Electrical

• Factory Color Coded Wiring Diagram ⇒ DerWhite's website
• Optimal Electrical System Performance
• 12 Volt Conversion
• Understanding and Troubleshooting Generators and Regulators (PDF file)
• Starter, Slow crank on Hot Start
• Starter, Trouble Shooting Problems (PDF file)
• Starter Size Difference, 356 vs. VW
• Photos of 356 and VW Starters
• Starter Removal
• Starter Removal: in Detail
• Generator Removal
• Voltage Regulator Adjustment (PDF file)
• How the VDO Ammeter Works (PDF file)
• Electric Tach Reads Low at Night: Why?
• Coils, Black vs. Blue
• Using an 8V Battery in a 6V Car — Why Not To Do It
• Jumping a 6 volt battery with a 12 volt
• Headlight Assemblies — "Sealed Beam" & "Euro"
• Headlight and Parking Light Types
• Headlight Bulbs
• Headlight Alignment
• Lights, Halogen taillight and isolated 12v
• Electronic Ignition
• Gas Gauge Diagnostic
• How to Test 6V Hella Blinker (PDF file)
• Spark Plugs, Changing
• Electrical Terminal Designations
• Optima 12V Battery Tie Down
• Optima 6V Battery Hold Down
• Securing an 6V Optima Battery in a T2 Car
• Wiper Assembly, T2, Removal
• Points, Wear and Timing
• Soldering Bullet Connectors
• HLr Relay Kit Installation Tips
• Engine Running Stand Wiring Diagram
• Auxiliary Audio Input Jack for Older Radios
• Making a 12 Volt Charger Outlet on Your Dash
• Dim Instrument Lights: Why?
• Making Your Own 6V LED Instrument Lights
• Bosch Electrical Parts: Identification & Parts Diagrams ⇒ DerWhite's website

Brakes, Tires, Wheels

• Calculating Tire Dimensions & Comparative Tire Sizes
• Tire Safety and Date Codes
• Tire Pressures for the 356
• Tires With Tubes – Original Yes, Needed? No
• Wheel Weights and Types
• Brake Fluid: DOT 3/4 vs. DOT5
• Brake Fluid Bleeding & Changing
• Brake Squealing
• Drum Brake Pad Break-in and Squeaking
• Disc Brake Piston Removal
• How to Free Stuck Brake Calipers
• C Disc Brake Caliper Overhaul
• Installing a Dual Master Cylinder Using Original Reservoir in a 356C
• Hubcap Clip Installation
• Silver Wheel Paint Choices

Front Suspension, Steering

• Steering Couplers
• Steering Box (ZF) Rebuild
• The Optional Extended Steering Column

Rear Suspension, Rear Axle

• Axle and Flywheel Nut Removal and Reinstallation
• Replacing Rear Axle Bearings (Disc Brake Cars)
• Camber Compensators
• Axle Boot Installation
• Dolly for Moving Car Without Trans
• Differential Side Shim Thickness Determination from Intial Backlash Measurement
• Trailing Arm Adjustment without VW Tool

Body

• Removal, Repair and Reinstallation of the 356C Window Regulator
• Window Regulator Pivot Pin Replacement
• Rust Removal and Rust Prevention
• Rust Prevention: Myths & Reality
• Restoring Original 356 Floors
• Tunnel Cable Routing
• Blasting Media
• Rustproofing the Longitudinals
• Heater Tube Repair & Tips
• Why a Paint Booth is Important
• Fitting Tenax Fasteners to Oversized Holes
• Restoring a 356 After a Major Collision Requires a Celette Jig, Not a Frame Machine
• Door Bottom Repairs
• Hood Seal Installation
• Paint Formulas
• Striker Plates: Removing
• Door Gap Adjustment Trick
• How 356 Paint Colors Affect Value
• Metal / Body Work - Speedster 83382 ⇒ Ed Hyman's web site
• Golde Sunroof Installation Manual (1.1 Mb PDF file)

