Re-fix, Rebuild or Replace? An Engine Quandary
 

Got a quandary. I have a 1975 911 (with a 1980 3.0 liter) with ~60k miles on it. Downside: one of the head stud bolts is broken causing a slight oil weep, which, as we all know will likely get worse and the tear of oil will eventually lead to real tears, based on the financial outlook of my options. I've accepted that my dream car is about to cost me a large sum of money (~$5,000 give or take a couple grand).

So I'm curious what the informed and experienced participants of this forum think about my options.

I spoke with renown Porsche mechanic Jerry Woods today and he was helpful in discussing them at length. I guess the upside is that his shop is a few miles from my house so I can walk home and truly appreciate a running Porsche 911.

They include:

1. Replace head studs. This is the cheapest option. It involves mostly dropping the motor and replacing these damn cheap bolts with ones that don't break. Still over $4k.

2. Rebuilt the motor. This is more expensive but would ostensibly fix any potential problems that would happen down the road. Ideally, the head stud issue would happened at 120k miles and this option would be more obvious. But alas, this is not the case. Also an option here while the motor is out, is to try to do more to it that would squeak out a bit more horse power. Though this 3.0 liter is pretty well optimized as it is.

3. Replace the motor entirely with a 3.2, 3.4 or a 3.6 liter bad boy. Downside is that I'd unlikely get a motor with more documented history than the one currently in the car. My current motor has all its paper work and is no mystery.

I probably have other options. But they're not clear to me as I am far from an expert. The car has a new transmission, a great exhaust system, race oil cooler, steel-braided brake lines, and a handful of other goodies. I love it. Selling it is not an option. I'll push it around without a motor if I have to. Love this car.

Any ideas / feedback?

Newlin,
I might get more feedback if you relist your post in the 911 Technical Forum or the 911 Engine Building Forum.....you'll definitely get told to drop in a 3.0/3.2/3.3/3.4/3.6/3.8 TURBO motor from us here! :D
That being said, my vote goes to rebuilding what you have and then going with carbs/pmo's or individual stack injectors(EFI), headers and muffler. A friend of mine just did his SC with NOS Webers on PMO runners, SSI headers and M&K Muffler and it is a thing of beauty. Goes pretty good too.

$4k to replace head studs? That seems high. Can you do any work yourself to save money?

The truely cheaoest route would be to replace the head studs only, but while your in there, fix any obvious problems. The down side is that while your so close, it makes sense to fix it all (and upgrade!).

Probably because the case has to come apart to EDM out a flush broken stud. If that's the case, rebuilding isn't a huge premium since he'll have to do 90% of the work of a rebuild to put the motor back together. Get some details from Jerry on what he plans to do.