First Engine Drop and Rebuild

[westyguesty]

After finding 5 broken studs on my sc, I have decided to have a go myself to get it fixed. I have a chance that way of getting it on the road next, rather than saving for another 1-2 years to get someone to fix it for me.

Ordered a high lift trolly jack and stands last week that turned up yesterday, unfortunatly the jack is fault so has to go back.

Made a start tonight, removed all 12 exhaust nuts (nothing broke ) and removed the complete exhaust system. Next disconnected the air pump and six plugs.

I will try to keep this updated as I do things, as I am sure i will need lots of help.

I haven't a full picture of the car, it's been in my garage for years, but at least you can see the colour !



And a picture of how messy the engine is ! One or two leaks to sort out as well.

[bigel]

Rock on westyguesty! I'll be doing the same (hopefully this winter) on my 87 where I encountered 4 broken studs.

Are you going with steel studs or the others?

I'm subscribed and will anxiously follow your story as you proceed.

Good Luck...

[CCM911]

Awesome!!! You are on that like Bill Clinton on Monica Lewinsky!

Good job. Keep the pics coming.

[fred cook]

Just a suggestion, buy some zip lock plastic bags and put the fasteners (nuts, bolts, etc.) in a bag labled with location or purpose. Makes things much easier when putting it back together!

[westyguesty]

Yes, going for standard steel studs, only using it for mild street use, so I think it's the best option for me. Ordered them, plus nuts,washer,gasket set and blanking plugs. Should get them next week.

[snbush67]

Originally Posted by westyguesty

Made a start tonight, removed all 12 exhaust nuts (nothing broke ) and removed the complete exhaust system.

...you are the chosen one, this never happens.

[Targa Time]

Usually you leave the exhaust on when removing the engine. It provides a safe platform for lowering the engine.

[westyguesty]

That make sense, I was going to try to remove just the exhaust and leave the heat exchanges there, but all the bolts were rusts, cut them off and it still wouldn't budge. Now it's all off, i should be able to seperate them and put the heat exchanges back on to help balance the engine.

[westyguesty]

Managed to spend a few more hours tonight, oil drained, no particles on plugs although the tank plug was fairly gummy. Oil pipes disconnected (could not believe how difficult the hard line was to remove ! definately deserve a berr after that one), harness and wires unplugged.

Not sure, but I am short on space, so was planning to leave the gearbox where it is, found and loosened the three nuts, but can't find the one by the start motor, only two nuts that hold the starter on. What am I missing ?

If am leaving the gearbox in place, do I need to disconnect the clutch linkage ?

Where do i disconnect the throttle linkage ?

I had a few bits turn up today, these, plus gasket set. Fitted the emission plugs.

[boyt911sc]

Originally Posted by westyguesty

Managed to spend a few more hours tonight, oil drained, no particles on plugs although the tank plug was fairly gummy. Oil pipes disconnected (could not believe how difficult the hard line was to remove ! definately deserve a berr after that one), harness and wires unplugged.

Not sure, but I am short on space, so was planning to leave the gearbox where it is, found and loosened the three nuts, but can't find the one by the start motor, only two nuts that hold the starter on. What am I missing ?

If am leaving the gearbox in place, do I need to disconnect the clutch linkage ?

Where do i disconnect the throttle linkage ?

I had a few bits turn up today, these, plus gasket set. Fitted the emission plugs.

Westy,

I think you are a good DIY'er or even a good technician shown by your work. The time and effort you spent removing the exhaust unit in situ needed more time and effort doing it than the conventional way. Second, dropping the engine without the transmission would be more difficult than dropping the whole thing together. Why make the work more difficult when you could do it the easy way?

I'm not saying you are wrong!!!! I believe you have not done this work before (911 engine drop) but have some experiences with other engines. While a few have done the 'engine only', doing it solo is not simple when you install the engine back. It is your choice to decide which manner you want it done. And keep us posted.

Tony

[timmy2]

You will have the room if you do it right.
Drop the motor and tranny together.
Roll it out the garage door behind you, and then pull off the tranny onto a cheap Harbor Freight furniture dolly, and slide it under the car with the starter and exhaust parts.
Then work on the engine.

[yelcab1]

Keep the tranny and engine together. But, if you want to leave the tranny in place, the last barrel nut is on top above the starter.

I would have left the exhaust in place too, drop the engine on to a dolly and roll it out. Then separate the gear box, mount the engine on to a stand, then remove the heads and get to the studs.

That is how I did it.

[westyguesty]

Thanks, will go for removing as one then, the gearbox could do with a good clean anyway. Is it just the cv joints to remove as the extra step, plus the extra mounts.

[yelcab1]

pay it now or pay it on the way back in.

[schumicat]

one of the nuts holding the starter also holds the engine on. the upper one.

you can disconnect the throttle cable at the bellhousing and at the engine.

you do need to disconnect the clutch cable but you could leave the rest of the linkage in place.

Originally Posted by westyguesty

Managed to spend a few more hours tonight, oil drained, no particles on plugs although the tank plug was fairly gummy. Oil pipes disconnected (could not believe how difficult the hard line was to remove ! definately deserve a berr after that one), harness and wires unplugged.

Not sure, but I am short on space, so was planning to leave the gearbox where it is, found and loosened the three nuts, but can't find the one by the start motor, only two nuts that hold the starter on. What am I missing ?

If am leaving the gearbox in place, do I need to disconnect the clutch linkage ?

Where do i disconnect the throttle linkage ?

I had a few bits turn up today, these, plus gasket set. Fitted the emission plugs.

[westyguesty]

OK, you have convinced me, gearbox coming out as well. Needs a good clean anyway.

Driveshafts dropped dropped tonight, tight to get off, and the bolts didn't 'crack' loose, everyone felt like it rounded as it came free, but all out

[timmy2]

You'll thank us later when you put it all back in...
Good luck and go slow and carefully.
Good time to clean up engine bay and replace sound pad if needed too!
Post pics as you go. Ask questions when you need to. I replaced the lower studs on mine last fall.
Some info on mine here starting around post 28:
Finally, back in the game!

[DaddyGlenn]

Where are you located? There may be Pelicans near by who can lend a hand.

[47silver]

Do you have Wayne's rebuilding book?

[timmy2]

Originally Posted by 47silver

Do you have Wayne's rebuilding book?

+1, if not, get it, you'll need it.