Bump for an update?

7 weeks, no progress. Shop is busy I guess.

There is an oil leak that they wanted to address before trying to start it, but that was discussed when it got delivered.

I've resigned myself to the fact it won't be driven this year and instead played some golf and tried not to think about having a six figure paper weight.

It's a six figure appreciating asset! Bummer about the wait.

New hear and just hit the subscribe button. Wow what a story...... It will get there.....

Quick update.

Car is still at the shop. They had found a fuel leak from the AN fitting that I had welded (poorly) onto the tank.

Since I chewed through another starter ring, they dropped the motor and transmission and went about double checking the cam timing.

Rebuild Newbie f*ckup #1 - cam timing is supposed to be 4.2-4.45mm. Bank 1 is currently set at 7.53mm and bank 2 is set at 4.49mm. This is obviously an issue!!

Rebuild Newbie f*ckup #2 - Cylinder leakdown shows cylinder 1 with 100% leakage. This is slightly out of spec...The good news (I think it's good news?) is that the leak is coming between the cylinder and the head.

The shop is going to tear down bank #1 and see what I did wrong.

The adventures of being an amateur engine builder and car restorer continue. At least this better explains why the engine wouldn't run, even after I got the firing order corrected.

Also, than heaven for deep valve relief pockets with the cam timing being that far out.

Will know more once they tear down bank 1, but so far looks like the only thing hurt is my pride and wallet.

That is more good than bad news.
It also affirms that you made the right call taking it to a pro.

Sometimes, it's a better bet to punt than go for it.

So the starter ring got chewed up because the improper cam timing caused the valves to jam the pistons and stop the engine from turning over? You comment on the deep valve pockets would lead me to believe that's not the case, so what caused the starter ring issues (if you know yet?).

Bill

Engine never jammed up. Seems to be an alignment issue between the high torque IMI starter and the starter ring.

Engine spins freely, but I believe backfire from poor cam timing bends a tooth then the shredding cycle begins.

So refreshing to hear an absolutely honest reflection on a challenging rebuild like this. Thank you. Rebuilding a Porsche motor is a demanding project. Good on you for taking a swing and thank you for your honesty!!

Thanks.

I really THOUGHT I had done it right. One error looking back on things was trying to set timing with the Rothsport pulley. I think that's one area where I went wrong. The other point on the cam timing I would say is that I didn't buy a Z block, but rather used a magnetic base. I think there is a good chance that this corner that I cut lead to the incorrect cam timing.

The cylinder head leak, I'm not too sure on, but will be interesting to hear the prognosis. Given that the leak is between the head and the cylinder, I think it is safe to assume that we aren't looking at a damaged head, but rather an installation error of some kind.

Possibly a missing cylinder base gasket on that cylinder, the other two have them installed so one cylinder isn't sealing to the head properly? That's easy to check for at least.

leakdown was between 2-5% on all other cylinders. 100% leakdown on cylinder 1. No cylinder head gasket on the 98mm Mahle barrels. Maybe a foreign object?

I'm obviously not an expert, but could be the cylinder is sitting too low preventing the head from clamping? Either way, its in the very capable hands of a local shop that is fitting it in amongst there many other customers.

Really happy to hear they are getting somewhere with it! Fingers crossed it's something simple. Maybe they left out the bottom spark plug when they were doing the leakdown on #1?

Not too sure! I'm pretty sure the guy that did my heads does it for them as well.

Well best of luck regardless. One thing I'm sure of, whatever lies ahead, is that it's going to be worth it in the end!!!

Almost sounds like it was submerged in a flood.

turns out the leak on cylinder 1 was the lower sparkplug not sealing properly.

That's great news! So, it'll be running and back to you soon?

Best case scenario right there !

Here's hoping I'll have it back pretty soon! Still lots of work left to do, but fingers crossed I'll at least be able to take it out for a shakedown run on the 4 year anniversary of its purchase.

The big unknown still is the condition of the transmission.

For anyone rebuilding their own engine, don't cheap out and skip the Z block. I used a magnetic base and I think that contributed to me screwing up the cam timing.