Another VW Owner in his first 356

356 Porsche-related discussions and questions.
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Jacin Ferreira
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Joined: Sat Mar 19, 2011 4:17 am
Location: San Jose, CA

Another VW Owner in his first 356

#1 Post by Jacin Ferreira »

Hey Guys,

Do to the sale of one of my VW's recently, I was able to pick up a really awesome 1957 Coupe from a mutual friend.

A little about me.. I've owned 30+ VW's in my life so far.. some beetles but mainly busses and Type 3's. I run the Type 3 Registry (http://www.type3registry) and the Type 3 Wiki (http://www.type3wiki.com). I've always lusted after an early 356 and by luck was introduced to Nels Dutton in Phoenix who I convinced to sell me his silver 356 coupe that he's had for a few years.

VIN is 58923. Has a motor out of a 1960 1600 that has been turned into a 1720cc running Weber 40 IDF's and a later transmission. Non matching numbers car.. and I'm ok with that as I think it brought it to a price level where I can afford it.

I have 30+ years of paperwork on the car.. looks like the engine and transmission were rebuilt by Vic S. in the early '80's. I also found a copy of the Kardex. Options are Telefunken Radio (which I can't seem to find photos of a Telefunken in a non-Pre A, Sealed Beam Headlights and an Antenna. The car was originally and still is Silver Metallic but originally had black upholstery and is now red.

I have a couple of outstanding issues that I am looking for a little bit of guidance on right now...

- Heavy gasoline smell coming from what I think is the fuel pump. I don't see anything wet when I have looked but I've only had the car a couple of days. Is there a trusted rebuilder? I've always used Ed Fall for my VW carb and Fuel Pump Rebulids.

- Right now there is a header / muffler type of setup on there, and it sounds ok and has decent performance, I'd just prefer something with a classier look. Because it's a 1960 motor in a 1957 car do I have to worry about any fitment issues? I've searched around and can't seem to find any reviews of the Vintage Speed 356 exhausts. I have a couple for my VW's I like.. I also saw the Concept 1 Abarth Stainless copy. Any opinions?
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1954 Volkswagen Kombi - Dove Blue
1957 Porsche 356a Coupe - Silver w/Red Upholstery
1962 Volkswagen 1500 Sedan - Pearl White
1963 Volkswagen Beetle - Turquiose
1970 Volkswagen Westfalia

Jeffrey Leeds
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Posts: 1280
Joined: Sun Apr 20, 2008 4:57 pm
Location: Northeastern MA

Re: Another VW Owner in his first 356

#2 Post by Jeffrey Leeds »

Vic has a photographic memory and follows the Forum regularly so I'm sure he will follow-up soon.

The gas smell would be the first thing to resolve. One thing to consider is checking - and while you are at it you might as well replace - all rubber fuel lines especially including the one from the tank into the cabin (this gets overlooked often) and through the center tunnel. We have had several instances locally of these lines leaking gas INTO the cabin, under the carpet. Replace all lines with hose that is rated for ethanol gasoline.

In your locality I recommend Bob Grigsby RMG Enterprises 960 W. El Camino Real (in back alley) # 408-738-2060.
Sunnyvale, CA 94087. I'm biased: I own a car he restored in the early '90's, still going strong with 233000 miles on it.

Welcome to the Registry.

Jeff
< Jeff >

Registry Member Since 1978
1963 356B T-6 Super 90 Coupe
2009 997.2 Carrera S
2015 958 Cayenne diesel-1 & 2015 958 Cayenne diesel-2

Jeffrey Leeds
356 Fan
Posts: 1280
Joined: Sun Apr 20, 2008 4:57 pm
Location: Northeastern MA

Re: Another VW Owner in his first 356

#3 Post by Jeffrey Leeds »

I should have started my previuos response by complementing your purchase. It looks like a great buy, and car you can really drive, enjoy and show with pride.

I've had the Concept 1 SS twin pipe muffler on my S-90 for two years and it still looks like new. It is very well made. The welds are beautiful. I like the sound, and best of all it fit first-time with no drama.
you won't be disappointed if you go that way.

Jeff
< Jeff >

Registry Member Since 1978
1963 356B T-6 Super 90 Coupe
2009 997.2 Carrera S
2015 958 Cayenne diesel-1 & 2015 958 Cayenne diesel-2

Jacin Ferreira
356 Fan
Posts: 31
Joined: Sat Mar 19, 2011 4:17 am
Location: San Jose, CA

Re: Another VW Owner in his first 356

#4 Post by Jacin Ferreira »

Thanks Jeff!

I am stoked.. I inspected the fuel lines in the engine compartment and they all looked new and non cracked I'll investigate further. I appreciate that.

Also, the recommendation for the shop in Sunnyvale is great.. right in between home and work!

As far as the Concept 1 SS twin pipe.. I found it on their website.. price is good, looks great but for fitment it says B and C cars... Is this because of the engine (since I have a "B" engine") it will be ok? Or is that a fitment recommendation because it may not fit the rear apron correctly?

http://usstore.concept1.ca/Porsche-356- ... WIN-62911/

Jeffrey Leeds wrote:I should have started my previuos response by complementing your purchase. It looks like a great buy, and car you can really drive, enjoy and show with pride.

I've had the Concept 1 SS twin pipe muffler on my S-90 for two years and it still looks like new. It is very well made. The welds are beautiful. I like the sound, and best of all it fit first-time with no drama.
you won't be disappointed if you go that way.

