elbow). The car is very original and had been sitting since 1976. One other item is that it came with the older style fuel petcock - the one with the outlet directly opposite of the valve vs coming off the side. Has anyone else seen an older style petcock on a '63 from the factory? Or is it more likely that mine was replaced at some point with the incorrect one?

[Jules Dielen]

Did you mean built between july and october 1961? That is early in production. By july 62 they were half way through.

[Ben Klumper]

No, it was built in ‘62 for sure. Just wondering if they may have still been using T5 parts up by that point. Or at least any ‘62 only stuff.

[Vic Skirmants]

Not very likely that Porsche used that style fuel petcock in a T-6.

[Marcus van Bers]

Ben, what is your VIN? It might better date your car between T5 and T6. Can you post pictures?

[Ben Klumper]

It's 157355

[Marcus van Bers]

Ben, maybe compare yours with this one https://bringatrailer.com/listing/1963- ... riolet-13/. I don't know how original it is but it was 201 cars before yours. I would estimate yours was made in later September 1962 and well along in the T6 production run.

[Sebastian Gaeta]

Ben,

I think it would help you immensely of you copied and pasted your initial post from The Samba when you were in the process of acquiring the car. it would give everyone a lot of information they won't need to ask for when answering your questions. It could be a living thread where you could post any questions and show the progress you make along the way. I know it got me pretty excited for you and when answering your questions I referred to the early posts so I could make much better recommendations. Just a thought but it would likely be very helpful to you and everyone here trying to answer questions!

[Martin Benade]

Was the later steering wheel specifically T6, or just changed approximately around then?

[Ben Klumper]

Ben,

I think it would help you immensely of you copied and pasted your initial post from The Samba when you were in the process of acquiring the car. it would give everyone a lot of information they won't need to ask for when answering your questions. It could be a living thread where you could post any questions and show the progress you make along the way. I know it got me pretty excited for you and when answering your questions I referred to the early posts so I could make much better recommendations. Just a thought but it would likely be very helpful to you and everyone here trying to answer questions!

Yes, I've been meaning to start a project thread on here and it's on my list of things to do!

[Ben Klumper]

Ben, maybe compare yours with this one https://bringatrailer.com/listing/1963- ... riolet-13/. I don't know how original it is but it was 201 cars before yours. I would estimate yours was made in later September 1962 and well along in the T6 production run.

Thanks Marcus. That one on BAT has the later style steering wheel so I'm guessing mine was swapped out at some point. Very strange. The PO has mentioned to me that another local 356 owner has "borrowed" some parts over the years. I'm starting to think he took more than he let on...

PS - your paint sample is on its way to you...

[Dave Lagerstrom]

I have a steering wheel from a 62 parts car from years ago. There was not a wheel for my 60 T5, so maybe we can swap.

[Ben Klumper]

I have a steering wheel from a 62 parts car from years ago. There was not a wheel for my 60 T5, so maybe we can swap.

Thanks Dave, I just sent you a PM.

[Olivier Auvray]

Take care: if you use an early petcock in T6 / C body, the right tie rod can hit the outlet of the petcock. Damages can occur....... specially fuel leak!

[Al Zim]

STEERING WHEEL: The 1960 and 1961 steering wheels had a sharp side to the spokes. these were rounded in 1962 so they will not inflict a wound if the wheel jerks when you hit a bump.
Petcock: With a large displacement engine with fuel injection the flow of fuel to the rear of the car will probably be restricted. Using a T-5 petcock the T-6 petcock will flow more fuel. However, You can flow more fuel by eliminating the petcock and using an electric fuel pump mounted to the torsion bars (a kit) . Blocking off the mechanical fuel pump on the engine eliminates any risk of gas leaking into the crankcase.
Fuel tanks are available new. How to check! Run your tank low on fuel. Remove the fuel level gauge and with a bright flashlight look at the interior of the tank.
Tanks that may have been coated inside is because they are rusty time for a replacement.. Replace all the flexible fuel lines with BMW fuel injection line it will not deteriorate.
The fuel filter (large) should be located under the car (outside) behind the drivers on the vertical panel (OUTSIDE) No one leaves our shop with a fuel filter in the engine compartment those have the ability to set the car on fire. Al Zim