High Mileage 3.2

[IanHighfield]

Reading the 3.2 Rebuild thread started by 'hugepiece' has started me thinking about when I may need the same. My 1986 3.2 has done 130K miles, and does not smoke etc. and appears to be in good health (that is probably the kiss of death for it).

However, what sort of mileage can you expect from an engine before it needs work to the top end etc. What high mileage cars are on this forum ?

I guess I will need to budget for this some day, but hope it is not too soon. It is many a year since I rebuilt and mechanical, but at Independent and OPC prices, I might just have to have a go at doing it myself.

I am in Stratford-upon-Avon, and would welcome the opportunity during the summer to meet up with other 911 owners in the area who have done their own work on rebuilds and can share some experience

 

[bones]

I'm currently refurbishing and detailing my engine. It's a '78SC with 145.000 miles on the clock, 100,000 by myself. The valves were renewed at 70,000 due to a moment of stupidity when changing gear other than that it has used one torque converter and two clutches. I'm taking the opportunity to 'refresh' the engine whilst it's out of the car as I am replacing the gearbox with an earlier S type after 1st gear synchro died. It still runs really well, doesn't smoke except at start up and consumes the usual amount of oil, I would rebuild if I thought the car was no longer an exciting drive or was making terminal sounds. If your car is still running well leave it alone and enjoy it meanwhile buy some engine rebuild literature and learn all you can about the engine . If you have a good garage and have faith in your spanner weilding abilities you should be able to rebuild the engine for yourself. It will be cheaper than paying someone to rebuild it for you but the parts are expensive so start saving.

 

[oliver]

There is a 1988 3.2 Carrera CS (Club Sport), that has had one owner, and covered almost 400,000 miles. The car has been well looked after, but has only had regular maintenance. At 330,000 miles, the engine was given a precautionary re-build and the levels of wear were found to be surprisingly low.

 

[Guest]

My 3.2 has done 135,000 with no problems. It goes like merry hell and blue smoke is only visible momentarily from start up. I was wondering how long it would be before some work needs doing but I am hoping there's life in the old porker yet!

 

[bones]

The best tip I could give anyone on extending the life of their engine is to regularly change the oil, oil filter, spark plugs air and fuel filters SCs and 3.2 should keep going for 175,000-200,000 and still maybe not need major surgery. As the mileage goes up how the car has been treated throughout it's life becomes increasingly important.