1974 Carrera Coupe - RHD, UK car

[Ferry Man]

[Ferry Man]

If you need an engine rebuilt for your early 911 you can't do better than a visit to Brackley.

+ 1 from someone who's just heard his Nick Fulljames rebuilt engine run for the first time.......magic!

Yes Darren, Mr Fulljames has a very nice set-up. I've been very impressed with his care and expertise.

[Ferry Man]

Nick has so many engines being worked upon I couldn't quite believe he can keep track of who's parts are who's?
But, he knows what he's doing and whilst to me they look similar, to the knowledgable eye they are very different engines.
And he keeps the boxes well labelled....

[jamie]

Redtek looks almost exactly like the place that rebuilt my O-320 Lycoming. The engines even look the same, only 911s use pistons whereas Lyc use paint buckets.

Love places like this. I bet it smelt good.

[Ferry Man]

Love places like this.

There's so many folk - all over the country - helping to keep our cars alive and generally they are good guys.
I've traded with many different specialists in the early Porsche community and I've found them all to be honest & hardworking.
It's not easy making a living but most of the businesses I've dealt with fully deserve to succeed.
DDK is so valuable in guiding you to the right people and those traders with a good reputation have worked hard to earn it and they don't jeopardise it lightly.

[Ferry Man]

The considered opinion was that the pistons could be salvaged.
However the barrels were past it.
There was evidence of the thin Nikasil plating flaking in places and they were deemed scrap.

So, should I re-use the pistons?

perfect opportunity for a hidden upgrade Paul... 2.7 high compression pistons ??

Or - as Dan cleverly alluded to - maybe upgrade?

[Ferry Man]

the barrels were past it. There was evidence of the thin Nikasil plating flaking in places and they were deemed scrap.

So that presented a pleasant conundrum.
Do we buy new barrels and re-use the existing pistons (cost approx. £1,500) or do we take the opportunity to additionally purchase brand new JE pistons with a higher compression ratio? (total cost approx. £3,000).

The JE option would provide a useful gain of approx 15 horse power coupled with some extra torque for very little effort and only £1,500 more.
So, in light of the modest extra cost, that’s what I’ve gone for.

[Ferry Man]

[Ferry Man]

We’ll see how much extra BHP that wins when we get on a dyno/rolling road.
As the standard RS engine is reckoned to output 210bhp, with the higher compression ration I’ll be hoping for 225bhp or more.

[alfacat]

Hi All
There must be something wrong with me, shiney new pistons really make me smile...
The engine really is starting to look good.

All the best
Ian F.

[KS]

t and only £1,500 more.

I remember when I used to live on the Surrey/Hants borders, too...

[haasad]

Those original parts are salvageable and have value in my opinion. Assuming the barrels are not too corroded they can be replated and honed at reasonable cost , and the pistons look like they would respond well to careful cleaning and new rings assuming size was in spec'.

They'll offset the new parts cost if you were so minded. Great engine shop too ...

[Ferry Man]

and only £1,500 more.

I remember when I used to live on the Surrey/Hants borders, too...

Yes, sorry Keith, fair comment. It's all too easy to lose touch with reality.

I've spent so much and gone so far that you forget a four figure sum is a lot of money. It's just one of many on this rebuild.
I'm guilty of spending too much and perhaps of buying new when old parts could be salvaged but the car is for me, it's never going to turn a profit.
The only way I will get my payback is to own it for the rest of my life. And I might just do that.

[Ferry Man]

The top end rebuild comprised the following:
Replace all inlet & exhaust valves and all guides.
Replace chains & guides, new drain tubes, media blast components, remove spray bar and refinish cam carrier.
The cams were re-dressed. The heads were refaced, cut with 3 angle valve seat and any damaged exhaust studs renewed.

[Ferry Man]