engine rebuild

[carrera73rs]

Hello all,
Just wondering what some of the guys with experiance think. I am looking at an 81 SC 160k, has had trans rebuilt and new clutch. It has a broken head stud, and leak down is 95 average all cylinders. Can this be driven for a time yet, or do I pull engine and have it rebuilt while engine is out having head studs all fixed.
Thanks for any and all comments. Also what kind of upgrades would you perform?
Kirk

[ChrisBennet]

I assume you meant that it has 5% (95% staying in the cylinder, 5% leaks out).

I see you're in Canada; 160K miles is up there but 160K km isn't too bad for an SC.

I've only built a couple of SC motors (plus other 911 motors) so I don't have much experience with how the SC's tolerate broken studs. One 3.2 I built had a broken stud in it's past at some point I think. The spigot sealing surfaces were all out of plumb.

I know people run these cars with broken head studs but I think they are risking damaging the spigot sealing surfaces and the tops of the cylinders as the heads slam up and down. If you only have 160K km you might get away with just replacing the head studs and resealing the top end - if you catch it before the broken head stud damages things.
Just my non-expert feeling.

-Chris

[carrera73rs]

Thanks for comments Chris, it is actually 160k miles. It is a Texas car. The shop there said that it is ok to drive with the stud broken.
Kirk

[Porschekid962]

Yes because then you head back and have the rebuild it for you! In all seriousness though I would go ahead with a rebuild in order to be sure nothing goes seriously wrong with the motor. As of now I am sure all your parts or most or them are reusable whereas if something goes wrong you might be out a piston, cylinder, head, cam, crank, case, oil pump, it goes on and on. Better to take care of it now.