1974 911S Need assistance with Engine build plans

[David Borden]

I have a 1974 Porsche 911 S that I’ve posted about on Pelican previously. The car is in very good condition with a quality windows out respray in the original 036 Salmon Metallic color. The interior has also been re-done in its original colors as well. Its a very solid and clean car with no rust found when doing the paint.

Car has about 150K. We just went through the transmission with a full rebuild and now we are on to the engine.

We have what we believe is the original 2.7 torn down and I am at an impasse.

Do I spent the $ required to build the 2.7 correctly by having the case gone through with a line bore and case savers etc. (There were no pulled head studs found after tearing the engine down)

The other option is to box up those parts and rebuild a 3.0 SC engine I have available. Both will require a rebuild… Doing this would require absorbing the value of a solid 3.0 core into the sunk costs of the 74 along with the 2.7.

I’m thinking the smart thing to do for value is to stick with the 2.7 engine but would appreciate some input on how either choice would affect the value of the car.

David

[dwelle]

i'd rebuild the 2.7, definitely do the case work, and take some liberties to get more HP...

[1979-930]

Lets say you rebuild and install the 3.0L and are ready to sell.
If I were the buyer I would discount the car based on knowing I would need to remove the 3.0L and have the 2.7L rebuilt and installed. Big Discount
Or I'm a buyer that doesn't want a matching numbers car because I can't afford one. Smaller Discount.
Either way you'll take a hit on sales price.

I think the money spent on fixing the 2.7L now will get you the best price and be an easier sell when the time comes.

[996AE]

My 1976 911S 2.7 rebuilt with all the updates was a screamer and the sound of a sport exhaust and a balanced build is sweet

Find a good shop and save the 2.7

[juanbenae]

can't you determine if it is actually the original motor that came with the car? such a beautiful middie with even a non numbers matching 2.7 done right will hold value over the 3.oL motor transplant everyday. if you are going to pay to rebuild a motor it cant hurt maintaining the originality/desirability/value the 2.7 presents.

i know certs of authenticity from porsche now for our cars is stupid expensive, but aren't there other opportunities to find motor numbers or even docs you may have in hand? that car seems like it would have it's original owner manuals around. i seem to recall motor and transmission numbers in the docs of my ultra original SC and bastardized 75 manuals.

[Macroni]

Nice middie, unique color.... rebuild 2.7....... no doubt..... you can build it to almost the same power.

[David Borden]

Thanks gents great feedback. 2.7 it is! That's the way I was leaning... I appreciate the confirmation.

When I purchased the car many years ago, the seller told me the engine was original to the car although I dont have a Certificate of Authenticity and as mentioned by Juan, apparently they dont offer those anymore and the alternative, the Porsche Classic Technical Certificate costs $500 which seems excessive.

With that said, my engine builder did look up the engine number and car and it falls in the correct range.

Juan, thanks for the tips, I will dig through my paperwork and see if I can find anything. I was told the car was sold new at Niello in Sacramento, so I wonder if they might have something in their records they would be willing to share?

David

[jhynesrockmtn]

Beautiful car! 2.7 all the way. Originality has become more and more important. I found the engine number on the original maintenance book and owners documents for the 1970 914 I picked up last summer. Hopefully you will as well. Kardex were no longer available at this point correct?

[Matt Monson]

Good choice.

I've got a set of new 2.7 RS p&c for sale cheap in the classifieds.

[Mocker]

Originally Posted by Matt Monson

Good choice.

I've got a set of new 2.7 RS p&c for sale cheap in the classifieds.

Just because I'm curious--can those P&Cs be used with this car's CIS, or would they require an RS MFI system?