'59 A in the Swiss Alps

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George Krompecher
356 Fan
Posts: 217
Joined: Thu Jul 26, 2012 2:27 am
Location: Switzerland

Re: '59 A in the Swiss Alps

#16 Post by George Krompecher »

Weekend's done, good work performed:
-12Volt starter installed. The car started with the 6V starter, but it was a bad idea, to end up stranded somewhere one day. I took the opportunity to re-do the starter cable sheathing at the connection which was too short.
-12V rotor in the SWF wiper motor swapped in. Works a treat, but there is some rotational play in the driver side wiper shaft, that will need further inspection.
-License plate holder installed. The holes in the car were far too high for the local long plates so I made a spacer that also lowers the frame closer to the lighing block. Looks neater.
-Antenna removed, hole plugged with a steel plug that I turned onthe lathe. Looks... not too bad.
-I scrounged through the shelves to find a cigar lighter. The one in the car would not hold at all in the socket. I found one off a previous 911 that fits a treat, but I will have to turn a new knob for it to remove the rubber monstruosity that is on now.
-I found a 911 crankshaft bearing that I machined down to slip under the horn knob chrome ring. Took one hour to machine, but the horn knob is out! Every rubber spacer/ring has turned to either concrete or dust, and the contacts were corroded. Now the horn works - a 6V horn on 12 V sounds like Pavarotti, real close. The headlight flasher does not work, something to investigate.
-Found an unbroken horn ring. I also filed my broken one to look like a half ring, now I don't know which one I like more.
-Found the drain hole for the front lid opening under the bondo. Nice and open now.
-Refitted the somewhat straightened front bumper. I fully straightened the moulding, that now fits perfecty, and reattached the supports with all 6 bolts. Fits better now, although not perfect. The bumper should be professionally straightened, but no budget for that now, so a "good" fit will suffice.
-Turned a new knob for the heater slide in the passenger footwell, and straightened it. Works a treat now.
-Found correct 4.5'' rims to replace the chromed/pitted 5.5s and diagonal whitewall tires. 2 here, 3 in the mail. I also borrowed the adpater plate to have them balanced. Having a mechanic that has been doing Porsches for 50 years helps.
Attachments
New rims and adapter plate
New rims and adapter plate
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After filing to shape
After filing to shape
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New horn ring
New horn ring
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Crank bearing/horn button removal tool
Crank bearing/horn button removal tool
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Drain hole found
Drain hole found
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The worst cigar lighter knob for this car.
The worst cigar lighter knob for this car.
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Jules Dielen
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Joined: Fri Mar 28, 2008 3:25 pm
Location: Arizona

Re: '59 A in the Swiss Alps

#17 Post by Jules Dielen »

Looks like you have been busy George! Peter Silten discovered a great 356A horn button puller everyone with a 356A should have in their tool box. Can't beat the price and it works like a champ!
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Jules

Water pumps are for windshield washers only.

George Krompecher
356 Fan
Posts: 217
Joined: Thu Jul 26, 2012 2:27 am
Location: Switzerland

Re: '59 A in the Swiss Alps

#18 Post by George Krompecher »

Hi Jules,
I saw that suction cup, but I have my doubts about it having worked. That ring was in *tight*. I now have a working tool, so all is well.

George Krompecher
356 Fan
Posts: 217
Joined: Thu Jul 26, 2012 2:27 am
Location: Switzerland

Re: '59 A in the Swiss Alps

#19 Post by George Krompecher »

Good session today:
I got some Macrolon from my mechanic, and cut the door wind deflectors. The fit is great and it looks good (to me at least). We'll see how well they work.

When I bled the brakes a few weeks ago, one bleed screw broke in the wheel cylinder, upper left front. I was resigned to buy a new cylinder, but I figured, since it is lost, I can not harm it more by trying to save it.
The axial drilling in the bleed screw is 2.1mm diameter. I put a 2.1mm drill bit in it, and attached the other end in the miling machine's 2.1mm round chuck. This allowed me to set the cylinder in the vise so that the drill screw was perfectly aligned. It was then a matter of drilling progerssively to 5mm, then pull out the remaining threads of the screw, and then grab the pointy unthreaded end of the screw with a 4.7mm drill. Not one mark on the cylinder's threads. New bleed screw, and presto, works a treat.

While I was in the front drum, I saw why the front rim was rubbing the suspension buffer support arm: the longer of the 3 bolts holding the backing plate was not in front, thereby not limiting the steering. It was a matter of removing the bolts and putting them back in their correct place. I also redid the safety wire in the right direction. It was made so that the bolts could only *un*screw.

Then I turned a new knob for the 911 cigar lighter, a tad smaller (no more alloy stock in the right size)
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Drilling out the broken bleed screw
Drilling out the broken bleed screw
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Tip of the broken bleed screw
Tip of the broken bleed screw
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cigar lighter knob
cigar lighter knob
20210925_162337.jpg (2.41 MiB) Viewed 3826 times

George Krompecher
356 Fan
Posts: 217
Joined: Thu Jul 26, 2012 2:27 am
Location: Switzerland

Re: '59 A in the Swiss Alps

#20 Post by George Krompecher »

As I had an hour tonight and received the headrest kit from Lakewell, I took apart one seatback. Oh boy.... Decency prevents me from sharing what I found...

Anyway, after a search here, I found some good references for upholstery parts, dating back to 2016.

