First engine/tranny drop / photos and questions

[kevbo]

Hello Pelicans!

I picked up this 1986 Carrera about 5 years ago. The previous owner had it for 15 years and it was kept outside in the Texas sun. It's a driver / functional project car and the car has been my favorite hobby for some time. I love driving it and tinkering!

My oil leaks have been increasing over time so I decided to make this my winter project.

1) Drop engine / tranny as easily as possible (lift)
2) Chase down oil leaks and repair them ( I used oil dye for a while so hopefully that helps)
3) Perform a valve adjustment
4) Clean the hell out of it - safely.
5) Slap it back in and drive.

Timeline <2 months

I'll post some pictures now of the lift I purchased and I should mention that I used Waynes book, the Chilton manual, and Frannie videos (https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLESd2KXwHSVKKl3FxYSFB3rGKZTsfWpQp), and Joe engineer for reference.

[kevbo]

Here is the lift I settled on.



This can be found here: I bought the 220v version

https://www.ebay.com/itm/384049990998?hash=item596b29cd56:g:PtQAAOSwpWJgWEo c

[kevbo]

I'm at the point where I want to do a leak down test - Before i start further tear down. Here are my plugs and I'm concerned about number 2....



I'll post more pictures on other tools I used to gracefully remove the engine. Of note the engine cradle out of 2x6 and 1x4 - worked really well with the motorcycle lift.

[kevbo]

Here are comparisons from the last spark plug replacement around 4 years ago. Original on the left, 4 year old (about 3000 miles) on the right. Would like to here your comments please.

Plug 1



Plug 2




Plug 3




Plug 4




Plug 5




Plug 6



Thanks again!

[911SauCy]

#2 looks like the valve guide might be getting tired, but the comparison shot doesn't necessarily look "worse" per say given the 4 year time span.

The rest of them look like the motor is enjoying being driven, running properly hot and no oil residue. Never mind the consistency across the other 5 looks great.

All my opinion as I am no mater engine builder or engine analyst. There are guys out there that can look at plugs and tell you a dictionary worth of information....

[yelcab1]

Do a compression and leak down test on number 2

[Brian911T]

I live in FloMo so if you have any questions I can try and help. Here is a link to my engine drop that might help with common oil leak sources. It went way further than I expected but the car runs great now. I think I have seen your car in the garage by my buddys house. Good luck.


930 Targa Engine Drop & Upgrade Project

[dtxscott]

I'm in the FloMo/Argyle area. Just went through this last year with a top-end rebuild.
Always happy to help.

The job started out as a suspension refresh then morphed into valve guides/heads, brakes, wheel bearings, fuel lines, steering rack refurbish, tie rod ends, Kuehl A/C and a deep clean along with tons of powder coating and re-plating of fasteners.

Drives like new now

[tsuter]

Too late to do a compression test now that the engine is out but not too late to do a leak down on the bench.
Remove the valve covers and adjust the valves first. Then do the leak down. Get the OTC 5609 leak down test kit from Amazon for about $90.
Do it COLD....obviously.
Cold numbers tell the truth!
Then pull your rockers rollers and out in seals.....

[kevbo]

Thanks all and awesome to hear so many really local folks I can call on. I live in Highland Village. I'll do leak down test, valve adjustment, leak down test. Stay tuned for numbers.

[kevbo]

Well this isn't good. I double checked but the entire 456 bank terrible results. How the heck could the car have been running! Any initial thoughts before i tear into valve covers and start a valve adjustment? Air seems to be escaping from the intake side for all.






Is this the slippery slope or what...

[tsuter]

Don't panic. Check again. You did not have 4,5,6 at TDC. Use the distributor arm as a guide to where you are at.
edit: I mean distributor rotor. Get it pointed at 1 and go from there.

[jmd88]

I am also about to pull my motor and do a bunch of stuff. I'm curious about the results posted above as well - specifically the call out about TDC. I'll be doing many of the same tasks and am looking forward to posting my own "engine bay is empty!" smile photo.

Thanks for leading the way and sharing the trials, tribulations and soon to be triumphs!

[kevbo]

In retrospect I think I did 1-6-2-5-3-4 instead of 1-6-2-4-3-5. Will try again in the morning [img]

[ADDvanced]

I did a leakdown test on my engine out of the car, even made a video for you (black midyear targa clan whatup!):



This was a harbor freight leakdown tester so it's a POS, but the approach is the same. As said above, I bought an OTC one and unloaded that HF one on ebay to some sucker for $20.

I have some videos on valve adjustment and stuff too, hope they help. Definitely do RSR seals while you're in there. DEFINITELY do RSR seals. Also do RSR seals.

[kevbo]

Awesome video thanks! Some good tips I'll definitely apply. Yeah I orginally bought a different version of that POS gauge from Amazon and quickly returned and got the OTC version ($50 bucks more)

[kevbo]

@jmd88, all of the videos helped with the engine and transmission removal. One thing I got hung up on was the 30mm hard oil line just wouldn't budge.

Found lots of tips on the forum and built this contraption with 30mm / 36mm wrenches connected together with hose clamps -



No budge (actually closed the gap but didn't turn the nut which tells you how much force was put on it).. Sooooo

Nuke time:





Now when i put the engine back i'll have to replace that hose or use this from our host (not sure if I can)

https://www.pelicanparts.com/More_Info/ERMP0170000.htm?pn=ERMP-0170000&fc=Y

[ADDvanced]

Ahhh man should have posted. I've never heard of that hose clamp thing, but that brings a lot more flex and reduces the mechanical advantage of the clamps. I wound up using two of those clamps right against the sides of the wrenches, and it popped it right off. Hopefully you can find that hose.

[49willard]

Last winter I did my first 911 drop on my 86. I initially did it to renew the fuel lines (Len Cummings hoses). I cleaned engine and trans, replaced all difficult to access hoses, new clutch, rebuilt halfshafts, set valves, did a leakdown, resealed the triangle, new o2 sensor etc. I have a Rotary 2 post lift. In my case no oil leaks before or after (@ 62k miles).

[kevbo]

@49willard, I have 125k on my '86 and have to replace seals on the main, chain housings, and the triangle of death. Any gotcha's / advice / tips you can pass on would be appreciated.