Time for a rebuild?

[aib]

Hi guys,

I would like to ask for your help and advice.

I have a 1978 911 SC that is an original German car that was imported by my dad to the States in 1984.

The car has never been abused, but has not had a lot of TLC or upkeep either, primarily just oil changes over the years. The engine has never been opened up.

My dad kept the car in the garage and drove it on rare occasions. The odometer is not working, but it says 84,000 kilometers. My dad drove the car about 500-1,000 miles per year, so the 84,000 kilometers may be low, but with him driving it rarely, it can't be too far off. I'm guessing the car has less than 70k miles.

At any rate, I now have the car and have had light some engine work done on it, including tune ups and plugs. The car leaks some oil and more recently has been smoking a lot when the engine is cold. The smoke is white and can be pretty excessive when the oil temperature is cold. I haven't been behind the car on the road, but I think it is smoking when the engine is hot as well.

The car runs OK, but the smoking is bothersome. Since the car was my dads, I want to take care of it.

So, the question is this. At what point is it important to rebuild the engine? Is the excessive smoke causing increased problems as I drive the car?

Does anyone know of a good mechanic to rebuild the engine in the Philadelphia, South Jersey, or Delaware area?

I can leave the car with the mechanic as long as necessary to make the repairs. I am not in a hurry, but would like to try and find the right person to do the job.

Finally, does anyone know what I can expect to pay for a rebuild of a 3.0 SC?

Thanks for your comments.

Alan

[Flat6pac]

Alan, You probably just need a top end, valve job and some reseal. Change the bottom row of studs. I ll give you a PM too. PM is upper right side of page by your handle.
Bruce

[JFairman]

Is smoke coming out the exhaust pipe or just from under the motor in general? From the description and because you say you havn't been behind the car while it's running or driven it may be oil leaks dripping down on to the heat exchangers and burning off and smoking there.