Rookie question - when to rebuild?
 

Hi All

I'm looking to buy an SC to convert to a DE/track car. I've got my eye on one I think I'll buy unless the PPI turns up something crazy. The car has about 85,000 miles on it (1982). The only work on the car has been to replace the tensioners. My question is, do I do a top end rebuild regardless of what the PPI/leakdown shows or wait for a problem to show up? Since I'll be going to the track, does it make sense to go ahead and do a rebuild assuming it will have to be done soon anyway? Sorry for the rookie question, I'm new to this.

Thanks,
Sean

If you have good compression/leakdown numbers and you are not using more than one quart of oil every 500-600 miles you have nothing to worry about. 85K miles on an SC engine is just getting it broke in. You should easily expect to see 150K-200K miles before you need to worry about a rebuild.

If your PPI checks out, run and maintain it until you have an issue. There are lots of high mile DE/Track cars on this board that have not had their motors open yet. 85K miles is low. With proper maintenance you should get at least that again before you have to do anything major. These are very robust cars.

Sean,
Ask for Wayne's rebuild book for christmas, that is covered in Chapter One. It's great overall reading and will help you get to know your flat 6 better.

http://www.101projects.com/911-Rebuild/index.htm

With regular oil/valve adjusts, 85k is nothing for an SC. Many are known to be running in the 200-300's and have never had the heads off.

Welcome to Porsche ownership....watch out, it's addictive :)

Thanks guys, sorry for bringing up a previously covered topic. Just bought the book.

Obviously the PPI should find broken head studs. If all turns out well, keep an eye out for broken studs through out the season (the lower Dilivar studs do like to pop when the going gets tougher).

Another thing for the shop to take a look at are the valve springs. Somewhere in 1982 Porsche used springs made from inferior materials and they have a tendancy to break. This happened to my 82, and have seen others of the same vintage with similar broken springs. Again, keep an eye these through the season if they are OK now.