Engine building tools

[stubble88]

I want to rebuild my motor.
I’m not sure I want to buy all the special tools needed for a rebuild. I will have a machine shop doing all the machine stuff. Any recommendations for how to approach this? Anyone selling these tools?
Maybe a paid rental? I have no idea.

As an added bonus I live io near Santa Clarita so if any Mr Miyagis are looking for a Danielson to guide through an engine rebuild that would be ideal.

[mepstein]

Before you plan the assembly, I would plan the disassembly, cleaning, assessing parts, refurbishing and restoring the parts, etc. it’s a much bigger job than most people realize.
Do you have a lift table, engine stand, etc.

[stubble88]

Originally Posted by mepstein

Before you plan the assembly, I would plan the disassembly, cleaning, assessing parts, refurbishing and restoring the parts, etc. it’s a much bigger job than most people realize.
Do you have a lift table, engine stand, etc.

I have a lift. I’ve removed these motors a couple time now. I still need at least the 3.2 Carrera Cam Bolt Tool for removal. Right?

[PeteKz]

Make sure your machine shop is very familiar with Porsche engines.

[porschedude996]

Other than the engine holding fixture I don’t find there are many “special tools” that can’t be improvised. My first engine, 2.4L was way lighter and I fashioned a set of adapters for my engine stand to engine. With the weight of the later engines, I wouldn’t use them. Being on a budget, and the silly cost of the fixture in 1984 ($650), I improvised.

I don’t use the cam nut tool, if you are referring to the cam sprocket holding tool. When adjusting the cam timing, I don’t torque bolt until I have the best timing. Then torque and recheck. Worst case i need to remove and use the cam-train to hold the sprocket against the bolt to loosen.The later engines didn’t have the huge nut holding the sprocket on the cam. I think it is a 17 or 19mm hexhead.

Other tools:

Crankshaft holding tool, to assemble rods to crank. Metal plate to bolt crankshaft end with the CS vertical.

Mechanical Chain tension device: To hold chain tension on chain to adjust cam timing. Don’t use your oil fed tensioners you plan to run.

Piston Circlip: Rags around rods and a good pair of needle nose pliers.

Cam Chain/Con-Rod holders: Make from 1-1/2 steel pallet banding strap.

Everything else is common stuff.

I have a set of cam chain tensioners that I fabricated from two spring loaded tensioners and the cam chain/Con-Rod holders you can borrow.

[stubble88]

Originally Posted by porschedude996

Other than the engine holding fixture I don’t find there are many “special tools” that can’t be improvised. My first engine, 2.4L was way lighter and I fashioned a set of adapters for my engine stand to engine. With the weight of the later engines, I wouldn’t use them. Being on a budget, and the silly cost of the fixture in 1984 ($650), I improvised.

I don’t use the cam nut tool, if you are referring to the cam sprocket holding tool. When adjusting the cam timing, I don’t torque bolt until I have the best timing. Then torque and recheck. Worst case i need to remove and use the cam-train to hold the sprocket against the bolt to loosen.The later engines didn’t have the huge nut holding the sprocket on the cam. I think it is a 17 or 19mm hexhead.

Other tools:

Crankshaft holding tool, to assemble rods to crank. Metal plate to bolt crankshaft end with the CS vertical.

Mechanical Chain tension device: To hold chain tension on chain to adjust cam timing. Don’t use your oil fed tensioners you plan to run.

Piston Circlip: Rags around rods and a good pair of needle nose pliers.

Cam Chain/Con-Rod holders: Make from 1-1/2 steel pallet banding strap.

Everything else is common stuff.

I have a set of cam chain tensioners that I fabricated from two spring loaded tensioners and the cam chain/Con-Rod holders you can borrow.

Sounds like my style of doing things. Sent you a pm

[917_Langheck]

If by chance this is your first 911 motor rebuild, I highly recommend getting over to Philadelphia to take Tony's class. Well worth the cost. Lots of little tricks to ease the process and the strain on the pocket book when project specific tools are required.

https://forums.pelicanparts.com/porsche-911-technical-forum/982945-introduction-engine-rebuilding-class-44.html

[stownsen914]

Porschedude's list is pretty good. I made my crankshaft holder by cutting V's in wood blocks and clamping them to my work table. Or do it Wayne's way and bolt the crank to the flywheel and just stand it vertically on a table. For the later 911s you do need the cam holder. They can be found for < $100, or borrow one. Also a Z block and dial indicator to set cam timing. Mechanical tensioners are good, or careful placement of C clamps to hold the chains taut. People seem to like the piston C clip holders for installation. It does look easy, but I heard they can over-compress the clips and deform them. Watch some videos, they can be installed without tools if you are careful.

[hienz]

You don't need crankshaft holding tool. I always let gravity pull the crankshafts and timing chain down, and I mount the engine half from the bottom up. It's work for me.