The preventative maintenance on our 1984 Porsche 911 Carrera continues: http://grassrootsmotorsports.com/project-cars/1984-porsche-911-carrera/fork/
And cleaning and lubing that clutch shaft really did help. Replacing the missing seals should help keep it clean for a while, too.
It makes me feel so much better that I'm not the only person who has a (relatively) simple project turn into 6 months of downtime for "while I'm there..." items. That said, what's the timeline for completing that thing?
"While I'm at it" syndrome with my triumph started 5 years ago... it hasn't run since.
I had a broken rocker on my 72 Firebird turn into basically a full on restoration. 15 minute fix vs. 3 years......yeah I try not to let that happen anymore!
I solved that problem by not fixing any of the small problems on my 911. I figured once I decided to fix on of the several small oil leaks, the engine would be apart in no time, and so on from there.
The second worst phrase to ever hear is "While I am at it". The first is of course every mans dreaded nightmare phrase......"We need to talk".
You're forgetting "Those are on backorder" and the phrase from the girlfriend that's struck terror in the heart of many a young boyfriend "I'm late".
That's going t obe one clean 911 when (if) it's done.
One thing about parts: So far the only backorder we have experienced with that car was the distributor cap. We didn't need one at the time, but I noticed they were on backorder--everyone was out of them. So once they returned to stock, I ordered one. This was maybe a year ago.
Even all of the old Porsche parts--from a new turn signal switch and tail light seals to oil drain tubes and that clutch fork--have been in stock at the retail level. That's impressive.
sounds like my saab.
Simple(ish) replace a bad tranny.. has turned into update the suspension, replace all the bushings, fix the smashed oilcooler, strip and repaint the engine compartment, replace the doors, hood, and hatch due to rust...
This one hasn't been that bad, as all of the recent work has been confined to the engine and transmission. Soon, though, we do have some suspension work to do.
Another phrase you hate to hear from a technician" Ya know, I've never seen that before"
The dreaded Porsche "while I'm in there" has me terrified to take anything on my 944 apart that can't be put back together in under 15 minutes! 
David S. Wallens wrote:This one hasn't been that bad, as all of the recent work has been confined to the engine and transmission. Soon, though, we do have some suspension work to do.
Luckily, the extended engine rebuild has made the need for suspension work less critical of late 
