964 oil leaks

964C2 · 07-20-2003, 07:33 PM

I want to do a Top-end rebuild on my 120K Miles 1990 C2 due to oil leaks from the #3 Cylinder joint (also fixing all other oil leaks from the top of the top of the engine) and currently shopping for good and reasonable shops around the Bay Area. I've already taken the engine down and its seating in the long block. So far I've been quoted prices between $3000 - $7000 for the Top-end rebuild. The higher $ included replacing the barrels and pistons and machine work to shave the cylinder face.

My question is: what is the correct repair/rebuild/update procedure for fixing the case-cylinder joint leaks on the 964 C2?

Thanks,

FRED/LI · 07-21-2003, 04:23 AM

There are O rings seated within channels in the case halves where the cylinder is inserted.

964C2 · 07-21-2003, 10:26 AM

So aside from the O-rings that need to be replaced, I remember the issue with this year was that there is no gasket between the case and the cylinders and the update is to put one in. But from what I've been told, will need to change the pistons and barrels and machining of the cylinders for the gaskets to fit in.

Is this correct?

Thanks,

Bill Verburg · Bill Verburg's Garage

I think that 2 different leaks are being confused here. The head/cyl. leak can only be fixed by replacing p/c and machining the heads for an o-ring type headgasket. Jeff Curtis over on Rennlist just went through this procedure.

The other leak is at the cylinder base. The 964/993 uses a silicon o-ring in a groove machined in the spiggot and cyl. bases. Replacement of the o'ring is the usual cure, but additional peace of mind can be obtained by using Dow Corning 730 anerobic sealent along w/ or in lieu of the stock o-rings. There is no other gasket for the cyl. bases

964C2 · 07-21-2003, 09:08 PM

I don't see the leak coming from the head/cylinder...only from the cylinder base. So, I guess that's good news. But, would you recommend to have it done anyway?

Does anybody have any experience with Motormeister down in Downey?

Bill Verburg · Bill Verburg's Garage

If it was my car I would definitely repair the base leak and while the engine was apart replace the p/c and do the head work. But thats me.

I have no experience w/ MM but strongly urge you to search for others opinions. The search function here is a powerful tool.

hugo454 · 07-22-2003, 04:14 PM

MOTORSHEISTER is the correct spelling

JonSeigel · 07-22-2003, 04:55 PM

Motor Meister has an incredibly bad reputation on the 911 board. I would suggest The Stable in SF. They have a great rep and all they work on is air cooled Porches. There is also a place in Campbell (CT or something like that) that has a good rep.

Good luck

964C2 · 07-22-2003, 07:04 PM

Thanks for the heads up on MM! I had some reservations when I check the BAR and found some negative reports. How about engine rebuilders in the East Bay? European AutoTech? Deutch Motor?

How about a machine shop that I can send the entire long block or the top-end to?

-And Bill, that is exactly what I'm going to do.

robinaube · 08-12-2003, 10:58 AM

The Bay-area PCA club has a list of local mechanics on their web site. I recommend contacting any of them to discuss the details of conversion. Also do a thorough search of both Pelican and Rennlist for opinions on which have good reputations.

http://www.pca-ggr.org/localmechanics.html

slider · 08-21-2003, 12:18 PM

There is a good shop in Crocket (across the bridge from Vallejo) called P.B.R. Restorations - ask for Pete - 510-787-2200. Had him update my 3.0 chain tensioners on my 79 SC. good work and good guy. Price was reasonable also

Garrett · 08-22-2003, 09:56 PM

S-Car-Go Racing in San Rafael is a great group of guys for all kinds of 911 stuff. Give them a call to see how they can help; they've always been great.

964C2 · 09-15-2003, 11:14 PM

Thanks for all your replies.

After much research and contemplation, I decided to contact Walt @ Competition Engineering. He gave a fair estimate on the work I needed, and so, a month ago I drove my engine down to Walt's shop in Lake Isabella. At the time, Walt and Werner were working on several race engines, and because of his workload my engine would take about a month and half to finish.

I personally saw the SERDI, and the race engines he was working on, and obliged me with a tour of the shop. Very low profile....you'd never know it was there.

He has now cracked open the heads and pulled the cylinders. Walt found that my 90 3.6L had black dilavar head studs...is that normal? Anyway, he recommended that I change it so I got some RaceWare head studs. There were some bad news and some good news. Bad news...#8 bearing seal leaked (he's going to try to fix), good news...the engine did not burn oil.

To date, Walt has been great with providing me with updates with the progress on the engine, and any additional work that he recommends to be done.

I will give updates of my experience with CE when I get my engine back.