Urgent Help 2.7 or 3.0 THANKS

[buttocks]

Hi my names Jason, and i'm currently buying a convertible Porsche 911
The advert for the car says its a 1979 which can't be true as the convertible came out in 82-83, it also says that the engine is a 2.7 litre, which is also wrong as they never came with 2.7's.
Can anyone tell me what makes a 3.0 litre stand out over the 2.7 litre engine (when looking at it?) is there an easy way of telling them apart??
Thanks for your help guys

[Jack Olsen]

It isn't uncommon to see Targas (the car with the rear curved glass and then built-in roll bar) converted to cabs.

[tonythetarga]

Targa's can be converted to cabriolet's as they share the same basic body. What you're looking at is probably a Targa convert. You need to display the VIN for the chasis and also the engine number. A straight visual of the engine is difficult to identify the subtle differences between the 2.7 and the 3.0

Targa VIN for 1979 starts with: 911921xxxx
The 79 should have a 3.0 motor starting with 629. The engine number is located on the right side of the engine near the fan base.
1977 was the last year 2.7. The engine numbers for that start with 627

Having said all that. Don't buy any car without a proper PPI done by a reputable/recommended shop in your area by someone here and not the person selling the car.
Most of all, don't be in a hurry to pull the trigger. There is another deal every day.

edit: if you find it is a 3.0 and the ppi checks out. Don't tell the seller its a 3.0 and use the 2.7 engine trouble potential as a bargaining chip to get the price knocked down! Hey if they don't know what their selling why should you tell them?

[buttocks]

The engine number is
6671658
and heres the actually car, i've bought and im viewing it next week
http://cgi.ebay.com.au/SOLD-PLEASE-DO-NOT-BID-Porsche-911-Cabriolet_W0QQitemZ220081338545QQihZ012QQcategoryZ 10779QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

[tonythetarga]

Not sure how urgent it is since you've bought it anyway. Looks nice.
Anyway, my reference chart does not show the 667 to be an accurate engine number. They may have read it incorrectly. You also want the VIN and post that.
Since you bought it, wait and get the info directly yourself. Then get yourself some good reference books for maintenance, Like the 101 Projects sold here on PP. It will help you immensely.
Use the search button. If your engine is CIS injected or carburated there will be things you need to know. Try and get as much of the cars history (ie:receipts for work done) so you know what you're starting with and what you need to work on. Hopefully you have some cash left over from the sale as you will no doubt need to do something.
Good luck.

[buttocks]

So that engine number does any other porsche's in the 911 range use 667 as there starting digits???

[Rufblackbird]

Hard to tell from the ebay ad since there were no pics of the engine but IIRC the quickest and fastest way is to look at the part number of the engine from underneath. 2.7s will have 911.xxx.xxx.xx stamped while 3.0s are supposed to have 930.xxx.xxx.xx part numbers. Same thing happened to me when I bought my car off evilbay. Ad said 3.0, when I went to pick it up seller said he thinks it was a 2.7. A quick look underneath and once I saw the 930 part number I was relieved. Not too sure if this method is foolproof, though.

[buttocks]

Underneath where exactly? can i see it without jacking the car up?

[tonythetarga]

So that engine number does any other porsche's in the 911 range use 667 as there starting digits???

I checked the full run of engine numbers I have from Stoddards and there is nothing that matches.

The engine number is under the hood to the right of the fan on the engine. The Part number is on the bottom of the engine which you will need to jack up or put on a lift. I suggest you check the engine number and if you have a chance the part number. Look under the car and take a picture of the heat exchangers (exhaust manifolds) as clearly as possible. This may help with identifying the engine, especially if it is a 2.7 with thermal reactors. (search the parts manual here to see what they look like)
Also take a picture of the cam chain covers on the engine on either side of the engine. Look for small oil lines going to the center of the cam cover to know if you have updated Carrera chain tensioners. (again search so you know what to look for)
That is a HIGHLY recommended upgrade for all pre-1984 engines.

[javadog]

Jason,

Here's a previous thread about where to find engine serial numers and type numbers. Find these and we'll be able to tell you what you have.

JR

Help with a 1974 911 Engine Serial Number

[tonythetarga]

chain tensioners pictures.



engine part number location:

[buttocks]

found out the vin was 911761 etc so its a 76 model targa converted to a convertible

[Steve Marshall]

I bet you can find a real SC convertible for under $ 20K

[tonythetarga]

actually it is a 1977. Here is the breakdown.
911=911
7 = 1977
6 = 3.0 Carrera (better check the engine # now to verify)
1 = Targa

If you got a 3.0 Carrera the engine # would be 687 xxxx
The engine number they put in the ad could easily have been mis-read to give the 667 number you posted. You may have lucked out and found yourself a nice 3.0 carrera.

[Grady Clay]

Buttocks,

Tony hit it right on with the VIN:
I would look at the registration 627INB and the
vehicle and confirm it is the proper VIN & form everywhere:
911761xxxx
911=911
7 = 1977
6 = 3.0 Carrera (better check the engine # now to verify)
1 = Targa
xxxx= Sequential number.




The engine number decodes as:
6671658 (red outline)
6 = Unit type- 6-cylinder engine
6 = 911 Carrera 3.0, (RoW, 200 hp)
7 = Model year 1977
1658 = Consecutive serial number (looks to be late in the series).

The engine type number is stamped in the case vertically (green arrow).
It should be 930/02. This is the classic (and desirable) “C3”.

The transmission numbers for this type are:
4-speed 915/49 of the form 727xxxx
or
5-speed 915/44 of the form 717xxxx
These numbers were originally stamped on the bottom rib at
the clutch cable/spring. As that is the lowest point on the
casting, it isn’t unusual for the numbers to be scraped.

Jeff, it is very difficult telling this engine from a 930Turbo case
or a 911SC without looking at the engine serial number and
type number.

Buttocks, be sure you get a VERY through PPI. This
could be a great car for you. The seller clearly doesn’t know
the details of what he is selling. I’m always concerned when
a seller doesn’t post the VIN. There is a lot of opportunity for
mischief.

A great deal of the value is the quality of the Cabriolet
conversion. You also should confirm it as an original RHD.

There a few “secret” ways to detect VIN tampering. Feel
free to email me at gradyclayathotmaildotcom.

Best,
Grady

[Gunter]

Urgent help?
Why do people ask for help AFTER they buy?
Once you own it, it's too late.
Now you either have luck on your side, or you are in for an expensive mess.
Correct numbers and info before buying would have given a clear picture of what you were bidding on.

Hope it works out to be a 3.0.

[buttocks]

So im looking for a 930 stamped on the case somewhere, and if its got alloy case and heads its a 3 litre, if it has a magnesium case and alloy heads its a 2.7

[javadog]

Jason,

You should really be looking for the engine type number (e.g. 930/02) which is stamped on the engine case to the right of the fan, shown in Grady's post above. It's the one with the green arrow. You'll need a flashlight and probably a rag, to clean the area enough to see the number. That one little number will tell you what you want to know.

Don't worry about the casting number for the case part number.

JR

[AvonGil]

Jason, 20K is too much for that car. You didn't actually buy it yet, so don't feel pressured into paying for it. Id say its worth around 13K.

[AvonGil]

Just realized its in Australia, never mind!!!