Please Help!! About to drop my engine to change head studs, what else should I do?
 

I am getting ready to change the head studs on my 1978 Targa SC 3.0. I have not yet dropped a valve cover to inspect but from what I have read and found out, I have the symptoms. My car has a popping sound when I accelerate, it sounds like some kind of exhaust leak but all the pipes are fine.

I have a few questions ,please help!!!

Q) First off, could the problem be anything else?

Q) Any tips regarding the engine drop?

Q) Should I use a particular type of Head stud? My mechanic mentioned a company named ARP but Im not sure if I should use any special type like Dilavar??

Q) Should I be using any special gaskets?

Q) Should I do any upgrades while I have the engine out? Like the Turbo valve cover upgrade and if so, please give me some specifics as far as parts and makes go???

Your input is greatly appreciated as I am new to all of this.......

If you do have a broken stud, 993TT studs are Dilavar and work just fine. The Dilavar debate is like oil. Everyone has an opinion.

Gaskets, Wrightwood gaskets are said to be really good but I got away with the Victor-Reinz kind without issue on my rebuild.

Mine already has turbo valve covers so no help.

Like any engine pull or drop, go slowly and check repeatedly for any lines or hoses you forgot to disconnect.

Before you drop the engine what about gently check that they are not loose or broken?

Perhaps the head studs are not broken and that it is some exhaust leak instead

1. Remove valve covers and make sure of your problem.
2. I used steel studs for the lowers that are the same as the top ones that I didn't need to replace.
3. Turbo lower valve covers are a good upgrade.
4. Silicone bead valve gaskets.

For the other questions: Are you prepared to do the work yourself or are you having it done for you? What are your skill sets and do you have the tools?
Lots of threads about dropping the engine here, do a quick search and read up on the different methods and decide what will work for you.

My mechanic is doing it, not me personally.

I just did this on my '84 Carrera. I had one broken stud, found it laying in the head. I would say first remove rocker covers to see if you have a broken one. I looked at various studs available, in my opinion this is one that Porsche really dropped the ball. I went with SUPERTEC, lifetime warranty, superior quality and considering you get nuts and washers not that much more than steel ones. And cutomer service (Henry Scmidt) is as good as the product. I also replaced valve seals, lapped valves, lapped heads to cylinders and installed RS type rocker shaft seals and of course the oil leaking trinity.

Not so much an upgrade, but with the engine out, you may as well address the top-o-engine oil-leak trinity: breather gasket (and possibly hose), thermostat o-ring and oil pressure switch. Described in the ttech articles... Pelican Technical Article: Fixing Common Oil Leaks - 911 (1965-89) - 930 Turbo (1975-89)

Check your throttle linkage bushings on top of the engine too -- known to fail over the years, and easy to fix with engine out.

I started with what I thought was my only situation, to replace the head studs. Well after a compression test, my mechanic ended up changing the piston rings & a few other minor suggestions. It's absolutely, for my situation, better that a mechanic did the engine work. I only gave him mine my engine, then after he completed his end, I put it back in myself. Wow, what a learning experience. Not a promoter but, PP site was a great help to me in many aspects.
Good fortune!

Thanks to all who helped so far.

carrera30 = what were your mechanics suggestions? You did not elaborate.

Check the valve guides while you are there. They will most likely be worn out especially the exhaust side.
Howard

Here's my while the motor is out list. Slippery slope?
Pick yer poison... :)

1. Replace 6 Lower Head Studs with Steel Studs
2. Install New Cylinder Rings
3. Replace bad camshaft (pitted)
4. Install new Gaskets (Case out)
5. Install New Solid Oil Tubes & O-Rings
6. Install Backdated Cooling Ducts to Exchangers (Fan delete)
7. Install Used (barely) SSI Exhaust System
8. Install New 2 into 1 exhaust/muffler
9. Install Backdated Oil Lines for SSI
10. Customize AC Bracket for Cooling Backdate
11. Install new gaskets & O-Rings for CIS
12. Install Pop off Valve in Airbox
13. Install new Injectors and O-Rings
14. Install new Cooling Duct Tubing
15. Clean and Paint Engine Cowling, Brackets and Tin etc.
16. Change Transmission fluid to Swepco 201
17. Install rebuilt Shifter Coupler (Derlin) from the "Coupler Whisperer"
18. Repair oil leaks: Oil Thermostat O-Ring, Oil Sender, Crankcase vent Gasket
19. Install Turbo valve covers & Valve cover Gaskets
20. Install Carrera Oil Feed Chain Tensioners
21. Use Brad Penn 20-50 dino oil, new oil filter
22. Install new upholstery on Front Seats, Clean rest of upholstery
23. Install Windshield Wiper Gaskets and Seals at Cowl, Install new Wipers
24. Install Brass Bushings at Tranny and Engine for throttle linkage
25. Replace cracked H4 lens on one side
26. Install New Turn Signal Switch, Hazard switch and Lighting Relay Kit
27. Repair wiring harness from PO’s damage throughout
28. Replace Door Switch Passenger side
29. Install Front Shock Strut Tower Brace
30. Install Interior Targa Body Braces
31. Install Dashcover Dash Pad (for now) Replace someday…
32. Install new Tie-Rod Ends
33. Install 16” Fuchs Wheels instead of 15” Cookie Cutters
34. Purchase used Targa top & repair, New Center pin & new Pin rubbers, 2 holding clips
35. Adjust loose or improperly installed interior bits.
36. Install new engine compartment Rubber Seal and Sound Pad
37. Repair dent in Passenger rear wheel well and door.
38. Install new Hood and Trunk Struts
39. Install new plug Wires
40. Replace Green distributor wire
41. Replace plastic airbox that blew up with stainless one...
42. Install new front shifter bushings

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Any other suggestions?

Replace aging fuel lines.

I also drive a 78 sc euro coupe last weekend driving in the country I noticed what i thought was an exaust leak. Also aware of the failed stud syndrome I have not even ventured a look yet.
I was driving the car very modestly and hope that i do have an exauste gasket needing replaced. I was going to check it as soon as the weather warms and was going to justb start her up and block the exaust and hope for a whistle. Hate to think of dropping the motor again.
Open to any suggestions

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