1979 SC Engine & Transmission Rebuild

[markmcintosh]

Hi All, I have a 79 SC that I completely re did 3 years ago minus the Engine & Transmission.

Currently it has 1 broken head stud, as well as is leaking oil and the transmission gears grind between 1 & 2.

I am not planning on keeping the car as I want to sell it, but I dont want to sell a lemon to someone. I also feel that if I correct these issues, I will have a much easier time selling the vehicle as the engine is the issue everytime someone comes to look at it.

I have a close friend that is a certified mechanic(not with Porsche) that can do all the work, but i want to make sure i get all the correct parts to correct the issues, but not go crazy.

I was thinking of buying the rebuild kit for the transmission that comes with all the parts as well as replace the clutch & flywheel if we are in there, so i believe that should be fairly straight forward.

Where I am struggling is the engine...

I was thinking of replacing the head studs along with doing a gasket kit, but what else should I do if I am in there, without going nuts and wont get too expensive. As I mentioned, I am just trying to do the right thing and fix the problems it currently has and replace the parts that make sense while we are in there.

Lastly, any idea on labour hours for the Transmission as well as the Engine?

Thanks, any advice or comments are appreciated!!

Mark

[dannobee]

Your friend won't be a friend after he rebuilds the engine and trans.

Figure 50-60 hours labor for the engine overhaul and anywhere from 5-10 hours for the trans overhaul since it's already out, depending on what it needs. Parts for the transmissions are sometimes REALLY expensive, so you won't know what it needs until you tear it apart. The parts for the engines aren't too terrible as long as the pistons and cylinders and crankshaft are ok. Just remember, it's not an LS or small block chevy. The "Porsche tax" is adding another zero to the end of what small block chevy parts cost.

[mikedsilva]

Originally Posted by dannobee

Your friend won't be a friend after he rebuilds the engine and trans.

Figure 50-60 hours labor for the engine overhaul and anywhere from 5-10 hours for the trans overhaul since it's already out, depending on what it needs. Parts for the transmissions are sometimes REALLY expensive, so you won't know what it needs until you tear it apart. The parts for the engines aren't too terrible as long as the pistons and cylinders and crankshaft are ok. Just remember, it's not an LS or small block chevy. The "Porsche tax" is adding another zero to the end of what small block chevy parts cost.

spot on

[gsxrken]

I’d say why bother with it if you’re selling it. Do your homework on prices in your region and then set a price, and just be upfront that it grinds and has at least one broken stud. A buyer would reasonably counter that the trans probably needs about $5k and the top end needs about $10k, so you knock that off the price. That’s what you’d spend minimally, and now you don’t have the headache of parts obtainment or burning out your friend either.

[Dpmulvan]

Originally Posted by gsxrken

I’d say why bother with it if you’re selling it. Do your homework on prices in your region and then set a price, and just be upfront that it grinds and has at least one broken stud. A buyer would reasonably counter that the trans probably needs about $5k and the top end needs about $10k, so you knock that off the price. That’s what you’d spend minimally, and now you don’t have the headache of parts obtainment or burning out your friend either.

+1 leave it alone don’t open a can of worms, it’s entirely possible that you won’t get your money back when the sale goes through.

[-Levi-]

Originally Posted by dannobee

Your friend won't be a friend after he rebuilds the engine and trans.

Figure 50-60 hours labor for the engine overhaul and anywhere from 5-10 hours for the trans overhaul since it's already out, depending on what it needs. Parts for the transmissions are sometimes REALLY expensive, so you won't know what it needs until you tear it apart. The parts for the engines aren't too terrible as long as the pistons and cylinders and crankshaft are ok. Just remember, it's not an LS or small block chevy. The "Porsche tax" is adding another zero to the end of what small block chevy parts cost.

this

[markmcintosh]

Hi All,

I Appreciate the feedback and where you are coming from!

What do you think if I just did a re-seal and left the rest? Worth it? Or still opening a can of worms?

Thanks for the advice!

Mark

[snbush67]

It’s running, has a broken head stud, leaking oil and the transmission grinds a bit. These things shouldn’t scare a serious buyer.

Sell as is, provide full disclosure and take 5-10k less than fair market value. If it doesn’t sell then consider rebuild or lower your price.

I’m sure you’ve probably received several messages with offers already, are the offers close to what you want?

[$yncro]

I think you're better off selling it as is with full disclosure
Like some are saying. Who knows what it needs until you
Open up the can. I bought a project 2 yrs ago and PO doesn't
Know what it needs sold as is barn find. From blown air box
to 11 head studs, 2 seized fuel injectors and some other little
Things just to get it started. It all adds up but my goal is to
have fun learning rebuilding the whole car..
My point is there's a few buyers out there like me who's a sucker
For punishment.. lol! Jk. Sell and let others have fun with it.
Good luck! Pics?

[Cairo94507]

Sell it as is. I would rather buy a car like that, knowing I need to do an engine rebuild and transaxle rebuild. That saves everyone a lot of grief. It's not worth trying to just reseal the engine.

[G450X]

As advised, be upfront on the issues and set the price at a slightly lower than market value and see what happens. I wouldn’t take $15k off, these days a core 3.0 engine brings near $10k, don’t price it too low. If the body/paint is good, I’d take $5k - $7k off the fair market value based on similar condition sales. All air cooled 911’s command decent money now, you can always negotiate down, but it’s hard to negotiate up.

911SC’s are finally getting their due on pricing, they were dirt cheap for many years. I suspect that fixing the issues will cost much more than the market value return.

I picked up an SC with a nice body and good paint 10 years ago with similar engine/transmission issues (less the broken head stud, but it’s due...) and I’ve driven and greatly enjoyed it for a decade despite a few oil leaks and 4th gear whine.

Who’s to say someone who wants a budget air cooled 911 can’t fix a few things and do the same with your old SC?

[Henry Schmidt]

All of the advise is rock solid. Sell it as is if you're convinced selling it is in the near future.
Not really my business but why sell?
The 911 SC is a great car and with prices sky-rocketing, once it's gone, they tend to be hard to replace.

[Geronimo]

Henry, funny you say that. I've been kinda watching SC prices after buying mine and it seems that the driver, lil rough around the edges have flattened or slightly fallen. I doubt I could get 50-60% what I have into mine.