Need Some Major Advice - Need To Sell Car, But Discovered Engine Problem

[Chris Bunker]

OK Brothers (and Sisters), I need some serious advice. This is going to be a lengthy preamble, but it is reqd to get the whole picture of my situation.
I am about 3 weeks away from finalizing my divorce (amicable). I thought at first I was going to be able to keep my 911 (a 78 SC), but since I have 3 kids and they don't really fit in it anymore, and we will really really be able to use the cash, I decided I need to sell it. I was going to sell it to my buddy. The car is in awesome shape.
I just got done with a complete suspension rebuild and lots of other good stuff. BUT. I started to hear an odd noise that I thought might be valves (rapping above 3k rpm). The motor has about 140K on it, and it had a top end rebuild at 106K the year before I bought it. The topend was done by a well respected 911 mechanic. Anyway, so in order to clear my concience before selling to a friend I took it in to have the sound checked out and CO set. I took it to a reputable Porsche shop in my area that has a good rep and has provided good service to me in the past..

The prognosis is grim: I have a terminal engine. They are quite confident it is rod knock, and it'll only get worse until it is all over with. They made me sign a release before I took it to acknowledge their inspection.

I figure I am pretty well screwed at this point. I have a car I cannot sell, and an engine I cannot afford to rebuild.
I just don't have $6-7K to have someone rebuild it. Plus I am going to be spending most of my winter out of town on business. Besides, I am moving out of my house (leaving my shop behind) and moving into some lovely apartment I have yet to find.

How much is my car worth with a bum engine?
I actually can use this info for 2 reasons. 1) if I decide I just have to sell it, but 2) I need to know this if I decide to keep so I can buy her out of her half of it.

I think my options are:
Sell as is and take major hit.
Put her on ice until I can afford to rebuild or replace motor.

Damn it!

[Joeaksa]

Chris,

Put it on ice and overhaul the engine this winter when you get back on your feet. Sorry to hear this, always happens at the worst time it seems!

Good luck and if you do the right thing it usually works out. One thing is that you have started off right by making sure what the problem was before selling it.

Joe A

[POVI]

Sorry to hear about your issues with the SC, basically looks like you have stated, you have a few options ...

Lets see a 1978 911Sc with 140k on the clock in nice shape is worth at most 9-10k +-
you can prob find a nice,complete running SC motor with some miles
on it for about $3500 - $4000
then sell your 'blown' sc motor as a core to rebuild or part out
for say 1200 +-
so you should be able to get the car back on the road for $3000 +-
and a just a weekend of work swapping motors
although you do take the risk of having another 'used' motor
die again on you in the future ..but we all take those risks driving 30 year old cars

Or do a full rebuild on your SC motor for $$$

Or you can sell the SC as-is with a bad motor .. for prob 4-5k

Take care - Joe -

[azasadny]

Keep the car!! Find a decent used engine and do the swap yourself. If you're in SE MI, maybe I can help you with the engine swap.

[real550A]

"How much is my car worth with a bum engine?
I actually can use this info for 2 reasons. 1) if I decide I just have to sell it, but 2) I need to know this if I decide to keep so I can buy her out of her half of it."

Chris- Here are your answers:
#1 above.....$4-6k
#2 above.....$ twelve dollars

I think you got some good advice in previous answers. Put a good used engine in it, and sell your core would be the most economical solution. Then it is saleable, or driveable.
I hate the situation you're in....don't ask me why!
Good luck!

[Chris Bunker]

Thanks for the advice guys, I appreciate it. I guess in the long run, this might be a blessing in disguise, in that I will get to keep my car. My soon to be ex- agrees that I should just sit on it until funds allow a rebuild/replacement. It is just going to be so hard to put it back into hibernation after getting it out of hibernation after two years and only putting a few thousand miles on this summer so far.

Now I guess the only things left to do are:
- Come to agreement on its current value.
- Find someplace to put it up.
- Prep it for a very long nap. (Any tips on this one will be greatly appreciated as well)

[jerrykrug]

I might be inclined to get a 2nd opinion on the engine problem. How long has it been making noise? if you plan to keep it, and exchange/rebuild motor later....drive it till it quits. Could be good for a year or so

[Chris Bunker]

Jerry, I don't recall it making any noises when I took it off the road two years ago. Got it back on the road earlier this summer and soon after I started to hear the rattle. It has become progressively worse I think.
That one of the first things my wife said was get a second opinion. I know someone with a lot of experience who can have a listen and give another opinion. I think I will do that. Its pretty clear though.
I hate the idea of driving it 'till it blows, then I could just be causing more damage to potentially salvageable parts, like the crank.

[Shocker]

Hmmm. I think I would get that second opinion. Without hearing it, I am not so sure it is a rod. You describe a "rattle". When I hear rod knock, it is usually a pretty deep "thunk".

The rattle might be a wrist pin allowing some rotation of the piston in the bore (I have seen that and it rattles).

Can you tell where the sound comes from?

Mike
'77 911 3.0

[pa911]

Pull the plug wire on the cylinder in question it should not be as loud if it's a rod bearing.