In a surprising turn of events, a recently sold classic Porsche 911, thought to have a minor oil leak, has become the centre of attention here at Paul Stephens, as a routine sales preparation revealed hidden complications that led to a full-fledged engine rebuild and more.
Having recently been rebuilt elsewhere, the initial concern centred around what was assumed to be an oil leak from the rear main seal, a common problem on all 911 engines. We removed the engine and gearbox from the car, and upon closer examination, it was discovered that the rear main seal was still in good condition, contrary to expectations. Instead, the source of the oil issue was traced back to the engine case halves, prompting the need for a full engine strip. To add to the complexity, a hairline crack was discovered on one of the case halves when the engine was dismantled.
Given that the engine was not original for the car and was beyond economical repair, the decision was made to replace the cases. Seizing the opportunity, the team opted for Porsche Classic’s recent run of new magnesium 2.7 cases (Part No. 911 101 001 45) and are now in the process of measuring everything up and rebuilding the engine back to the coveted 2.7 RS specification.
Though faced with a longer wait than anticipated during our extended rebuild with the engine, this has allowed the new client to commission additional restoration work on the chassis and suspension. This includes restoring the rear trailing arms and the underside of the shell, replacing bushes, new fuel lines, new heat exchanger flaps and cables, recommissioning the brakes and more.
While these unexpected turn of events may delay the delivery of the car, the customer can rest assured that he can enjoy his Porsche and hit the road for many years to come.
New magnesium crankcases for early 911
08/03/2023 Porsche Classic now offers magnesium crankcases from the factory for classic 911 models built between 1968 and 1976.
The reissue is for vehicles of the F and G series with 2.0, 2.2, 2.4 and 2.7 liter engines. These include the legendary 911 Carrera RS 2.7, which turned 50 last year. Now it is possible to order the crankcases as original parts from any Porsche Classic partner or Porsche dealerships worldwide. Until now, repairs for these parts have either had to involve trying to weld minor cracks or resorting to re-using secondhand parts from old engines. The crankcase is the part of the engine in which the crankshaft moves.
“This reissue closes another gap in our range of spare parts, making it possible to build completely new engines for most classic 911 models,” says Ulrike Lutz, Director of Porsche Classic. “There’s a lot of demand from our customers for true-to-original engine components like this.” Porsche Classic is already working on replicas of crankcases for other generations of the 911.
Read the full Porsche Classic Press Release here.