My question is: Is there a new "go-to" place for burlap, foam (to replace horsehair) and lumbar straps? Or are the older references still good?

George Krompecher
356 Fan
Posts: 217
Joined: Thu Jul 26, 2012 2:27 am
Location: Switzerland

Re: '59 A in the Swiss Alps

#21 Post by George Krompecher »

Wow, ask a question...
Anyway, I have taken the passenger seatback apart, originally to fit the headrest, then as reality set in, to repair - reinforce - repaint - re-stuff - recover. The frame was cracked where the side meets the upper tubular section, the whole frame was twisted so that the seatbck leaned towards the outside of the car and the tabs for the headrest were bent forwards. The seat definitely had a headrest at one time, witness the screw marks, re-drilled 10mm next to the original ones.
I made reinforcment plates for the 4 corners and thick plates, drilled and threaded for the headrest supports.
All welded in, now to clean it, repaint and refit the lower wooden edge for the staples.
I found a supplier for foam, spring base and backseat webbing in Germany, shipping should be more affordable.
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George Krompecher
356 Fan
Posts: 217
Joined: Thu Jul 26, 2012 2:27 am
Location: Switzerland

Re: '59 A in the Swiss Alps

#22 Post by George Krompecher »

Today's work can be resumed in one picture. Those who have been there know that I just spared a bundle of money. They work a treat now. One shaft was blocked with rust.
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George Krompecher
356 Fan
Posts: 217
Joined: Thu Jul 26, 2012 2:27 am
Location: Switzerland

Re: '59 A in the Swiss Alps

#23 Post by George Krompecher »

Quite a few days of work.
The left front fender support tube was full of rust from a leak. I cut it out and will replace it altogether.
Fuel tank has 2 pinholes after cleaning, so it is off for repairs, likely a new bottom.
Fuel petcock was sans filter....
Passenger seat is done. New foam to replace the horsehair, new spring bed for the bottom, repaired cracked backrest, new elastic webbing, reinforced headrest supports and new headrest from lakewell (had headrests, which disappeared sometime in the car's life. I re-used the vinyl covers which are so-so, but budget is not there for new ones. Later maybe.
Driver seat is apart. The bottom cradle is cracked, 3 of the 5 rivets on the outer side seatrail have ripped off. Already repaired the cradle for the first 2.
New (old) wheels, correct 4.5'' wide with right size tires. Re-riveted the hooks for the hubcaps.
Luggage hooks all in. Coat hooks all in.
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Jules Dielen
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Joined: Fri Mar 28, 2008 3:25 pm
Location: Arizona

Re: '59 A in the Swiss Alps

#24 Post by Jules Dielen »

That looks great George!!
Jules

Water pumps are for windshield washers only.

George Krompecher
356 Fan
Posts: 217
Joined: Thu Jul 26, 2012 2:27 am
Location: Switzerland

Re: '59 A in the Swiss Alps

#25 Post by George Krompecher »

The driver's seat base cradle repair is done. I had to cut/weld in a few pieces in the badly torn areas and re-weld the 2 side hooks on which the hinges rest. I need to buy more rivets to re-attach the rails. New spring base, new foam and the base will be good for another 60 years.
I also got offered re-chromed blinkers for a silly cheap price. They are not perfect, but the price was too good to pass (along with other pieces I needed for the car). I need to buy clear lenses and new seals, but it looks better being original.
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George Krompecher
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Posts: 217
Joined: Thu Jul 26, 2012 2:27 am
Location: Switzerland

Re: '59 A in the Swiss Alps

#26 Post by George Krompecher »

nearing....
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George Krompecher
356 Fan
Posts: 217
Joined: Thu Jul 26, 2012 2:27 am
Location: Switzerland

Re: '59 A in the Swiss Alps

#27 Post by George Krompecher »

2nd seat has new foam, reinforced frame and headrest supports. The cover will have to do for now.
Engine is (literally) nearing the car.
The interior lights are redone. I started from scratch, the car had some non original lights without the door switches or relevant wiring.
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George Krompecher
356 Fan
Posts: 217
Joined: Thu Jul 26, 2012 2:27 am
Location: Switzerland

Re: '59 A in the Swiss Alps

#28 Post by George Krompecher »

Hella Trouble Light:
The car has a connector by the igntion switch, that the electric diagram refers to as "trouble light". Some searching found a period correct Hella light, and I found a correct connector . The cable is long enough to reach under the rear lid, and the bulb is a 21W.
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George Krompecher
356 Fan
Posts: 217
Joined: Thu Jul 26, 2012 2:27 am
Location: Switzerland

Re: '59 A in the Swiss Alps

#29 Post by George Krompecher »

Well, engine is in. Took 2 hours, going slowly and double checking everything.
Started first try with some fuel in the carbs, then as soon as the fuel reached from the tank. No leaks. Oil wants to ooze on the oil pressure sender, where it is crimped.
But after 15 years, I consider this a win.
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George Krompecher
356 Fan
Posts: 217
Joined: Thu Jul 26, 2012 2:27 am
Location: Switzerland

Re: '59 A in the Swiss Alps

#30 Post by George Krompecher »

I found and bought 2 correct sunvisors (thank you Don). They took a bit of cleaning and came out very nice.
The roofliner had no holes.... Took some poking with a thin needle to find the first, then extrapolate the next ones. Passenger side is in.
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