Tech Tip
On many 356s, we have seen what we call lawn mower fuel filters. These are those plastic triangular fuel filters usually installed between the fuel pump and the carburetor. The 356 has a filter in the tank, one in the fuel petcock and one in the fuel pump. An additional filter can’t hurt but the lawn mower type is not the way to go. The reason; the fuel line inside diameter is 7mm (or 5/16 in.), the plastic filter diameter is 4mm (or 5/32 in.) so you are restricting the fuel flow to the carbs. The fuel pump can push fuel ok (at 3psi) except when demand is high i.e. uphill at full throttle. If you think you have this problem switch to the NAPA 5/16 in. fuel filter. It is tempered glass and still gives you the capability to see the fuel going to the carbs. We have used them for over ten years, even in our 356 race car. The NAPA part number is 730-9561. There is no concern about the glass filter breaking (would they sell it if there were, think of the liability.)

356 Adventure
A year ago we evaluated a ’64 356C Coupe here in Denver. It had been stored outside for the last twenty years. With four flat tires it had sunk into the dirt and the underside was only an inch rom the ground. When we unscrewed the oil filter cap it was almost rusted away. Our concern was if the rusty metal had got into the oil then there could be major engine problems. We made a fair offer but did not hear back. A year later we got a call and the 356 would be for sale. We informed the owner that 356 prices remained high even for rusty project cars. We said we would increase our offer and went to look at the car again. The reason that it was stored outside was that it was an older home with a single car detached garage. With access from an alley the owner had hinged a gate in the back fence so he could back the 356 into the yard along side the garage. After twenty years the back fence was covered in vines and the 356 still sat with the wheels buried in the dirt.

The owner agreed to sell and BJ and I made a plan. We would need the floor jack, small scissor jack, bottle jack and plenty of boards. Also the pruning shears, limb cutter and shovels. Plus four wheels/tires and small tools. We decided on day one to get the 356 up and ready to roll out and then load on the trailer the next day depending on the weather. Of course it snowed but then the weather improved. We got the vines cut down and the alley gate open. We had brought the Kroil penetrating solvent and propane tank anticipating problems with the lug nuts. But we were in luck! The hub caps were still on the 356 and the lug nuts easily loosened. Now to get the 356 up to mount new wheels. We dug a hole at the rear and placed a flat cement block. There was no way to get the floor jack under the engine but we could get it under the flange of the Bursh muffler, thinking we could replace the muffler if damaged. So we jacked carefully and the 356 came up and out of the ground! With only a foot and a half of clearance to the garage wall we were able to get both rear wheels on. For the front we did the same thing but found the tow hook in the way, it had been bent downward and back. So we decided to jack up at the tow hook and it worked. But we could not rotate the wheels we installed.

We put boards at the rear so we could jack up the rear and pull the 356 side ways to get a better angle out the gate to the narrow alley. When we pushed /pulled the 356 sideways, it fell off the jack and rolled forward! So it would roll!

The next day we brought the trailer, opened the fence gate, used shovels to clear around the wheels and pushed the 356 out into the alley. We positioned it to the trailer and used the electric winch to load the ’64 Coupe on to the trailer. On the way home we passed a white 356 Coupe on I-25, we call this keeping the 356 faith.

Panorama Ads
We recently obtained some early Porsche literature. Mostly Panorama and Christophorus magazines (PCA and factory Magazines), calendars and art work. Here are some For Sale ads from the October 1964 Panorama- “1958 Speedster 1600N. New shocks, good tires, tonneau cover, Lucas lamps, Blaupunkt radio, floor mats, light yellow with red interior, 58,000 miles $1475.” “Abarth Carrera, 9000 miles, One of 19, Metallic Grey, Engine newly rebuilt to RSK specifications, New brakes clutch, and limited slip differential $4100 because of the difficulty of getting parts and service in Quebec.”

Progress
BJ continues with the body work on the ’60 Cabriolet “HappyCar” nee Mr. Rivets. As usual metal and bodywork taking longer than expected. We picked up the Shop ’60 Dolphin Grey Coupe at the mechanics and with a little work it will be ready for sale. We bought a couple of engines from a guy in Pueblo and one, a 912 checked out okay on the engine test stand so we will use it in the Shop ’64 Signal Red Couple rather than the collection of engine parts we provided to the mechanic. There are mixed views as to whether a 912 engine in a 356 adds or detracts from value. We have to go with what we have.

Grandpa News
Alex has completed level seven of her swimming tests. Some skills: swim length of the pool underwater; tread water for five minutes, freestyle, and breaststroke to USA Swimming Standards. Way to go Alex!