[The Donkey]

Still looking. Anyone know of a good motor?

[markwemple]

The saga continues!

[Rick V]

Originally Posted by markwemple

The saga continues!

I'm working on it Mark, be patient.

[}{arlequin]

i'm not sure what your goal is but since this thread started i've seen 4 motors come and go. here's what i've encountered: you do it yourself, it will take a long time, you'll wait on various shops w/ turnaround time (they have many more valuable customers than you which is why your machine shop work won't be coming back 'in two weeks'). i believe jim richards waited for stuff 5-6 months.... and then you still end up paying 2x more than you thought you would.

a ratty motor will run you between $2500-$5000 and may last a long time or may last one season. history of the car will help you determine that.

a rebuilt motor can be purchased for $8-$9k. unless you want the do-it-yourself experience, this seems like the best option. if joe blow built it in his yard, it's a 'maybe' at best. if there is paperwork on who/from which shop etc. did the rebuild, along w/ a build sheet, that's what i'd go for.

[The Donkey]

Agreed on all points. There have been a number of motors that I have looked at seriously. Probably 4 or 5 I think. I have either had PPI's done on them or the seller did some investigative work for me. All of these motors that were claimed to be low miles or running strong, etc. had either head stud issues or needed a top end. Some of these even had leadkdowns in the 1-2% range but needed a top end per the independent mechanic. I don't doubt that all of these motors do run nice and strong but they are problems waiting to happen. Other motors are just priced too high in my opinion and I passed.

My ideal situation would be to have a local rebuild it for me but that is difficult since there are no local aircooled 911 mechanics other than Rick V. and he has enough on his plate.

I have patience so I can wait for a motor from this region or a Dorki or I can come to the other option of shipping it to John Walker.

Or I could sell it right now and start all over. Probably the easiest option.

[BlackTalon]

You could always haul your motor up to NoVa or MD and have it rebuilt by a shop in this area...

[}{arlequin]

Originally Posted by The Donkey

My ideal situation would be to have a local rebuild it for me but that is difficult since there are no local aircooled 911 mechanics other than Rick V. and he has enough on his plate.

how far are you from blacksburg?

[Mike W]

Well, based on your own observations, and I'm sure you don't want to pay for many many PPI's.

I would:

1) Wait for Rick to have time so he can rebuild it for you and you can trust that it was done correctly.
2) Send it off to John Walker
or
3) Bring it up here to a shop with a good reputation and have it rebuilt.

Rebuilding is probably your best option. That way, it is both fresh and done correctly, as well as built to your specifications. It may be a little more $ then finding a good used engine, but at least you know it will have been done properly. It is probably the only way to avoid any possible future problems waiting to happen.

[Mike W]

Originally Posted by }{arlequin

how far are you from blacksburg?

2 hrs drive.

[The Donkey]

yep, i just looked. it is 149 miles to Blacksburg. Do you have someone there I can call?

The NOVA idea is a good one and one that I have researched a bit. I called ASG and they said they could do it but couldn't give me any indication without taking the car there. Their prices started in the 12k range.

I spoke to J.Walker. He said all it probably needs is a valve grind, studs, rings, gaskets, etc., chains, ramps, tensioner upgrade and probably machine work on the 6th cylinder. He was in the 5,800 range for that by giving him my local mechanics diagnosis. That was what he said most 92k mile SC motors need and then with the info I gave him that was his best guess. I think JW is very highly regarded but I have some concern about shipping the motor across the country.

Checking outside of C'ville is where my question about Lufteknic came from and that didn't go over well.

You are right on the PPI's. They are getting expensive so I am being a bit more cautious about which motors I even get to the PPI point.