ribs

Does anybody want to buy my '86 951 with a blown headgasket? It runs good until the engine heats up and starts slurping coolant and making white pancake surupy smelling exhaust clouds. Here is a list of everything done to it since I bought it and approximate dates and milages (going from memory...all of my records and receipts, which I have all of since I bought the car, are in the car which is 100 miles away right now). Oil changes were done every 3000 miles and coolant was changed at least 4 or 5 times.

Bought in January of 2000 with 83,000 miles
March 2000 - 85,000 miles - Replaced - clutch (everything in the clutch assembly not including master and slave cylinders) with stock unit, new cycling valve, rear main seal, new transmission outer seals, repacked CV's, replaced all exhaust gaskets from the turbo back
May 2000 - 89,000 miles - Replaced - alternator, water pump, timing belt, balance shaft belt, accessory belts, rollers, front seals, left front control arm, upper and lower radiator hoses, thermostat, and a few other odds and ends
January 2001 - installed a boost enhancer and a dash mat (woot!)
May 2001 101,000 miles - Bought new mille miglia 17" cup 2 wheels (993 replicas) in 17x7.5 and 17x9 to replace my fuchs with bald *** tires (still have the fuchs, 16x7 & 16x8, black center w/ polished lip)
July 2001 103,000 miles - A friend put my car through a guard rail right rear fender first (at maybe 10 MPH), it got fixed correctly (fender was replaced with a new factory fender as was the rocker panel, 1 of the wheels was replaced, 1/2 the car was painted with sikkens guards red, and it would take a very well trained eye to tell if it was ever in an accident). The frame was not tweaked at all, just the fender was dented up. At this time, the exhaust system was replaced with a 3" cat back stainless steel SFR exhaust, the straps for the gas tank were replaced, one of the axles was replaced (axle was unrelated to the accident but I was able to get insurance to float the bill for it anyways), the fuel pump and fuel sending unit were replaced because the shop doing the work broke both of these when replacing the straps for the fuel tank. All cosmetic repair work and mechanical repair work were done by shops (I got recommendations from my old mechanic and others in the area) specializing in porsches and other european cars.
January 2002-May 2002 (my big rebuild) - 109,000 miles - Replaced rod bearings, rod nuts, oil pan gasket, welded a stainless steel ring to the oil pick up tube, installed updated windage tray, degreased entire engine bay, new updated motor mounts, new rear a-arm mounts (968 M030), all new front swaybar bushings, new shock mounts, new koni yellow hacksaw strut inserts installed, new rear koni yellow shocks installed, ground control coilovers w/400# springs installed, PBR metal master brake pads installed in all brakes, Stainless steel brake lines installed at all corners, new tie-rod ends, all new hardware and gaskets for crossover pipe installed, new auxilary water pump installed, rebuilt fuel injectors, stainless steel fuel lines installed, new cap/rotor/plugs/wires installed, new accessory belts installed, cleaned out and powdercoated intake manifold and intercooler pipes, new intake manifold gaskets, cleaned out intercooler and throttle body, installed air/fuel and boost gauge in custom a-pillar mount, and some other stuff I don't recall right now
June/July/August 2002 - 110,000 miles - installed IceShark's headlight wiring kit with cibie e-code lenses and 90/100W H4 bulbs, replaced fuel pressure regulator (3 bar unit installed) and fuel damper, replaced both front control arms w/ '83-'85 steel units with replaceable ball joints, installed MSD blaster 2 coil and MSD 6AL ignition box
September 2002 112,000 miles- Re-soldered entire DME (finally cured the no-start problem)
October 2002 - 113,000 miles - Replaced lower radiator hose, rebalanced front tires
October 2002 - 113,000 miles - Blew my headgasket while just driving normally!

The rear torsion bars I bought (30 mm powerbars from paragon) Still need to be installed to complete the suspension.

So...thats a mostly complete record of what has been done to my car since I bought it. I know I left out a few things, but you get the idea. Here is a list of modifications done to my car since I bought it:

APE stage II chips
lindsey boost enhacer
SFR 3" cat back exhaust
3 bar fuel pressure regulator
air/fuel gauge and boost gauge in lo-tek a-pillar mount
MSD blaster 2 coil
MSD 6AL ignition box
jacob's 8mm silicon wires
updated windage tray
stainless extention on oil pick-up tube
some silicon vacuum lines
Black/gray powdercoated intake manifold and intercooler pipes
koni yellow strut inserts
koni yellow shocks
ground control coilovers
400# hypercoil springs
17" 993 replica wheels w/ 225/45 and 255/40 sumitomo HTZR-II tires

The A/C blows cool but not cold (needs more freon)
The only remaining problems are an oil leak from the cam-cover gasket (you would have to remove this anyways when replacing the head gasket, so its not a big deal) and a front end vibration (may be the steering rack)

The hood and front end have the normal rock chips, 1/2 of the car looks brand new, there is a mild dent in the left rear fender, and the driver's door was repaired poorly from an accident from the previous owner so it is painted the color of the car before I buffed it out with rubbing compound to remove oxidation and behind the door handle is some peeling up paint.

