Anyone rebuild their own 2.7?

[privatepang]

So just a lead on from my engine options for 75 911s topic, clutchmonkey brought up an interesting idea of rebuilding the 2.7 myself. I have little mechanical background but do have waynes book and the thought has crossed my mind to give it a go but thought id ask here. Has anyone done a rebuild themselves on a 2.7? Would you recommend it ? Did a bit of research on PP and main diff ive noticed with other engine rebuilds is the amount of machining required which tends to blur the line of cost effectiveness vs swap. Other than  that, is the rest of it doable jusy referencing the book ?

 

My biggest concern is that I spend all this money on parts and end up doing a crap job and having to get it professionally rebuilt after Ive bodged it. Other concern is amt of time it would take for an amateur to finish the job. 

If I was to do it, id want to do a few upgrades. Already have carrera chain tensioners and turbo valve covers so would be things like new pistons, booring it out to a 2.9 sounds interesting. Again Im a noob so would be interested from people who have done it before. Would think itd be a great learning experience. 

[Russ]

do you have a 7R case?  If you have a 4R or something I'm not sure i'd stress it by increasing the deplacement. If you want to go to a 2.9 get a 7R case and build something.

how did you determine you need to do an engine rebuild/replacement in the first place?

[clutch-monkey]

what's needed to be done? i think taking it apart to replace seals, consumeables, piston rings etc for a basic refresh is very doable by a novice- increasing displacement to 2.9 i'm not sure: never done it- if it's a case of simply buying a new set of pistons/barrels and bolting them in, wouldn't be out of reach either. 

 

[privatepang]

Need to replace head studs as a few have pulled out for sure so guess will need to install case savers and told I need to time cert the new studs? Yea I got a 7r case. 

Yea not a definite to increase to 2.9 but guess hoping for feedback on which upgrades are worth doing if im going down this route. Sure its a slippery slope but ive made the call that I plan on keeping this car for the long haul. 

 

 

[LeeM]

Just my opinion here.

You made the point of potentially doing a crap job on it, then having to pay someone to undo your mistakes.

I don't mean to be rude here, but its a specialists job, and a specialist should do it. 

If you build it (awesome that you want to have a go at it) yet IF you do something that ends up with a piston through the side of the block, youre in BIG trouble as you would know.

 I've built motors by the book before many years ago, bikes and cars, and its not hard, yet a Porsche motor, I wouldn't touch it if ya paid me! 

 

[Stew F]

IMO, time & cleanliness are two key things that I've kept in mind when building engines.  If you can't satisfy these 2 basic conditions for starters, forget it.  Clean work area, clean tools, clean parts, clean hands, lint free cloths.  I even wore one of those Tyvek space suits at times.  Never done a Porsche, but I would, given the opportunity.  I would probably want to do it in my kitchen.

Course it pays to have an fair idea about what you're doing.

[Dusty]

It truly is not rocket science to replace the head studs from experience but my engine was a 3.0 aluminium case, not magnesium. From what I've read on magnesium cases you will more than likely need the services of an experienced machinist to make good possible warping but apart from that as Stew F says, time and cleanliness will get you through. 

The best resources are the Bentley manual and Dempsey's Engine rebuild book. No internet thread can help you as much as either of those books and many threads will just complicate the process. 

[neill]

I am thinking of going down this exact route too. Also have a 7r case and the dash of the car says its only done 76,000k's (whether this is true or not, I'm not to know, it's an imported car).

I would also like to go to 2.8 to keep in line with the 2.8 RSR's I am basing a lot of my build on.

Bodywork to go first so I'm a little way off, so keen to see how you go.

[clutch-monkey]

i've done a refresh and it went fine, with some one talking me through it in spots, i am unsure about changing displacement with new pistons/barrels - would be interested to hear if it's a bolt in proposition.

[MFX]

I am in the same position as well. I have a 7R case too, but I have a heap of body work to tackle before I get on to the rebuild. I look forward to see how you go. I think if you follow th bibles and take your time you will be ok (at least that is what I am hoping). 

[privatepang]

Thanks for the feedback guys. Guess ill start with reading dempseys book and picking up a bentley. 

 

 

[Pfitz911]

im keen to attempt this too. Damn it, I'm a physio, but I am super keen to learn. My 77 911s doesn't  need anything yet, but I'm getting my knowledge base up now for when the time comes. I also just can't afford to pay someone 20 k for a top and bottom end rebuild. I would also be keen to know if a 2.8 upgrade is bolt on or does extra boring need to be done? there's also video I've ordered (well if asked my wife for Christmas!!) that goes through the rebuild of a 964 3.6. I've emailed the guy and he says there are many similarities with th 2.7. One quote I like from their website is that they "remove the fear factor step by step"!!

i figure I'll start a thread when I do it and get the good people of this forum to check my work step by step (probably have the cams timed professionally)