How difficult would it be to work on a 911?
 

I am trying to pick a Porsche that is easy to work on. I like the 911's more than any of the other Porsche's, but the rear engine design looks tight. I live close to a Porsche shop, and everyday I see 911's with the engines dropped. I don't have an engine lift or a car lift. Is it mandatory to drop the engine a lot? I recently viewed an engine compartment on a 2004 911 limt. ed., and it was very tight, even changing the oil looked tough.

I'm still chuckling over your answer. :)

Fun-Knee...seriously, this board is more familiar with the AIR COOLED 911 models. I think the general concensus here would be that the waterpumpers can indeed be difficult to work on....

Brian's just meesing around with you. With a decent set of tools, and the right references (this board, the factory or Bentley manual, and Wayne's book) the backyard mechanic can do just about everything needed on these cars.

All one needs to drop and reinstall the engine are jackstands, a floor jack, some pieces of wood and a friend to assist. One can increase the safety/ease of the operation with the addition of an ATV/motorcycle jack or a special engine adapter for the floor jack and metal wheel chocks. The required setup will cost $150 to $500 depending on how elaborate one gets. Get someone who has done it before to help you the first time.

These cars/engines are not that complicated however all things considered, the 73.5 to 89 cars may be the easiest for a beginner to deal with. Later years require more and more specialized equipment.

You will mainly need tools and references (manuals). Plan on spending at least a $1000 if you are starting with nothing. However, if you can join in with other people doing this hobby then you will likely be able to borrow many of the tools if you are willing to contribute to the community "tool stock".

These are interesting engines and fun cars to drive.

If you are asking about the 996 cars, they are as hard as any other new car to work on - you need a dealer's diagnostic computer. And they are packed really tight.

If you are asking aobut the air cooled 911/964/993 cars. Then they are something you can work on yourself. They get more complex and more tightly packed as they get newer.

The earlier cars are very simple really. In that way, they are easy to work on. The problem is that access is difficult because of the exoticar layout. this will not be a problem if you have small hands, and are a yoga or tai chi master...
Otherwise, you will curse a lot more than if you were say working on a BMW of the same vintage. But that shouldn't stop you.

For safety reasons, I would not drop the engine all by myself. An experienced guide is best, if not that, then a helper, if not that then a wife or gf standing by, other wise at least a cell phone so you can call for help as you are being crushed. If you've done it several times then you might do it by yourself. Be sure you know the safety precautions for jackstands etc.

Yeah, I looked under the hatch of my buddy's 996... and damn it is packed in there tightly. I would hate to try to work on one of those.

Compared, my '70 911T would be cake to work on. There may be things I can't handle, but that would mostly be due to inexperience, lack of tools and a garage.

define "easy"

911 (87 for me) piece of cake
fiancee's '90 toyota pickup - RUN RUN RUN

Re: How difficult would it be to work on a 911?
 

You didn't say where you are located. Keep your eye on this board and try to participate in local group projects. You'll learn soon enough how diy friendly these cars can be.

Would do much to a water pumper but change fluids, plugs etc... The early cars... no worries. Bomb proof and fun to work on (mostly)... Dropping the engine is not too big an issue as you won't be doing it often... Change the clutch etc... Mine has been out twice in 8 yrs...

Need more info. What years are you considering. I've worked on lots of different kinds of cars and lots of different years. I have experience on American cars from the 60's that were easy to work on and experience on more modern front wheel drive and lots of other things. I'd say that working my old '88 911 is easier and more pleasant than working on almost any front wheel drive car I've every worked on and not much harder than the cars from the 60's that I worked on. So all in all, pre-89 is pretty darn easy to work on.

I have dropped engines out of 911s a few times. Always by myself with the jacks and tools in my garage. Be careful, think ahead, and you should be fine.