Porsche 911 Longblock Completion
It is time to plug the last remaining holes on the longblock.
Timing and Valve Covers
After adding all the valvetrain and timing components, it was time to button up the chain housing covers.
Then the valve covers and oil strainer plate were bolted on.
Flywheel and Clutch
I got my flywheel resurfaced and balanced, then installed it with new bolts and pilot bearing. That piece of angle iron is a makeshift flywheel lock. I screwed a pressure plate bolt into the flywheel and hooked the angle iron onto a case stud and the bolt to keep the flywheel from turning clockwise as I torqued the flywheel bolts.
Then I installed a new Sachs clutch disc.
I buttoned up the clutch with NOS aluminum pressure plate I found at a local Porsche meet (also balanced). This one is lighter than the original cast iron pressure plate so the engine should be a little more revvy than before. Then it was all topped off with a new Sachs throwout bearing.
Engine Oil Cooler
The engine oil cooler was sent out for cleaning, pressure testing, and repair.
It turned out way better than I expected!
The oil cooler seals went on case. Hopefully with the new seals and the epoxy case repair we did we wont see any more leaks from this area.
Torqued and done.
Cam and Hydraulic Tensioner Oil Lines
I started assembling the cam oil lines and hydraulic tensioner oil pipes and ran into this fun situation. The aftermarket tensioner oil pipes dont quite match the bends of the original ones. The top one is aftermarket; the bottom one is OE.
If I install the aftermarket one, this is how much they are off on the left side.
I destroyed a left one trying to bend it by hand and had to buy another. Eventually I got it right and was able to bend both pipes by hand. For me the key was to install the bottom hollow bolt and banjo fitting finger tight and then carefully work my way up to the opposite end adjusting the bends with my fingers until they matched up.
Here is the right side. The result is quite intricate plumbing with all that bracketry in place.
I popped in my distributor for photo ops and I guess that makes this officially a “longblock”.
Longblock and Engine Fan
With so much progress on the engine’s appearance, I didn’t want to stop there. I bought a new Valeo alternator to replace my old Valeo.
Assembled my fan, shroud, and alternator and strapped it on.
The engine of my dreams is actually happening. Is this real life?