3.2 engine rebuilding questions
 

Hello all,
I have an 85 911 with 265,000 miles on the engine. The thing still runs strong but it burns some oil and smokes on startup. It has started to smoke even after warm-up lately. I would like to start my engine rebuild fund and want to get an idea of what I should be expecting for a budget. I'd like to budget for a rebuild with simple performance upgrades so maybe cam regrind, euro spec pistons and exhaust?

I have some engine rebuilding experience but this is my first 911. I'd like to rebuild this engine myself to save money and for the experience.

I'd appreciate experts estimate on an expected budget and advice on performance upgrades. Also, I live in California so I need to keep in mind smog inspections.

Thank you,
Jason

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The car. I love it.

Hi
Most of us beginnner should get this book , help to save time .money ,motor up grade. how to tear down , ect
How to Rebuild and Modify Porsche 911 Engines Book
Part #: BK-135124

Book is fantastic. A must have.

Thanks for the responses. I do have the book along with the Bentley manual. It says a typical budget is $6000 for a basic rebuild but that was for a 2.7l. Does that amount still apply to a 3.2 with performance upgrades?

Everything is near the same price across the board, 2.0 to 3.6. Valves and new P&Cs vary.
Bruce

Wayne's book does have a page on the individual pricing of parts and repairs. That is a good starting point.

If you want to do it right, you are probably going to send most of your parts out for cleaning, inspection, and repairs or machine work. On a high mileage motor like yours, you can figure it is going to need everything done. The good news is, the 3,2 motors will not usually need any case work, like the 2,7s. If you are REALLY lucky, and you have Mahle cylinders, and they are in spec they can be reused. That is a stretch on a high mileage 3,2, however. Otherwise, figure on new or refurbished cylinders. The good news is it isn't much more expensive to go to a 3,4 using bored cylinders. Also, it is possible to have your cams reground to 964 specs.

Don't forget to replace those pesky divilar studs.

Really appreciate the replies and the confirmation on budget. I'm planning on starting the rebuild next year so that gives me time to build up my bank account and do some more research.


Thanks again,
Jason

Its pretty easy to burn through $10k in parts and machine work. And all the monetary values in Wayne's book are pre-bubble pricing. Expect to pay double if not triple the values quoted.

based on my experience I would recommend you consider doing only the heads ans see if that doesn't cure the smoking issue. I found little to nothing wrong when I did my 80SC. Lower mileage at 110 000 miles or so. But I imagine it would have been fine another 10 years without splitting case. My cylinders&pistons were as new.

I have an 88 Carrera 3.2 that has some minor leaks (rear main seal, cylinder). I took it to a local Porsche mechanic and he quoted me $7,500+/- to drop it, rebuild the top end and put all new seals in it. He said it was an immediate job as the oil was leaking on the exhaust manifold and could catch fire at any time.

I then took the car to our local Porsche dealership and had the "official" Porsche mechanics go over it to compare the findings. They too found leaks. In their words "highly unlikely" and "remote" chances of a fire resulting from the few drops they found. The said, "drive it and enjoy it for now but eventually, you will need to address the leaks in the distant future when it is due." They were nice enough to give me the official Porsche quote to rebuild the top end $16,112!!!!! Yikes. That's an expensive toy I've got in the garage.

I had oil dripping on my exhaust for 20+ years. Not enough to smoke, just enough that every year or two I would have to clean it off to keep it presentable. Catch fire, is a sales pitch and total BS. AND once he has your motor out, it will need a lot more than just seals and a top end. While we are in there......

$16K? What are those guys charging per hour?

I wouldn't say that a fire potential is total BS. I recently got a parts car with a 3.2 . The motor was leaking oil so I pulled the stainless exhaust off for my 3.0 . Fired the motor up while it was on my lift and after it ran for about 10 minutes the exhaust caught on fire and was throwing flames up into the heater vent. Apparently oil had puddled in the heater box and once it hot hot enough it started on fire. Luckily I had an extinguisher handy.

interesting thread...... as i might be in the same position soon ... have also a 85 3.2 carrera and i am also thinking about the euro spec P&C... would go also for SSI and earlyu exhaust ....

so cam choice and what has to be replaced (in case) for the euro spec pistons ...

will follow the theat with a lot of interest

steve

I would agree with this post - depending on what you need to replace. Just finished a 2.7 rebuild and costs are going up. Used both Ollies and Supertec for different things - the learning experience was well worth the cost - love my car now - this was a racing engine so many more upgrades to cams/rods/case etc. Go for it - you'll love it.