Exterior

• Script Locations
• Plugs for Euro Rear Reflector Holes
• Convertible D / Roadster Windshield Installation by Denis Moore
• Roadster Windshield Installation by Roy Smalley
• Coupe Windshields: How to Install
• Replacing Rubber on Lietz Rack
• Adapting a Modern Bike Rack to a 356

Engine
(Tuning & Carbs farther down the page)

• Full-Flow Oil Filtration and the 356 Lube System
• Full-Flow Oil Filter Installation in T2 and Later Engines
• Stock Oil Filtration Effectiveness
• Solving Sump Plate Oil Leaks
• Oil Temperatures: How Hot is too Hot?
• Testing Your Oil Temperature Gauge
• Oil Filter Compatibility
• Oil Cooler Cleaning Recommendations
• Modern Oils and the Air-Cooled Engine
• Exhaust Comparison Test With Dyno Data by John Wilhoit
• Muffler / Exhaust Performance Comparison by Alan Klingen
• Engine Break-in Procedures
• Finding a Bad Engine cylinder
• Cadmium Plating Prep tips
• Head (Cylinder) Identification
• Axle and Flywheel Nut Removal and Reinstallation
• Spark Plug Recommendations
• Twin Plug Ignition in the 356 Engine
• Calculating Compression Ratios
• Starting an Engine after Extended Storage
• Big Bore Pistons: Torque vs. Horsepower
• Proper Engine Warmup Procedures

Tuning Your 356 – A Primer

This section assumes that you have no previous experience and provides easy to understand step-by-step information about the tuning process.

• Adjusting the Valves
• Ignition Tune
• Changing Spark Plugs
• Weber Carburetor Tuning
• Solex Carburetor Tuning
• Zenith Carburetor Tuning
• Changing the Oil

Carburetors & Fuel System

• Zenith Carburetor Tuning
• Replacing Zenith Carb Top Cover Gasket
• Zenith Carburetor Bases: Making Them Flat!
• Making Your Own Fuel Lines
• Fabricating Weber Fuel Lines
• Weber Linkage Setup
• Weber Carb setup
• Identifying a Solex Split Shaft Carburetor
• Solex Split Shaft Carburetor Conversion
• Low Cost Fuel Priming Solution
• Installing an Electric Fuel Pump in a T6 Car
• Installing an Electric Fuel Pump in a T2 / T5 Car
• Fuel Pump Diaphragm Tool
• Problem Using a Pulse Type Electric Fuel Pump
• Gas Tank Restoration
• Gas Gauge Diagnostic
• Adjusting Solex 40PII-4 Carbs
• Ethanol and Gas — Comments and Controversy
• Leaded Gas, Additives, and Octane Numbers
• No Need to Use Avgas or Race Gas in Your 356
• Fuel Valve (Petcock) FAQ
• Gas Smell Troubleshooting
• Hand Throttle FAQ
• A Systematic Approach to Full Throttle
• Velocity Stacks — For Looks, For Power, or Both?
• Developing the Flow in Zenith Carburetors

Transmission, Clutch

• Transmission Gear Oil Recommendation
• Transmission Upgrades
• Clutch Adjustment – Quick Check
• Clutch Adjustment and Cable Replacement
• Shift Linkage Refurbishment
• 741 Transmission Conversion into a 356A
• Front Mounting of 356A Transmission Reinforcing Plates
• Clutch Alignment
• Gearing Graphs

Tools & Parts

• Tool Number One: Garage Lifts by Denis Maltby
• Garage Lifts by John Audette and others
• Travel Kit List
• How To Jack Up Your 356
• Dolly for Moving Car Without Trans
• Building & Using 356 Support Boxes
• Nut & Bolt Sizes and Torque Values
• Specialty 356 Tools
• VW to Porsche 356 Interchangeable Parts

Interior

• More Secure Headrest Installation Method
• Seat Recliner Disassembly
• Dash Knob Refinishing
• Colors for Dash Knobs, Steering Columns & Wheels
• Electric Clock Adjusting Screw
• Factory Fresh Air Blower
• Speaker Sources for T6 Cars
• Switching Seats Between Models
• Wood Steering Wheels
• Seatback Recliner Reassembly
• Vinyl Glue Recommendation