hf1

Supposedly freshly rebuilt SPB motor. No deep sump. Died on second race of first weekend: "Leakdown shows cyl #2 connecting rod/piston assembly is no longer connected to the crank-shaft."

What would be the market value for this motor now? How much of it is still reusable? Could it be used as a donor for a rebuild?

Many thanks in advance for any advice!

TXE36

No a Porsche motor expert, but I would guess hard to tell without a tear down. Things that pop into my head:

• Is the #2 cylinder wall trashed?
• Is the crankshaft trashed?
• Are the #2 valves trashed?
• Is the cylinder head for #2 trashed?
• Is there damage to camshafts for #2?
• Is the core of the block trashed?
• Etc...

In general, pistons/rods departing a running crankshaft is a chaotic event. There is a chance of getting lucky, but it's a small one. I supposed if you got the motor cheap enough meaning perhaps a bit more than scrap value.


-Mike

hf1

Thanks! How much $ does a teardown cost and what potential $ range of answers could it provide ($0-$????, worst case/best case)?

TXE36

No idea, but Porsche and cheap do not go together like chocolate and peanut butter.

You could get a quote from some local P-car mechanics. If I bring you a motor, how much to take it apart?

-Mike

HoBoJoe

Call your local Spec Boxster shop and ask.

hf1

I already have a good shop/mechanic. Just trying to educate myself and to draw from a wider/deeper pool of knowledge here. In this case, just wanted to confirm that scrapping this motor is the best option or whether a teardown may be a worthwhile investment. We're putting in a 'new' (used) motor in the car either way.

HoBoJoe

My guess is no, it's not worth you spending more money on that engine. If you were to do the tear down yourself you may be able to sell some parts off, but paying to tear it down would negate anything you make off the "good" parts.

linzman

I've always wanted to tear down an engine. Do it yourself and have some fun, knowing that it's very unlikely you're doing more damage than has already been done.

TXE36

That's not a bad idea. There have got to be youtube videos on the subject. Get yourself a pack of sharpies and paper lunch bags to label things like "bolts from left valve cover" and go to town. The paper bags work better than plastic because oil won't ruin the pen markings.

Be careful and keep it organized, you could part out quite a bit of it if the results are poor.

-Mike

jdistefa

Common failure - you had a #2 rod bearing let go.

Tear it down yourself, it will be a good learning experience.

The crank and case will be garbage.

The IMS may be ok and is certainly worth salvaging along with the balance of pistons and rods. The heads and valve train may be ok - you won't know until you get in there. All the peripherals are worth keeping. Once on an engine stand the tear down will take you a few hours.

hf1

This teardown idea seems interesting, if only for its educational/fun value. When you have a lemon, make lemonade -- though my current wrench experience ends with fluids, pads, and rotors change. I'll look into it. Thx to everyone that suggested it.

Is there a marketplace for used engine internals?

mjj0000

If anyone is interested, I have two such motors in boxes. One was a failed IMS bearing, the other failed when somebody unwittingly dropped a screw down the intake.

I plan to keep enough parts to build one complete motor, which leaves a fair number of extra parts that I would be happy to part with. PM me if you are interested.

Michael
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txhokie4life

It's a simple engine to tear down :-) Just a little harder to put back together.

Been awhile since I tore into one -- but I don't remember anything hidden or particularly difficult.

Most likely have a large t40? torx for the headbolts, but other than that -- pretty standard.

Mike

Black Sweeper

May not be practical since I am in Florida, I would carefully disassemble it in my private shop just for the learning experience. No charge. I have built race motors but not boxers.

thanks

Jerry

hf1

Jerry, thanks for the generous offer but not sure the experiment would be worth the shipping cost to me. What are the odds that we could build a running motor at a reasonable cost after you open it up?