Rebuild dilemma

[mr911er]

Hi

I have a 1982 SC with one brolen headstud . The car runs ok - its done 89K miles.

The way I see it I have 2 options:

Option 1
Take it a specialist who will insist on installing 24 dilavar studs, upgrading the chain tensioners, replacing the valve guides and piston rings. The car needs new heat exchangers so I would probably get those done too.

Total cost (I guess) about £9K
Advantage - engine fixed forever (maybe...), added value to car

Option2
Tear down the engine myself, replace the studs with steel ones, gaskets and oil seals etc, upgrade the chain tensioners.

Total cost about £1.5K - do the heat exchangers next year
Advantage - I can afford a holiday in Australia and watch the Ashes, less grief from the wife and can bond with my car
Disadvantage - I might screw it up, the whole thing might need to be done again in a couple of years.

I would be interested in any thoughts from you Porsche owners out there

Thanks!

[kodioneill]

The first option is you're best choice. To replace the studs you have to remove the cylinders and the rings are most likely brittle so you should go the full repair option. Also replace the studs with steel not diliver. You only need to replace the lower 12. Do a valve job and replace the guides. Another option is to look for a fresh engine and sell yours.

[911dean]

How's your oil consumption? My cars uses almost no oil and has relatively low miles(78k). If I found a broken head stud I'd roll the dice and only replace the studs and necessary gaskets and seals. I don't have the tensioner issue. There are other options for the tensioners than hydraulic look into it. This type of repair could potentially get another 100k.
I also like working on my car and I'm fairly competent with tools. Plus it would be a great learning experience.

[theFONZ]

I think that's a question only you can answer.

You can fix your first option though. Get steel studs no matter what, or you may have broken studs again.