Early turbo case? What do I have?

avr924 · 10-13-2016, 05:02 PM

I have what I believe is an early turbo engine case. This case came with some parts my dad and I picked up some years ago. Looks to be in pretty good shape, although it has been welded and repaired. Looks as though cyl 5 had something come apart. I attached some pictures. I also noticed the case has no serial numbers, and looks like it has a "75" cast on one side. Was wondering what I've got (curious about the no serial number thing), and since I don't know that I would use it, what is the case in this condition worth? I know it would be best to have an expert look it all over to determine the true condition. May sell to fund some other projects, and I really don't know that I'll build an engine worthy of an early turbo case. Any input is welcome, thanks!

tom1394racing · 10-14-2016, 07:21 AM

The casting # indicates this is a 3.0 Turbo or 3.0 Carrera case.

avr924 · 10-14-2016, 08:42 AM

Thanks Tom, any idea why it wouldn't have a serial number?

stownsen914 · 10-14-2016, 08:59 AM

I've heard that some warranty replacement engines didn't have all the numbering, or perhaps purchased as a replacement case?

tom1394racing · 10-14-2016, 08:59 AM

Most likely a factory replacement case. Cast in '75 but held for spare parts.

avr924 · 10-14-2016, 10:29 AM

Thanks for the input guys, any idea what a fair price would be for it? Unfortunately i don't have an early turbo car sitting around, and don't know that I have a use for it. I know it's a pretty hard to come by case, but it has been welded. May use it to fund some other stuff.

boosted79 · 05:09 AM

That case would have to be cut and align bored with all that welding. Just looking at the last pic it looks really warped judging from the distance between the flanges but maybe it's just the way pic is taken. Do the flanges butt up evenly?

avr924 · 10-15-2016, 11:24 AM

The flanges do butt up evenly, I should have pushed them flush together for that picture. I don't know the history on it unfortunately, it may have already been run in a car in its current repaired state, just not sure.

avr924 · 04-18-2020, 12:55 PM

Well, I started this thread about 3.5 years ago, and this case is still in my garage. Needless to say, I won’t use this. Does anybody know what this might be worth? Just a fair price to offer up for so maybe some one gets some use out of.

356RS · 356RS's Garage

I would be interested in this case for a fair price. But it's a big gamble till you drop a set of bearings & crank in and torque it down. Machine shop costs to get it right, if even possible, will be high.

cmcfaul · cmcfaul's Garage

That case is worthless. Too much of a gamble of time, effort and cost to start with such a shaky foundation. Just my opinion

Chris

aturboman · 04-21-2020, 09:37 AM

For reference since you asked, last year I sold a very nice 3.0 turbo case (1976) which only needed the head studs replaced for $3,500.

I had zero interest when asking much more and that was in the pre-virus world.

Like has been mentioned there are many factors that may make it worthless so any one buying this is taking a gamble at any price.

Reconditioning a case properly can easily exceed what I sold my original part for so hope this gives you perspective on selling it.

cmcfaul · cmcfaul's Garage

Is that JB Weld heaped on it?

avr924 · 04-21-2020, 06:54 PM

Thanks everyone for the feedback, I agree it is a gamble and had it been a common case it would have probably been tossed by now. This came with some parts bought long ago, guy had some interesting items and this was one of them

All of above being said, is $1500 a fair price? I know there will be some shipping costs involved, it’s just taking up space for me, thought someone may get some use out of it at a good deal all things considered

stownsen914 · 04-22-2020, 05:49 AM

Looks like you have at least one guy making a case (pun intended) to send you a lowball offer!

Considering the desirability of this case for racing use, I think $1500 is fair.

bender706 · bender706's Garage

Quote:

Originally Posted by stownsen914

Looks like you have at least one guy making a case (pun intended) to send you a lowball offer!

Considering the desirability of this case for racing use, I think $1500 is fair.

who would use a case like that for racing?

avr924 · 04-22-2020, 06:02 PM

Thanks everyone, I posted in classifieds

Walt Fricke · 04-30-2020, 09:00 PM

I would use a case like that for racing. If the shop which did the repair after a rod got loose did a good job, they dealt with any dimensional issues while they were at it. I had a mag case welded up and it was fine as far as that went. I've got a sand cast case with a slot sort of like what this one had I keep thinking I should send off - the machine shop I talked to 20 years ago about this said they kept damaged cases around so they could cut out sections to fill gaps. They know what they are doing, how to measure, etc.

One of my race 2.8s (sand cast case) isn't matching numbers. The shop that joined case halves from broken motors got everything just fine (previous owner of that one had that work done and raced it before he sold it to me).

These are pretty rare cases. Great basis for a short stroke 2.8, as the 66mm 6 bolt crank will fit.

Of course, you don't know if everything was brought back to true or not. A shop could measure it.

cmcfaul · cmcfaul's Garage

Please post if someone buys it. I will be very surprised.

Chris

E Sully · E Sully's Garage

Quote:

Originally Posted by cmcfaul

Is that JB Weld heaped on it?

I have to agree with cmcfaul.
That case looks like it threw a rod and instead of a proper welding repair, gobbed JB Weld on. If the repair had been done correctly what is all the JB Weld for? It is going to take a lot to make that usable.