SC Guidelines

[bob_cote]

I am looking for an SC but am concerned by all of the discussions regarding the clutch exploding and the tensioners failing.

Typically, at what point (i.e. mileage) does one really become concerned with these items.

I would hate to buy one and have one of these events happen just a mile or two down the road. It always seems that they are time bombs just waiting to wreck your car.

I did find an '83 but the owner/agent has no records of any upgrades. This car also has a dented back hood. He said it was from closing the hood which makes no sense to me.

Thanks in advance for any guidance / common sense.

[VaSteve]

Welcome. Lots of debate on the tensioners, do a search. How many miles does the car have? Might tell for certain if the clutch has been done. I can't recall the life span.

Dented deck lids are common. Hamfisted people press down on the metal and bend it slightly when you should really close it by pressing on the grill.

[slodave]

You can dent the hood easily on closing.

As for mileage, it has been talked about a lot. If the SC motor has had the Carrera tensioners update, the engine will be as bullet proof as it can be. Maintenance will keep any engine alive for many strong mile. I have 223,xxx on my '84 and it still will go around the track with the rest.

Dave

I should add, that, the engine has never has a 'top end'.

[OldTee]

????

911SCs are pretty tough cars but require some maintenance from time to time. Clutches can go 80K or more. Get a PPI done before the purchase of any Porsche.

[Formerly Steve Wilkinson]

A chain-tensioner upgrade is so simple to do oneself that, on the scale of DIY difficulty, it's like two oil changes.

[dbrisson]

I have an 82 sc with the carrera tensioners added during a refresh by the PO. Identified by the oil lines feeding the cam cases. I found some flaky items from the refresh ie. rocker shafts leaking or not fitted correctly, vc gaskets and oil tubes leaking but the last 2 could have been from sitting.

So far its been great turn the key and go. I bought it at 93 k and have 103k on it now. I have no records on the rebuild or when the last clutch was but so far so good. (hopefully i didnt jinx it)

[euro911sc]

Most SC's will have had the tensioners and clutch swapped by now... don't worry about it. the tensioners are debatable and the upgrade is easy to identify or DIY. Get a good PPI and ensure that the car is what you are looking for, what the seller has described, and what you expected (to pay and to drive).

I have owned my SC for almost 10 years... it was only recently I had a major problem that required a complete engine teardown. For the most part, it was a push button car and maint. is super easy. good luck.

Best regards,

Michael

PS Just finished putting the case together today!! YeHaw! I'll be driving by the new year if I have my way! Now THAT's a Christmas present!

[khamul02]

I agree with Michael. Look for an SC with tensioners, recent clutch job, and in a perfect world engine or top rebuild, and or tranny rebuild.

The cost differences wont be too much more.

[bob_cote]

Many thanks for all of the comments.

Another quick question - many of the SCs I have found have a whale tale.

Is it possible to remove the tail? Any drawbacks in doing so?

Thanks again.

[petrolblue83911]

You can remove the tail-just realize that you will then have a decklid with holes in it!-so re-painting and finding the deck grill will be necessary.

A good SC is a very easy car to own. They are very reliable, and are one of the best ways to get into the 911 world. Get A PPI done by good local shop. Tell them what you are looking for ie-if you want a reliable driver, fine, -keep this in mind with what you are looking for and with what a PPI report shows you. I say this as, like any old car, you are going to have some stuff going on, but that's fine, it car may be a great driver, that over time you will work on and get better and better.

-try to find a car with records, and in solid origional shape. Stay away from cars with crazy electrical system modificaitons/tie ins, or hacked up fuel inj. systems. Make sure all systems work correctly,-IE windows, lights, etc....

[joe payne]

In a perfect world the tensioners have been upgraded, it has a pop off valve, recent clutch job and the dilivar head studs replaced with steel ones. But that's a perfect world..

[SCWDP911]

Of course, the best thing about it is that, you now may join the Plot! (insert evil laugh here).....

Good luck on finding the right car for you... it's out there, just make sure you exercise patience... If you cannot do this, then back away for while, because, c'mon, they are all going to be 911's! The coolness factor might overtake you and lead you to a costly mistake. Not saying you will, just warning you to use the patience factor to your benefit.

Good luck and welcome!

[boyt911sc]

Originally Posted by slodave

You can dent the hood easily on closing.

As for mileage, it has been talked about a lot. If the SC motor has had the Carrera tensioners update, the engine will be as bullet proof as it can be. Maintenance will keep any engine alive for many strong mile. I have 223,xxx on my '84 and it still will go around the track with the rest.

Dave

I should add, that, the engine has never has a 'top end'.

Dave,

Bob is looking at an SC not a Carrera. Unless you have an SC motor in your car your point is well taken. FYI.

TD

[slodave]

Originally Posted by boyt911sc

Dave,

Bob is looking at an SC not a Carrera. Unless you have an SC motor in your car your point is well taken. FYI.

TD

I've done some backdating, but can't say I have gone that far! Just sharing my $.02 on a similar motor and hey, maybe he'll decide on a Carrera instead

Dave

[oregonmon]

Bought by 79 SC in March for $10,000. Had the necessary upgrades, tensioners, pop off valve and overall in fairly nice shape. Couple a months went by and the clutch went. $1300 later, a new clutch, flywheel and pressure plate along with a few maintenence things while the mechanic had the engine out. Those consisted of valve job, oil change, plugs, rear main seal, a couple of other seals, timing adj., air/fuel adj. All and all a bit of surprise to do, that soon but it wasn't that big of a deal.
Been driving it like crazy, and wouldn't look back.

[bob_cote]

Hope everyone is enjoying the deep freeze - my wife said Hell just froze over.

Yes, I joined the club after close to 40 years of waiting and looking and looking and waiting. And of course, it was definitely worth the wait.

It is an 82 SC with 75k miles and I picked it up on 12-31.

On the drive home, I noticed the oil level gauge hovered just above the red mark so as soon as I got home I parked it.

Today I changed the oil and filter (any comments on Mann filters?) and followed Wayne Dempsey's instructions to the letter. Also changed the air filter and filled the tires of to spec (29/34).

Filled it with 9 quarts of 20W-50 (Houston car) and took Grandma out for a bag of burgers.

This time oil level gauge stayed in the red zone but I knew I had put 9 quarts in.

After wolfing down the burgers, I checked the level with the dip stick and it registered but was below the lower mark. I put a 10th quart in and it raised it to over the lower mark. I then put in a half of a quart more and the dip stick is about in the middle. The level gauge is now pegged full and the oil temp is half way.

Am I good to go? Too much? Too little? Top off? Drain some? Your consensus will give this old newbie much needed peace of mind.

Thanks.

[slodave]

Did you check the oil while the engine was running and up to operating temps on a level surface?

[bob_cote]

yes.

[snbush67]

The oil gage is not a reliable reading of the actual oil level, make sure you get the car up to temp, I believe 180-200 then check on a level surface and recheck add a little at a time until it is at about 1/2 way in between the marks on the dipstick then you should be good.

When you do this the engine can remain running, when you take off the oil cap the engine should idle down a bit, when you replace it then the engine will return to normal idle, go for a drive and recheck.

When my oil is full it is usually just a bit above red on the oil gage, if I fill it further then it is overfull, I think everyone has experienced this once.

You may be good with 10 1/2 qts as you probably didnt drain the lines, it sounds about right.

[Nickatnyt]

It would be a rare bird indeed to find an SC that had not already have a chain tensioner update and the clutch replaced. BUT be wary of the 'half tensioner update' like my car had when I bought it.