justice911

Hello Everyone,

Im looking to have my 911 Carrera engine rebuilt. It's not a turbo. I have 230,000 mile on it. Is there any key things I need to ask a mechanic? Also, does anyone know of a reasonable mechanic that is good in the San Francisco Bay Area?

Thanks,
Jodi

rusnak

I know an unusually great on in Fresno. He even has a few customers who drive here from the bay area -it's true.

justice911

Do you have any contact info for them. My mechanic up here says 15K to rebuild it. Does that sound right?

MUSSBERGER

What makes you think it needs a rebuild at 230k?

justice911

I have an oil leak, about a quart every 600 to 700 miles. I just thought the miles were high. Plus I'm restoring the car and want to drive it for a long time.

MUSSBERGER

A small leak could cost big bucks to rectify and a large one could be something as simple as a hose repair. You need to forget the miles and have the motor checked out properly and go from there.

logan2z

I highly recommend giving Bob Grigsby at RMG in Sunnyvale a call. I had them rebuild the engine in my '87 Carrera last year and they did a terrific job. They're not the least expensive shop around, but definitely one of the best.

Ed Hughes

Yes, to do it right.

rusnak

Assuming Mahle p&c, new cams, ex valves and quality machining......

But first, I agree no one rebilds their engine because of an oil leak.

Daniel Dudley

How is the rest of the car ?

justice911

The rest of the car is in good condition. I'm having it repainted this week. I car is running well. I just had the dme replaced. Mine when out on me. I put a new clutch in 6 month ago. It seem like every time I drive it something else breaks. So, I thought I would just rebuild the engine. What about a top end rebuild. Would the new top end cause the case to leak more? I'm slowly restoring the car. So I plan on keeping it for a long time. Should I keep put more money in the car or Try to find one with lower miles and restore that? Just some questions to put out there. I new to this stuff but learning as I go. This forum has helped me a ton. Thanks to all.

Jodi

rusnak

Jodi, It's hard to answer that without leakdown and compression numbers. If the car is maintained and driven responsibly, it can last well over 300,000 or even 400,000 miles. Oil consumption is another telltale of top end health, but it's by no means conclusive. I'd say you should address the oil leak. There are some leaks, such as the oil pres switch, that can become near catastrophic. Fortunately, most of these oil leaks are very simple fixes. The thermostat and pressure switch fixes are literally 30 minute or less jobs for an experienced person, a little mor if it's your first one.

race911

Look at it this way--the car as-is is worth say $10K. You're spending how much to just do the paint? (I'd guess nearly $10K for local shops to do a worthy job.) The 3.2L I have laying around was a $13K rebuild with Grigsby in '03, and it didn't even need a P/C set. So if you can buy the most perfect of the perfect car in the same era for under $30K................................