what do the PPI numbers mean?
 

I'm having a PPI done on a 1978 911 SC Targa that I am seriously considering purchasing. I've done my own search, but any advice or clickies would be appreciated. If the car checks out, I plan on flying out to NC to pick it up (probably this week), then driving it back to Austin, so I want to know what to look for when I get the numbers back.

Make sure that they pull the valve covers and check for broken headstuds. Have them do a compression and leakdown test on the engine. These numbers will give you an indication on the health of the engine. Do a search on leakdown and compression test and you'll see the numbers that you WANT. You want the leakdown test to be pretty consistant across all the cylinders, and I think (BUT DON"T KNOW FOR CErTAIN) that you should be looking for leakdown numbers of 9% and below. I think Waynes Dempseys How to rebuild your porsche engine book or Bruce Andersons Porsche 911 Handbook said that anything below 12% is ok on a higher mileage car. But please don't take my numbers as the end all, say all, because this is going off of my memory which is sometimes, errr frequently, faulty! Honestly if I were you I would run out to Barnes and Noble ect and try to pick up both of these books they are worth the 20 or so dollars each costs. You can order them through pelican too, but it seems like you need them yesterday and not next week. Bruce andersons book has an entire section on buying a used 911.

Have them check for rust. If the car spent its whole life in the south rust is a possiblility and a nightmare to find after a purchase!

You can get a carfax report done on the car I would suggest that. (EDIT) oops you can't get a carfax on a 78 sorry. They start in 81 I think? ? ? Make sure they check for any evidence of accident damage! ! ! !

The list goes on and on but the numbers you'll get will be from a compression test and leakdown test.

Good luck with the purchase.

Rich

Here are two good places to look for information.

The Pre Purchase Inspection

and

Time to Rebuild (parts 1 & 2). Especially part two which discusses compression and leak down tests and what the numbers mean.

Finally, on the Rennlist site they have an article called 911 SC buying considerations which has some good advise.

You can find a ton of other useful information by searching this board! Just hit the http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1144770000.gif key in the upper right hand corner. There is a whole world of information out there.

By the way, where in NC is this car? SmileWavy

Is that the Green Targa that is located in Chapel Hill

I live nearby but have not seen the car.

What shop is performing the PPI?

The car is in Durham, but Chuck Miller has it today. I expect a call from him this afternoon with some numbers for me to review. I could very possibly be buying an air ticket for tomorrow morning... It has me just a 'little' excited... :D

I think that it is the same viper green metallic - it's posted in the for sale section here.

OK,

It's the one in Durham
I've heard good things about Chuck Miller.

Good Luck :)