Stem seal replacement (in-car)

[3literpwr]

I've got two 911's as of now, one is a rally project that's taking some time and the other is an 87' that I bought with 70k miles a couple years back after sitting for 14 years. The car was owned by a friends father who lost interest and just stored the car. When the car was removed from storage much of the fuel system needed to be clean or replaced due to crud. I've enjoyed the car for about 10k miles and the car has smoked on start and decel for much of this. I assume that the old stem seals and possibly guides are toast. I've heard about people doing in-car changes and i'd be willing to give this a go assuming the guides are not all whopped out. Has anyone actually done this? Is there room with the engine installed to do it?

Another option would be to install my hot 10.7:1 PMO, DC60 rally motor in the car and do a proper overhaul on the 3.2. Just not looking to lose the entire summer with parts stuck in the machine shop or my work bench.

[gtc]

That's pretty typical mileage for the late 3.2 valve guide wear to appear. Time for a valve job.

[darrin]

what's your oil consumption? Cat bypass or cat still in (a cat significantly masks smoke)? If over 1k miles per quart, you may still have some time before needed.

Not sure how you'd r&r valves with the engine in place, seems to require head removal to accomplish.

[john walker's workshop]

You won't get the viton stem seals off after removing the spring. Hard enough with the heads apart and on the bench. They really get a grip.

[Sway Bar]

The effort to do an in car attempt to find out it's not worth it doesn't make sense when you have the option of another motor?

Spend the weekend on the swap and rebuilt the 3.2 for the long haul. Sounds like your nice hot motor would be sitting collecting dust for a while anyway might as well have fun with it.

OR, just deal with a bit of smoke/oil use for now.

[HaroldMHedge]

Are you also having oil leakage in the triangle of death? If so it might be your crankcase vent is leaking in air as well as oil. I just replaced my vent line and now I only smoke at start up after sitting for most of a week.

Harold

[TT Oversteer]

I've done stem seal replacement on a 3.2 installed in the car. It's a *****. There are special tools available to compress the spring and remove the keepers. Would I do it again? No. The worst part about this job is that it had no effect on oil consumption. New valve stem seals won't fix worn valve guides. Do it right: pull the motor and do a valve job. You'll be much happier....

[3literpwr]

I'll likely nurse the car this summer (1.5qts every fill up) and dig in later. I want to keep my focus on my rally project and new business now. 911 engines are a slippery slope and before I know it, it'll be a 3.4 with cams, fancy bolts and whatnot.

[yelcab1]

I don't get it.

Working on your back or bent over the engine in the car...

Or

Working standing up over the engine on a stand and heads on a bench

It takes a morning to remove that engine. My personal record is 2 hours. Why fudge with it in the car?

[Discseven]

Originally Posted by 3literpwr

Just not looking to lose the entire summer with parts stuck in the machine shop or my work bench.

I'd drive it as is and pull engine come winter.

Nice looking P and engine build.