911 3.2 valve guides and general

[cqrlm911]

I am considering purchase of 88 targa one owner 70kmi . I went thru miserable experience about 5 years ago w. 87 911 -- it had 55k and started smoking while warm and basically top end rebuild due w. bad valve guides. I had 84 and 85 911s with never a a problem. I have since learned that Porsche may have sourced inferior guides for 3.2s in 87-88?? Is this true and should I avoid the 88 car? Is there any way to know other than ppi w. heads off checking lateral valve movement if they are bad? I know this car's owner well --it has been well taken care of and currently has no issues but any advice appreciated

[E Sully]

The guides on my '86 were worn out at 65,000. I guess you could pull the exhaust, remove the valve spring and try to check for play. Pelican sells the spring compressor tool that bolts to the studs on the head.

[g_vaxed]

My good friend has been working on p-cars for the past 20 years. He claims 84-86 were much less likely to suffer valve guide failure. He was done so many top end rebuilds on 87-89's, he could do them with his eyes closed.... as he did mine when they went with less than 60K miles. I personally would not touch an 87-89 unless the valve guides had been done already - but that's just me... Good Luck.

[jimbauman]

It's really hit or miss I think. My track driven 86 needed them at 150K... about the same for a friend's 88. But there are lots of stories like yours where low mileage 3.2s need them. I would factor in a top end rebuild into the price I'd pay for a used Carrera.

JB