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Tue Sep 02, 2008 3:01 pm

So I stumbled across a 1968 912, the guy wants around 7k for it. I'm much more familiar with classic vw's than I am porsche's so I was hoping to find some input here.

Anyway, it's in really good condition... the body is rust free and dent free... the only thing is the original color was blue and it has been repainted red. The interior is all original and still in fairly good condition, no major cracks/tears/holes. The floorpans are pretty clean but do have a few rust spots along the sides, is this a big deal? We're talking minor rust, no major holes. The trunk is clean no, no rust under the battery. The engine is clean as well, the carbs have been switched out with Webers and the heater boxes have been removed.

The things that worry me are the minor rust on the floorpans, the lack of heater boxes (I live where it gets cold), the accelerator linkage seems to get stuck or something when driving (probably needs to be replaced), it seemed to backfire quite often (didn't know if this was a timing issue or what). It doesn't "hot start".

So what do you think, is this a good buy? Are these issues hard/expensive to address?

Tue Sep 02, 2008 3:07 pm

Oh i forgot to add that one of the holes for the bolts that holds the exhaust manifold onto the head is stripped... so the exhaust isn't bolted on as well as it should be.

Also, are 912 engine parts pretty interchangeable with vw 1600 parts?

Tue Sep 02, 2008 4:50 pm

Hello-

A 912 is a 911 with a late model 356 engine. While some VW parts will work on a Porsche, the greatest overlap was in the 1950's. Before you purchase a Porsche, visit one of the Porsche vendors and compare prices. http://www.nlaparts.com/store/356c-356c-engine-crankshaft-c-113_236.html
VW main bearings: $50. Porsche mains: $300 - $450. New VW crank: $150. Porsche crank: $1000 - $2000. The list goes on and on.
Good luck,

Paul

Fri Sep 05, 2008 2:24 am

jrosengreen wrote: Oh i forgot to add that one of the holes for the bolts that holds the exhaust manifold onto the head is stripped... so the exhaust isn't bolted on as well as it should be.

Also, are 912 engine parts pretty interchangeable with vw 1600 parts?

sound like the exhaust thats causing the carb backfire. only the vw dizzys fit . the 912 engines are also expensive to fix but you could fit in a type 1 engine.
http://www.geocities.com/clarkblumberg/911-912page9.html
if you buy it. its going to cost $$$ money to fix it. you may be better paying more for a better 912.

Fri Sep 05, 2008 11:54 am

Agreed. Stay away from this one. If you really want a 912, look for a good one and be prepared for a massive sticker shock when it comes to buying ANYTHING for it.

When these guys are charging $105 for a VW part (check out the steering coupler)—

http://www.pelicanparts.com/catalog/shopcart/356M/POR_356M_SUSstr_pg1.htm

for the Porsche, and the part actually carries the VW logo and part number, and usually goes for between $5 to $25 depending . . . you are doomed.