Porsche Repair: 79 porsche 911sc rocker arm, arm bushings, reliability record

Question
Dave,
Last year I had a rocker arm go out, had it "fixed", but this year the other side went out too.  I've now been told that the side fixed last year is almost bad, and this is a problem with this engine.  This is NOT going to be cheap, and I am trying to figure out how best to get this fixed.  I'm being told a minimum of $3500 to send the heads away and have them fixed--so that cost does not include the local charges.  Not knowing anything about engines, unfortunately, I want to make sure that I do whatever I can to ensure that it is fixed properly and that I'm not ripped off.  What exactly needs to be done?  Thanks,
Lisa

Answer
Hi Lisa,

I'll have to admit that alarm bells are ringing in my head right now.  Perhaps your mechanic is as trustworthy as an Eagle Scout and perhaps you've known him since your Dad took his Model T in for service in the old days...but you're the one who used the phrase "ripped off"!

Maybe weeks from now we'll have a good laugh and realize that $3500+ was very well spent, but in the meantime I am VERY VERY glad you were wise enough to stop and question just what's going on.  Smart Lady.

Here's what doesn't make sense to me:

1.  You have a 3.0 liter engine in that beautiful SC that has an enviable reliability record.  It wasn't a perfect engine, but darned close.  I've never heard of a rocker arm problem with these engines.

There has been a problem with the original clutches.  They failed prematurely and over time the factory recognized and re-designed the part...so, any SC probably has, by now, the upgraded clutch.

If there was a commonly known rocker arm problem, a similar factory solution would have been introduced by now.

2.  Rocker arms don't "go out"...and its not possible for the repairs of a year ago to now be described as "almost bad".  After many miles I know that the rocker arm bushings can be replaced and the tips re-ground...but I don't understand what's happening in this case.

3.  $3,500 for reconditioned heads?  I don't spend any time keeping track of going rates, but a very quick GOOGLE search revealed I could buy a reconditioned engine,including the heads, for $3,500.  

Also, take a look at:

http://www.competitioneng.com/Catalog.htm

for instance.  Check the heading: Heads...and note that a "precision valve job" on a six cylinder engine like yours is $350 plus the cost of parts (pp).  Even if they count your engine as having six cylinder heads, which I doubt, your bill is 'only' up to $2100.

Here's where we should go from here:

1.  I want to make sure we are talking the same language and we're comparing apples to apples and oranges to oranges...so...please find your repair receipt for the first rocker arm fix and tell me what it shows as the tasks performed and parts used.  If it would be more convenient to fax me a copy, I'd love to see that repair record and the new estimate as well.

Let me know if you'd like to use the fax method and I'll give you my number.

2.  I need more information about the car.  How many miles, how many owners, whether repair records have been maintained throughout the years?  And who's performed the maintenance work.

Please use the All-experts followup question feature when you are ready to respond.

Again, I'm very thankful you sought me out.  I'm looking forward to hearing from you.

Dave