I just picked up a 1982 911 SC Targa with a "Bad Motor".

Background: Apparently the previous owner did not have the chain tensioner update done. The gas pedal stuck on the floor, he hit the clutch (instead of the ignition switch), the timing chain skipped (unconfirmed), and the rest is history.

I picked it up yesterday fairly inexpensively with the ambitions of a project car. This is my first 911. I previously had a 914 for 7 years. I loved that car, but I always wanted a 911.

I am hoping that the engine is a non interference engine, where I would be able to fix the timing and the accelerator and have it run. If it’s an interference engine then I have to decide on options when I rebuild it.


Thanks,

 

Tim,
Don't know quite what you are asking. What do you mean by an "interference" engine? Intrusive, prying,...?

These engines are relatively easy to remove from the car and work on/rebuild (see Pelican Parts for a book on how to rebuild your 911 engine by Wayne Dempsey), if you have a few mechanical skills and the right tools.

Sorry for being dumb...

 

Jim,

Perhaps I am a bit vague. I want to know that if the pistons will hit (interfere with) the valves if the timing is off. Some engines do, some don't. If they do then I have a major rebuild ahead of me. If not then I may be able to get it running, and then concentrate on making it pretty.

I have three books on order from Amazon:
- Bentley book
- How to Rebuild and Modify Porsche 911 Engines
- 101 Projects for Your Porsche 911

It's the waiting that's killing me... I want to get started.

Thanks,

Tim

 

Yes, they are interference engines. The valves bend and often crack the heads where the valve guide passes through. Could be a very expensive repair.

Rob
1980sc

 

Thanks Rob that's great info (bad news but good info).

That sets me down another path. I am going to look into finding a used engine and then figure out what to do with the original.


Thanks Again.

 

Hi Tim,

Before you go shopping for a new engine, you may want to pull your engine and tear it down to see what you got.

You have a tradeoff to make:

1-Rebuild existing engine. Figure costs $8-12k and you will know you are good for 100k+ miles.

2-Buy used engine. Figure cost of $4-6k for engine, $1-2k to install. You will not be sure when it will fail. It is possible that you may be facing a rebuild in 1-2 years at $5k for top end or $8-12k full rebuild.

Your money, your chioce. Depending on who does your labor these costs acan change significantly. Since you will need to pull engine anyway, the addtional 8 or so hours to teardown and see what you may need to rebuild may be a prudent first step.

I faced a similar issue when I needed to replace the valve guides on my 2.4L CIS 1973 911 T engine. In my case the cost of a top end rebuild was close to the cost of a 3.0 swap. I opted to rebuild to be sure that I did not face the same choice again in a year or so.

Good luck.

 

Hi Harry,

Thanks for the info. That sounds like a prudent idea. I am going to go out and get started this week. The way that I look at it is that you have to decide when to spend the money, now or later.

I will have to invest in some new parts but I am not too worried about labor. I will do most of it myself. I am not in a rush, this summer is out so the plan will be for next spring. I will send the machine work out but do the rest myself.

I was speaking to someone from German Auto Dismantlers today about used motors and he mentioned that you can retrofit an SC with a 3.6. There is a conversion kit available from Instant-G. That sounds interesting, but I think that could get really expensive. Does anyone have any info on that conversion?

Where is the best source for parts? Do I buy one of those rebuild kits from Motor Meister or piece meal it?

Happy Motoring.

 

Look up Jack Olsen and Black Beauty on here and Pelican Parts forum - also Bill Verburg (I think Bill is up to 3.8l!)both have done 3.6 conversions in earlier cars - If that doesn't get the blood boiling you need to get checked out.

 

Tim and repliers,
I learn new things every day here, including new definitions (ok, so I'm limited). Anyway, I would agree to drop engine tear down and see what the damage is first, then make your decision. As mentioned above, if you purchase a used engine, you may not be much further ahead, i.e., only to rebuild a bit further down the road. A rebuild now and you know exactly where you stand, i.e., new engine.

Good luck!

 

Hello All,

I checked out Jack Olsen and Bill Verburg, nice stuff. I will consider that down the road but for now I am going to go with the rebuild.

I spoke with the guy that I bought the car from, he told me that it starts now. He said that he would not recommend starting it because it makes some really nasty noises and runs rough but it runs. That leads me to believe that it is the valves and probably heads. I will keep you all updated on what it actually is.

Any more info on the rebuild kits? Recommended (mild) mods?

Thanks.

 

For an idea for what you are in for, get Wayne Dempsey's rebuild book.

 

wayne at pelican parts has a engine rebuilding forum for us with his book that you purchased, I'd start there...good luck!

 

Motor Meister gets, uh, "mixed reviews" on the Pelican Board. Do a search.

 

Dont buy anything from Motor Meister from what I have read!

 

My understanding is the "work" gets bad reviews, but they have good intentions and the kits/parts are fine. Just another opinion...