How do you know if an engine had a solid rebuild?
 

I am interested in a 1979 911 that had the engine rebuilt 5k ago. It wasn't rebuilt by someone famous or in a shop known nationwide.

Is there a way, via the documentation, to determine if it was a quality rebuild done by a craftsman? Or is there no way of ever knowing and you just take your chance if you really like the car?

I would want to see the paper work for the parts that were replaced and I also would want to see the paper work from the machine shop to see what was done. This info should tell you a lot of what you need to know. It doesn't however tell you what level of attention to detail was taken for the assembly of the motor so that part will be a gamble. i.e. proper torque settings, deck height, etc.

The paper work will atleast let you know if it was a "real" rebuild or just a gasket change and a valve job. It's surprising what people call a rebuild sometimes.

A rebuild should show things like all new bearings, new chains, pistons and cylinders should be verified in spec or replaced. Rods and rocker arms recon'd.

If you've got the paper work just scan it and post it. We'll tell you what level of "rebuild" was performed.

Ditto, and after 5k miles there should be problems that already came and gone if it's still operating. You could drive it for yourself and listen for any excessively loud ticking sounds, feel for the powerband, anything that is obvious. The none obvious will be pointed out in the paper work.

If a compression test, leakdown, oil pressure are all ok, the engine should be fine. If you are really concerned, you could drain the oil & split the oil filter looking for metal particles, or send the drain oil for analysis.

Thank you all for your help.

Let me see if I can get him to fax me the papers and I'll post them here.

The easy stuff is getting it to run right. The "craftsman" will show if it is dry after being driven hard and then let cool down.