My 1963 356B Project

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Al Zim
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Re: My 1963 356B Project

#16 Post by Al Zim »

You did a very nice job on the clean up! It looks soooo good. In the interest of safety place your fuel filter behind the drives seat on the outside underside of the car. If you have a leak, it drips to the ground. No leaks in the engine compartment. Use a large metal filter the BMW filters work well. Thank you for using our alternator kit. al
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Jason Laster
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Re: My 1963 356B Project

#17 Post by Jason Laster »

I really need to take more photos, but yesterday DMP (Das Money Pit) moved on it's first self powered trip in over 10 years around the neighborhood. I reused the brake shoes as there was a considerable amount of pads left, but the braking was much poorer than expected. These must be shot, so I've ordered a set of shoes around. Only down side is having to pull/adjust the brakes again, but that was the dice I rolled when using the existing shoes. Shifter is sloppy, but slides into all gears without issue. Shifter refurb is next after sorting out the brakes. All in all, it was a great feeling to just drive it around the block a few times. Once I get the horn working and the brakes where I feel they should be It'll be time for state inspection and then tags!
1963 Porsche 356B
1989 Porsche 964 Carrera 4
1962 VW 15 Window Deluxe

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Al Zim
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Re: My 1963 356B Project

#18 Post by Al Zim »

I would suggest a day at the local casino and see how lucky you can get! You should replace everything in the brake system and change to a duel master cylinder. Yes it is expensive but is is not as expensive as a crash. Zim's has also found that king and link pins need to be looked at ever 25 years or so. The rollers on the outside of the torsion bar tube usually wear a groove into the trailing arm and there is a good possibility that the lower right side trailing arm is bent since that is what usually gives way when you bump a curve. When your car was mad I was probably 19 years old.
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Jason Laster
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Re: My 1963 356B Project

#19 Post by Jason Laster »

I'm not gambling that much Al. The entire rest of the brake system was replaced/rebuilt over the past few weeks including a dual M/C and new flex lines. Someone once told me that going is a nice feature, but stopping is a requirement. Only the shoe hardware and shoes/drums were not replaced.
1963 Porsche 356B
1989 Porsche 964 Carrera 4
1962 VW 15 Window Deluxe

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Jason Laster
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Re: My 1963 356B Project

#20 Post by Jason Laster »

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What's special about this shifter? Not much, but after I replaced the bushings all the way back it is night and day difference. I now have gears such as first, not firstish. This was a pain but we'll worth the effort. Wires hanging due to the current wiper project.
1963 Porsche 356B
1989 Porsche 964 Carrera 4
1962 VW 15 Window Deluxe

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Jason Laster
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Re: My 1963 356B Project is on the road

#21 Post by Jason Laster »

Yesterday was a big day for the 356. I took it and it passed TX state inspection and got YoM Plates and registered. Took it out for a spin on a fairly hot day and it did fantastic. I spent some time the past 2 days getting all the oxidized paint off to expose the real Red underneath. The paint is still awe-full with bubbling and flaking paint, but it was a tremendous improvement in the color. The only good thing is that the paint is super thick, so for some of the imperfections I can likely sand/polish them to a better presentation. Steering wheel is way off, so I'll need to adjust that as well for my sanity. All in all happy day for me.
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1963 Porsche 356B
1989 Porsche 964 Carrera 4
1962 VW 15 Window Deluxe

Eric Lenius
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Re: My 1963 356B Project

#22 Post by Eric Lenius »

That looks just great! Adjust and drive!

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Doug McDonnell
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Re: My 1963 356B Project

#23 Post by Doug McDonnell »

GREAT NEWS. I redid shifter bushings on 3 of the 4 I have owned. Once you know how they are supposed to shift it becomes mandatory if not correct.
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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Jason Laster
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Spring lost it's spring

#24 Post by Jason Laster »

The B has been on the road a few days here, taking short trips to/from work. Last night on my way home I heard an increased engine noise/rattle. Once stopping it was clearly on the 3/4 side. Pulled the valve cover and noticed that the #3 exhaust valve clearance was very very loose. Looked at the adjuster which had not moved and puzzled on it for a few moments. My first concern was that I dropped a valve seat, but no interference or other noises if I turned the motor over by hand. I then saw what the problem was. My #3 exhaust spring snapped. I don't think the valve was impacted by the piston as it seems to seat still and rotating does not bind up the stem. Ordered up a new spring to replace and I'll check compression afterwards to determine if I need to pull the engine. Hopefully not. It sure was running well up till then :)
1963 Porsche 356B
1989 Porsche 964 Carrera 4
1962 VW 15 Window Deluxe

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Jason Laster
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Rosebud is her name

#25 Post by Jason Laster »

A little bit of good and bad news in this update. First the good.

I requested a title history from Texas for my 356 and found a little bit more of the previous owners. A Ralph Johnson from La Grange, TX purchased it from Andra White of Houston, TX on 3/17/2004. Anyone know either of these people? I did some internet sleuthing and found that Ralph had passed away several years ago, but his wife was still alive. I shot an email off to her and heard back that night. She is going to send me more stories, but told me that Ralph named all of his classic cars, and my 356 was christened RoseBud. Still trying to get more details and perhaps the previous owner will respond.

On to the bad. The broken valve spring was on #3, easily the worst possible location. I gave it the ole college try for about 5 hours and had no luck. I assumed this was the universe suggesting I just pull the engine and head to replace the valve spring. Got it removed and everything looks good on the head, so I just need to make a valve spring compressor that will work on #3.

Apparently the valve springs should be in one solid piece for good performance.
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1963 Porsche 356B
1989 Porsche 964 Carrera 4
1962 VW 15 Window Deluxe

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David Jones
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Re: My 1963 356B Project

#26 Post by David Jones »

If I had known I would live this long I would have pushed the envelope a little harder.
Cymru am byth
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Jason Laster
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Re: My 1963 356B Project

#27 Post by Jason Laster »

That's the tool I was trying to use. There was just not enough room to get the job done. I used the trick of a hose clamp to keep the jaws engaged, but continued moving cause it to slip out.
1963 Porsche 356B
1989 Porsche 964 Carrera 4
1962 VW 15 Window Deluxe

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Ken Tuvman
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Re: My 1963 356B Project

#28 Post by Ken Tuvman »

Hi Jason - nice project! If your engine is still out I'd suggest all new valve springs (unless the one that broke was new) so you don't have repeat this exercise.

I do need to adjust the linkage on mine and wondering if any previous links that shows the steps with pictures as to how it is done.
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Jason Laster
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Re: My 1963 356B Project

#29 Post by Jason Laster »

Thanks Ken. Engine is back in and better than ever. Finished a 200 mile shake down around the TX hill country on Saturday with perfect results. I gave it some thought about replacing all the springs, but decided not take the route of replace anything that could go wrong. Hopefully it works out, but if not, I'll tear into it again.
1963 Porsche 356B
1989 Porsche 964 Carrera 4
1962 VW 15 Window Deluxe

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Ken Tuvman
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Re: My 1963 356B Project

#30 Post by Ken Tuvman »

Nice work
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