New toy. 87 944S w/ 3.0 liter block
08-08-2008 | 03:19 AM
#31
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From: Columbus, oh
Viperns,
The rod bearings are just standard type bearing material I think. I'm no expert, But it looked like the base metal (steel) was coated with a copper alloy and then coated with some kind of softer gray/silver alloy. I think I remember this referred to as Bi-metal bearings ?
I think I bought my replacement bearings at Paragon Parts (this was all about 6-7 years ago).
Yes the car still ran, but I was first feeling a strange vibration at a particular rpm range (Again, this was some time ago, but I believe I made notes as to the rpm. I'll try to find them in the next couple of days). I started looking for loose sheet metal shields and other such dead-ends. Finally, I remember coming off an exit ramp and I heard the vibration. I knew that whatever it was, it was getting worse. Thats when I parked it.
Keep in mind that this was in my early 944S ownership days, where I was trusting a shop to do my repairs and maintenance. I had always heard that you practically needed to be factory trained to work on a Porsche.
When I finally figured out that the shop techs where I was going were dumber than I was, I bought
the factory shop manuals and started fixing everything myself. Actually I started by having to redo everything that the shop techs had touched (this is another long story).
When I finally pulled the oil pan and rod bearings, the bearings were down to the copper coating.
After doing the rod bearings, and while I had the exhaust off the car, thus better access, I pulled the oil cooler and found, finally, the cause of my problems. The pinched O-ring, which was causing coolant-oil mixing.
I hope you do not have anything close to the same troubles as I had, BUT if I were in your shoes,
I'd pull the oil cooler asap. Maybe send an oil sample for testing to see how much coolant (or bearing material) is in your oil.
Maybe you have lucked out and there is no coolant in your oil. If so, you should run, not walk, to buy a lottery ticket !!!
To those still reading, VERY sorry for the long post.
The rod bearings are just standard type bearing material I think. I'm no expert, But it looked like the base metal (steel) was coated with a copper alloy and then coated with some kind of softer gray/silver alloy. I think I remember this referred to as Bi-metal bearings ?
I think I bought my replacement bearings at Paragon Parts (this was all about 6-7 years ago).
Yes the car still ran, but I was first feeling a strange vibration at a particular rpm range (Again, this was some time ago, but I believe I made notes as to the rpm. I'll try to find them in the next couple of days). I started looking for loose sheet metal shields and other such dead-ends. Finally, I remember coming off an exit ramp and I heard the vibration. I knew that whatever it was, it was getting worse. Thats when I parked it.
Keep in mind that this was in my early 944S ownership days, where I was trusting a shop to do my repairs and maintenance. I had always heard that you practically needed to be factory trained to work on a Porsche.
When I finally figured out that the shop techs where I was going were dumber than I was, I bought
the factory shop manuals and started fixing everything myself. Actually I started by having to redo everything that the shop techs had touched (this is another long story).
When I finally pulled the oil pan and rod bearings, the bearings were down to the copper coating.
After doing the rod bearings, and while I had the exhaust off the car, thus better access, I pulled the oil cooler and found, finally, the cause of my problems. The pinched O-ring, which was causing coolant-oil mixing.
I hope you do not have anything close to the same troubles as I had, BUT if I were in your shoes,
I'd pull the oil cooler asap. Maybe send an oil sample for testing to see how much coolant (or bearing material) is in your oil.
Maybe you have lucked out and there is no coolant in your oil. If so, you should run, not walk, to buy a lottery ticket !!!
To those still reading, VERY sorry for the long post.
Also, ho hard was your rode bearing change? i assume it didn't require removing the entire engine?
08-08-2008 | 04:48 AM
#32
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Joined: Jun 2004
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From: San Francisco Area
Rod bearings can be done with the engine in the car. It's a bit involved to gain access, but once you're there, it's easy. You need to remove the oil pan, so you need to remove the crossmember & steering rack. The engine needs to be supported by a wood 4x4 and chain, or similar device, from above.
08-08-2008 | 03:30 PM
#33
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From: Columbus, oh
Rod bearings can be done with the engine in the car. It's a bit involved to gain access, but once you're there, it's easy. You need to remove the oil pan, so you need to remove the crossmember & steering rack. The engine needs to be supported by a wood 4x4 and chain, or similar device, from above.
08-08-2008 | 04:15 PM
#35
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Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 573
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From: Deep South
This also assumes that you haven't thrown a rod thru the block when a rod bearing spins or tries to friction weld itself to the crank
.No, I didn't remove the engine, just rigged up an engine support up top, dropped the cross member and exhaust (I think) and pulled the pan. It's MUCH easier than doing a clutch
.
08-08-2008 | 07:47 PM
#36
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Joined: Jun 2008
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From: Columbus, oh
If they had worn to the base metal, I assume that the crank would need to be remachined or replaced. AFAIK, the 944 crank is nitrided for surface hardness, so if remachining it, it would also need to be re-nitrided. Sounded like it would be easier to buy a good used crank to me.
