What the...!!!Replacing head studs cost.

[TCGGrafix]

I found out that my car has 3 broken head studs a couple of weeks ago. They are broken on the passenger side cylinder bank only. 1 cylinder has 1 broken lower stud and 1 cylinder has 2 broken lower studs. I heard the "clapping sound" for the first time on a drive from Chicago to Indy. I pulled the valve cover after driving 300 miles back to Chicago and found the broken studs. The cylinder that has the 2 broken studs must of had one of the 2 broken studs give way on my trip so I don't think I did damage to the head or cylinder because I put only 300 miles on it.

To make a long story short, I don't have a garage to work in at my house so I started to call up some local Porsche wrenches to get estimates for replacing the head studs. The prior owner had a top end done after a tensioner failure about 25K ago (has the updated tensioners now) but he didn't have the studs replaced. The estimates I am getting are upwards of $4-5000.00 just for replacing the studs and no other work! I have heard of people on this site getting this done for as little as $2500.00 with the heads re-machined at the cylinder / head surface. Does 4 to 5 grand sound expensive? I would appreciate getting feedback from other Pcar owners that have had their broken studs replaced and how much it cost them. Any referrals to Porsche mechanics in the Chicago area that may be a bit more reasonable is welcome as well. I can't afford 4-5 thousand right now so the car would be out of commision for quite a while. Thanks for your help!

[Thomas Owen]

The $2500 figure is what I have always seen. Paid that a few years ago on a '78 as well.

[RarlyL8]

I don't know if you are willing to make the trip downstate, but we have a mechanic in our local PCA that is absolutely top notch. Gets a lot of business from Chicago to Indy to St.Louis.

Location is about 130 miles strait south of you on Rt. 57 in Mohomet (west of Champaign).
Call Bill Wegeng (pronounced "Wiggin") at 217-586-2851 and get an estimate. I promise you will get the best work possible.
Tell him Bodart sent you, he'll know the name.

[john walker's workshop]

$2000-$2500 is about right, depending if raceware studs are used, or not. flycutting the heads would be extra, requiring the heads to be off the cam towers, stripped and cleaned. you might consider a valve grind if you need to go that far. normally just the lower row of studs is replaced with steel, like the top row.

[TCGGrafix]

Thanks for the good word. I must be in the wrong business. I can't believe that mechanics in the Chicago are hitting with such a high premium. RarlyL8 - I am going to give them a call after New Years. I will make sure to mention your name when I call. Have a great New Year everyone!

[Leland Pate]

Hell, I'd almost say, send it to me, fly up and stay for a couple weeks and we'll do it together!

[TCGGrafix]

Hey Leland - I will supply all the required beer and will enlist a few scantly dressed women to hand us tools