Head Studs and Previous Owner's
 

Back story...

As a recent new owner of a 1981 SC, I had one of our local Porsche specialists look it over and as expected it had original head studs two of which were busted. So we decided to replace them all. So far, so good.

Bad news, they found one that one was "new" or "newer." The stud was fine, but it wobbles in the thread :eek: Near as we can tell when whoever replaced the original it must have been broke well down in the case and they machined it to get good threads. :mad: Needless to say that stud doesn't torque down properly.

Options:

• put it back together and accept that it won't torque down correctly
• new case without buggered threads and a rebuild
• new engine (replace 3.0 or go to a 3.2 if I don't have to do a bunch of ECU changes

The first option isn't good and the second two options do not thrill me due to $$$ involved.

I would welcome thoughts and suggestions...:confused:

Doug,

JMHO,...... :)

If the threads in the "wobbly" hole were damaged, it must be be machined for an insert to do a proper repair and its worth the effort if the rest of the engine is in good condition. A new case is not needed.

You never said how many miles are on the motor, nor if the leakdowns were otherwise good so its difficult to offer anything cunstructive beyond this. :)

Just remember, "People never have the money to do something right, but they always have the money to do it all over again".

Fix it right and the car will give you good service.

What do you mean it doesn't torque down properly? Do you mean the stud when inserted into the case and then tightened won't tighten up? Or do you mean when you try to tighten the nut that holds the head on the stud pulls out of the case?

I made the mistake of chasing my case threads with a cutting tap instead of a chase tap and it opened up the threads a little. When the studs were installed and just before bottomed out in the case, they would wobble, but ever so slightly. I use Locktite Red and they are holding fine.

It's just not clear to me what you mean when you say they won't torque down properly.

Lindy

I'm with Steve

It's the famous buy cheap buy twice :eek::D:eek: