'77 911 S Targa 2.7

[timz]

You may have a decent car there. It sounds like the necessary upgrades have been done and if a PPI check out, a car that will serve you well. That being said I wouldn't pay over 10K for it. You may want to check it it has a factory external cooler. Mine came with a trombone cooler that so far keeps the car cool. If you do a search for mid-year cars and reliabilty you will probably finds some threads with useful info.

[Doug Steinel]

Jaxon,

Since I have a '77 and live in DC, the engine oil temperatures I encounter would have some bearing on what you should expect. During the summer here, it is not uncommon to have the ambient temp in the mid 90s. In Washington, I can be flying along the Beltway on such a day and hit 230 degrees. The problem occurs when you meet a traffice jam, which you know are common here. In that stop and go traffic, the oil temp climbs.... 240....250....260. I can't even drive because I can't take my eyes off the oil temp gauge. I have the so-called trombone front oil cooler. It is insufficient. This summer I will upgrade to a Mocal oil cooler with a fan and I hope things will be OK. As it is now, I am afraid to take my car to a Driver's Ed because of this temperature problem.

[jaxon]

Great input.

I've lived in DC, or it's suburbs all of my life. When the pro tennis tour plays here during one of our heat spells, they say it's as hot as anywhere they've played. The car currently resides in a cooler climate.

Steinel, you are talking me out of this one.

I guess I could hope to get it for $6k and if things don't work out, put in a 3.0!

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Jaxon

[Doug Steinel]

Jaxon,

My '77 wore out its original 2.7 after 70k miles. Rather than rebuild the 2.7, the PO bought a 3.0L engine from an '82 SC and dropped that engine in. Now all I have to worry about is those broken Dilavar studs which, apparently, is not a heat related issue. There are plenty of Porsches in the DC area and I would look at a good number before biting. Next month at Hershey PA there will be many cars for sale at the Swap Meet. Maybe you should look there. I know many Pelicans will be in attendance.

[jaxon]

Doug-

You still have an engine heat issue with the 3.0?

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Jaxon

[marcesq]

In this area while stopped in summer traffic you could have a heat issue unless you have a front oil cooler with a fan.

The area around the cooler should be shrouded so air is forced through the cooler rather than around it.

[Doug Steinel]

Jaxon,

Yes I still have excessive oil temps with the 3.0L. That is why I am going to upgrade the trombone cooler to a radiator style with a fan.

[TSwede]

Sometimes I go to places in the summer and get stuck on the motorway.. I've had the oil light flicker on because the oil gets so hot it thins out...

What is a good source of info and parts (pref in the UK) for oil cooler stuff.. and any tech tips??

Ta

[Doug Steinel]

BAT, a UK company makes a good oil cooler for 911s. Go to
www.thinkauto.co.uk

Doug

[47silver]

rust: rust: rust
check at at the targa bar area under the fenderwell for rust....nasty business.
gary

[jaxon]

Do the 3.2's and 3.6's have the same issue in really hot climates?

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Jaxon

[Rouxzy]

I have a '77 Targa with 140K miles and no rebuilds of any kind thus far. All the updates had been done by the original owner who ordered the car when she lived in Texas, then moved to San Fran. 15 years later. $13k might not be bad if she is ready to go and the interior is in premo shape. Just remember All Porsches sooner or later will cost you money.
Tom