Questions about 76 911 S

[Skipperdabio]

I am in the process of buying a 1976 911S targa for $3400. The car has about 160-170,000 miles and burns some oil. This car has basically been sitting for the past 2 years from what I understand. The owner told me that it started smoking from not being started in over a year. That makes sense but I have been reading up on the 2.7's and they don't sound like they are that great of a powerplant. I am not sure if I should just buy a rebuild kit for the topend or rebuild the whole engine or possibly put a bigger engine in. I am a college student and am on some what of a budget, although I need to know all my options. I can do most of the standard stuff but I can't do any machining. This is my first porsche, I have a VW squareback that Ive rebuilt the engine in but thats the extent of my knowledge on german aircooled's. I'm just trying to aviod wasting money and time by makeing a stupid decision and rebuilding the 2.7 when I could have bought a 3.0 for the same price or something like that. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

[Nickatnyt]

If it doesnt work out you can EASILY make money parting the car out if such things such as the roof, etc are in good shape. $3,400 is quite reasonable IF you have the funds to put into the car and make it a decent daily driver. The 2.7 can be made to be quite reliable now or just drive it until it dies then go for the 3.0.

The biggest warning sign about your post is that you are a college student on a budget! Hell, I had to wait until I was 40 and making good money to find me a nice 82 SC and still had to put money into it.

[Jim Sims]

To properly rebuild a 2.7 l engine (case machining, valve job, upgrade to pressure fed chain tensioners, etc.) budget about $8000.00 even if you do much of the labor yourself. Given the miles you are also probably looking at new timing chains and wheels, cam repair, new rocker arms and rocker arm shafts. This is probably not a project for a college student on a budget. A good rule of thumb is all operating, good condition Porsche 911s cost at least $15,000; either when you buy them or after you have them reconditioned you will have spent that much. Jim

[Andras Nagy]

Hi Skipper,

Listen to the wise sages on this BBS.

I just rebuilt my own 1983 SC, and while it was fun, it did cost a total of about $6,000 for parts alone, and took the better part of a summer (since I work during the week, and you go to school).

On the other hand, oil is cheap, and if it drives well, and yet burns oil, so what the hell?

I wanted a Porsche ever since I was 17 (after a brief "fling" with MG's and A-H's), but I too had to wait until I was 40 to get my first 911.

If it looks good, runs okay, yet burns a little oil, go for it. Experience is the best teacher, as any of your professors will tell you!!!!

[IROC]

Well, you'd have a hard time buying a 3.0 liter *engine* in good shape for $3400, so I would say that this car might not represent much of a financial gamble, but I would try to ascertain more about the condition of the engine before purchase.

Most likely, either the engine has been rebuilt in the past or that is going to be one very tired engine. I would let a reputable shop give you their opinion.

All things considered, $3400 could end up being a bargain. As was mentioned, you could easily part it out for that much...

Mike

[Rex Walter]

All this talk about parting out a perfectly good car - please!

Skipper - do a search here on the 2.7 and you will find lots of people that actually like this motor.

The owner told me that it started smoking from not being started in over a year.

It is possible that just driving the car will make it smoke less. It could be rings stuck in the pistons, or just oil dripping down into the exhaust. Drive it - enjoy it. Rebuild it after you graduate and are making a small fortune.

Rex

[Jeff]

What Rex said makes great sense. I think too many of us get caught up in trying to make these cars perfect. Buy it, Drive it, Enjoy. At $3400 it is pretty safe money.

Best case; drive it, smoke clears and you have a smile on your face for many years to come.

Worst case; Drive it the motor grenades, you sell parts or transplant / rebuild the motor. Still safe money.

[DanS911]

With that kind of mileage on a 2.7 there is virtually a 100% chance that it has already been rebuilt. Probably when it was around 60 or 70K. Having said that the fact that there is probably around 100K on top of that rebuild and it is burning oil.......might be due again.
How much oil does it use? How does it run in general?
Smoke on start up is not always a bad thing. Especially if it's been sitting. If it's burning a quart of oil every 2000 miles that's another thing.

