Random255

I've got an official pickup date for my 1986 Porsche 944: August 1st. I rent an apartment, and I've even rented an enclosed garage to house both my new baby and my motorcycle.

Up until this point, I've never been a gear-head (by any stretch of the imagination). Any work I've done has been less car related and more computer related. Time to switch gears!

I've already had a lengthy discussion about my new car (http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...m=260440989845) with the fine members of this board, and you've all been helpful.



I've decided for the moment to do the following: change the timing belt (I'm going to use the more expensive Kevlar belt), timing belt, rollers, water pump, and engine seals.

Now for the funny part: I've changed the oil on a car once. That's the extent of my expertise. My buddy Shawn knows much more, he'll be supervising my work in exchange for some beers.

This car only cost me $1525, and I'm considering it my project car, my learning car. I'm going to figure out what I'm doing with this naturally aspirated machine, get it fixed up to as good a status as I can, even repaint it myself, then eventually buy a nicer turbo model.

I only want to focus on step one: changing out those belts, rollers, and seals.

As someone who has never worked on a car, I have only random cheap tools scattered around all over the place. Can anyone break it down for me by sending me a link of exactly what I'll need to buy? I keep reading that I need a complete set of metric sockets and combination wrenches, but I've yet to find a good example of a kit like that.

I've searched the old posts, there were a few links to toolsets from Sears and such, most links are broken by now. Remember, at this point I have -nothing-.

Also, do I really need a flywheel lock? I keep getting mixed opinions reading thru the archives.

Does anyone sell one single solitary kit that has the belts, rollers, and seals that I need? This might be harder to find given that I want the more expensive timing belt, but hey, who knows?

Thanks guys!

Techno Duck

If you really want to get started on buying tools, i would buy one of the mechanics sets from Sears. I always used my fathers tools and about 8 years ago or so i started acquiring my own tools.

I started out with a typical roughly 200pc mechanics set from Sears and just kept adding to it as needed. Any of those 200+pc sets are more than enough to start out.

From there i purchased everything else as needed..

-Allen socket set
-Flex socket set, in particular 10mm,13mm,17mm and 19mm
-Flex head Gear Wrenches (the best damn tools i have ever bought)
-Pliers set
-Screw driver set (bought a nice set form Mac tools)
-Triple square set
-Torque wrenches
-Breaker bar

As i started wrenching more on the car i started buying better quality stuff, mainly better quality ratchets (these make a big difference). I now have a ton of tools, about 3 cases worth now. Its one of those things i cant help myself from buying more of. Women have shoes, i have tools.. .

Of course buy everything metric.

Also check out Arnnworx for the few specialty tools you will need. His stuff is top notch and works great. I only use the flywheel lock if i need to take the crank pulleys off, but its not a bad idea to use it anyway.

http://www.arnnworx.com/

JohnKoaWood

http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_1...sName=Wrenches

http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_1...nics+Tool+Sets

http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_1...sName=Ratchets

http://www.944online.com/cgi-bin/ASI...442+tools-9442

http://www.944online.com/cgi-bin/ASI...442+tools-9442

http://www.944online.com/cgi-bin/ASI...442+tools-9442

Should just about cover them all... OR you can walk into sears and piece together a metric socket set in 3/8 and 1/2 inch drive, a ratchet for each socket set and an asortment of combination metric wrenches..

Remember, you can always stop what you are doing and run to sears for a tool.. the ones from 944 online will get you going for the belt change, trans fluid change and hose clamps... as long as the OEM style clamps are on the car... 944 online also has clamp sets of the correct clamps... as do the other online vendors...

Random255

Just curious about the specialty tools... the transmission drain plug socket and the hose clamp tool: are those used for the belts and such, or are you recommending I have the available for a different project?

PorscheDoc

If you are in topeka, we aren't far www.kcws.org

JohnKoaWood

hose tool just because it is handy, Trans plug socket because it works... makes for easy trans fluid change... or I believe it is a 23mm Allen wrench (also available at sears)

Techno Duck

17mm allen key for drain plug.

Random255

Hmm, do I need to plan on changing all the fluids in the car? I hadn't even considered that yet.

JohnKoaWood

First thing I do when adding to the stable.. no telling how long since the last brake fluid flush... ATE blue BTW

RM512

Bruce Arnn sells quality tools for the timing belt job:http://www.arnnworx.com/

PorscheDoc

If you aren't flushing your brake fluid often, stick with ATE super gold. It has similar temp specs as the blue, and won't stain your reservoir blue. Or use Motul 600/660

Random255

Where can I buy whatever seals I'll need to replace?

IGROWL

Rennbay.com has the timing belt kits with the Kelvar belts and all the rollers.

http://www.rennbay.com/engine-timing-c-60_63.html

JohnKoaWood

Don u be lafin at my smurf res...

I wonder how many on here, who aren't track rats, have EVER flushed their brake fluid unless doing other brake or clutch related maintenance?

I bet it's a real short list... real short...

944Ross

It's one of the first things I do on any car I buy used, because I know no one ever does it. All it takes is having to buy a new ABS pump to convince you it's necessary maintenance ($$$).