Help need 911 Advice

bgib123 · 07-17-2013, 03:24 PM

Thanks for taking the time to read my post...

My father recently purchased a 1979 911 SC targa 106k 30k on rebuild, the car is non turbo with the complete widebody, dual plug heads with coil packs and has been modified, sitting for about 6-10yrs... When we purchased the car it had an issue with the clutch not completely disengaging so it would grind going into gear... Replaced the clutch cable and helper spring and now the clutch works as it should...

If you put it where first/second gear is suppose to be the car will do nothing. If you put it in the third gear location the car will move normal as if it's first gear.
Also the car is smoking once it heats up, dripping out of the exhaust once you shut it off...

We sent the car to a local Porsche specialist to have it checked out and they said the rings are either worn or cracked causing the oil passing "without doing a compression test because they won't show anything"... Also that the gearbox needs to be rebuilt and that when he took it for a test drive "first gear and reverse work fine but there is no second or third" No grinds/noises, nothing at all. He did not try fourth or fifth...
He advised my father that it is nothing worth repairing and the total cost to fix the engine and transmission would be around $20-25,000 and that it's not worth it... He was also very persistent that he should sell the car and that he knew a couple people that are interested in buying it for a race car as is because they would just gut it and throw in there own drivetrain...

I really feel as if the guy is trying to rip him off and buy the car for cheap money knowing it's an easy fix... He knows my father got the car for less than half the value... The only reason we sent the car there is because this is the first Porsche we've ever dealt with and not having a lift.

I understand you guys can't check the car out in person and are going by what I say but any advice will be greatly appreciated.

poorsha · 07-17-2013, 03:30 PM

Where are you located?

howard freeman · howard freeman's Garage

Shifter problems may be bad shift bushings. Where are you located???

Jdub · 07-17-2013, 03:38 PM

Well you certainly came to the right place. Please post pics.

Where are you located?

bgib123 · 07-17-2013, 03:50 PM

I was thinking it could be the shifter/trans bushings also but we decided to send it to a specialist so they could just go over the car and tell us whats wrong/possibly fix it.

Located in Southern Maine/NH

Also the previous owner stated he purchased the car for his girlfriend at the time 10+ years ago in perfect working order and would drive the car around his yard from time to time until the clutch engagement issue happened... The car has a "Don's Porsche sticker" from MA and that the engine was built by them 30k ago.

The car is currently at the other guys garage, we just got the news today so I can't take any pictures of the engine... But here are some pictures of when we first got it.

tirwin · tirwin's Garage

I'd certainly be suspicious.

The gear problem could be a simple shift coupler alignment problem. I'd check that first. Plenty of threads on here explain it. Pull up the carpet in the back seat at the hump in the floorboard. There will be a piece of sheetmetal and four screws underneath. Try to adjust the coupler and if you get all the gears to engage properly, then test out the tranny further. If that's an easy fix I'd say someone is trying to take you for a ride.

Trackrash · Trackrash's Garage

When you inspect the shift coupler, check for any play. Look around for small pieces of plastic in the boot. The black plastic bushings in the coupler can suddenly self destruct causing the problem you describe.

pete3799 · pete3799's Garage

That is not a competent garage.....compression test won't tell you anything? He didn't try 4th or 5th?
This could be as simple as a new shift coupler bushing and an adjustment.......or not.
A good shop would have looked at the bushing at the least.
A car that has been sitting for a long time will smoke.
Find a Porsche specific shop and have them give it a once over.

Trackrash · Trackrash's Garage

Read here.
http://www.pelicanparts.com/techarticles/101_Projects_Porsche_911/37-Shifting_Improvements/37-Shifting_Improvements.htm

szyzygy · szyzygy's Garage

20-25K for a new tranny and engine? I call BS on that.

timmy2 · timmy2's Garage

Welcome aboard, nice looking car.
Search "Italian tune up" and "Shift coupler".
Then decide.

Discseven · Discseven's Garage

Bgib123, I'm in agreement with Pete and Szyzygy... I would not trust the mechanic you went to AT ALL.

thumbdoctor · thumbdoctor's Garage

I agree with all above. I have restored many P cars including transaxle overhauls. The most likely candidate for the oil smoke is the exhaust valve seals/guides and the missing gears are as easy as a couple of gear selector bushings. Politely tell the Porsche specialist to seek other employment opportunities.

bgib123 · 07-17-2013, 05:48 PM

Thanks for the info guys... We'll definitely be looking into it this weekend when we have a trailer. The only reason we choose that shop is because Porsches are the only vehicles they deal with and have been working on them for 40 years... Had no clue they were going to be such crooks, should have posted up the info on here before making that choice... Lesson learned!
I've never had such detailed and quick responses on any forum I've ever been apart of... I really appreciate it.
Tomorrow when we get the keys I'll snap a picture of the engine and post it up to see what you guys think.
Thanks again

McLaren-TAG · McLaren-TAG's Garage

... and a Targa would not be the first choice for someone wanting to make a race car. something smells and it may be your mechanic.

47silver · 47silver's Garage

was the car shifted dry by anyone? say as it sat and perhaps some young lads were allowed to play with it? this could have caused the shifter linkage to become maladjusted.
the smoke may go away upon driving,, however you definately should change the oil and filter.

timmy2 · timmy2's Garage

Please get a manual and read up on filling the oil in the car. Full operating temperature and running when you check it parked on level ground.
Overfilling will make them smoke like crazy.
The advanced search function works well for all of your questions.

turborat · turborat's Garage

Wow! You're father is being played for sure. Trying to steal the car. Get the car back as soon as you can. I hope the ransom is not too bad. Shifter bushings with proper adjustment will solve the gearbox issue. School youself on proper oil level and see if it still smokes and wets the exhaust. If so, it probably one or more exhaust valve guides or seals worn or damaged Get a proper leakdown and compression test. Not likely to be rings. Hard to say what was done during the rebuild without documention and who knows what the past 30,000 miles have brought. I have seen an inner valve spring break and wear away a seal. This puts a lot of oil into the combustion chamber. A budget rebuild would likely reuse valve springs. That's my .02.

hazelmrzv · 07-17-2013, 08:40 PM

Shifter problems may be bad shift bushings.

Winter · 07-17-2013, 08:52 PM

Do as suggested, get car outta there fast, once they know you are not going to be suckered, they'll try to bend you over on the storage fees. Then try adjusting the shifter via the tech forum instructions, also check bushings (hell, they are cheap enough that you could order the replacement kit and just do the job). Then start on the oil leaks. Post pics, ask questions and if you get stumped or need some extra hands, Pelicans like beer. Offer some up and you'll find some local forum members who will be happy to help out in person.

Good luck with the car. You've come to the right place