Jeff
1954 Volkswagen Kombi - Dove Blue
1957 Porsche 356a Coupe - Silver w/Red Upholstery
1962 Volkswagen 1500 Sedan - Pearl White
1963 Volkswagen Beetle - Turquiose
1970 Volkswagen Westfalia

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Doug McDonnell
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Re: Another VW Owner in his first 356

#5 Post by Doug McDonnell »

List your transmission number and Vic will probably look in his little notebook and tell you when and what Number it is in his rebuild sequence. He may or may not have the engine number but might remember if he did both at the same time. Welcome to the Registry. I know someone in Saratoga who is going to be jealous.
1965 356C 2000 BMW 740i Sport 1967 Honda CL77 There is never enough time to do it right, but always enough time to do it over.

Jeffrey Leeds
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Re: Another VW Owner in his first 356

#6 Post by Jeffrey Leeds »

Jacin, I'm not sure about your fitment question. Hopefully, someone else can jump in here with a better response. I understand from other's that they are very responsive if you contact them directly. Here's a thread on this muffler from a while back that may help:

viewtopic.php?f=1&t=37481&p=228054&hili ... er#p228054
< Jeff >

Registry Member Since 1978
1963 356B T-6 Super 90 Coupe
2009 997.2 Carrera S
2015 958 Cayenne diesel-1 & 2015 958 Cayenne diesel-2

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Doug McDonnell
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Re: Another VW Owner in his first 356

#7 Post by Doug McDonnell »

1965 356C 2000 BMW 740i Sport 1967 Honda CL77 There is never enough time to do it right, but always enough time to do it over.

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Doug McDonnell
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Re: Another VW Owner in his first 356

#8 Post by Doug McDonnell »

Muffler on A link-looks like it may or may not fit: viewtopic.php?f=1&t=40423&hilit=GDP+muffler Hard to improve on the stock muffler for power. Sound is another story.
1965 356C 2000 BMW 740i Sport 1967 Honda CL77 There is never enough time to do it right, but always enough time to do it over.

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Vic Skirmants
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Re: Another VW Owner in his first 356

#9 Post by Vic Skirmants »

Hi Jacin, welcome aboard!
I'll need the trans number to check my records. BUT; as Doug mentions, I may not have the engine number from way back then. I may not even have the trans number. A name of a previous owner would probably help.
Cheers.

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Jim Clement
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Tag: 1957 356 A Coupe
Location: Calgary Alberta

Re: Another VW Owner in his first 356

#10 Post by Jim Clement »

hi..
I responded earlier.. but may have forgotten to push submit
The muffler from Concept one is very well constructed for sure..all in SS looking very good.
The challenge is the fitment on the early or T1 cars such as yours (and mine) the fitment is not at the engine side - the Concept one fits well.. it is at the rear valance. The Abarth will work well, as the 4 tail pipes drop down then slightly back up, clearing the rear valance.
The current two pipe unit may hit the rear valance, so you may need to modify the body or the pipes.
The good news is I believe there will very very shortly be a two pipe version that come straight off the bottom of the main round muffler and out.. missing the valance.
 

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VinceFinaldi
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Re: Another VW Owner in his first 356

#11 Post by VinceFinaldi »

Welcome to the Registry! My A is the older twin brother (late '56) to yours. For exhaust, I run a Sebring. I purchased it from Jim Liberty, in Costa Mesa, who installed it as well. It's loud and I love it. He is on the Registry.
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Frank Hood
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Re: Another VW Owner in his first 356

#12 Post by Frank Hood »

Jacin

Congrats!
Welcome to the Registry and on scoring a gorgeous 356!

Frank

Jacin Ferreira
356 Fan
Posts: 31
Joined: Sat Mar 19, 2011 4:17 am
Location: San Jose, CA

Re: Another VW Owner in his first 356

#13 Post by Jacin Ferreira »

HI Vic... thanks!

Engine Number is P600267. Looks like you did a bunch of work in August 1985 to the motor and the owner at the time was a D. Morylak.

I can't find the Trans Number yet in the Paperwork but I do have a photo of it in a crate with your handwriting on the back with "A Trans 6-23-83".. owner at the time would also had been D. Morylak.

I took a photo of the picture you took... I will scan it so it looks better sometime soon.
Vic Skirmants wrote:Hi Jacin, welcome aboard!
I'll need the trans number to check my records. BUT; as Doug mentions, I may not have the engine number from way back then. I may not even have the trans number. A name of a previous owner would probably help.
Cheers.
Attachments
IMG_1591.JPG
1954 Volkswagen Kombi - Dove Blue
1957 Porsche 356a Coupe - Silver w/Red Upholstery
1962 Volkswagen 1500 Sedan - Pearl White
1963 Volkswagen Beetle - Turquiose
1970 Volkswagen Westfalia

Jacin Ferreira
356 Fan
Posts: 31
Joined: Sat Mar 19, 2011 4:17 am
Location: San Jose, CA

Re: Another VW Owner in his first 356

#14 Post by Jacin Ferreira »

Found a copy of what I think is the Kardex obtained from Porsche in Germany back in '83.
Attachments
IMG_1589.jpg
1954 Volkswagen Kombi - Dove Blue
1957 Porsche 356a Coupe - Silver w/Red Upholstery
1962 Volkswagen 1500 Sedan - Pearl White
1963 Volkswagen Beetle - Turquiose
1970 Volkswagen Westfalia

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Vic Skirmants
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Re: Another VW Owner in his first 356

#15 Post by Vic Skirmants »

I have Don Morylak in October, 1985, engine. No invoice, just my work log; no number. I do not show any transmission work for him. The crate does not look like something I built; but I could be wrong.

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