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I honestly didn't think it was possible for me to completely rebuild an engine and for it to work (instead of just becoming a lawn ornament or living room table). I took on this project not only because my engine needed desperate attention, but to see if I could do it. I mean c'mon i've dove into projects that I have never done before and it worked out alright: I started with oil changes, then CV boots, next came my timing belt on my e30, and next thing you know I was welding sheet metal into the rusted floor pan. I asked myself, what would be a better way to test my mechanical ability other than building an engine (possibly a frame-off restoration)? So there I was in my garage asking myself if I really really want to dive into this and I just started taking things apart.
It honestly would have been much cheaper to get a solid working engine and to have just swapped that into Olga (the name my wife and I gave the car), but while that is a challenge in itself, I really wanted to see if I could rebuild an engine. Then if I was successful, I would have a brand-new engine and if I wasn't... well, then I would have wasted a whole lot of money (A WHOLE LOT OF MONEY).
Here I am now, elated that it starts and runs well (for now). Time will tell if it will hold and if I was as clean as I thought I was being during assembly.
My favorite quote was...
Originally Posted by Rob in Oz
I'm reminded of the story about the lost tourist and the farmer: "if I was going there, I wouldn't start from here..."
That engine doesn't look like a good starting place, unless you want a boat anchor.
Rob
That's actually good advice!!!
This was a big oops! Smashed and shattered a ring during assembly and kept going for another half inch. Gouged the wall. During my compression test the required pressure was 10bar for a new engine and all were 10.5 bar and the gouged #2 was just below the others slightly.
And for the record, it takes 8 quarts to fill a completely dry engine.
That's awesome! Huge congrats to you. That first start up is a great feeling and there's nothing better than cruising around knowing you built your own motor. Looks like you did a great job too. Way to go!
congrats and smart move. Your history sounds similar to mine ( and I'm sure many others). When my engine blew, I was contemplating options including doing my own build. I just happen to find a 3.0 engine for sale so all I had to do was get it installed. While I'm happy with the engine there is still part of me that wants to build my own so you made the right call. congrats and good luck.
Alright, first drive around the block went alright. The only thing that has me worried is the compressor flutter I get. I only had the boost up around 5psi to test the system out, but i heard a definite flutter when I left off the gas. Bad diverter/blowoff valve?
I also attempted to adjust the idle today as it is sitting at 1500rpm 14.5 - 15.0 AFR. I followed Lindsey Racing for the adjustment and got it down to 1000rpm, but the screw is bottomed out and won't adjust anymore. Bad ICV?
Other than the desperate need for a front end alignment and power steering (which is leaking at the pump), it went off pretty well. I miss that distinct odor it gives off when the pedal is floored.
just tested diverter valve. Can pull air straight through the nipple from the valve. I bet that caused a high idle too from sucking air through the valve nipple into the intake.
Last edited by PorscheFanatic202; 07-04-2016 at 08:36 PM.
Congrats on getting it back on the road. Curious, how long time wise did it take for you to accomplish the rebuild (Both in hours you think you spent and time from day 1)?
I started tearing everything down in April 2014. 9 months of deployments/TDYs in the mix and moving houses twice in that time period. I'd say about a year and a half of focus on it. Some months I would get around to tinkering with it only a few times when I would be researching what I should do with the engine. The most progress I had were the last 6 months where I would do at least one thing each week and then you just get rolling with it. Its definitely an addiction (ask my wife).
Its hard to estimate how many hours i've worked on it, but if I were to guess with tear down, research, and building probably close to 300 hours if not more. I was really worried (and aware of how easily it can happen) that this project would become stale and become one of those garage-squad-only projects.
The comments made my day! Word for word what i would hear as well. My favourite part: "except it's missing.. ..something important.. the bumper? but i think it's easy to put on" xD
congratulations on finally running the car after all those months of hard work.
The engine looks good, just curious as I'm doing the same thing to my engine, what finish did you use on the block and various engine parts? sand/ bead blast finish then paint or?
07-03-2016 | 07:49 PM
Tim's 951 Rebuild - Olga is Alive!
