356C Rebuilt Motor Quection

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Larry Grantham
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Joined: Mon Jan 09, 2017 2:22 pm
Location: Beaumont, Texas

356C Rebuilt Motor Quection

#1 Post by Larry Grantham »

I just bought a 356C in a estate sale.
The motor has been rebuild but it's
been sitting for 3 to 5+ years on a stand
and looks like new. I checked the dipstick
and it shows no oil. It will another year before
the motor will be installed. It might be a dumb
question but should i add oil now are when the
motor is installed. I have not pulled the plug to
see if he had put in anything to keep all the gears,
cam, and internal parts from rusting!

Dan Epperly
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Joined: Thu Apr 01, 2010 4:35 pm

Re: 356C Rebuilt Motor Quection

#2 Post by Dan Epperly »

Larry Grantham wrote:I just bought a 356C in a estate sale.
The motor has been rebuild but it's
been sitting for 3 to 5+ years on a stand
and looks like new. I checked the dipstick
and it shows no oil. It will another year before
the motor will be installed. It might be a dumb
question but should i add oil now are when the
motor is installed. I have not pulled the plug to
see if he had put in anything to keep all the gears,
cam, and internal parts from rusting!
If you are not going to run it what's the point? The oil will just sit in the sump.
Hopefully they used assembly lube knowing it would sit for a long time. Does it rotate?

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C J Murray
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Re: 356C Rebuilt Motor Quection

#3 Post by C J Murray »

Spin it upside down, remove the sump plate and screen, and inspect the camshaft. Is there a red lube on the lobes or gray paste there? If not I would apply some cam assembly lube. You could also look under the valve covers to see if oil or assembly lube was used there during assembly. If this area is lubed then the hidden areas like the bearings are likely to be lubed. Putting oil in the sump is only needed when you go to start the engine.
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Larry Grantham
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Posts: 9
Joined: Mon Jan 09, 2017 2:22 pm
Location: Beaumont, Texas

Re: 356C Rebuilt Motor Quection

#4 Post by Larry Grantham »

Dan and CJ thanks! This is my first Porsche restoration. I have only restored a TR3B and looking forward to my 356

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C J Murray
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Joined: Fri Oct 23, 2009 7:24 pm
Location: 30MI WEST OF PHILA
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Re: 356C Rebuilt Motor Quection

#5 Post by C J Murray »

You will like the 356. It is fun in a different way than the TR. In many ways it is more simple but like all classics it has certain quirks that you will learn over time. When I was a 21 year old rookie mechanic my boss gave me the job of replacing the timing chain in an Aston Martin. I must have looked concerned because he gave me some advice, "it's just nuts and bolts like any other car". You will learn your 356 fairly quickly. Enjoy!
'57 Speedster
'59 Sunroof
'60 Devin D Porsche Race Car
'63 Cabriolet "Norm"
'67 911 S Original Owner
'03 Ferrari 575M
'09 Smart Passion

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