How to Rebuild and Modify Porsche 911 Engines 1965-1989 [Paperback]

Wayne R. Dempsey (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 28, 2003

Never-before published information details the nuances of tackling this daunting task! From dropping the engine, to reconditioning and blueprinting, through final reinstallation and break-in, Dempsey guides you step-by-step through the pitfalls often experienced by even the best mechanics. Contains reliable information on parts interchange, performance modifications, reliability upgrades, tear down, and potential problems encountered along the way. Essential information for do-it-yourselfers and for those looking to hire a professional.

Editorial Reviews

Review

European Car (UK), May 28, 2007

“An excellent resource for the DIY mechanic or interested observer.”

About the Author

Wayne R. Dempsey is the author of 101 Projects for Your Porsche 911 and How to Rebuild and Modify Porsche 911 Engines. He lives in southern California.

Product Details

• Paperback: 224 pages
• Publisher: Motorbooks; 1st edition (February 28, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0760310874
• ISBN-13: 978-0760310878
• Product Dimensions: 10.7 x 8.3 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (20 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #91,707 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #10 in Books > Professional & Technical > Automotive > Mechanics > Engine
  • #26 in Books > Professional & Technical > Automotive > Trucks & Vans

More About the Author

Wayne R. Dempsey is the author of several highly successful books, including "101 Projects for Your Porsche 911" and "How to Rebuild and Modify Porsche 911 Engines." He has been working and playing with mechanical machines all his life. In college, Wayne earned both a BS and MS degree in Mechanical Engineering from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, specializing in flexible manufacturing technology. His introduction to automobiles began when he raced with the MIT Solar Electric Vehicle Racing Team. After a few years building communications satellites for Hughes Space and Communications, Wayne left to pursue an entrepreneurial calling. Literally starting in his garage, Wayne co-founded Pelican Parts, an Internet-based European automotive parts company. Today, Pelican Parts is thriving with the growth in Internet technology. Wayne currently maintains the site and has written most of the technical articles that are featured on the Pelican Parts website, www.pelicanparts.com. Wayne currently owns the 2000 3.4 Boxster conversion profiled in this book, a 2001 Aerokit 996 Carrera, a 1999 Boxster Tip, a 1999 996 Carrera convertible, a 1974 914-6 conversion, a 1972 RS clone, a 1973 RSR clone, a 1987 959, and a 1987 Kremer Racing 962C.

101 Projects Website

Please visit the official website for this book: www.101projects.com. This website contains book updates, exclusive photos not published in the book, a Porsche Boxster forum & BBS, links to sites for more information, and locations where you can purchase the parts and tools mentioned in this book.

101 Projects for Your Porsche Carrera (1999-08)

Keep a lookout for Wayne's next book which is due to be published in 2011. Visit the www.101projects.com website for updates and more details.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

24 of 27 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Great detailed info, a lot of opinion, very retentive, May 6, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: How to Rebuild and Modify Porsche 911 Engines 1965-1989 (Paperback)

Wayne has put out another good how-to book packed with great detail and very specific step-by-step procedures. This book fills in most of the details left out of the other books covering the subject, and adds in a number of the latest updates that should be done.

The down side is this book gives an all or nothing approach, with no allowances for low-cost rebuild appropriate for a low value car, or a partial rebuild for a race motor. The list of parts that must be replaced is excessive and out of line with most engine rebuild books, and even the factory work-shop manuals. His recommendation on machine shops is to go to the most expensive one in the country. The procedures for cleaning are extreme, and time-consuming, and not realistic for a shop interested in making money or an individual without unlimited time. There are also a number of number of recommendations made that are still up for debate in the 911 community.

I have rebuilt a number of 911 engines, and this is a must have book if you are planning to do one yourself, but take some of the recommendations with a grain of salt.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An incredible resource from an excellent teacher., April 8, 2003

By 

rallyjon (West Chester, PA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: How to Rebuild and Modify Porsche 911 Engines 1965-1989 (Paperback)

Wayne Dempsey may be the Harry Pellow (r.i.p.) of the 911 world, based on his warm and encouraging style of writing as well as his deep technical expertise.

Since his original "101 Projects" book, the author has improved quite a bit as a writer. The level of detail here is comprehensive without being overwhelming, and the style is very user friendly. Rare among technical manuals, you can read this book cover to cover in your favorite easy chair like a novel, or weight it open on your workbench as you follow each detailed instruction and example.

The photography is excellent and there's plenty of it. Close ups with good captions abound. Unlike some other well known 911 technical books, the photography actually supports and illustrates the text very well.

This book is not just for engine builders. If you're the sort of 911 owner that pays more attention to the tachometer than the stereo, and who understands that dry sump lubrication isn't when you run out of hair gel-YOU'LL LOVE THIS BOOK!

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An encouragement and guide the weekend mechanic, February 10, 2004

By 

W Wayne Curles Jr (Escondido, CA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: How to Rebuild and Modify Porsche 911 Engines 1965-1989 (Paperback)

I have always had the desire to buy and rebuild a 911. However, because of the Porsche mystic of being a high performance sports car I thought the reality of me performing the regular maintenance, not too mention rebuilding, on 1 911 was beyond my capabilities. After reading Mr. Dempsey's 101 Projects for your Porsche 911 I felt confident performing (and now do perform) all the maintenance on my car. I bought Mr. Dempsey's How to Rebuild and Modify Your Porsche 911 Engine 1965-1989 book hoping it would provide me with the same knowledge to take the next step in working on my car. Although I have not rebuilt my engine, Mr. Dempsey does not excellent job in describing the tear-down and rebuilding process which has help me gain a better understanding of how the 911 engine works. Furthermore, Mr. Dempsey's website, www.pelicanparts.com, provides a wealth of information to supplement his two books. I highly recommend this book to anyone wanting to know more about the 911 engine with a desire to perform more of their own work.