Porsche Repair: 1976 Porsche 911S smoking, puff of smoke, cylinder walls

Question
I'm about to buy an outstanding 76 911S and the owner let me drive it for 2 days "of course I had to leave him my Land Rover".  At-any-rate, he had mentioned to me that the car will smoke when I initialy start it up in the morning.  He went on to say that Porsches will do that because they are designed to allow oil for lubrication so as not to have the dreaded "dry start up" that kills most engines at start up.  The smoke does go away; nevertheless, it is a little embarrasing for the minute or two it does smoke.  Please I need a little advise, I'm falling in Love with this Kool 911S.  

Answer
Hi Lou,

I'm not so sure about this "dreaded dry start' issue.  That's akin to saying this $1,000 dauschund puppy is an AKC champ...it's OK if he poops in the house 'cause purebred's have to GO when they have to go!  Not knowing too much about doxies, one might believe such poop, but...

I suppose your best bet would be to get a couple more opinions.  For me, this is seller BS and he's not to be trusted.

OK, perhaps I'm a bit harsh, I agree, but...  

How many other 1976 911's have you driven and have they all smoked like this one???  It's embarrassing???

Here's what's happening: when the engine shuts off for the day there is a residual coating of oil on the cylinder walls.  Becuase the cylinders are horizontal, there's more likelihood the oil will accumulate at the bottom of the cylinder instead of falling down into the oil catch basin.  

Think of this as if you coated the inside of a large drinking glass with olive oil and laid it on its side on your kitchen counter overnight.  At dawn you'd have a tiny puddle of oil accumulated at the lowermost surface touching the counter, right?  That's how much "standing" oil would be in each cylinder of a 911.

I'd be happy to acknowldge there could be a puff of smoke at start-up.  No problem.  But if you are telling me it's so much smoke as to be "embarrassing", I'd advise running away..."Kool" or not.

I'd suggest you spend $150-$200 on a pre-inspection mechanical evaluation and ask the independent Porsche shop mechanic to focus on the oil usage issue.  Then let me know what he says.  I'd be very curious!

Dave

PS.  Think about this too:  any notion of dry start-up as a dilemma is focused on all the moving parts that are required to be lubricated by pressurized oil.  When the oil pressure is at start-up 'zero' and climbing to operating pressure, that's when everyone is worried about the lack of lubrication.  But the piston rings (where most of that bad smoke comes from) are not lubricated by pressurized oil...just by oil in the crankcase that splashes on the cylinder walls.

PPS.  As you can see, I'm happy to "assist" potential buyers in their search for Porsches.  It's my favorite subject.   I'd be happy to comment on any other questions you may have about the next 911 you look at.  Just ask, I'll be here.