dgjks6

I can't believe I am posting to an IMSB thread but from my time with my issues this is what I found and am pretty sure this is correct for the LN bearings.

Double row cars can only use the double row bearing LN bearing (ends in -4). This was my car. No other choices but comes with longer service life

Single row cars have multiple choices. They can use the single row (ends in -2), the solution (never need fixed again), or the new single row double bearing.

As far as what came in the car I think you need to look first. I have read about 01's with double bearings and other cars with replacement engines that have a non serviceable bearing because of an early replacement from the factory.

Flat6 Innovations

Remember, the Single Row Pro is a specially developed dual row bearing that fits the confines of an original single row shaft.

Cuda911

12/18/2014 Update:

Well, the plot thickens today!!

The guy pulled the motor yesterday, and guess what? It's a factory replacement motor!

So two things:

1. It likely has many fewer miles on it than I thought, since the motor's mileage will be less than on the car's odometer. The car has 51K miles on the odo.

2. It has the larger IMSB, so it can't be replaced without splitting the case.

So, suggestions?

Also, here is the engine serial number: M9603AT66566515

What information can be gleaned from that?

Here's a picture of the motor showing the larger IMSB:

alpine003

Damn, that thing is KK Klean!

evifenocvt

that 'guy' is me btw! when all the cylinders leaked down at 4% i thought it had to be a pretty fresh engine but discovering that its likely a 2005 factory remanned engine with super low miles makes it not so surprising anymore. much of the engine is clean like that driveside.

pfbz

Wouldn't a Carfax on the VIN of the donor car would likely show the replacement engine date and mileage? And if not, couldn't a dealer look it up?

Donor car vin, not engine serial number....

Imo000

That engine looks brand new. Just buy the damn thing, install it and enjoy the car!

alpine003

+996

Cuda911

I'll get the donor car VIN. Not sure a dealer will share this info, but I do know a sales guy that might look it up for me. Don't know that I want to drop $40 for a carfax.

Indeed, I have purchased it. I'm just wondering if I should do anything about IMSB upgrades.

By the way, Tony (the seller) has been great to work with. He's got lots of 996 parts, Boxster parts, etc., so I think he's a good resource to all of us.

JD ARTHUR

If it were me I wouldn't do anything about the IMSB. You have a late engine and I don't even think there is an upgrade plus I haven't heard of one of those ever failing.

niche

^^^^
Not sure if that's true... I would think you want to to do the IMSB... to be safe

street rod

I believe the failure rate on the larger bearing is around 1% similar to the dual row. I would not do anything just install the engine and enjoy. Sounds like a great find.

Rubik

That's what I thought

silotwo

If it was dealer installed either under warranty or as goodwill the record should be in the data base accessible to all dealers. Not sure how willing they might be to share the info, but I think it's worth a shot to simply get the VIN to your local dealer and ask.

Nice find by the way.

evifenocvt

heres the VIN... WP0AA29952S621451