So how many miles until you rebuilt your 3.2?
 

Guys,

I just bought an 84 911 with 115,000 miles on it. This is my third Porsche and I think the best one for my taste. I had a 67 912 which was a great little car and a 75 911S which wasn't such a great little car. This one is really tight and no leaks! It is a really fun car to drive. Back to my question... At what point did u decide to rebuilt the top end or the entire engine? I heard these cars run past 200,000. My car has great service records and I spoke to the second owner who was a fanatic about maintenance.

Thanks!

From looking at my records, it didn't see any engine work until the ~170,000 mile mark.

If the car is tight, strong and dry I see no reason to open it up anytime soon unless there's some pressing issue...

My car now has ~250,000 miles on it.

No plans to open my engine up! I like to hear from guys who have that many miles on their cars. Thanks!

Mine had the top end done at 110k. Notes from the previous owner (twice removed) indicated head gasket leaks on a couple of cylinders. Made me wonder about head studs. Main bearings, P & C's are all still original. Rings and guides were replaced. Case was not split.

Now 46k later, still runs like a champ, and not a drip of oil, ever.

Top end at 200,000 and passing through 250,000 with no issues...1985 driven frequently.

Jim - You will know the time when the numbers tell you it's time:
Compression, leakdown, oil pressure, oil consumption, etc.

AS usage, conditions, and driving habits vary; you can't count on mileage to tell the whole story........

Did my at about 170k but it was really just because the valve guides were wearing out and the teeth on the starter ring wore out so decided to go ahead. Internals in stunning condition, pistons, cylinders, etc. in spec along with cams. Replaced all wear parts of course but over all it was in great shape internally.

My experience
 

My top end was performed at 72K miles because it started to burn a quart of oil every 400 miles. I should mention that the car was well cared for and not a garage queen.

Mine had a complete top-end done at 88K miles. The dreaded valve guide issue lead to high oil consumption and smoke. She is now at 120K and no problems.

150K due to a broken headstud and low compression on one cylinder due to broken ring.

Mine had a top end done at 158k.

valve guides were toast.
They say the old materials were soft comparatively. Let's go another 200k.

Top end at 95K on my 88. Replaced dilivar exhaust studs with steel. Did not split the case. New sensors and clutch "while in there." Also did shift fork upgrade.

184k on my '87........needed a valve guide job so, while I was in there.......you know how that goes.

Incidentally I had not planned on splitting cases but we did it after a little fax pas on the initial re-install, and it has been a phenominal engine since....tracked 5 times, leak free, probably uses a little over couple of quarts between oil changes (3k miles, Brad & Penn)

My SC had a rebuild at 200K. Its now 240K.

There are many examples of cars going to 200k and beyond without opening them. It's hard to determine what is the secret of longevity in the ones that go so far. My car hasn't been opened up (at 95k) and shows no sign of needing it anytime soon since it goes 3k between quarts and pulls like a train...touch wood. Usually when an owner chooses to do a top end it's due to excess oil consumption, and this seems to happen, mileage wise, all over the map. Cheers

At 127,000 miles the top end was rebuilt due to smoke on deceleration. Oil usage was 1quart per 500 miles before getting the work done.

top end
 

134,000 top end done was burning oil, doing great at 154,000 and still strong

39,000 miles on my 84...no issues yet :-)

242,000 miles on my 1984 Carrera and still going strong. She's a daily driver so the miles just keep on coming.

My '88 was my daily driver and was just over 220K when I sold it. Motor was never touched and ran great.