Newbie Questions
 

I am searching for an '70-'73.5 911 and have a few questions. Where is the engine serial number located? I recently test drove what appeared to be a 911s, but the vin identified it as a 911T, just trying to figure out if the engine is stock or not. Is there a way to visually indentify updates such as head studs and chain tensioners? How much oil seepage under the car is acceptable? What is the best way to tell if the engine will need a re-build in the near future? Any and all advice would be appreciated, thanks!

Welcome to the group! First off if you look in the upper right hand corner you will find a "search" button. It is your friend and would answer every question you have asked.
Engine serial number: looking at the fan housing, at approximately the 4 o'clock position you will see a verticle flat strip machined into the engine with a set of numbers. Those are the engine serial numbers.

Chain tensioner update: look for small metal oil lines running into the front of the chain housings. Headstuds can't be easily examined.

Oil seepage should be negligable. Oil has lots of places to seep from. Some easy, some hard to fix.

Health of engine? Do a compression and leakdown test to start with.

call your loca PCA
http://vista.pca.org/alp/

Good luck on your search. Since you are close by I'd be happy to point out, literally, the answers to some of your questions in person on my '77. I can also give you a recommendation for a place to do a PPI -- also close by. I don't know a lot but I have absorbed a ton of info from this Board.... Feel free to PM me if you'd like....

There are lots of rebadged cars out there...the numbers tell the truth.

There is a engine type no. as well that is faster to indentify whether it is an S or not. Little hard to find, but it's down on the case behind the oil pressure sender. Should be in xxx/xx format.

Get Bruce Andersons book on 911's ASAP. Has all the info and you shouldn't be shopping around w/o it.