What's a ballpark price to for an SC valve adjustment?

[PushingMyLuck]

What's a ballpark price for an SC valve adjustment? $700?

[Ronnie's.930]

I have a friend who is a German car tech and he says that 6-8 hundred is a typical shop charge for 911 valve lash adjustments in the Dallas Tx area.

[bbt]

I agree with Ronnie930 on this. Six to eight hundred is about right. The last time I had this done it was about 800 or so, but I had some other small stuff done too. If you can, get multiple quotes. In the Boston area, there is a wide range of shops and costs, and a some are thieves.

[rick-l]

I'm glad i do this myself and it does not take me 9 hours like the price implies.

[Peter Zimmermann]

3 hours labor for models without A/C; 3.5 hours for models with factory A/C; 4 hours for models with after market A/C. Add a VC gasket set (about $70 for a Wrightwood Racing kit), 10 quarts of oil (about $60 for Valvoline VR-1), and an oil filter. Keep in mind that after a valve adjustment the fuel mixture should be checked/set; which would be an extra .5 hour.

Slightly more if the tech finds a broken head stud.

[john walker's workshop]

i do 3.5 hours labor, $35 for a gasket set and $60 oil (kendall 20/50) and filter. $480. don't care if it has a/c or not. $600- $800, boy i'd like to get that, but it seems like a rip-off.

[yelcab1]

Slightly more if the tech finds a broken stud ... and put it back not fixed.
A lot more if the pulls the engine and strips it for stud replacement.

[PushingMyLuck]

For which year 911's is the stud bolt issue the most prevalent?

If you did it yourself, it is about $100 in parts then?

Is valve adjustment a reasonable DIY for a weekend wrencher with basic skills and a basic toolset? (No lift, etc)

Dempsey's book has it as "level 2" and 3 hours.
http://www.pelicanparts.com/techarticles/101_Projects_Porsche_911/18-Valve_Adjustment/18-Valve_Adjustment.htm

Reading it over, it seems straightforward with few moving parts.
The main issue would be having a knack for how tight that feeler gauge step should be?
I bet an experienced pro can do this job pretty quickly? Like 1.5 to 2 hours?

[afterburn 549]

Originally Posted by yelcab1

Slightly more if the tech finds a broken stud ... and put it back not fixed.
A lot more if the pulls the engine and strips it for stud replacement.

"slightly More" for a broken stud ! LOL
That right there is funny no matter who you are !

[Flat6pac]

I would order the Stomski valve adjustment dial gauge, no fooling with feeler gauges and you know with one rock that youre on the money.
Bruce

[PushingMyLuck]

Originally Posted by Flat6pac

I would order the Stomski valve adjustment dial gauge, no fooling with feeler gauges and you know with one rock that youre on the money.
Bruce

Do you have a link for that tool?

[PushingMyLuck]

Do people use this alternative method of adjusting valves?
Pelican Technical Article: 911 Valve Adjustment - The Backside Method

[PushingMyLuck]

If you did it the traditional way, all you need is this $5 gauge?
Porsche Valve Adjusting Tool: Accessories &amp Tools Related

[Bob Kontak]

Originally Posted by PushingMyLuck

If you did it the traditional way, all you need is this $5 gauge?
Porsche Valve Adjusting Tool: Accessories &amp Tools Related

That is all you need.

Be comfortable feeling like a fat handed geek on the first few valves.

For each valve spin the engine and double check. Go back and double check after you are done. Every stinking one. You will be way better than when you started.

So what if it takes you eight hours. Three hours per Wayne's book is for someone who has done it before. For noobs like you and me, put your watch on the kitchen counter.

[Jack Stands]

That's what I've used for the last 36 years. You do need to replace the feeler blades after a while, or just buy another tool.

Never tried the Stomski tool, but it should make it foolproof.

[Bob Kontak]

Originally Posted by PushingMyLuck

Do people use this alternative method of adjusting valves?

Yes but don't your first time through. It's not as intuitive as the basic method.

Use it after you are done with the basic method as a triple check if you are into the OCD thing.

[joefrantz]

Originally Posted by Flat6pac

I would order the Stomski valve adjustment dial gauge, no fooling with feeler gauges and you know with one rock that youre on the money.
Bruce

I like this idea. I didn't know about the Stomski tool, but made something similar. I've done it with the feeler gauge as well, but being an amateur I don't think I will ever do it often enough to get comfortable that I'm getting the right result.

The digital dial gauge puts you right on the money.

Joe

[Ronnie's.930]

Originally Posted by PushingMyLuck

Do people use this alternative method of adjusting valves?
Pelican Technical Article: 911 Valve Adjustment - The Backside Method

I use the backside method and much prefer it to the traditional way because it eliminates needless adjustments, and to me, is relatively easy to understand, but I have around 30 years of experience measuring valve lash on many types of engines. Some people really dislike it, however. If you do a search for "backside method" you will find many threads on the subject.

That said, I like the sounds of the Stomski tool that was mentioned and am going to look into that. I also like the homemade fixture of Joe's - nice!

[Kidasters]

Stomski kit here:

Digital Dial Gauge, Stomski - ************, Classic Parts & mechanical Restorations for Porsche®

Valve Timing Bridge - ************ Classic Porsche Parts and Restoration Services For Porsche

[PushingMyLuck]

If the book says 3 hours, I would set aside 2 full weekend days.
It makes sense to do it the traditional way before trying shortcuts