[Andras Nagy]

Dan,

All older 911's burn some oil. If it burns one quart every 2,000 miles, then you have an exceptional Porsche, not an average Porsche.

The rule of thumb is one quart every 1,000 miles is "average". Anything lower means something is worn. But it just means you'll burn cheap oil ($1.80 per quart is cheaper than rebuilding the engine).

Smoke at start-up occurs because the oil return tubes "empty" into the combustion chambers when the car sits, even overnight. This should clear up with, most, 2 miles or less ( or about 4 minutes).

[afterburn 549]

the big deal is...are the studs pulled or or loose and the guides......at that mileage I would guess that they have been redone or about to swap locations
And I luv the 2.7 just telling you what the deal is...It IS worth the $$$ but.... can you afford the ....what ever it needs ?? now be honest or it will bite you...........and now I am jealous, I could not get one til I was 40 something.

[Andras Nagy]

Ahhhhhh,

Jealousy is one of the five vices, isn't it?

We are all jealous that Skipper was able to glom onto such a deal. Had it fallen to me, I would snap up that car in heart beat. And that's why I say to Skipper, "take it and never look back".

No matter what ultimately happens, with needing repairs, etc, you will have enoyed and will enjoy a gorgeous car. This BBS is a testimony to the car, not to each of us.

Just do it!!!!!!!!

[76911]

No better words said: I've got a 76 2.7 with 125000 on it and I did a lot of autocross and de racing with it this past summer. Doing the engine right now and without labor I'm going to have 4000.00 into it. I have acsess to a mill and all the seat cutters and valve grind equipment. The most important to a 2.7 7R case is putting in the case saver incerts.That will make it very depenable motor.

[Dirty Marty]

If you've got a girl friend forget it, you won't be able to afford both. If you don't go ahead and enjoy it............you can always get another, girl friend that is.

Dirty Marty

[afterburn 549]

I agree !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1

[CarreraDan]

Skipper,

I say if you really want it, get it and don't look back. I got my Carrera my senior year of college and drove it everyday for two years about 35,000 miles. Money wise you will be fine if you use common sense on maintenance and most importantly never read Pelican again. Once you become a Pelican addict you will see pictures of 911's and start thinking of ways to spend money you don't have. Seriously, the hardest part of being a younger 911 owner for me has been staying out of trouble with the car (so tempting and rewarding to drive it fast) and trying to keep around $1000 saved just for the car--you never know.

If I had it to do over again I would have waited a few more years and taken care of some other things first before the car (engagement ring, house, student loans, etc). Also, have another car to drive, I am down to 10,000 miles this year on the 911 and I haven't spent much on the car at all. Of course you only live once so why drive something ordinary?

[DanS911]

OOPPSS

I meant to say that if it burns a quart every 200 miles ...not every 2000........I WISH!!!

[Skipperdabio]

Thanks for all the insight. I went ahead and bought the car and plan on just driving it like you say. Maybe it will get better. After talking with the previous owner more about it the car sat for a year to a year and a half without being ran. When he started it it started smoking. He then changed the oil and spark plugs hoping that this would solve the problem. He told me that he drove it around the block a couple times but it continued to smoke so he gave up. I'm hoping that the rings are just frozen and if i drive it some they might reseat. No girlfriend as of now so I'm in the clear. I appreciate all the feedback.

[JP911]

Engine aside, if it sat for 2 years (where did it sit?) make sure to check for rust! This can turn out to be a WAY bigger problem than a leaky 2.7.

[Andras Nagy]

Comm'on guys,

Stop playing doom and gloom with Skipper. Let him enjoy his lovely car, and stop being jealous!

Skipper, when you have questions, please feel free to ask. There is a lot of collective wisdom and experience on this BBS, and we are happy to help. And we are all happy that you got this nice car.

Hope it's not raining too much in Seattle, and that the wind will always be to your back.

Enjoy!!!!!

[Jeff]

Congratulations. You are going to love it.