996 engine removal

Hi all, first post, has anyone any experience of removing/installing a 996 engine? Or know of any publications that detail engine removal/install/rebuilding. On the engine rebuild front, has anybody rebuilt a 996 engine? Heard some rumors about lots of Porsche specific special tools being required to do the job, is this right? Cheers James

Why/whats wrong?

hehehe, have a good look at this link. While it's not the same engine I'm sure it will give you an appreciation of the special tools required and their monumental cost. http://www.imagineauto.com/996TTbuild.htm

Nothing yet! Just doing some research into the DIY'ability of the 996. Sort of to decide whether to spend a bit more on a later 911 with the 3.6, over an earlier model with the 3.4. Had heard that the flat six is a nightmare to reasemble. If the engine did go pop, i know its not that common, i would like to at least have a reasonable chance at rebuilding it myself as a project. Without having to spend umpteen £'s on special tools. Just wondering if anybody on here has done it. Not liking the integrated cylinder liners though, wonder what that design thinking was all about!?

Just as I thought. I will never rag my engine again after reading that link let alone try and remove one!!!

On the occasions when they go 'pop' it's like a hand grenade going off inside, and the chance of rebuilding one economically is slim to none. That's if you can get the parts (cranks and IMS have to be changed in pairs on early cars) or could afford them. A crank is over £2000, an IMS £500+, and crankcase £3000 - get the idea? It makes an exchange engine very attractive at £8000.

Cheers for the link Jeff, just as i thought......looks like weeks of pure fun!! :twisted:

cheers for the info, i didnt know that the IMS and crankshaft are paired, thats a b***ard as the research ive done seems to indicate the IMS as being a problem area. Is there no scope for machining? Think i read somewhere that you cant get oversized journal bearings so the crankshaft can't be ground undersize at all, is that right? If the crankcase was busted that pretty much puts any high end engine out of the rebuild scope anyway (economically speaking). [/quote]

They changed the drive between crankshaft and IMS, and don't make the old parts any more - hence you have to change them as a pair. No, Porsche don't list undersize shells for the big end or crank journals, but that's not to say that someone else doesn't. Take a look at the Hartech web site, as there is an interesting (if somewhat long) buyers guide on 986/996s, which outlines some of the problems. If you are very lucky, and the damage isn't catastrophic, there are some solutions, but cheap they are not.

Cheers again Richard. Do you know of any sites that detail engine removal/install?

Go to www.cannell.co.uk/Manuals.htm and you can download the workshop manual. It's an old version, only covering pre-facelift models, but it will tell you everything you need to know. If you want something a bit more up to date, drop me a PM.