If it were my engine, I'd just split the case and make sure what's wrong. My philosophy since I started dabbling with the 911 engine is, " IF YOU CAN'T "SEE" THE PROBLEM, THEN DIG IN AND FIND IT." Sure, narrow it down to something from experience, but when you still can't figure it out, time to get out the wrenchs and work from A to Z. Sometimes if you find one thing wrong it can affect something else, so finding one thing doesn't mean you have fixed everything. **Also, I diden't realize, if I'm hearing you correctly, if a novice, NON Porsche guy messed with the bottom end then I wouldn't think twice about redoing the short block completely. He may have reused all the rod bolts, which you should never do. Maybe one of those is wedged in on something, but like I said, better to know than guess. Too bad you are 3000 miles away, I would have been glad to help you in person. With removal and rockers out, you have about a 80% tear down already. Ther rest is the easy parts. Tear down cost nothing. I just got a quote today for 766. I can get everything for rebuild. Gasket set, Top and bottom, all bearings, ramps, intake hoses, head gaskets, exhaust gaskets. Heck you'd spend more if a shop did a tune up. See the start of my build in this same forum catogory " 3.0 SC Rattle found..... " I'm done with tear down and just power washed my case.
Glad to answer what I can for you. Just ask. RelaySwitcher.
