1983 911SC help needed

GHEN · GHEN's Garage

Hello all,

Fairly new to the 911 forum (spend more time at the 944 forum).

I have found a 1983 911SC with 154,000 that I may buy.

I am going to do a PPI at my local dealer, is there anything specific about this year/model of 911 that I should look out for? Also, is there anything particularly good about this car that would give me even more of a reason to jump on it?

I appreciate the help,

GHEN

cweb911 · 08-17-2005, 09:49 PM

Check for broken studs. Fairly common. Fairly expensive. Been there, done that.

HardDrive · 08-18-2005, 12:10 AM

See if it has the chain tensioner upgrade.

Watch for grinding going into 1st and/or 2nd gear. Getting the syncros replaced is not cheap.

Try to get details on any rebuild that has been done. If it has not been rebuilt, that is probably coming sooner rather than later.....

Superman · 08-18-2005, 01:02 AM

This is the best car Porsche has ever made. 'Course, some folks disagree, pointing at the '73 RS and such. The '83 has metal fuel lines. It has the chain wheel carrier upgrade, important. It's a lot of car. It was intended by Porsche to be the 911's swan song.

Yeah, check head studs (count the nuts. there should be 24.). An experienced pro can tell you what issues the car has.

GHEN · GHEN's Garage

Can anyone post a pic of what a head stud is supposed to look kike, and where they should be? Like I said, I have very little experience with the 911s

Thanks again, this is all great info.

GHEN

Rick Lee · Rick Lee's Garage

Ghen, if you don't know, then you need to take an experienced person with you AND have a very thorough PPI done. I checked my car out very thoroughly and still ended up with two broken studs after 2 mos. of ownership. If this car's engine has not been rebuilt, you WILL be paying to have it done once it's your car.

RANDY P · RANDY P's Garage

Get a referral for a true air cooled Porsche specialist. Frankly I don't think the dealer will give you an accurate answer.

Would cost you less as well.

Rick Lee · Rick Lee's Garage

Forgot to add that dealers are 100% useless when it comes to SC-era 911's.

Joe Bob · Joe Bob's Garage

Head studs are under the valve covers....most Porsche Dealers wouldn't know an SC from a Borgward. Take it to a local independent. Contact your local PCA rep and ask for help.

www.pca.org and click on regions.

The lower studs are the ones that snap, they were made of a different material than the upper ones. "SOME" SCs at 150K either have had them done or were lucky to not have them broken....my 83 was a lucky one.

Last I heard the engine is STILL fine. It's been replaced with current 3.6...

jdowty3 · jdowty3's Garage

Definately find an independent P car wrnech to do the PPI.
The 83SC is a great car but 154K on the odometer could mean lots of age\wear related repairs. My 83 Cab with 64K miles was$17K. You don't mention what the price is or how much you have to spend. The 3.0 is a good motor but still could use the oil-fed tensioners and a front oil cooler. The 915 tranny is finicky compared with the G50.
Get the newest car you can afford and leave yourself some funds for the possible immediate repairs any used 911 you find may need.

GHEN · GHEN's Garage

Well the car sold before I could get back to it today :-(

It was in very nice condition, everything worked and sounded good. The car sold for $5200. While I didn't get a chance to do a PPI, I am kicking myself because I am certain it would have been a nice car & a good investment.

Apparently one of our local land developers was "cleaning out his garage".

Thanks for the help,

GHEN

David · David's Garage

That was a steal for someone!!! At that price I probably wouldn't even get PPI

Rick Lee · Rick Lee's Garage

Yes, that was a super steal.

Groesbeck Hurricane · 08-18-2005, 10:46 AM

What are you looking for in a 911? Keep your target pricing in mind and look through your local PCA and this website. Where are you located? There are probably good board members nearby who can assist you. While I agree with David (though my wife MIGHT have killed me (she wants one for herself)) a PPI is so very important, and an independant would be better than the dealer.

glenndeweirdt · glenndeweirdt's Garage

Let the BBS know where you live so a good recommendation for a PPI shop can be made in preparation for your next possible car.

GHEN · GHEN's Garage

I live outside Columbus, OH. I would probably use Ed Pimm or my dealer only because my dealer has a Porsche tech that has been one for 24 years who I am kinda friendly with.

I want an '87 911 (love the G-50 & the year matches my 944) but am not REALLY looking right now...this was a deal that cropped up for a sweet price...wish I had jumped on it.

I'll probably wait till the 944 is finished before I get a 911...sigh.

Thanks again,

GHEN