1974 Carrera Targa and it hates me

[digdug]

Long time pelican member so I figured it’s time to post about my car restoration.

I have the history of the car back to the 80’s. A friend purchased it in 1991 in Georgia and brought it to Alaska where I lived at the time. It had a 3.0 built race engine with webbers in it. He pulled that engine which went into his 73 tube frame 911 race car and purchased a green shroud 2.7 complete CIS engine to replace it. This was in the days where the 73 Carreras exploded in value so logic said the 74’s would do the same. Well that never happened. The car sat around his garage until I purchased it in 2004. My first Porsche! I got to drive it four summers until that 2.7 destroyed itself. When it happened it never even made a noise. Just all the sudden lost power. I thought it was something simple until I figured out three cylinders had no compression. Ugh. This was the start of a while your in there which turned into a total restoration. As time permits I will share my journey and why my car absolutely hates me.

[Frog76S]

Look forward to hearing more and thanks for sharing.

[Balisong]

I like 2.7s but someone else paid to make mine good. If I were faced with that decision, I think I’d find a running 3.0 SC motor and get back on the road. You could sell that 2.7 for something.

[PeteKz]

Your car doesn't hate you, it loves all the attention you're giving it, and it just wants more. Like a gold digger girlfriend.

[BoxsterGT]

Looks like a great project. Want to trade?

Alternately, I have a choice of motors if needed, and of course I am sure you know about the Fuel Lines in a 74.

They are well documented.

Len

[Matt Monson]

‘74 Carrera isn’t unloved anymore. That car is worth a few dollar bucks these days.

[digdug]

Originally Posted by Balisong

I like 2.7s but someone else paid to make mine good. If I were faced with that decision, I think I’d find a running 3.0 SC motor and get back on the road. You could sell that 2.7 for something.

This car is going back to as stock as possible and the new 2.7 is ready to go back in.

[digdug]

Originally Posted by BoxsterGT

Looks like a great project. Want to trade?

Alternately, I have a choice of motors if needed, and of course I am sure you know about the Fuel Lines in a 74.

They are well documented.

Len

Hi Len, yep pulled the brittle plastic tunnel lines. Actually you just quoted me to move the pump to the front and replace all the lines from the tank to the accumulator and the return side.

[digdug]

The transplant 2.7 was supposed to be a fresh build and I have the receipts for what was done, however I think Motormeister could have built a better engine than this one. When tearing it down the cylinders were totally stuck to the case half’s. When we finally got them off we figured out why. Whoever installed the case savers must have used a hand drill and had no clue what square meant. The head studs looked like snaggle tooth. I have no idea on how they actually got the cylinders installed. They were dilivar studs and I have no idea how they didn’t snap from being bent during the cylinder install.

The intermediate shaft was worn out. Both chains showed massive wear. The tensioners were trash. The green shroud was even cracked. When the engine failed multiple valves struck pistons and bent. Both cams were pitted and multiple rockers were pitted.

This engine always leaked more than the Exxon Valdez. Turns out the cylinders didn’t seat correctly and the engine oil cooler failed a pressure test.

The heat exchangers were even rusty to the point where I didn’t trust them. Basically the majority of the engine was junk.

That case was out of a 77 based upon the serial number and was total junk like the majority of the rest of the engine.

[digdug]

I found a replacement case out of a 74 which was unmolested. My uncle was a machinist so I had him machine in new case savers. He also rebuilt the heads. We installed all new bronze valve guides and new seals. All the valves were replaced due the bent ones and the ones which were not bent were at the minimum thickness for a grind. New valve springs and new rockers.

I had another friend who was a Porsche mechanic build the case and all internals. New cylinders and pistons. Supertec head studs, washers, and nuts. New chains, hydraulic tensioners, oil pump, and an intermediate shaft.

[digdug]

For the new 2.7 I pretty much only reused the crank, rods, and though case bolts. While it was apart I power coated the fan and fan housing. SSI’s replaced the heat exchangers. Breather and throttle plate were media blasted to remove the years of gunk built up on them. Installed a new flywheel and bolts. Power coated all the engine tins. Replaced the oil hard line. Upper valve covers were powder coated and the Porsche logo had the power sanded off. Lower valve covers are bullet with new rubber o-ring style gaskets.

[digdug]

Originally Posted by PeteKz

Your car doesn't hate you, it loves all the attention you're giving it, and it just wants more. Like a gold digger girlfriend.

Gold diggers cost less

[PeteKz]

^^^ True. And you can kick them to the curb.

[digdug]

Bent exhaust valve vs ground to the minimum intake valve. Desk ornament at work.

[digdug]

Restoration of the CIS. For the CIS I replaced all the polyamid injection lines. Had Len build new lines for the fuel distributor, cold start valve, and warm up regulator. The air box was cracked and had to be replaced.
I had the intake pipes ceramic coated and replaced the injector cups.

[digdug]

For cleaning parts I couldn’t media blast, I built a soda blaster.
Actually it works better than I would have thought

[Matt Monson]

For a car that hates you, you’re showing it all the love.

[digdug]

Originally Posted by Matt Monson

For a car that hates you, you’re showing it all the love.

It’s a one-sided love affair

[Matt Monson]

My father in law’s brother gets hit by his wife, and yet he stays with her.

[digdug]

Engine is complete and ready to install