Notices
911 Forum 1964-1989
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by: Intercity Lines, LLC

1989 911 Carrera Headstuds

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Dec 28, 2014 | 04:33 PM
  #1  
ORBIT's Avatar
ORBIT
Thread Starter
Basic Sponsor
Rennlist
Site Sponsor

10 Year Member
 
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 332
Likes: 28
From: Riviera Beach, FL
Default 1989 911 Carrera Headstuds

I am rebuilding my street driven 1989 Porsche 911 3.2 liter, 53k original miles . Even though I have been around these cars for many years I do not have the experience of the head studs breaking that many others seem to have. It is the first time the engine has been out of the car. Seems like I have the following choices:

1. Leave them alone
2. Replace with all OE steel studs
3. Replace with OE steel uppers/Dilivar lowers
4. Raceware headstuds
5. Supertec Headstuds

Even though this car will never see a racetrack I want to give this engine the best long term solution.

Plan to replace Guides, bearings, gaskets-seals, and clean it up.

Anything else I should be worried about? I have not read the Dempsey Book, is it worth a read?

Thanks

Rodger@orbitracing.com
Attached Images
File Type: jpg
DSC_0972.jpg (119.8 KB, 667 views)
Reply
Old Dec 28, 2014 | 06:37 PM
  #2  
theiceman's Avatar
theiceman
Team Owner
20 Year Member
 
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 28,461
Likes: 1,631
From: Cambridge Ontario Canada
Default

im not sure why you would be rebuilding a 53 k mile car. whats wrong with it ?
Reply
Old Dec 28, 2014 | 06:38 PM
  #3  
theiceman's Avatar
theiceman
Team Owner
20 Year Member
 
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 28,461
Likes: 1,631
From: Cambridge Ontario Canada
Default

im replacing all my exhaust ones with steel on my sc.
Reply
Old Dec 29, 2014 | 11:18 PM
  #4  
Ed Hughes's Avatar
Ed Hughes
Rennlist Member
20 Year Member
 
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 16,557
Likes: 94
From: Bend, OR
Default

Supertec-engineered for these cars, reasonably priced.

My dilivar studs looked better than the steel side on my 84 when I built her motor.
Reply
Old Dec 30, 2014 | 11:49 AM
  #5  
User 4221's Avatar
User 4221
Addict
Rennlist Member
 
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 7,029
Likes: 49
Default

If you don't have the shop manuals, the Dempsey book is good for torque values and some tips for re-assembly.
Reply
Old Dec 30, 2014 | 08:38 PM
  #6  
ORBIT's Avatar
ORBIT
Thread Starter
Basic Sponsor
Rennlist
Site Sponsor

10 Year Member
 
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 332
Likes: 28
From: Riviera Beach, FL
Default Engine Compartment

Even though the car has only 53k miles time seems to be the enemy of the head studs, and this car has a lot of hardware showing corrosion. In addition the valve guides seem to be wearing in these cars and I was looking to clean up the engine . The plan is to sell the car and I want to sell it with a clean bill of health. What remains to be seen if I will recoup the money in the sale that I am spending on preventative maintenance. I could easily sell the car and let the next owner assume the responsibility but I am going to try something different. We are going thru this car with goal of selling a car that will give the next owner another 25 years of enjoyment. I will get this project up on my website. I would be very interested to hear what other 87-89 911 Carrera owners are doing to maintain and preserve these great cars.

I ended up buying the Raceware headstuds, washers, and head nuts and the raceware rod bolts.

I attached a picture of the engine compartment before we start to clean it up. What is the best insulation panel, the one I bought from the Porsche dealer is really not very good?
Attached Images
File Type: jpg
DSC_0941.jpg (129.1 KB, 444 views)
Reply
Old Dec 30, 2014 | 09:10 PM
  #7  
Pjd131's Avatar
Pjd131
Advanced
 
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 65
Likes: 0
Default

That's very good of you. Based on my limited knowledge, you might want to replace the rubber centred clutch if it has not been done. You may also have to do release fork update if built before April 6 1989. My clutch failed 2 months after I got my car this summer. Been plugging away on it and other things for the last 2 months. Having fun though...most of the time.
Reply
Old Jan 2, 2015 | 01:14 PM
  #8  
Toby Pennycuff's Avatar
Toby Pennycuff
Addict
Rennlist Member

20 Year Member
 
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 3,588
Likes: 297
From: Dallas, TX
Default

Rodger, I have an '89 Targa with about 118K on the odometer. I have all the parts to perform a complete top-end rebuild and I will also be replacing all 24 head studs. I have the factory 993 studs that I've run in my '79 930 motor with no issues whatsoever. Will be interesting to watch your rebuild progress. Looking forward to the chronicles!
Reply
Rennlist Stories

