911 headwork

[jjforland]

I have a 76 911s that I'm in the process of rebuilding. Do you guys see any problem with having a local machine shop do the headwork? They have never worked on porsche heads, but they've worked on many other import heads. If I make the decision to let them do the work, I'll supply all the correct parts. And if you feel that this is ok, is there anything I need to tell them so they don't mess anything up?

Thanks as always...

[ErVikingo]

I f you ask me, take them to an experience shop. Parts are too expensive to risk.

For example, I'm in South Florida, one of my engine cases is being worked on in California, the heads are being worked on 100 miles from home, .........

[jjforland]

But I guess the question I'm trying to ask is...if they know the proper clearances and such, wouldn't it be difficult for them to mess them up? Also .. the work is warranted since they have faith that they could complete the job.

[ErVikingo]

I'd say your right. However, if you are thinking about porting, .... could be a different story

[jjforland]

nope...just getting them back to new specs.

[911pcars]

Does this machine shop have the proper jig to flycut the head gasket surface if needed? Do they know how much material to remove? Do they have a fixture to R&R the valve guides? Do they know how? Do they know what guide type to use? Do they know what valve guide seals to use? Many of the procedures are not too different from an air-cooled VW, but still .... there are machine shops and then .....

Sherwood Lee
http://members.rennlist.org/911pcars

[Oldporsche]

Do yourself a favor. Find someone who has done this process before.

I do these heads as a business venture. I don't care if they waranty their work, you have to enforce it.

I have done enough of these heads to know the pitfalls intimately. After 20 years of experience, I still had a YO-YO last year. The information in the spec book is ok however the techniques used in the factory repair manual leave much to be desired. These heads are not repaired like the small block fords and chevys. Just as a clue; if you see an air tool used on one of these heads for rebuilding, its a receipe for disaster.

Good luck,
David Duffield

[ChrisBennet]

The first time I looked for someone to do my 911 heads I spoke to the (not Porsche) machinist my mechanic friend uses. He had done some 911 heads before. His price for labor alone was about the same as the (Anchor) Atlantic Enterprises. The AAE price included guides, setting spring height etc. and the heads were done in two days. They also have a jig to do twin plug conversions.
-Chris

[jjforland]

Awesome guys, much thanks.

Just don't wanna go through the process of shipping my heads across the country. Unfortunately and without a doubt understandably, Montgomery, Alabama doesn't have a single soul that knows anything about air-cooled engines. Most people here are more about Joe Dirt hotroddin...

[TimT]

I have the machine work done on my engine in many geographical locations, all depending on my confidence in the machinist.

I have sent my heads to this guy

I found out who one of "the war horse gangs" machinist is......... and have used his services, hes a straight shooter and very reasonably priced........ and the turn around is good too

[jabb]

I also used Anchor Atlantic instead of shipping all the way to the left coast..... worked out very nice.

[jjforland]

Hey TimT....who do you send your heads to if you don't mind me asking. I've been considering Motormeister myself. Do you know much about their business ethics? And if so do they have a pretty quick turnaround?

[Superman]

Here we go again. Seach for "Motormeister." I would not send them a spark plug to re-gap.

When I described the procedure for valve jobs on Porsche heads to a friend who's very experienced in Detroit iron, he said that is exactly the method for any and all heads, regardless of mfg.

Nevertheless, I watched JW do some of the work on my heads, and I will give him my next job as well.

[emcon5]

Originally posted by jjforland
I've been considering Motormeister myself. Do you know much about their business ethics? And if so do they have a pretty quick turnaround?

Read this thread before you send them anything.

Paul Weir
When you are done reading that thread, do a search for Motormeister for more fun testimonials.

If you want to send out your heads (and it sounds like you should) consider German Precision or Competition Engineering in California. German precision doesn't have a web site but is located in Sunnyvale, do a web search. Competiton engineering can be found here: http://www.competitioneng.com/

Other places I wouldn't hesitate sending parts to would be Rennsport Systems in Oregon or Engine builders supply in Nevada.

http://www.ebsracing.com/
http://www.rennsportsystems.com/~porsche/

There is probably someone good on the East coast, maybe someone can reccomend someone closer.

Tom

[Wayne 962]

jjforland, you're showing your newbie colors by some of the questions you ask. Do a search on Motor Meister in the archives, and you will find answers...

As for local or experienced, would you have your podiatrist perform open-heart surgery on you? They're both doctors...

Walt at Competition Engineering, or Bill & Dick at EMS are the guys that I recommend. All they do is air cooled, and they have the jigs already setup 100% of the time. To send it to someone else is foolish, which makes me also wonder what other mistakes lurk ahead...

-Wayne

[jjforland]

sorry man, i'll try not to waste your time from now on. Some of u guys are hella opinionated...

Thanks for the good info as always.

[Jim Sims]

jj, Another vote from me to send your heads to an experienced Porsche machine shop; the heads are rather expensive and you want someone with the experience and all the correct tooling and jigs to do the work. Given the good shipping infrastructure in this country none of the experienced shops are really that far away. Just pack you heads well and insure them. I also recommend Ted Robinson at German Precision (very good personal experience with him) in Sunnyvale, California (408) 747-0728 (you may get Ted's answering machine, leave a message and phone number; he'll call back) and I've also heard good things about Competition Engineering from other places besides this board.

You'll get a lot of strong opinions here and sometimes there's a tendency for people to forget that no one was born knowing the correct level in a 911 oil tank or which way to turn the engine over or what constitutes a good head rebuild. Everyone was once a newbie. The more newbie's the better in my opinion; it means the marque will live on and on. Keep asking for advice and opinions but make good use of the search option (button in upper right) too. Welcome!

Cheers, Jim

[jjforland]

I have no problem with opinion as long as its not of a brutal nature. By browsing through some of the posts here, it appear that some people use Hitler ideology towards the motorsport. Especially with v-8 conversions (heaven forbid a person to bring it up here). Personally, I think the air-cooled concept is great and thats why im here ....to learn.

As for the newby approach taken towards me. Hey go right ahead. If anyone here ever gets the itch to wan't know anything about database design or two's complement binary representation, I could be the same way....but thats not me.

I'll make better use of the search forum option for a while

[jjforland]

oh yeah, thanks for the info on competetion engineering. I will certainly look into using their services.

[Leland Pate]

You are in the exact same situation I found myself in last year when I was doing my rebuild.

I cannot put enough emphasis on making sure the shop you send your parts off to knows what they are doing.

911 heads are not cheap to replace if boogered up. These are not cast iron boat anchors we're talking about here.

I am also in the middle of nowhere and the only machine shops within 100 miles from me mess with John Deers and the like.

I ended up sending my stuff to EBS in Sparks, NV. They are a top notch organization and have always treated me right.
Talk to Jon or Don... @ 1800-462-3774 <---I even have their number memorized.

Great guys and you won't be sorry!


Best of luck with the rebuild...


P.S. don't let the opinions bother you, that's what this board is all about. Some of them weigh heavily...some of them you just dump... ...with time, you'll know which is which.