NONtraditional engine work method

[M491Cabriolet]

Hello! I have my spare (the original engine) on the engine stand being rebuilt, and have to have a look at the right engine bank of the engine installed in the car. I have what basically seems to be a dead cylinder. My question is...Is it at all possible to remove a cylinder head from an engine while it is still installed in the car? I do not have the space for two engines in my garage, plus two 911s. Any inventive and adventurous ideas or advice are welcome. Thanks.

[billybek]

I never like working on anything while standing on my head.....
Even if you drop it and leave it on the ground it would be better than in the engine bay.....

[M491Cabriolet]

Thanks...but can it be done?

[JP911]

Originally Posted by M491Cabriolet

Thanks...but can it be done?

Like the saying goes "With enough time and money, anything is possible". But you have to ask yourself if it's worth the effort.

To remove a cylinder you must: get the engine tin out of the way, remove the header/heat exchanger and muffler (and cat if it's on the driver's side), get the induction and engine shroud out of the way, remove the cam tower (and everything associated with it...chain tensioners, cams, rockers, etc), remove the head, and then pull the cylinder. Can you imagine trying to do all of that with the engine in the car?

[911pcars]

I realize you're not looking for the most ideal situation, just what's possible. I would have to say yes. You may have to lower the engine slightly (a partial take down) to provide enough room to remove certain parts (unknown). If there's a will, there's a way.

If space is a problem, drop the complete drivetrain, remove what you have to, then reinstall until you're ready to reinstall the head. Repeat the process. Just takes more time, and at that point, it's only 4 bolts.

Sherwood

[M491Cabriolet]

As it turns out, there is nothing wrong with the engine. I guess it just sat for too long. The cylinder I thought was dead has come back to life and the car runs fine. There must have been a bit of carbon stuck in the valve or something like that. Actually, I am still having an MFI tuning issue--the car runs really rough only when it warms up. That is something I know I can handle, with patience. I'm just glad I won't have to tear the engine apart!

[tharbert]

Did you do anything in particular to dislodge the debris?

[M491Cabriolet]

No, I just ran the car. After a while, it just suddenly started to run well. I have no idea what happened or how. I found an oil leak in the left cam line. One more problem resolved....