The Best Porsche Posts for Porsche Enthusiasts

story-0

9 Vehicles Porsche Helped Engineer that Aren't Porsches

 Verdad Gallardo
story-1

9 Features and Characteristics That Only Porsche People Understand

 Verdad Gallardo
story-2

I've Written 500 Rennlist Articles: Here's How Porsche Has Changed Along the Way

 Joe Kucinski
story-3

10 Most Unnecessary Porsches Ever Built (And Why We Love Them)

 Verdad Gallardo
story-4

Porsche 911 GT3 S/C vs 718 Spyder RS: 10 Categories, One Winner

 Joe Kucinski
story-5

This Builder Is Turning Heads With Its Slantnose 911 Creation

 Verdad Gallardo
story-6

Porsche 911 GT3 Artisan Edition Pays Homage to Japanese Culture

 Verdad Gallardo
story-7

Porsche Reveals Coupe Variant of the Electric Cayenne With a Fresh Look

 Verdad Gallardo
story-8

10 Porsche Colors That Have More Personality Than Most People

 Verdad Gallardo
story-9

Guntherwerks' Final Speedster Creation Is the Ultimate Porsche Restomod

 Verdad Gallardo
Old Jan 15, 2015 | 12:03 AM
  #9  
der Mond's Avatar
der Mond
Racer
 
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 479
Likes: 5
From: Fairbanks, Alaska
Default

Replacing the head studs as mentioned and the valve guide work would be a most compassionate gift to the next owner.
Reply
Old Jan 21, 2015 | 12:30 AM
  #10  
Derek911's Avatar
Derek911
Racer
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 400
Likes: 3
From: Long Island, NY
Default

A gift? A gift would be a full tank of gas when you sell it... Engine work is way beyond the scope of a gift. Hopefully you plan to get back your investment in the sale price. Unless the car had issues I would not do all that work on a 53,000 mile car just because I'm selling it.
Reply
Old Jan 21, 2015 | 01:39 PM
  #11  
theiceman's Avatar
theiceman
Team Owner
20 Year Member
 
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 28,461
Likes: 1,631
From: Cambridge Ontario Canada
Default

Yeah i wasnt sure either , i thought may be after reading it again the OP had a broken head stud.

I am doing mine currently and will probably go with Supertec. i was only gonna do the exhaust studs tho. dont know if you can buy just 12 and hardware.
Reply




All times are GMT -3. The time now is 07:50 PM.

story-0
9 Vehicles Porsche Helped Engineer that Aren't Porsches

Slideshow: Long before engineering consulting became trendy, Porsche was quietly helping other automakers build everything from supercars to economy hatchbacks.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-15 12:44:44


VIEW MORE
story-1
9 Features and Characteristics That Only Porsche People Understand

Slideshow: Some brands build cars. Porsche builds traditions, obsessions, and a few habits that stopped making sense decades ago but somehow became part of the charm.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-13 18:46:13


VIEW MORE
story-2
I've Written 500 Rennlist Articles: Here's How Porsche Has Changed Along the Way

Slideshow: Six years and 500 Rennlist articles later, these are the biggest changes at Porsche.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-11 09:52:55


VIEW MORE
story-3
10 Most Unnecessary Porsches Ever Built (And Why We Love Them)

Slideshow: Some Porsches exist for very specific reasons-others feel like they were built just to see if anyone would notice.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-06 18:00:32


VIEW MORE
story-4
Porsche 911 GT3 S/C vs 718 Spyder RS: 10 Categories, One Winner

Slideshow: Choosing between the 911 GT3 S/C and 718 Spyder RS in 10 key categories to determine one surprising winner.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-05 12:51:46


VIEW MORE
story-5
This Builder Is Turning Heads With Its Slantnose 911 Creation

Slideshow: A small Polish tuner has reimagined the Porsche 911 Slantnose for the modern era, blending 1980s nostalgia with widebody tuning culture and serious performance upgrades.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-01 10:49:43


VIEW MORE
story-6
Porsche 911 GT3 Artisan Edition Pays Homage to Japanese Culture

Slideshow: Porsche has created a Japan-only 911 GT3 Artisan Edition that blends track-ready hardware with design cues inspired by traditional Japanese craftsmanship.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-28 19:37:40


VIEW MORE
story-7
Porsche Reveals Coupe Variant of the Electric Cayenne With a Fresh Look

Slideshow: Porsche's latest electric Cayenne Coupe blends dramatic styling with supercar acceleration, turning the brand's midsize SUV into a 1,139-horsepower flagship.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-27 19:39:30


VIEW MORE
story-8
10 Porsche Colors That Have More Personality Than Most People

Slideshow: Porsche's wildest paint colors aren't just shades-they're full-blown personalities on four wheels.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-27 19:38:13


VIEW MORE
story-9
Guntherwerks' Final Speedster Creation Is the Ultimate Porsche Restomod

Slideshow: The last of the Speedsters doesn't just close a chapter, it makes quite the bold, air-cooled statement.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-22 17:55:04


VIEW MORE