1973 911 Targa - To rebuild or not to rebuild

[pcivalero]

Hey there experts...well I just bought a 73 911 Targa with 105,000 original miles. The car is in great shape with virtually no rust under body or on the car itself. The paint is original and though looks very good and totally respectable is in need of a complete paint job/ new seals etc...Here's the dilemma-
Before I touch the paint I want to make sure the mechanical aspects are taken care of. The car in my onion runs great EXCEPT in 2nd and 3rd i get some hesitation when slowly accelerating and it backfires quite a bit. Other than that its a great ride.

I have gone to two mechanics and here are two opinions.

1st shop - Did a compression and leak down test and says the engine does not need a rebuild, however there main seal is leaking and wants to take it down and reseal it clean etc. for $1,200. No rebuild. He also does paint and body and wants to take it down and paint it for another $7,000.

2nd shop - said that I was crazy to take the engine down and not replace any of the parts while the engine is laid out. He is quoting me $3,000 in labor and $1,000 in parts to rebuild the engine. Though he has done no tests, he says its best to prevent anything from messing up the block and having to get rid of a matching numbers engine.

So - to further add to it, a new paint job won't look good without getting into the engine cavity and sand blasting / repainting it in there.

What to do?? any help would greatly be appreciated.

[RSTarga]

Get a comprehensive tune up which should include a leakdown compression test. Replace the leaking seal. The leakdown should tell you what you need to do. A full rebuild correctly done will run you well north of 8 grand. Stay clear of shop #2. I can't imagine what parts you'd get for a grand.

[pcivalero]

Thanks for the reply - forgot to mention that shop one did a tune up - replaced distributor cap, sparkplugs, the points and an oil change. What do you mean by a compreshensive tune up? I took it back to him about the hesitation and he didn't have a good answer for me, which is why I took it to shop 2.

Shop 2 Parts for $1000 are as follows - which now that I look at it looks more like replacing all the gaskets/seals...

1 Set Turbo Chain Rails
2 Porsche Camshaft Pins
2 Camshaft End Play Gaskets
2 Camshaft Housing Gaskets
2 Camshaft Cover Plate Gaskets
6 Camshaft Oil Line Seals
2 Camshaft Shaft Housing to Case Gaskets
2 Camshaft Key Ways
2 Valve Cover Gaskets Lower
2 Valve Cover Gaskets Upper
6 Porsche Intake Manifold Gaskets
12 Bronze Phs. Valve guides
12 Teflon Valve Stern Seals
8 Oil Return Tube Seals
6 Exhaust Port Gaskets
1 Porsche Muffler Gasket
1 Complete Set of Rings
12 Porsche Piston Pin Clips
6 Porsche Head Copper Shims
6 Porsche Cylinder Shims

[Bez]

Sounds like CIS needs some attention...valve adjustment too would be part of a 'comprehensive tune'. See if mech #1 knows a lot about CIS tuning...experience required for this. Also, get a popoff valve for your airbox if you don't already have one. Cheap insurance.

What were comp/leakdown #s? I wouldn't be pulling it apart unless necessary, but the main seal should be addressed.

As for repaint...sounds like you just got the car so I'd advise to drive it a while, get to know it, spend all your free time on Pelican (like the rest of us!) and think about what you want to do with the car in the long term. These cars are fun to work on yourself...especially on the cosmetic stuff. Not too difficult and very rewarding.

Most importanly...post some pics in the Tech Forum so we can see this ride!

[OldTee]

CIS or MFI?

Does it burn oil.

What are the leak down numbers and compression numbers?

A mechanic that recommends an OH without the benefit of these numbers should leave Porsches alone and go fix Honda's.

A leaking rear main seal with eventually take out the clutch.

Do a cheap o/h on this, or any engine is a waste of money, or to start one cheap is to find out what while you are in there really mean$.

[pcivalero]

Bez-
Thanks - I just posted pics of the car in the project section. Not sure this is the place you were talking about. Let me know what you think! The pictures make the car look better than it is, the paint has lots of chips and some spidering in other areas, but otherwise I think a beauty.