Best place to buy a used engine?

[Maxhouse97]

Looking for a used 3.0 motor to buy and rebuild in anticipation of a future roller purchase. Where is the best place to find one? Pelican ads, Facebook marketplace, Hershey parts swap, etc? Also anything I can do to prevent buying a lemon, similar to a PPI for a full car? Thanks.

[mepstein]

Yes, all those places. If you start to read up and watch videos on how to rebuild an engine, it will help you learn how to do your own ppi or at least what to look for. Buying a core engine that needs a full rebuild is more about knowing what to pay for it than knowing what’s wrong with it. Other than buying an engine that’s blown up inside, you are pretty much counting on refinishing, repairing or replacing everything that normally gets done in a rebuild.
If you are thinking that overhauling an engine and buying a roller will save you money over a good running car, you might be surprised.

[Trackrash]

Beside price, unless you have test driven the motor, even then, I would do a leak-down test. If it fails, call it a core, and negotiate.

Look underneath at the cylinders. You want Mahles, a good chance they may be still in spec and reusable.

I would want a COMPLETE motor. Distributor, fan and shroud, exhaust, and flywheel.

Shop around. I once looked at a motor that "a German guy rebuilt it". I looked in the intake port and there was carbon on the valve. It was also missing the fan, shroud and alternator. I told him good by. Basically the motor was worth zero.

Edit: Just saw this on FB. Might be worth a look. https://m.facebook.com/groups/240974066679363/permalink/1327041181405974/?mibextid=lURqYx

[Maxhouse97]

Wow that’s a great find, thanks Gordon. Unfortunately I’m not ready to pull the trigger but that seems like a great catch. I dislike normal FB but need to learn how to navigate it to find deals like this.

Good points on the motor, yes I would want a complete one as buying the incremental parts is expensive. Ideally it would be a motor out of a car that had a top end rebuild need, or one that someone was removing to move up to a 3.6.

[76dno]

Originally Posted by mepstein

Yes, all those places. If you start to read up and watch videos on how to rebuild an engine, it will help you learn how to do your own ppi or at least what to look for. Buying a core engine that needs a full rebuild is more about knowing what to pay for it than knowing what’s wrong with it. Other than buying an engine that’s blown up inside, you are pretty much counting on refinishing, repairing or replacing everything that normally gets done in a rebuild.
If you are thinking that overhauling an engine and buying a roller will save you money over a good running car, you might be surprised.

Well said. Agree with this 100%

[75 911s]

Mepstein is actually a really good source! He has solid deals nearly every month on air cooled engines. I would also say the last two air cooled flat six motors I bought, I bought from friends!

[3rd_gear_Ted]

Forget the 3.0, get a 3.6 Metzger motor.

1. The provenance cool factor is better
2. The value curve for a 3.6 is better than a 3.0
3. 100 HP more is the clincher.

[75 911s]

^well yeah, but literally 3X more expensive. Can find a good core 3.0 for 8-10k. A core 3.6 is low 20s typically. The 3.6 is 25 years old too, so probably needs a refresh.

[Maxhouse97]

Ha Ted I hope more people think like you do so they remove their 3.0s for 3.6s

[mepstein]

Originally Posted by 75 911s

^well yeah, but literally 3X more expensive. Can find a good core 3.0 for 8-10k. A core 3.6 is low 20s typically. The 3.6 is 25 years old too, so probably needs a refresh.

I have a low mileage 95-993 for $30k and a good running 3.2 for 18,500. If you buy a 3.0 for 10k, it’s very easy to put another 10-15k into rebuilding it. That’s doing it yourself. Unless a friend gives you a gift, the 3.0 core for 10k will be a core, not a good running engine that needs a light top end. That’s just the market today.
This isn’t an ad for my stuff, just a reminder that buying the best Porsche car and parts that you can afford is usually the most economical way to do it.

[3rd_gear_Ted]

Originally Posted by 75 911s

^well yeah, but literally 3X more expensive. Can find a good core 3.0 for 8-10k. A core 3.6 is low 20s typically. The 3.6 is 25 years old too, so probably needs a refresh.

I started by staring @ broken 3.0 head studs but had a 3.0 core to sell as offset.

The 964 & 993 bottom ends are well designed and will go a long time. A used 3.6 with a fresh top end and big oil cooler was a fair compromise reliability scenario and biggest bang for my bucks.

8 years of track use in club TT so far.

[Nditiz1]

2nd mepstein

My 82 in my 77 still running strong.

He still has some supply I believe.

[Slow911]

what is mepstein ? website ?

[Rodsrsr]

Originally Posted by Slow911

what is mepstein ? website ?

See post #2 send him a PM.

[blucille]

I’ll have a 79 3.0 that I’ll be removing soon. It will be in SoCal out of the car a month from now

10 years ago, and just 10,000 miles ago, one of the best shops in the northeast, automobile associates in canton CT did a top end rebuild, head studs and more. I have all the documentation and I’ll be able to provide you with compression and leak down numbers and any photos or videos you might be interested in.

[ed317]

I have one and it is ready to ship to you.
Ed Muscat. San Diego

[Denirooney]

I’ve had success on Blue prism automotive used engines new york and eBay Motors for used engines, especially if you're willing to wait for the right deal. To prevent buying a bad engine, request service records, compression test results, and try to buy from reputable sellers. If you can inspect it yourself or have someone local check it out, that’s ideal.

[mepstein]

Since my name was mentioned again, I currently have a rebuilt 3.2, Pauter rods, Elgin sport cams, harness & Ecu for 32,500. We had it in a customers car for a show, ran it about 200 miles. It’s a good bit stronger than one with 964 cams but still very drivable at low rpm’s. Made the wide body Carrera feel lively and fun.

I have a Peter Dawe rebuilt Carrera trans with factory cooler with the engine. That will add 9,500 to the engine price. Shifts better than new.