break in period after top end rebuild

[Ngueldner]

I just had the top end done on my '88 cab. I had valve guide wear at 63k miles. The rings and top end bearings were replaced as well.

Now that it's fixed, any suggestions on how to break in the new top end? Should I go with the factory recommended 1000 miles of sub 5000 rpm and no full throttle acceleration? I'm thinking that the main issue is seating the new rings properly.

TIA,
Ngueldner

[john walker's workshop]

just take it easy for 1000 miles, and do an oil and filter change and readjust the valves at that time. a few over 5K blasts won't hurt it though.

[michaelw]

N-

What symptoms was your car showing before you decided to do a top end rebuild? How did you decide to do just the top end versus the whole thing? How is it running now after the rebuild? Do you notice any major differences (i.e. smoking, power, torque, quietness, smoothness, etc...)

Also would you mind emailing what you paid for the rebuild and where you had it done?

Thanks,
Michaelw

[This message has been edited by michaelw (edited 06-22-2001).]

[Eric H]

Hey Michael - you bought your car recently, right? It sounds like you are considering a rebuild? Not that it's any of my business, but what happened? Eric H 87 Targa

[michaelw]

Eric:

My car will need a rebuild eventually, as in a year or two. It smokes on startup every couple of tries and I am noticing a light black sooty dusting on my car every couple of weeks, otherwise no smoke on accel/decel. My mechanic checked the valve guides and he said they were in average shape so really I am just doing some pre-research. Otherwise the car runs pretty good.

I will let you know the mechanic I had used to do the PPI rubber stamped the car as I found many (mostly minor) things wrong with the car any lay person should have found.

Good to hear from you!

MichaelW
87 targa

[Mrdi]

Michael,
Interesting.I notice a light dusting on my 88 as well w/43k. No smoking on startup.I don't burn oil to speak of, but my AC compressor spits oil. I'm not sure from where the film is coming. Perhaps the R12 coolant and some break dust. If it was oil it wouldn't be on my wheels. Be interesting to hear why the other 3.2 had a top end and the associated costs as well.

------------------

[Eric H]

Michael -
I'm glad to hear you don't need a rebuild immediately. To add another data point, my car, w/102k miles, smokes on cold starts very rarely and I've never seen smoke while driving. It does use a quart of oil for about 2 tanks of gas, though. I've never noticed any sooty dust on my car, but it's black so I might not see it. I haven't had it long enought to do a valve adjust so I don't know anything for sure about my valve guides. Happy driving, Eric H 87 Targa

[michaelw]

eric:

I am burning roughly a quart of oil about every 700 - 800 miles. I think this is within Porsche spec's, but the dusting thing is weird. If you wipe your hand over the rear deck lid or wheel arches, you definitely get a light black dusting on your hands. My car has 77k on it. Hmmm...


MichaelW
87 targa