fraggle

If you do most of the prep, I'll bet Maaco can shoot a decent job - if the right guy is doing it!

Glad to help on that one. Didn't know the front bushings are supposed to be bonded to the lower arm. That isn't good news to me as mine aren't anymore.

Courtshark

Fraggle, I wouldn't sweat it too bad. They act as extra springs as Bill said, so the worst thing is that maybe your ball joints will wear out a little faster. Out where you live, I doubt you have that many potholes to worry about (compared to Baltimore anyway!).

While we're on the subject, does anyone make poly bushings for those?

Courtshark

5/24 update: Bro needed to get the Kraken off his lift, so he's been wrenching without me. Wish I could be there with him but my daughter will be headed to the eye doctor here in a few minutes... that's another story.

Anyway, the front end suspension & brakes on the Kraken is reassembled. Eibach springs, Bilstein shocks (loved the feel of this set up on the black one), plus GTS Big Reds. He's about to start on the pan gasket and steering rack.

Re: steering rack: got a rebuilt unit from Vertex Auto. $284 plus core charge. Not bad. It's stamped with an '81 build date though. Their site lists two racks, one for 78-80, and another for 81+. Pelican lists one rack but says that 78-81 require different rack stops. In any case, will an '81 rack work on an 88?

I will be adding the solid rack bushings at some point, or perhaps he will do this today, too.

He might also do the motor mounts today. Big day... REALLY wish I could be there.

Randy V

Yep, you is a badass ****!

Arrrrrr, matey!

Courtshark

Thanks Randy. Yarr, I am not attractive. - Captain McCallister.

Courtshark

My brother's wrenching without me continues... wish I could be there even more now.

Decided to hold off on replacing the pan gasket. The existing one looked ok, and with a lift, it's not a big deal to get at it later. We also left the motor mounts alone because visually they look OK, and again, they're not that big a deal (y'all might recall my 3.5 hour MM replacement thread from 3 years ago) on a lift.

Anyway, the rack and new bushings are in. In the mean time, though, the infamous blue hose decided to give out late last night. So, Dave & Jeannie hooked me up with a hose and a clutch master; on their way today, hopefully to be installed Sunday or Monday. Trying to secure a brake booster (they were out) to finish the job properly; one of those WYAIT jobs, right? Bro is not excited to do any of this latter stuff...

Sunday or Monday should also mean the rear suspension gets swapped over. I'll do a few small things, like swap steering wheels, and the 928 Spec. cooling fan, but after that, the black car will be for sale. Hopefully we can get the Kraken back on the road before SITM, otherwise the black car and I will have one last ride together.

Courtshark

5/30 Update: swapped over the rear suspension today; started at 11:30 (rear shock/spring assemblies were already off the Kraken), finished with both rear ends by 1:30. We were movin!

Turned to swapping fans (black car had a 928 Specialists fan). Holy cow what a PITA. The Kraken's stock fan was in perfect condition. I've never removed a perfect one, so I didn't realize how much I needed to disconnect, etc to make room. That took as long as the shocks! But it's done. Took about 15 minutes to install the 928 Spec fan in the Kraken; love that fan.

So, the black one is now ready for sale (separate thread coming). Trying to decide whether to swap steering wheels; definitely not staying with the stock one in the Kraken, and I really like the one in the black one (Momo Jet). Might also swap stereo head units; can't decide there either. Lastly, not sure what to do about wheels. I will probably sell the black one with the GTS wheels on it, or maybe just give the buyer an option.

Courtshark

Wrenching side by side

Hilton

Swap the Devek L2 headers off your black car if you're selling the black one

Courtshark

Not interested in doing that swap. They were an SOB to get on and I didn't really notice a major improvement/change over stock with them, other than making the car louder. The stock headers are a very good design.

Courtshark

6/9 Update: Bro wrenching without me again. Needed to get the Kraken off his lift. Almost accomplished that (may actually have done so), but for the power steering issues not being fully resolved. The "blue hose" is in after cutting an access hole (sorry Dave, couldn't talk him out of it). Didn't replace the master, so I've got a new master ready to go (and easy to install) when the time comes. System bled and pedal is firm.

Power Steering: New rack installed, and when the rack was ordered, I ordered a rack-to-cooler line, but ordered the wrong one. Fat-fingered the part number I guess. Anyway, turns out both the rack-to-pump and rack-to-cooler lines are leaking. Well, one is leaking and the other looks like it's about to go. So, those are on the way from 928 Specialists.

19" Wheels: Heavy! 30 lbs rear, 27 lbs front. According to my brother, the rears won't fit the inside well without spacers, and they won't fit under the outside well arch with spacers. So, they don't fit. Oh well. They're 11" rears. Hopefully I can find a buyer for them if I can't make them work some other way. Tires not yet installed.

Having a great day otherwise, so taking all of this in stride. Still on a SITM high, I think.

nc_growler

Hey... Found your thread. Hang onto those drilled rotors... Might go very nicely with the Cayman S wheels I picked up just before SITM.

Just waiting for the bank account to rebound.

Nice having breakfast with you on Sunday... and enjoyed our drive out to DR's place!

Get "Kraken" on the refurb... This car needs to be on the road...

Courtshark

Will do, Steve. I've got a line on the matching big black calipers, too, but perhaps I'll let you secure those on your own. Note: the black one is very close to being sold, I think. Two very serious potential buyers, anyway. The rotors might go as a package deal to one of them, but you never know. Not looking to make a profit on the rotors, of course.

Breakfast and the drive were great! I was trying to explain SITM to my wife, and I used those as an example. I'd never met either of you before 8 AM on Sunday, but almost immediately we were all (literally) fast friends. Such a great event.

Kraken: she will breathe fire soon. Very, very soon. Just waiting to get shipping confirmation from 928 Spec on the hoses I ordered and I will have a date certain at that point.

Courtshark

6/13 update: Got organized. Made room in the home garage for a second car if and when that time comes. A buyer is getting a PPI on the black one tomorrow, so if it sells, I might be 928-less (sort of) for a few days for the first time in many moons. The Kraken is awaiting a power steering hose from 928 Specialists, but after that, she will be coming home! Hopefully this week! Woohoo! Can you tell I'm excited?!?!?!

Public service announcement: If you buy the Kobalt (Lowes) Garage Storage System, USE YOUR OWN HARDWARE! The shelf and support bars are all forged steel and incredibly strong. But the hardware that comes with it is total junk. Not confidence inspiring anyway. I loaded mine up yesterday with probably more than the recommended 500 lbs limit. Didn't park a car under it though, just to be safe. It's still holding strong this AM, so my replacement hardware for the critical joist connections is holding strong.

Just read through the Perl blog. Whoa. Puts my little story to shame! Nicely done, Jim. I now have the list of greatness as to what to aspire to for the Kraken.

nc_growler

If it makes the deal happen, sell them!

I'm still torn about changing up the car... It may have to stay true to original a bit longer.

Yep. It was great meeting up with you for breakfast and the run out to DR's was "special"

GLWS! Very encouraging to hear about the level of interest!

Stephen