8 captured repliesDiscussion pagination complete · Source accounts, not a confirmed diagnosis
THIS DISCUSSION / SOURCE-DERIVED OVERVIEW
Discussion summary
YOUR RESEARCHSwapping Motors
Reported or suspected cause
cracked head or block
Suggestion or failed attempt
No successful repair reported for this finding.
0
Identified cause
1
Suspected cause
0
Reported fixes
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Suspected cause · Original poster
The roller still runs but has coolant in the exhaust which is probably a cracked head or block.
Leading evidence: 'cracked head or block' (no explicit attributable resolution; this is a reported action or suggestion). Across 1 matching discussions, the most frequently mentioned possible cause is 'cracked head or block' (1 discussions; 0 report identifying it and 1 suggest it). The most frequently discussed action is 'Repair than' (1 discussions). For that action, 0 discussions report a resolution and 0 report an unsuccessful attempt. No action has an explicit, attributable resolution report under the current rules. These are forum reports and suggestions, not a confirmed diagnosis.
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Suggestion · Original poster
Is there some point where you would think it would be better to repair than replace?
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Suggestion
You would probably at least want to replace the AOS as well, but the result is you'd have a spare engine ready to go in the event of a contingency, or you could sell it to further defray your expenses.
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Suggestion
I would replace the IMSB since you are in there, and check the tensioner pads, as those wear down as early as 60k miles.
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Suggestion
Replace the plugs, but reuse the coils if they are in good shape.
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Suggestion
You would probably at least want to replace the AOS as well, but the result is you'd have a spare engine ready to go in the event of a contingency, or you could sell it to further defray your expenses.
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8 eligible posts · 0 unverified posts · 1 discussions match the subject in their title or opening post.
Rennlist: 1 discussions
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Generation: 20261027T000231Z · outcome-qualification-6. Deterministic extraction; no AI model inference. How we use sources
I have a 1999 Cabriolet with Tip that I purchased at a good price because it had a branded title (no accident theft recovery). It was my first Porsche and I have enjoyed it but I really wanted a manual Coupe when I stumbled across this. It looks like I may have found the elusive manual coupe roller that I have been looking for and have put down a deposit. Assuming nothing goes wrong with the transaction I should have it here sometime in August. The roller still runs but has coolant in the exhaust which is probably a cracked head or block. The current owner is very knowledgeable about Porsche cars (far more than me) so I assume the worst. The reason for looking for a roller to swap engines into instead of just selling the Cab and buying a running vehicle is that I tried, it is almost impossible to sell a Cab Tip with a branded title.
My thoughts. I am thinking about removing the engine from the Coupe and at least disassembling far enough to determine the root cause. Is there some point where you would think it would be better to repair than replace? Obviously if it is a head gasket (I know that is not the case) it would make sense to fix but what about cracked head? The Coupe has 63K miles while the Cab has about 80K.
Next, if not worth fixing, I would take the engine out of the Cab and install it in the Coupe. This would leave me with a broken motor and Tip plus a Cab shell with a tainted title. These would be sold or parted out to recoup some of my investment.
Other questions: Besides clutch, AOS, and RMS, should I install a replacement IMS or just remove the seal from the double row IMS I have. I understand that they are more robust than the single row so was wondering if I should really replace it for peace of mind. Anything else I should do as long as I have the motor out? New plugs would make sense, what about tubes or coils as preventative maintenance? Finally, how hard is it to remove an engine without a lift. I have watched a couple of videos but they always use a lift to take the body off of the engine. Is it practical to put the engine high enough on jack stands to pull the motor from underneath?
I would replace the IMSB since you are in there, and check the tensioner pads, as those wear down as early as 60k miles. You might also replace the VarioCam solenoids, as they do fail not uncommonly.
Replace the plugs, but reuse the coils if they are in good shape. Replace any spark plug tubes as part of the solenoid and tensioner pads work.
New RMS, UAOS, along with coolant expansion tank - basically anything that�s impossible to replace with the engine in the car.
Otherwise, water pump as well.
If you find these costs to be too high, then skip items that can be done with the engine in the car.
If the Coupe's engine has a cracked head, you can fix it for about $1.5k including welding/machining of head ($1k) and new head gaskets, head bolts, fluids, yadda yadda, yadda ($.5k). You would probably at least want to replace the AOS as well, but the result is you'd have a spare engine ready to go in the event of a contingency, or you could sell it to further defray your expenses. Me? I'd keep it as a spare, maybe buy a Boxster roller and stick it in that for a little extra fun! With regard to putting your Cab Tip engine into the Coupe roller, are they plug n play, do they have the same DME software version? IF not, doing this swap may be a little more complicated than you suspect.
Internally the engines are identical, just the transmission and electronics need to stay with the coupe (I want to keep the 6 speed). I guess there may be some differences in vacuum lines or wiring but they will both be out sitting on the ground so I can look closely to make sure if there are. As long as all the peripherals are swapped over I dont believe there would be any issue. Thanks for the thoughts.
As far as keeping a spare, I am trying to declutter my life so will be selling all the left over pieces when I am done. If the engine can be fixed that cheaply I would probably fix it and put it back in so that it would be the original engine in the car.
If the coupes engine truly has coolant in the exhaust, it will have a cracked cylinder and will need new cylinders/full rebuild which seems to be out of your plans/budget.. A cracked head will have intermix between oil and coolant, but will not have coolant in the exhaust..The coupe engine would be a good candidate for core or for a full rebuild or many good parts for sale, heads, crank, ims shaft ect.
As far as swapping engines, would be very low cost, but lots of "free labor" and the "while your in there's" can add up quickly...You still have lots of decisions to make !!
Thank you for the reply. It is an honor that you responded to my post as I have followed many of your posts in the past.
Yes, lots of "free labor" but I consider that half the fun. I could afford to buy a newer 911 but I chose to enjoy the total experience of creating and maintaining myself. I will pull the heads off of the Coupe engine to verify but they tell me there is no oil and water mix so my assumption from previous reads (including those of yours) is that normally means cylinders, not heads. My guess is that the body will go to a LS swapper and the motor parts to someone in need. If I cant get anything from the motor parts I may consider having a performance engine built out of it for later fun.
And yes, I anticipate lots of new parts to increase overall reliability. The other half of the fun is ordering and receiving parts.
Thanks, still lots that could go wrong with the purchase but I sent a sizable down payment so I am hoping nothing goes wrong. No room for a second 911 right now but if someone else wants to try a Frankenstein transplant like that they can buy the body and have a go.
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