I finally have my '64 356 Coupe

[Stephen Masefield]

See post entitle "Steering Box Leak..."
I posted...
Having driven Landrovers (old 88's and 109's) for quite a few years the saying was .."if it ain't leaking its empty"; this is sadly true of many other British cars too (and let's not get into Lucas).

Anyway, to the point. The front swivel ball/joints on Landrovers are notorious for loosing their 90 weight oil, and many folks now use a grease called PLX039 - Nicrotec, it comes in 375cc tubes. Made in the UK but readily available here in US from Rovers North and others.

My 356b box has been leaking and I have steadily topped up with this (sloppy) grease till leak stops, ie: I have substituted oil for grease. Land-rovers take a harder pounding than Porsches - if driven correctly - so should be just fine. And unlike 'grease' the mixture is "sloppy" so no grease cavitation around the peg.

Also very simple to put in - there is thin tube at the top of the tube you snip off and patiently dribble it in .. doesn't take long especially if its warm like we have now in the summer...

[Dick Weiss]

Ashley,

It hasn't been mentioned that adjustment of the steering box i done w/the front end lifted to get the feel of the center point of the steering box--you can't really get a good feel when the wheels are on the floor.

Also, recently rebuilding a ZF box having an intermitant clearance thru the center found that the roller-peg had a bad spot to the worm. Unfortunately, no replacements are available via Stoddard , USA, or even Europe (so far); Last year they were available
via England, but Stoddard said they weren't correct and they sent them back. They didn't recall what was wrong w/them.

I've refinished about 1/2 dozen on my special universal tool grinder over the years and they're still in operation!
Hope yours doesn't have problems and make sure you don't loose any of the small tapered roller bearings--16-on each side!

Dick

[Ashley James]

Dick

Box was rebuilt with everything in it replaced, worm reground and new peg made. It came back having been grease filled and set up on a test rig by a leading UK specialist ICS Steering. It's very smooth and has no play at all in the straight ahead position. It feels an excellent job.

[Ashley James]

Lots of miles done in a variety of conditions, car is amazingly comfortable and rides beautifully, better than my modern Merc and less bumpy than my 987 Boxster. I love it!

When I arrived back I find my son has blocked my driveway with this monster. It makes a 356 look as though it'd fit in your pocket.

[Martin Benade]

The white one is cuter.

[Ashley James]

Yup, it's a very impressive little car, even the boy likes it.

[Ashley James]

It's in the workshop to have the interior removed, everything back to bare metal, welding where necessary, rust treatment, repainting including dash, sound deadening and new red trim fitted.

[John Clarke]

Yes, it seems a nice genuine old car, Why are you ripping it apart Ash?
Personally with the C, I think that Porsche lost there way with the design of the 356. The lines of the earlier T2 and also even with the T5, retaining the earlier hood / bonnet lines, Front / Rear window lines, engine lid / grill, All lost! They had to create the 901, there was no where else to go.
OIMHO.
Jay

[Doug McDonnell]

Love my 65 C but the "Monster" is pretty cool too!

[Ashley James]

John

It's been imported from the USA and has no proper protection from rust, so we're preparing it for cavity wax etc.

It is a very original car, but started life with a red interior and got black early on in its life. The interior is now tired and the front seats need a complete rebuild with new springs etc.

The rest of it seems sound and just needs correct adjustment.

I bought a late car because I wanted the best possible ride handling and brakes and it was all I could comfortably afford. I really like it.

My son has exceeded 1000 miles now in my 1963 Healey 3000 and he's in the Alps surrounded my stunning scenery. The car had only done a few hundred since engine and gearbox were completely rebuilt, so we were all apprehensive, me especially as I'd done the engine, but fine so far. Lots of power, questionable handling and brakes. Perfect for Stelvio. 356 is quite a contrast.

[David Jones]

Jay I would have thought you of all people would appreciate why Ash has torn the car down. If it was over here in the States it would be questionable as to why one would tear in to what seems like a decent car but when one factors in the way rust in the UK is actually looking for victims as opposed to just occurring then it is understandable. One has to know just how aggressive rust is in the UK. I have two 59 A models and one 64C model and together they have less rust than my 63B did when I bought it in 1970 in Wiltshire UK. It had rust in places I have yet to see rust in a car in the States. I spent more time brazing holes in that car than I did working on mechanical parts. Wish I had had a MIG welder back then it would have saved an inordinate amount of time and effort and maybe I would still own the car instead of losing it in the divorce because it was immobile when the time came to part ways.
We in the States are blessed with far more sunny dry days than in the UK so I applaud your efforts Ash in making the car more likely to survive the next 20 years of British weather. I guarantee you will drive your car more in the rain in the next 12 month than I will in the next 10 years. Lucky you bought the "C" the wipers on the "A" are more for amusement than actual use.
By the way the 356 handling is so much better than the Healey which I am sure you already have noted that it is likely your son will soon be looking for a 356 as well.

[Ashley James]

David my son has two hot rods and a Series 1 LandRover, so the Healey seems pretty good and it's powerful. Mind you, he's 9000 odd feet up now, so it's lost quite a bit.

[Ashley James]

We cleaned all the paint and dirt off the floors on the inside of the car and were quite please that there was only a hint of rust under the passengers heals. However the top roll (Trim over dashboard to screen) was very rusty, presumably because the screen had been leaking sometime in the past. Therefore we're over a pit and removing all the bitumastic underseal and finding pin holes on the front half of the floor, so a new one is on its way and will be fitted shortly. It's never straightforward.

Here's Matt who's very happy to have a break from great oily old R-R&Bs. He's been working on an ex Princess Margaret P IV.



They all love the little Porsche. They're quite rare in the UK.

[Ashley James]

Having meticulously cleaned the whole of the underneath and located a few pinholes, we've fitted new floor sections.



He's done a lovely neat job, so I'm very happy.

[Ashley James]

Matt starting the trim.



And George is painting the dashboard. He painted and Rich remade the interior for a Bentley that came third at Pebble Beach this year behind a 540K and I think a Delahaye. Not bad in such hallowed company.