First Porsche advice 1978 911SC

[Denim24seven]

Im looking at buying a 1978 911sc.



Engine number is 6382140 is this a eurospec engine?

Also has this weird colour code, maybe its guards red but not 100%





Appreciate any advice.

[jac1976]

Yes, ROW.
Known as India red at the time.

[GaryR]

Wow, could have sworn that was signal orange!

[toddetch]

You probably realize this, but those are also updated bumpers and aftermarket mirrors. Not sure what type of other advice you're looking for beyond the engine and color....

[Geronimo]

Get a compression test and a leak down test, if you can check the head studs, have the 915 looked at.

Have a fund set aside for engine and trans refresh costs as a worst case. For ref. a trans refresh can cost you $5-8K, and an engine rebuild $8-25K I would plan for at least half of the worst case set aside so you can manage the costs if they should arise.

[Denim24seven]

Thanks for all the great responses so far, appreciate it.

I am curious about the engine, as mentioned above it has the engine number 6382140 and casting numbers of 930703.


It has had a lot of money spent on the engine recently but i like the idea of havinga fund set aside and budgeting for work.

[Glenfield]

That's not an SC engine. Or if it is, its not an SC induction. That mightn't be a bad thing but what was it represented as?

Google the engine stamping as that will tell you what the bottom end is. It starts with a "6" which is a good start and will save you having to count the stacks...I don't know what the "3" connotes in terms of engine type but the "8" suggests model year is 78. Suspect you have a 3.0L bottom end with stacks.

[QueWhy]

Originally Posted by Glenfield

That's not an SC engine. Or if it is, its not an SC induction. That mightn't be a bad thing but what was it represented as?

Google the engine stamping as that will tell you what the bottom end is. It starts with a "6" which is a good start and will save you having to count the stacks...I don't know what the "3" connotes in terms of engine type but the "8" suggests model year is 78. Suspect you have a 3.0L bottom end with stacks.

It's an SC engine, the CIS has been replaced with Carbs. If you live somewhere with emissions testing or that needs heat this may not be the car for you.

[pmax]

Look under the covers, so to speak.

[Rodney Nelson]

Carbs can be great on an SC engine nothing wrong with that. What are the make of carbs?

[911hutch]

Regardless of the existence of carbs on this engine it is most certainly a 78/79 ROW 3.0 motor. What you are referring to as the 930703 "casting" number is in fact the engine type and the "7" you note in that number is actually a "/". That makes the "engine type" a 930/03. Which makes the engine a relatively desirable 78/79 ROW 3.0 engine. As stated, removal of CIS and addition of carbs is a fun modification to a 930/03 engine ( if mpg is not a priority) and check the headstands (or records for replacement).

[911hutch]

And carbs are Zenith. Cheaper alternative to Weber carbs and not widely used on 3.0 engines. Getting the Zenith tuning spot on for the 3.0 can be a bit of a challenge and the tuning of Zeniths for the 3.0 application expertise is not widespread as with Weber carbs.

[mrrolleyes]

Do you understand carbs?

If not you might want to move up to something’s that fuel injected. This car will need more general tinkering, and if its not a local car, it could need some as soon as it arrives.

[pkabush]

I think some sage advice has been given but, I don’t agree with all of it. Looks to me that there’s been allot of coin spent here already. If it is a properly sorted, heathy motor it’ll go for years with proper maintenance. Sure the carbs will need looking after now and again but the cool factor is undeniable. If heat is needed that’s not the end of the world. It can always be added down the line.
Let’s face it, not many air cooled 911s are daily drivers anymore.
Personally, I really like the car as is. I’d do a leak down and compression test on the motor and put the 915 to a road test. If those check out, I say pull the trigger and drive the wheels off her.

[Rodney Nelson]

What does the exhaust and headers look like? Can you show us a picture? What about the interior? Suspension? Brakes?

[QueWhy]

I don’t think there is enough info to make a good recommendation. Zeniths can be made to work well on a 3,0 but they are by far the cheapest carb option. The ROW engine is certainty desirable but that engine bay is a mess. It’s using some non standard ignition, I don’t see a coil or CDI box. Is the exhaust a nice set of headers or some welded together Midas job?

I get the impression money was spent to make this car look the part but I’d want some evidence work has been done to ensure it runs as good as it looks.

[Denim24seven]

Thanks for the reply's, got some great info back from you all. I now know what ROW means

I live somewhere where having a heater is not needed so thats a positive.

IM getting some copies of the receipts for the work done but a fair chunk of $$ was spent on it so will be good to see what was done to it. I have had some video sent and it runs pretty well but will try get a leak down test done as suggested.

I dont know about the exhausts and headers but will ask.

I am wondering if you know if side impact protection bars are in the doors of this model? Maybe only a USA spec?

Thanks

[Denim24seven]

Thanks for the advice. learnt what ROW means

Mostly that sounds like a good thing, the carb issue i can deal with but its good to know and be aware of. I dont live in a cold climate so heating is not an issue but i will take into account the tuning dramas that may come with the Zeniths.

I am getting the receipts of work for the car which are supposed to be in the tens of thousands so see what has been done.

Do you know if this model had factory side impact protection bars in the doors? Its a requirement for me to have registered here.

Thanks again, great to pick your brains..

[Cairo94507]

I believe Porsche started putting side impact bars in their doors in 1973.

[timmy2]

Side bars were added to the doors to meet federal standards when the car was imported to the US. (If that is where it is)
Knowing the location of the car would help. And if it has the import plate on it. My import plate is on the drivers door sill below the striker plate.