3.2 Engine Rattle Under Load - 86' 911 w/ 360K Miles

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Purchase Maintenance Overview



[*] 3/7/2013 original engine swapped to low milage engine Picture 1: https://drive.google.com/file/d/16LAqShmvDO0Uxy-Jn_4VqjUelyXoxZWP/view?usp=sharing Picture 2: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1-PbMR-TqvWzMFBWiqm8YJ2lwYaXLd9Pd/view?usp=sharing[*] 8/14/2014 Engine swap complete. Replaced with 3.2 with stated 60K miles Receipt: https://drive.google.com/file/d/14Z5LEvlSnrwDAGLGsIOC56ImBXetbv-m/view?usp=sharing[*] 8/14/2014-10/8/22 - Drove it from NOLA > Toronto > NOLA > California > put about 50K miles on it in those 8 years. Lots of fun times and memories. Full service history in the spreadsheet. [*] After the engine swap, and during those 8 years, I spent $14,746 in maintenance before the current issue on this thread. Of that maintenance, no major engine work had been done on the new engine at this point, in this 8 year period, it drove really well and was maintained perfectly [*] 10/22 - Car was stolen out of garage with camera/RFID and damage maintenance was initially completed. [*] 7/1/22 - I brought the car into Morris Brothers (who had serviced other non-engine issues) for emergent sound due to theft[*] Read original post in this thread to get that story[/LIST]





Current 8/21/22 Update

• 7/30/22 - My original post in this thread was on a weekend and before the Morris Brothers opened up, I also called a few owner friends of mine, as well as my dad who flew with me to buy the car 11 years ago and is hobbyist mechanic/geek.
• 7/31/22 - That weekend, I also found a few recordings before I brought it into the shop as recent as 3 months ago where the sound was very present, again after the theft. It was not existing before that, no doubt due to the recordings and inspection records.
• Due to my research, I determined that the bearing likely failed due to the theft incident
• Given handling of the rattling sound, I asked fellow owners/my dad, what should I do: bring it for a second opinion, as a few mechanics on Pelican Parts recommended?
• 8/1/22 - Monday AM, the very next day Chad (owner from Morris Bros) called and wrote me, we had a conversation that afternoon
• 8/8/22 - I brought my car back on a flat bed to their shop
• 8/10/22 - Within 3 days they called to say they had some good news and bad news and wanted me to see the engine up close to discuss it
• 8/11/22 - Chad and Jeff both walked me to my car (see pictures) and gave me a complete run through of the issue. The bad news? The rod bearing had indeed failed (as John and Ivan said) The good news? It was not spun, and the rest of the engine looked really good. The price for rebuilding would not cost the 20-25K they originally estimated, but much less.
• I was very grateful they tore it down so quickly and relieved that the project might be within my financial means while stretching my financial limits a bit given the unexpected nature of the repair.
• Jeff was smiling end to end, which I loved. He seemed really in his element with this engine. Before I did my research he struck me as a true expert with this 3.2. After I did my research, I got excited. This thread on PP from 2011 talks about how "he is the guy" for rebuilds and machining work due to his mentorship from Paul Weir/natural talent: Paul Weir
• 8/17/22 - Chad called and said the work order estimate for rebuild was ready. I sat down with him and he showed me the bottom line first. 18K essentially, which included all due diligence/work on a 3.2 rebuild. Polish crankshaft
  Refurbish connecting rods (re-size, re-bush)
  Refurbish cylinder heads (Install guides & seats, valve job)
  Resurface Heads
• It struck me as a very competitive quote given the labor hours. Please feel free to let me know if you have other thoughts!
• He mentioned that the quote, he is giving me the Piston set at cost essentially. Actually, the price from PP is more than what he is quoting me. Dealer/wholesale discount? https://www.pelicanparts.com/More_Info/990174915SET.htm?pn=99-0174-915-SET
• 8/19/22 The revised rebuild work order is close to 18K. Full work order here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/16AXavyvHqeV1rHR8xI2b6o3qz9UPJmjQ/view?usp=sharing
  
  
  

I'll keep you all posted!

8/15/22 High Resolution Tear Down Photos @ Morris Brothers' shop in SLC
https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1LqcRngIi_0wxSvzC9sryjQFLxV9LgDoi?usp=sharing

[911obgyn]

Nice follow up.
You are going to have to keep driving it!
With the values of these cars i dont think with the use and enjoyment you are too far out of line. I would like to know for sure why that bearing failed.

[Cairo94507]

Very glad to hear this. I respect any shop that steps up to the plate to correct an issue. I look forward to following the build and seeing a running video.

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Originally Posted by 911obgyn

Nice follow up.
You are going to have to keep driving it!
With the values of these cars i dont think with the use and enjoyment you are too far out of line. I would like to know for sure why that bearing failed.

Yes, and if had not been stolen, here where the numbers would have been.

121/m after cash out / sale of vehicle is cheaper than a kia lease for 11 years.

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Originally Posted by ant7

What happened to the engine that was rebuilt in 2013 ???

Going back and looking at my records, it was never rebuilt before the rod thrown. It had other maintenance done (a lot, 9K) but the engine had no issues and ran perfectly.

This rebuild should have never happened, but did because of a theft

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Originally Posted by jlex

Congrats on the upcoming birth. Video looked very professionally done.

Thank you! October 2nd due date. Hope to be making a little short film from the rebuild process.