New hobby - Rebuild a 3.2 engine

[Spede]

I've been thinking about a hobby or pastime to occupy some of my weekends and spare time.

So here's the idea... buy a junky worn out 3.2 engine and slowly rebuild it back to life and someday put it into my 911 when that engine dies.

My question here is whether or not this is a good or bad idea. Am I setting myself up for a huge money pit? I keep hearing that any competent soul can rebuild a 911 engine with Wayne's rebuild book.

How much would a worn out 3.2 engine cost? How much would I be speding in parts to complete a rebuild?

[ghnat]

Why not just rebuild the one you have? Thats what I am doing!
The down side is my car has been on jack stands for a while and I figure it will be another year till all the mods are done. Maybe 1.5 years because I work slow.

[Spede]

The engine in my 911 still runs pretty strong.

[flipper]

Build It!!! the 3.2 that is

[Spede]

Originally posted by flipper
Build It!!! the 3.2 that is

I think I will... but how much would a worn out 3.2 run me?

[Rot 911]

I haven't seen a lot of "core rebuildable" 3.2's for sale. All of them have been advertised as running engines and cost between $4500 up to around $7000. A DIY rebuild is going to run you around $5000-$8,000.

[89911]

There is something about my first engine project being my own. Rebuild a couple of your "friends" engines first. I don't know how many times I tackled new projects and then did them again, faster, better, and more satisfying the second time around. You got to start somewhere I guess.

[biosurfer1]

my problem is that i really want to rebuild my engine, but it does still run, so i want to drive the car while doing it...oh well, no cake and eating too

[masraum]

I've considered the same thing. I say find an engine and do it.

[Tim L]

I would love to find a cheap 3.2 for that purpose but they are hard to find and when you find one they want top dollar$$.

[Joeaksa]

Find a 911 hit in the front end and buy the whole thing. Overhaul the engine and sell the parts you do not want or need.

JoeA

[Matt_West]

Any concerns about length of time a project might be on the stand. IE problems with parts not recieving their daily oil bath?

[Jeff Alton]

Do it, I rebuilt and upgraded my 3.2 last year around this time. Now I have a 3.6 that I am rebuilding and modifying for me car, all the while driving my perfectly good 3.2.

Jeff

[2.7RACER]

My question for Spede is this the kind of project you think you might enjoy? Do you have the space and tools? What kind of motor do you want to end up with? Read Waynes book. Bruce Andersons too. If you are ready for a challenge, go for it.
The people on this bulletin board can answer just about any question that may come up.
Should be plenty of motors in your area. I think most of the folks that handle motors from wrecks will be very helpful in getting you what you need for a fair price.
If you are not sure about a motor, get the type and serial number with any particulars and throw it out here. We'll all try to help.
You've got a big mountain to climb, but the view at the top is spectacular.

[Bobboloo]

How about picking up a 3.0L core and build a 3.2 shortstroke with hot cams and Webers. You can keep your motor for when it's time for a smog check or if you decide to sell your car down the road.

This way you'll get to enjoy the different characteristics of the different motors. I would think this might be more fun than just building more of the same.

[HardDrive]

Funny, I was thinking of doing exactly the same thing.

Where are you guys coming up with the $5000-$8000 figure? That seems like the quotes I have gotten for someone to do it for me.

[89911]

I've had a 3.2 built into a 3.2 Euro with 20/21 cams and other goodies. Produces 225/wheels no sweat.

[charlesbahn]

I bought a "running" 3.2 with tranny, brain, harness, and mounts for 5.5K planning a rebuild since my car was borderline on oil use and the tranny wasn't perfect.

Guess what? As soon as I got it in my shop and started to plan my rebuilds, my oil consumption went down and my tranny started behaving better. They must have gotten jealous.