The Official 356Talk Forum

I need recommendations for an experienced mechanic in the Palm Springs CA area to tune my 1965 356SC.
Thank you,
Harry Fahnestock
(775) 771-1007
thesodfather@westernturf.com

I Googled Porsche repair shops in Palm Springs and came up with Exotic Repair Service. I'd reach out to the local PCA chapter to see if they have recommendations. Also check the list to see if there are members in your area that can recommend any one.

Mike

I know there are mixed opinions about Porsche Classic partners in general in regard to the 356 but I believe Porsche Palm Springs is a Porsche Classic Partner so you could try that if needed. I was going to have a PPI done there but it didn't end up happening (not because of Porsche Palm Springs).

Good idea, Sean, assuming they have 356- knowledgeable staff. One issue may also be their shop rate.

Mike

I bought a car from Porsche Palm Springs, although a modern one, I can’t say enough how nice it was to work with them. Give them a try!

This was around 1.5 years ago but the person I spoke to seemed to know what he was talking about. I remember the labor rate and I thought it was on the high side, but I don't know what West Coast rates look like. I would also certainly follow Mike's advice on reaching out to local members. An experienced one may even be able to help you out with the tuning.

Ludwig Mazmanian
333 Del Sol Rd
Palm Sprimgs
760/327-3610

Highly recommended

YMMV

Thank you for your replies. I have purchased 3 late model 911’s and aling with my 356 have them serviced at Porsche Palm Springs. The entire staff is wonderful, accommodating and professional. The 356 was not driven for 4 plus months due to a home remodel and was running rough. They said the carbs needed to be rebuilt. Since then they just can’t get them tuned/adjusted correctly. They have changed fuel lines, changed plugs etc. but nothing has worked. Runs rich, backfires, falls off when accelerating and dies occasionally.
I’m not mechanically inclined but aren’t these carbs pretty straightforward to adjust?

What kind of carbs and how familiar is Porsche Palm Springs with 356's? Just because the carbs were running rough doesn't necessarily mean they needed to be rebuilt. Clogged jets, sticky float needle valves, etc, need to be checked. Also check the filters in the petcock and fuel pump. It could just have been stale gas.

Mike

Harry, the carbs are straightforward but not to modern day mechanics without carb experience. You need to find someone who can work with carbs, distributors and old world stuff like push rod engines, then you may get some decent results.

The carbs and distributor are probably the two things their book learning won’t get them through. They’d probably do ok on everything else.

David and Martin are correct. If modern mechanics can't attach a code reader to a car and then replace whatever appears to be malfunctioning, they're lost. Try the fellow indicated in post #7 above by Stephen Ross. Hopefully, he's an old time mechanic who knows these cars. Be sure and keep us informed as to how it goes. Good luck.

HARRY: You paid the shop to fix your carburetors. Carefully read the work order and understand what has been done! locate a knowledgeable individual in your area and discuss his ideas of your situation! Then try it with a second person and see if their analysis is similar. You should have an understanding of what is going on! Then approach the shop to discuss your situation. Read the work order carefully! al
There are excellent books on carburetors and ignition systems. ***I would recommend Toad Hall Motor books Frank Barrett. 303.237.0911***He is knowledgeable and well versed on the books that are available. al

I would never trust a modern dealership with my vintage vehicle (car or motorcycle).

As stated above, without a code reader, modem mechanics are mostly lost.

In this case, if the fueling system, including completely disassembling and ultrasonic cleaning of the carbs and ALL the brass (and cleaning all the fuel filters) has really been done, it’s time to move on to the ignition.

Hopefully the shop would know to check ignition before starting on the carbs. Ideally a full tune up would be the preferred way to proceed.