Netspeed

I have a chance to pick up a 1974 2.7 engine with updated case (?) with a/c for $2000. Supposedly the engine ran when it was pulled and that it has 120,000 miles on it. Good price?

jlkline

What is meant by "updated case"? Studs can be done without splitting the case, but other recommended updates (Line Bore, shuffle pins, etc) would essentially translate to a total rebuild.

$2000 sounds high to me if the motor needs work.($3K-$4K for the top end, and $7K-$9K for a complete and proper 2.7 rebuild. (If the bottom has never been opened, it will be time very soon.)

Here are some considerations

Is the bottom covered in oil?
Are there records for the engine work?
What are the compression and leakdown #'s?

r911

Hmmm, well I have one for sale that is completely renovated/upgraded and has SSIs to boot for $3600. If the engine is bad you will spend 10k to fix it up. If it is good, then you would be set. So JLK's questions must be answered by a mechanic or by receipts. Be careful.

OTOH, the '74s never ran as hot and nasty as the others. Is it a Cal. engine? They had extra smog stuff, but I am not sure if that was true in '74. It prob. did not have the horrible engine-killing thermal reactors.

MAS

"Is the bottom covered in oil?"

I was in my local P-Car mechanic's garage a few weeks ago. He had several 911s raised on jacks...two SC's and two 3.2 Carraras. All of them had oily engine "bottoms".

-MAS

ebsalem

Show me an early 911 motor that isn't oily and I'll show you a garage queen.

Dripping is a different matter.

jlkline

you're right..."early is the word", (or mag case if you prefer)but the 2.7 leaked the most IMHO

first911

Message for Randy Webb - is your 2.7 liter engine still for sale? If so, I'd like to get more info. Thanks.

r911

Hi Bob - still for sale and it has all upgrades -- send me an Email at

xdrw@att.net

and I can give you the full story and some pics.

- Randy

LukeSportsman

Since the 2.7 in any configuration is not the "it" engine, you can get a good deal on one. $2k might not be a bad deal, but for what you get for a few grand more in a rebuild it may not pan out longterm. I would look around at engines like Randys or UncleZak who does some big bore 2.7's and see if the unrebuilt engine is still a deal in your eyes. It will obviously depend on how much of a DIY you will be down the road. I would definitely not pay $2k for an unknown engine (if that is the case) and pay a mehcanic all the labor of an install. I recently purchased a fresh 2.7 with MFI ready to run for $5.5k just for reference. Good luck.