Stoopid SC headstud kwestion
 

I know this sounds silly to ask, but there is a nice '82 SC that I really want that's selling for about $18.5k that hasn't had the headstuds replaced. It has about 70k miles on it. Is it absolutely mandatory that they be replaced prior to buying an SC model? Sorry again if this is a mundane question.

Kurt

There are plenty of great SC with miles in the mid 100k's with original studs.

If it isn't broke don't fix it.

If you are in the market for a Porsche, I would recommend lots of reading to help inform you before you make a purchasing decision.

I made an impulse purchase and got lucky. I don't recommend it.

There are engines out there with 200K on the original headstuds. And others that snap with less than 100K miles. It is one of the "roll of the dice" elements to the car. For $18.5K, it should be a *very* well sorted car...

Hate to be the badnews bear here, but my headstud (cyl #6) pulled at about 83,000 Original miles. My car came from the humid N. Carolina area via N.M. About $3,500 to fix.

I think 18.5K is a good/great price for even an above average car. Well sorted with 70,000 miles should bring about 19 - 20K with luck.

No it is not mandatory that they be replaced before you purchase. Do your homework, talk to local shops, get a PPI. Read this valuable board 30 times a day.

Tell us the other details of the car.

Good Luck!

A decent PPI mechanic will charge $100 - $150 for a head stud check.

Ian

There is a difference between a headstud pulling (typical of 2.7 engines) and breaking (3.0 and 3.2 engines).

correct point. mine BROKE in my 3.0

I sold my 1979 SC with 190K on the clock. Didn't burn any oil and never broke a headstud. The car saw redline often so was not particularily pampered.

18k is at the high-end of the SC price range (at least in California) That price should get you a 3.2 Carrera or a near-perfect SC.

Good luck on the search....

Roll of the dice, indeed. My SC had FIVE broken head studs.

It now has 24 new 930 head studs. :D

Any good Porsche mechanic doing a PPI on an SC would know that head studs are the biggest concern on these cars. Good luck.

Mine lasted until 250,000 miles.

Thanks to each of you guys, I appreciate the feedback. I've had a couple SC sellers that look confused when I ask them about headstuds. They both wanted way too much for their nice cars, and one refused to let me get a PPI, with his excuse being that he couldn't live with himself if it got a dent. I'm having an awful time finding that near perfect black SC...

Thanks again everyone,

Kurt

patience
 

Plecostomus,

Be patient. I think $18.5 is high for an SC, at least at the prices we see in this forum. Keep your eye on the market section of this forum.... maybe you can put a WTB ad stating what you are looking for and how far you are willing to travel. I would never buy a car from a guy who wouldn't agree to a PPI. And I would have the mechanic pull the valve covers and check the headstuds. MY '82 SC engine has 150k and the original studs, all intact.

My advice? Find a decent one and buy it. Why do you want a perfect car? You'll never drive it, and you'll agonize over every scratch and dent. These cars are for driving, not looking at (imho). You've spent how long now looking at cars? Time to get in the game. Unless you're just using finding the "perfect car" as an excuse not to buy...

Life is a gamble. Sitting on the bench you just slowly get old and either way you die.

$18.5 for an SC? It better be at least gold plated for that price.
Head stud breakage is prolly about a 50/50 shot. Mine had 98,000 miles and one broken stud when I bought it (I knew about it and adjusted the offer price downward).

Kind of like a certain Carrera huh?

Glad to see your now free of THAT monster Todd. ;)

hey, my advice didn't come cheap. I speak from experience :p

I was lead to believe head stud problems have a lot to do w/ the enviornment the car is in and breakage is usually do to corrosion. My SC has spent its life in the Valley where it is fairly dry and has its original studs intact.

If you had a broken head stud(s) would you be able to hear them in there rattling at idle? Provided they haden't been removed. Brian

Thanks again everyone! I was hoping it wasnt a mandatory thing to do when buying. That's where a good PPI comes in.

Regards,

Kurt

bkcbuilder, I had five...didn't hear any rattling or anything like that.

Plecostomus, I had a PPI done, but my choice of mechanic to do it was a poor one. I suggest when shopping for a PPI, tell them it's an SC, ask what types of problems they would typically look for with that model, and let them mention head studs. I'm willing to bet you'll encounter one (if not more) supposed Porsche wrench who will mention the usual stuff - clutch, brakes, etc., but won't even bring up head studs.

If you need to spell out head studs, find someone else to do the PPI. Good luck.