Help! These broken bits found in engine
Discussion
I was about to adjust the valve clearances on my 1978 3.0SC engine. There was a slight ticking on the LHS.
When I removed the lower cam cover on the RHS I found these parts in the exhaust sections. I have recently had a new stainless steel exhaust fitted btw, and the heat exchangers are loose on this side. Connected to this issue?
I have been using the car loads recently and I it has been running nicely.
Who can tell me what these parts are? What do they do? Why haven't they effected the running of the engine?
I'm in a real panic. Also, annoyingly, my wife asked me if I knew what I was doing when I started doing the valves!
When I removed the lower cam cover on the RHS I found these parts in the exhaust sections. I have recently had a new stainless steel exhaust fitted btw, and the heat exchangers are loose on this side. Connected to this issue?
I have been using the car loads recently and I it has been running nicely.
Who can tell me what these parts are? What do they do? Why haven't they effected the running of the engine?
I'm in a real panic. Also, annoyingly, my wife asked me if I knew what I was doing when I started doing the valves!
As others have said these are broken head studs. The only fix is engine removal and top end rebuild.
This will help you see what they are https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C_dT2-UmzXM
This is what they look like in place on a 964 engine.
This will help you see what they are https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C_dT2-UmzXM
This is what they look like in place on a 964 engine.
Edited by ffc on Sunday 3rd September 15:09
Edited by ffc on Sunday 3rd September 15:12
ras62 said:
That is 3 headstuds failed. Its not the end of the world but I wouldnt run the engine if two or three are from the same cylinder. Best having the car recovered to a good Indy.
Been here, good advice as above. While still possible to drive / run the engine the exhaust gases will begin to make the cylinder head(s) mushroom and possible not be square.they might not cause damage, but having the heads bolted to the case via the barrels/cylinders is quite a good idea!
ras62 said:
They are external to the oiled parts, just covered by the valve covers if you see the picture. Snapped studs dont cause any damage in themself but left too long exhaust gasses will cause errosion in the barrel to head area which is no longer properly torqued down.
Thank you everyone for your help
It's all coming back to me now. Almost 2 years ago (approx 2,000 miles) I read that you could use the engine as a lift point to jack up the rear of a 911. Well I tried, and the rear of the car did indeed lift. However, I thought that I must have created a manifold leak in the process as there was what sounded like an occasional exhaust blow under load. I'm now guessing that this is the noise of gas escaping from the head due to the broken studs.
It's all coming back to me now. Almost 2 years ago (approx 2,000 miles) I read that you could use the engine as a lift point to jack up the rear of a 911. Well I tried, and the rear of the car did indeed lift. However, I thought that I must have created a manifold leak in the process as there was what sounded like an occasional exhaust blow under load. I'm now guessing that this is the noise of gas escaping from the head due to the broken studs.
belfry said:
Thank you everyone for your help
It's all coming back to me now. Almost 2 years ago (approx 2,000 miles) I read that you could use the engine as a lift point to jack up the rear of a 911. Well I tried, and the rear of the car did indeed lift. However, I thought that I must have created a manifold leak in the process as there was what sounded like an occasional exhaust blow under load. I'm now guessing that this is the noise of gas escaping from the head due to the broken studs.
You can indeed lift the back of the car via the engine and provided you place your jack at the centre of the case you'll do no harm.It's all coming back to me now. Almost 2 years ago (approx 2,000 miles) I read that you could use the engine as a lift point to jack up the rear of a 911. Well I tried, and the rear of the car did indeed lift. However, I thought that I must have created a manifold leak in the process as there was what sounded like an occasional exhaust blow under load. I'm now guessing that this is the noise of gas escaping from the head due to the broken studs.
I had 7 of these broken studs in my '79 SC in total. The engine purred like a kitten but leaked oil like a sieve.
Some of the broken studs could be removed with mole grip. The remaining 2 or 3 needed a nut welded to the remaining piece. They all needed the engine to be removed and stripped.
So, it appears as though as long as you've got at least two remaining studs remaining per cylinder, there's no immediate panic. However, start saving for an engine refresh.
There's loads of resource information on how to do this on the internet.
It's a fun journey if you're moderately capable with the spanners,....
Some of the broken studs could be removed with mole grip. The remaining 2 or 3 needed a nut welded to the remaining piece. They all needed the engine to be removed and stripped.
So, it appears as though as long as you've got at least two remaining studs remaining per cylinder, there's no immediate panic. However, start saving for an engine refresh.
There's loads of resource information on how to do this on the internet.
It's a fun journey if you're moderately capable with the spanners,....
Gassing Station | Porsche General | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff