killermeatball

I'm from Puerto Rico and if anyone here is nearby I'd love to get to meet you and suckle some knowledge; don't worry, I'll pay for the coffee.

So I'll be getting a 79' 928 next week. I'm trading my 97' Expedition for it, which probably sounds like a good deal except that the 928 has a cooling and a clutch problem, the interior is hell, plus it has a little rust and no radio.(running car for one that isn't, not my greatest moment but I'm embracing it)
I'm a college student and figured it's been a bit of a bore lately and I could use a project so I was looking at getting rid of the expedition and maybe getting something like an rx-7, 240sx,or supra. But that would be too stereotypical so on clasificados I looked at a few prosches. The 944's had me tempted but I figured why not just go all out and restore a 928, maybe not 'restore' rather fix up. Long story short I'm getting it next week and already have a space for it in my dad's workshop planned.
With my semester ending the week after next I've got about 4-5 solid weeks to work on the car before next semester, at which point it'll have to become my daily(I can't rely on the train everyday).

So what's wrong with it?
Over heats after about two hours of idling(as I've been told)
Clutch is not disengaging, it can be started in neutral
It's been sitting for about three years, been turned on about every other month(according to them)
The leather on the dash is a goner, complete!
Radio and a few speakers missing
Center console mediocre
Musty/moldy over all, been humid.
Would need new tires, but that's expected
Singular through and through rust spot under drivers side rear window
Surface rust under peeled paint on roof
Body kit on front and rear plus a spoiler and wing, front is well done rear leaves a bit to be desired
I think that's it if I remember correctly.

What's good?
54,000 miles!
Seats are in excellent condition, front and rear
There doesn't appear to have been fiddling under the hood
All original wheels and emblems
The bad seems to outweigh the good here...


So did I throw myself at too much of a project? Time will tell. But I'm psyched about it! I've been gleaming information from here already and have learned a lot, I mean I never even knew what K-jetronic fuel injection was!
I'll probably be starting another thread once I get the car and have photos, that'll be to cover the whole project. In the mean time I'd like any advice anybody could give me on these cars. I'd like to tackle the cooling and clutch as soon as possible so I'll take any advice in that department, aesthetics can wait for the time being.

bureau13

Has it ever had a timing belt/water pump change? If you don't know, may as well assume no and add it to the list of things to do ASAP.

FreedP

Congratulations on your purchase. Welcome to the 928 communiy.
This is the best place for information with great people and suppliers.
Help is closer than you think.

Enjoy the ride!

killermeatball

I've been reading about the need to change timing belts but how do I know if I actually need to change the water pump? It's a bit of a pricey piece. How is it they tend to go bad?

SMTCapeCod

Well, welcome.
Promising 'handle' ....some tough ones...

'79, so IIRC if the timing belt fails your are stranded, but motor may not be junk.

You should start reading the Newbs/first time visitor post that is tacked to the top of this forum.

Then, pull the VIN number and dig up that thread to find out what you have. Any sequence of "ZZZ" in the VIN?

For the overheating, I'd start with the thermostat and its seals.
If it lasts at idle in summer temps for 2 hrs before overheating, that is pretty near to spectacular for a car that isn't maintained at the top tier. Odds are that the fluid is gone from the fan clutch. It can be replaced with some work, look up threads on fan clutch and oil and you should find it.

Also check the timing and you'll need to get acquainted with the CIS to ensure the air/fuel mixture is somewhere near spec.

For the water penetration, the seals at the rear hatch hinges are a point of frequent intrusion. SUnroof can be too if the sunroof drains get plugged.
Assuming its been sitting while mouldering- there is a union where the fuel feed line goes into the fuel distributor that frequently gets blocked/occluded. You should also do the fuel filter straight away.

Given moisture and general happenstance, you also want to tackle the electric grounds in the near future, likely replacing battery ground strap, diagrams with the ground points are available. Simple remove/clean/replace/repeat.

soontobered84

Underneath every leather dash is a complete vinyl dash just waiting to be revealed.

bureau13

There are also soft fuel lines in the engine compartment that should be replaced. They get old and can pose a fire risk.

From what I gather, the water pumps tend to go and take out the timing belt...it's rarely ACTUALLY the belt that fails, however if it's never been done both items might be at risk. SMTCapeCod is correct I think in that your timing belt doesn't pose quite the risk for the older cars as it does on the newer 32V motors. On the newer cars, if it breaks that means expensive internal engine repairs. Not necessarily the case for you. I'd still look into replacing though, sooner rather than later.

Wisconsin Joe

Replace the water pump. Yes they are not cheap. There is a Laso brand that isn't quite as expensive.

If yours is original, it has a metal impeller (the thingy that moves the water) that can work it's way down the shaft and gouge out the engine block.

The clutch could simply be seized. It's not too unusual in a car that's been sitting a long time. Breaking it loose often isn't that big of a deal.

Even if it's been started now and then, the fuel system will most likely need to be completely gone through. K-jet (CIS) is a bit finicky about that sort of thing. There's lots of expertise and experience with it on here.

In that environment, the electrics will need a thorough going over. Clean all the grounds, probably the CE panel too.

How to do a lot of this can be found in the "New Visitor" sticky. It's got a ton of useful stuff.

Links to the well regarded and reputable vendors are there too, called the "Big 4." People who know these cars, have access to the parts you will need, and the knowledge to get you what you need.

Welcome. The people on here know just about everything about these cars. And many are quite willing to share that info.

Post some pics when you can. No matter what shape it's in, the guys on here love to see what it looks like.

Dave928S

Welcome! Looking forward to seeing some pics. All your problems seem like fairly expected issue for the age of the car, and there's plenty of expertise here to help you work through them.

Here's a great tutorial on K-Jet, if you haven't already seen it ...

jmartins

After 3 and half years restoring mine, I can say to you pay attention on the following items:

- Cylinder Head gasket
- Old fuel lines
- Fuel return line clogged
- Rust in the cooling system
- Rust in fuse panel

killermeatball

Thank you all, I'll probably post some pictures once I get it next week but I'll be off the radar until finals are over (15th). I'll go ahead and move a white board into the workshop and start making the almighty LIST so I can feel like I'm actually making progress when the time comes. I've already downloaded the factory manuals and a few others after reading through the newbie sticky as recommended, I might even get them printed. Once the LIST is made I might start ordering bits and pieces.

I can tell you all are ready and willing to lend advice and I'm already glad I joined this forum.

Randy V

My advice - get your deposit back and run away.

If this car was perfect except for these issues it would be a goer, but a thrashed interior you will never get back to good condition without spending 2X what the car will ultimately be worth.

Many have tried, very few have succeeded.

sstrickstein

What's under the cracked Vinyl dash waiting?

soontobered84

LOL, a complete newly recovered dash from Robb Budd (after you spend a bit of dinero)

dogleg

+2

if you go ahead with it i wish you all the luck in the world.but with the issues this car has i would be very surprised if 5 weeks will have it ready for daily use.
welcome to the forum.