PARTIAL DROP COMING UP: What else would you fix?

[thefaculty]

Hey everyone,

So I am braving my first partial engine drop to fix a disconnected oil breather hose and, while I am there, replacing everything the Triangle Of Death has to offer so that I have peace of mind that area is all as good as can be when she goes back in. I will also be replacing to over-expanded intake rubber sleeves so the CIS will be coming off to get this all done.

My question is what else would you recommend I attend to or check for while doing this? I'd like to do as much as possible and ideally would order parts all ahead of the partial drop so would love any advice you guys might have before I go for it.

Interested to hear your thoughts!!

Thanks!!
Dan

[shadowjack1]

check heater hoses. Easy to change with partial drop

[thefaculty]

Originally Posted by shadowjack1

check heater hoses. Easy to change with partial drop

Thanks - My heat is backdated so the are long gone but good to know!

[tirwin]

Good time to replace any vac lines.

The bushings on the throttle linkage. Get the brass ones. They'll last forever.

Put some JB Weld on the idiot light switch where the metal crimps over the plastic part. That will keep oil from seeping past in the future.

[gomezoneill]

Most important, don't forget to disconnect the shift linkage from the transmission.

[Quicksilver]

Grab the big breather hose and see how hard the rubber is. If it feels like solid plastic replace it. You should be able to completely collapse it with your hand.

[dkirk]

Replace all rubber fuel lines.

[thefaculty]

Originally Posted by Quicksilver

Grab the big breather hose and see how hard the rubber is. If it feels like solid plastic replace it. You should be able to completely collapse it with your hand.

Regardless this is getting replaced anyway, it's off, stacked in oil and lord knows when it was last looked at so it's gone and being replaced!

[thefaculty]

Originally Posted by dkirk

Replace all rubber fuel lines.

Thanks Dave - I'll definitely do this, appreciate the suggestion!

[Lyle O]

Take the opportunity to clean everything you can. Also, check all fasteners that you can get a wrench on and be sure they are properly torqued. Also check the triangle of death for any leaks. Finally, if your rubber seal abound the engine compartment is original, it’s a good time to change that out (easier with a full drop, though). Enjoy.

[scottrx7tt]

Oil thermostat and cooler o rings, and breather cover gasket

[hcoles]

Might want to pull the rocker shafts and check for wear on shafts or bushings. Replace with RSR seals. Other: rubber engine tin seal, upgrade fuel lines (already mentioned), check cam chain wear, installed pressure feed tensioners (? I don't know if this engine has those), replace chain ramps.

[Coastr]

Injector o-rings
Mouse stashes under the shroud
Engine sound pad
Vacuum leaks with smoke test

[Pedro '84 Coupe]

Motor mounts. Might as well do the trans mounts too if they're original.

[thefaculty]

These are all great suggestions everyone! Thank you! The ones that appeal most to me are:

• Triangle of Death which was my initial reason for the drop in the first place.
• Lines replacements - vacuum lines, breather hose, fuel lines
• Upgrade to Turbo Chain Tensioners - been on the list and needs doing so may as well do now.
• Upgrade engine & tranny mounts to Rennline Tunables
• Possibly change engine mount cross bar if it needs it.
• Of course give the whole engine as much of a clean as possible!

I don't know much about the rocker shafts and RSR seals so I will read up on this and decide.

Some (very likely dumb) newbie questions I have are:

• Do I need to empty oil when doing a partial drop? I know it makes sense to do so and I likely will but was curious.
• When replacing all the fuel lines do I need to empty the fuel and if so what is the best way to do this?

Thanks again!

[thefaculty]

Thought I would post this here. A link to another PP member who is making CIS fuel lines for our 3.0's - looks like a great kit!

911 SC 3.0 fuel line kit, Teflon and stainless steel

[Brian911T]

This can be a very slippery slope. I would really recommend fully dropping the motor. All of this work can be done with a partial drop but far easier with the motor and trans removed. Not to mention the pain you will save on your back leaning into the engine bay. I dropped my motor for the first time 2 years ago and it was way easier than I thought. I removed the rear bumper and used 3 ton jack stands, a jack and engine dolly I made out of birch plywood with casters. I have a checklist I can email you and plans I made for the engine dolly if you decide to go down that path.

The only negative with dropping the motor is stuff tends to add up (project creep) I ended up blowing my budget because I figured I would do everything I could while the motor was out.

A few things to add to your list:

adj the valves if your removing valve covers anyway
tunnel lines but harder to do with motor installed (boxsterGT makes them)
engine pad

If you decide to remove motor:
check clutch
front and rear main seals
shift rod seal on trans
output shaft seal on trans
check oil cooler for leaks (I couldn't tell if oil was from triangle or cooler. It ended up being both)

Here is a link to my engine drop with lots of pics. Its a 930 motor but info should still help.
930 Targa Engine Drop & Upgrade Project

[3rd_gear_Ted]

Scope creep:
valve rocker arm gap adjustments. fuel injector rebuild
look real hard around the both cam towers, especially rear o-rings

[thefaculty]

Originally Posted by Brian911T

This can be a very slippery slope. I would really recommend fully dropping the motor. All of this work can be done with a partial drop but far easier with the motor and trans removed. Not to mention the pain you will save on your back leaning into the engine bay. I dropped my motor for the first time 2 years ago and it was way easier than I thought. I removed the rear bumper and used 3 ton jack stands, a jack and engine dolly I made out of birch plywood with casters. I have a checklist I can email you and plans I made for the engine dolly if you decide to go down that path.

The only negative with dropping the motor is stuff tends to add up (project creep) I ended up blowing my budget because I figured I would do everything I could while the motor was out.

A few things to add to your list:

adj the valves if your removing valve covers anyway
tunnel lines but harder to do with motor installed (boxsterGT makes them)
engine pad

If you decide to remove motor:
check clutch
front and rear main seals
shift rod seal on trans
output shaft seal on trans
check oil cooler for leaks (I couldn't tell if oil was from triangle or cooler. It ended up being both)

Here is a link to my engine drop with lots of pics. Its a 930 motor but info should still help.
930 Targa Engine Drop & Upgrade Project

Your thread is FANTASTIC - thanks for sending Brian. Now I absolutely want to drop the engine and get to all of this. If you wouldn't mind sending me your list and plans that would be amazing! I'll PM you now.

Thanks so much again - this is going to be really helpful for me!!

[Mike Andrew]

Good choice to do a full drop. Stuff is much more accessible and that means less chance of goofs due to reaching, bad tool angles and all that. Lot easier to lean forward from a stool than to contort inside the engine bay. Plus, I found it to be a wrenching confidence builder.
Good luck and will be looking for documentation.
Scope creep, bah, it's only money