Fronkenstein

Inspection shows the need for replacing rod bearings due to acidic oil conditions. Prolly going to pull the mains as well:-/ This is the problem with buying an off-the-shelf-engine that has sat for a decade. But including the cost of acquisition here is the current tally:

Vehicle: $2200
Engine: $250
Freight: $150
Head reman: $900 resurface .0007, 16 guides, two new valves, a few thread repairs
Engine gasket kit: $250
Rod bearings: $150
Main bearings: $150
Misc Parts: $650
Chemicals: $100
Belts: $100
CIS reman: $750
Transmission: $350

Approximate total: $6000

Granted the interior needs attention, but I am looking for a daily muscle-car driver not a show queen. I think $6000 is not too bad for a respectable driver that has been sorted out front to back. And I get to say "I did this", which in my mind is worth a million bucks:-D

Fronkensteen

Fronkenstein

BTW I am going to have a bunch of extra stuff left over. Here is a partial list if anyone is interested. Everything is 1978 unless noted otherwise:

1) Set of camshafts
2) Set of cam towers
3) 5 speed tranny in need of 3rd/4th syncros
4) Set of repairable heads
5) Repairable block
6) Rods
7) Crankshaft

Fronkensteen

Hilton

Cool progress.

Just to be clear, the heads you had machined are not the same as the ones showing insane amounts of detonation damage?

Good to see someone who knows the costs, deliberately chose the hard way to do it, and is enjoying the ride!

James Bailey

I doubt that was detonation damage looks more like it ate something.....

Fronkenstein

Ah no. Those heads are in the "left over parts list" above. They were damaged by a piston ring and assorted pieces of piston from #1 cylinder. That piston died prematurely due to a severe lean out condition due to a faulty injector.

As a recap I bought another engine. For more on that story you can see it at:

https://rennlist.com/forums/928-foru...-10-years.html

This is the official project thread now:-)

On "deliberately choosing the hard way". Is there any other way to learn? I could have gone and purchased a trailer queen for $15-20K unless I had to have a GT* but that isn't me. I wanted to take this thing apart and see what makes it tick. And to be clear I wanted a machine to run and not be worried about kicking up a stone or a parking lot scuff. I want to drive this thing every day and enjoy it. I've had several trailer queens and they are no fun. You're always looking for something to be or go wrong.

This is a basic mop-and-glow from a mechanicals perspective as far as I am concerned. Get it sorted out, make some improvements (PK Tensioner, turbo brakes, etc) but leave it stock for the most part.

Fronkensteen

PS. If I had been really smart I would have found some poor sap like me who dumps a bunch of money and then bails because the ROI is so severely diminished as to be embarrassing without going the whole restoration route - UGH!

Fronkenstein

If anyone has a set of S4 heads or headers and can give me the on-center stud spacing on the two studs or holes that are opposite that would be greatly appreciated. I don't care about he "hook" stud.

Thanks!

Fronkensteen

Fronkenstein

Getting closer to install day. Engine is coming together.

Fronkenstein

Spent the late afternoon pressure washing and degreasing the engine compartment and undercarriage. Looking really good for an oldster.

Igordiver

Looking great

I hope you don't mind that I've used a picture of your engine for a question in this thread. https://rennlist.com/forums/928-foru...r-housing.html

Fronkenstein

Hey anyone have any thoughts on replacing the sound and heat shield on the firewall?

Guy

Yep, I have thoughts on it......don't bother

I had a new Porsche factory piece, and it looked just as bad as what was on my car! Lots of sags, stretches and air bubbles.

Cutter67

Leo has done 944 blocks for me....old skool for sure. a guy turned me on to him who races a 944 up there and his turn around and pricing is really fair

and the pressure washer is your friend it makes working on things so much nicer

Fronkenstein

Ok well my thoughts are to remove it completely. Then when I pull the dash apart and remove the carpet, add some urethane audio sound isolation goo to the firewall on the inside. I was also considering on getting some moldable aluminum faced glass insulation to put on the engine side of firewall.

I am thinking of using this:

Heat Shield

Fronkenstein

Leo and team are great. They have a lot of experience including balancing just about everything under the sun including Porsche, Ferrari and other lesser known marques. The machine shop is impeccably clean. Leo and his wife Ruth are real people and a joy to work with.

Fronkenstein

Oh yeah you can find them at:

R&L Engines - (603)-742-8812