1982 3.0 Cylinder Head Leak

glenncal1 · 02-05-2005, 12:11 PM

Hello Guys-I am looking at a 1982 SC with a recently rebuilt motor. The owner reports that there is a leak between the head and one of the cylinders. He seems to think that a stud has pulled. I am thinking that pulled studs are not usually a problem on the 3.0 motors and maybe the stud has broken. How difficult would it be for a mechanic to diagnose this problem and if the stud needs replacement for one reason or the other what does it take to fix. Could it be that the heads just need to be re-tourqued? TIA

Driver Ed · Driver Ed's Garage

Broken studs are easy to diagnose -- just pull the valve covers. I "diagnosed" a broken stud on my 1982 SC very easily by this method -- I was under the car, removed one of the exhaust valve covers and a half-stud tumbled out and just about whacked me in the forehead!

Be aware that whether the studs are broken or pulled, you're still in for major repairs. Obviously, broken studs are slightly less of a problem, but the likelihood that the studs just need to be retorqued is about zero.

glenncal1 · 02-05-2005, 03:40 PM

Ed-any idea what it would cost to have a shop repair a broken/pulled stud? The car I am looking at is in San Diego and I am in Colorado, so I would have to have someone do it for me, Jim

JBO · 02-05-2005, 04:16 PM

Best case scenereo about $2,000 if that's all thats done. You have to pull the engine and tear it down. If it was recently rebuilt, someone did a poor job, because it is highly unlikely that a new steel stud would break. 3.0's break studs but generally do not pull them, as the 2.7's did.

sammyg2 · 02-05-2005, 05:08 PM

If a 3.0 has a head leak, it is very unlikely that re-torqueing will fix it.

Figure at least $3k if someone else does all the work (maybe lots more depending on cylinder type and condition), at least $1k if you do all the work after buying all the tools (which you can sell later and recoup some $$). Get the rebuild reciept and find out who rebuilt it and what they actually did.

Buy Wayne's 911 engine rebuilding book (on this website) before you buy the car.
AND, NEVER buy a 911 without a PPI unless you are a 911 expert.

Otherwise, I call dibbs on saying "I told you so".

glenncal1 · 02-06-2005, 07:18 PM

Thanks for all the replies. The car I am looking at is (haven't seen pictures yet) is reported to be an '82 SC that the Current owner rebuilt the engine on in the last couple years. Supposed to be in very good condition but with the leak. He has not driven it much since the leak developed and has a newer P car so he is just wanting to sell this one. He was very upfront about the problem, he just doesn't want to fix it. He has a low ($6k) asking price on the car which reflects the need for the repair. Will let you all know how things turn out.