This also assumes that you haven't thrown a rod thru the block when a rod bearing spins or tries to friction weld itself to the crank .
No, I didn't remove the engine, just rigged up an engine support up top, dropped the cross member and exhaust (I think) and pulled the pan. It's MUCH easier than doing a clutch .
This also assumes that you haven't thrown a rod thru the block when a rod bearing spins or tries to friction weld itself to the crank
.No, I didn't remove the engine, just rigged up an engine support up top, dropped the cross member and exhaust (I think) and pulled the pan. It's MUCH easier than doing a clutch
.Item Qty Price Total
PP944.101.205.02 Oil Pan Gasket
1 $53.80 $53.80
PP928.103.143.15 Rod Bearing Set - standard
1 $74.18 $74.18
PP928.103.172.02 Connecting Rod Nut
8 $1.95 $15.60
PPWAP.050.090.12 FOB - Porsche Crest
1 $17.60 $17.60
PP-944.538.041.00 Key Head, Lighted
1 $22.32 $22.32
PP951.375.042.04X Engine Mount - aftermarket
2 $54.67 $109.34
PP900.378.034.02 Engine Mount Bolt - 8x42
4 $6.40 $25.60
PP900.378.024.02 Engine Mount Bolt - 8x38
4 $2.48 $9.92
N.015.401.3 Engine Mount Washer
16 $0.52 $8.32
944S-16V-RHK-87-88 944S 16 Valve Cooling Hose Kit 87-88
1 $115.38 $115.38
BOSCH_03213 Distributor Cap
1 $47.46 $47.46
BOSCH_04185 Distributor Rotor
1 $45.48 $45.48
Sub Total: $545.00
Tax: $0.00
Shipping: $73.08
Grand Total: $618.08
Wasn't sure which bolts I needed. So I ordered both. Was confused on which cooling hose kit to get as well, since i have both s and s2 parts. Well its a 50/50 chance its the right one.
08-08-2008 | 08:20 PM
#38
Pro
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 573
Likes: 22
From: Deep South
Viperns,
You might want to do a search on 944 engine mounts. IMHO aftermarket engine mounts are a total waste of money and time. You'll probably be doing the mounts again in 1 or 2 years (or less) with aftermarket. I made the same mistake, then bought the factory ones
. BTW Paragon sells the factory ones also I believe .
You might want to do a search on 944 engine mounts. IMHO aftermarket engine mounts are a total waste of money and time. You'll probably be doing the mounts again in 1 or 2 years (or less) with aftermarket. I made the same mistake, then bought the factory ones
. BTW Paragon sells the factory ones also I believe .
08-08-2008 | 08:54 PM
#39
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Instructor
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 187
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From: Columbus, oh
Viperns,
You might want to do a search on 944 engine mounts. IMHO aftermarket engine mounts are a total waste of money and time. You'll probably be doing the mounts again in 1 or 2 years (or less) with aftermarket. I made the same mistake, then bought the factory ones . BTW Paragon sells the factory ones also I believe .
You might want to do a search on 944 engine mounts. IMHO aftermarket engine mounts are a total waste of money and time. You'll probably be doing the mounts again in 1 or 2 years (or less) with aftermarket. I made the same mistake, then bought the factory ones
. BTW Paragon sells the factory ones also I believe .
08-09-2008 | 02:45 AM
#40
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Instructor
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 187
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From: Columbus, oh
lol talk about a small world. You don't by any chance happen to remember where this owner lives? I'd like to ask him some questions about the engine.
Funny story...
I once test drove that car back a few years ago maybe around 2002-2003 in Xenia Ohio and I ran out of gas in your beloved 944. (Gas gauge works and so does the gas light) but the owner had not warned me before test drive so I figured it was broken. Long story short I come to rest in a drive way only to have seconds later the owner of the house drive out in his Shelby Cobra and give me a ride back to the then owner of the 944 so we could get some more gas..
P.S.
427 Shelby Cobras are fun (P.S. It was a superformance fake! but still sweet!)
Also, if your wondering the guy who put the engine in the car seemed to have a good idea about working on Porsches and at the time had a White 928S4 apart in the garage doing some transmission work.
I once test drove that car back a few years ago maybe around 2002-2003 in Xenia Ohio and I ran out of gas in your beloved 944. (Gas gauge works and so does the gas light) but the owner had not warned me before test drive so I figured it was broken. Long story short I come to rest in a drive way only to have seconds later the owner of the house drive out in his Shelby Cobra and give me a ride back to the then owner of the 944 so we could get some more gas..
P.S.
427 Shelby Cobras are fun (P.S. It was a superformance fake! but still sweet!)
Also, if your wondering the guy who put the engine in the car seemed to have a good idea about working on Porsches and at the time had a White 928S4 apart in the garage doing some transmission work.
