Just picked up 911S... couple questions
 

Looking at my buddies 1977 911S, 170,000 miles on the clock. has after market muffler, so not the thermal reactors, and he and his dad (prev owner) don't know if there was any work done with installing time certs.

Is there a way to check that the issue of head bolts being pulled out has been addressed? I recall it's either change over to Divilar or install time certs. I've also read in the Porsche buying guide that if it's over 50K miles, no issue should appear.

only have experience with the 911SC, which is an engine of an entirely different nature....

Thanks!

J

I dont have much experience with the high Mg content motors but I would think that a leak down would indicate if the studs were pulling? Also maybe a careful torque of the head bolts?

Also muffler change does not mean the thermal reactors are gone - would require the exhaust manifolds be changed. The thermal reactors are up close to the heads on the exh manifolds.

Fair point on the headers. Muffler AND header changed.

Other issues. Welded in new battery box. Clean pro job. Door stop torn and replaced. Otherwise super clean.

170K on a 77 with the original engine is a lot of miles so you are probably right about it having been upgraded. If it originally had thermal reactors I would suggest that the engine is rebuilt with the usual improvements including case thread reinforcement of some kind. You can check the head studs by removing the lower valve covers for a look. With a torgue wrench set to 15 lb-foot you can test their integrity without creating a problem. Post some photos here and maybe someone can render an informed opinion.

Actually now that i think about it as long as the rings are sealed to the cylinders and the valves and guides are in good shape a leak or compression check would not show a head stud problem. They could all be broken or pulled and it could potentially seal.

I think some times you can see leaks at the cylinder base at the case that can indicate the cylinders are not tight against the case.

While I don't know how well it was kept up. My 77 911 S still has the original engine, and thermal reactors. I've got 141,000 on the clock and she still runs great. Most of the "mid year" cars do leak some oil so I'd also look into where the leaks are.......most you can do yourself.

I think with a reputalble PPI you'll know more than enough about the engine and any issues.

Sounds good! Thanks! I dropped the engine in my SC did all the leaks... well, most of them.... planned on doing that with this if I get it..... and pretty much the studs are the only question at this point....

... update to the story.... I finally got over to check the headstuds after being out of country for a few weeks... They all are solid and I put about 13 lbs on the allen key to test them... no issues. It also looks like the engine (at least the top was redone) as I noticed the scribe marks to keep track of the rocker arms that rebuilders use....

just leaks oil like a sieve, and the helper spring is broken, but that's about it... driving it tomorrow....

Has anyone seen the little hole on the left of the deck grill? Deck is aftermarket, for sure, maybe the hole is covered by the stock grill?http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1497229232.png

Has anyone seen the little hole on the left of the deck grill about 5/8 in diameter? Deck grill is aftermarket, for sure, maybe the hole is covered by the stock grill?

trying to upload pict, and being challenged....

5/8" sounds pretty big. Not sure on this model, but the older cars all have an extra hole that is a drain, I would say 6mm diameter tops, so more like 1/8".

Maybe someone will chime on on if AC cars have some sort of mount for the condenser there.

Welcome. Can't wait to see a pic. I don't know of any hole that big in the deck lid grill. There shouldn't be any holes in the grill at all that I know of. Maybe someone had a badge there or something?

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1497316970.gif

As mentioned, definitely some random aftermarket grill.... but what's that hole? I suppose it's also possible that the decklid isn't from that model and is from a later year that had a rear windshield wiper.... not sure on the compatability....

BTW, what a stupid system to upload picts.... definitely not an upgrade with the size limitation..

I dont think thats an aftermarket grill?

No idea what the hole is

OK, interesting.... looks a lot different than my 1980 SC grill.... this one is metal, and doesn't seem to quite fit right. I hadn't done much research but thought they were plastic?....originally...

I think the hole was for that high tech phone antenna back in the day

Bullet hole.

The grills were aluminum up until (i thought) the SC when they went to PLastic. The switch may have been with the 74-77 cars?

hole is for a rear wiper.

Grille is 72-73, or could be 70-71 painted black. Someone drilled out the original solid rivets on the bars and replaced with blind rivets.