The interior needs new carpeting (the old carpeting is okay in the front, but the right rear footwell is stained from an old sunroof leak and the rear hatch area carpeting is mostly disintegrated), the front seats are a bit worn (esp. the driver's seat) but not split or torn, and the dash is cracked in a few spots. Hey...at least the clock still works!

Anyways, that is an accurate description of the car (and I took good care of the thing too) but I put a lot of time, money, and effort into maintaining it as good as I could, and it betrays me by blowing its head gasket. It ran very strong before, the tranmission worked flawlessly, I only ran it up at the drag strip two nights 4 or 5 times each night and was very conservative with my lanches, never really abused the clutch or driveline otherwise, autocrossed it twice (one time I got a flat tire on the way home because I wore through the rubber and belts, then I got the 993 cups), all of the strange problems I was having were worked out, and then it goes and blows up on me. What a bastard. I am sick of this car, and I was thinking about selling it before, but now I am 99% sure I will now. I just don't have the time, money (money being the big thing), or drive to deal with it anymore. I'll post pictures this weekend when I go back to my folk's house.

So...how does $5500 as is without the fuchs or $6000 with the fuchs sound? The mods alone are worth more than $3700 and almost all of them have less than a few months and 3000 miles on them. It would cost about $600 or $700 to have a shop replace the head gasket, which I don't have now (I was going to do it myself, but I can't stand the sight of the car anymore), and a couple hundred more than that to have the head rebuilt while it is off which is not a bad idea. This would be a great canidate for a track car since it isn't cosmetically perfect and already has a semi-juicy suspension and would need only swaybars to complete the set up. Any takers? Geeze...this may be one of my longest posts ever.

Lemon Yellow 87 n/a

Holy ****, I never thought you would sell your car, especially after all the work and cash money you put into it...Perhaps its for the better. Hey, you could do like me and defect to the bimmer side visit <a href="http://www.dtmpower.net" target="_blank">www.dtmpower.net</a> , it has lots of info you might be wondering about. Good luck in any pathyou end up taking...

Wachuko

Too bad is not an '87 <img src="graemlins/burnout.gif" border="0" alt="[burnout]" />

But you are right, a lot of people posting they are selling their car... not me <img src="graemlins/nono.gif" border="0" alt="[nono]" /> I want to see this rebuilt thru and have some fun during the process and afterwards when I push the pedal to the metal/floor in this baby!! <img src="graemlins/burnout.gif" border="0" alt="[burnout]" />

ram_one

Not to hijack your thread Ribs, but I'd be willing to move my car for $4K if there are any takers. Don't have the facilities or $$ to keep paying my wrench for the little bullsh*t things that always seem to pop up. Right now it's a mystery oil leak by the driver's side balance shaft and a non-functioning oil pressure sender. Could do it myself, but the condo folks freak out if the hood is up in the garage.
Just ordered an '03 Mini Cooper S. Woo-hoo! My own street legal go-kart.
If I don't sell, I'll hopefully get to keep it and build it strictly into a track/fun car.
Decisions, Decisions...

Steve Lavigne

I'll sell my '86 951 with 130k for $18,000.

Any takers?

Travis - sflraver

Buying a house day after tomorrow or else I would give you cash and come to pick it up with my flat bed. I was looking for one in the 4 to 6 range but I am going to be out of funds for the next 5 or 6 months now. Wish I would have known a little while ago because I think I would have said the hell with the house.... A man has to have his prioritys doesnt he?

sm

Ribs,

Have a few <img src="graemlins/drink.gif" border="0" alt="[cherrsagai]" /> and take a breather. Maybe some people around your area can help you out? I would if I were anywhere near you, not that I know how to change a headgasket...

Many times I've felt the way you do, but something about the car draws me back

Bill

Steve,

Lets make a package deal...

2 - 86 951's 45k

Two for the price of one original...such a deal!

944Fest (aka Dan P)

Sorry to see ya give up, Ribs.. You've certainly been thru a lot with her. A Guru with over 1k posts.. A true veteran of the board.



<img src="graemlins/beerchug.gif" border="0" alt="[cheers]" />

cheetah chrome

sm's got a good idea there.....barn raising for ribs perhaps....much like sm ive never replaced a headgasket, but i'd be willing to learn/help. someday we'll all have to be replacing our HG's.....cant think the parts would be more than 350 bucks

*Michael.*

Too bad Ribs, I know how frustrating it can be when you keep having problems with something that is suppose to be for fun. Remeber that time that you said that I must have Turbo envy kind of like ***** Envy. Well I still don't

On a positive note!!! I am probably buying another 944! A US Spec one this time! It is an early '85 exactly like the German Spec one I own now. Red with beig interior. It has 78k miles, power windows, moon roof... The guy has all the maint records and it was all done at Porsche. He had the timing belt service done at 75k miles. Also, he said that the A/C wasn't blowing really cold so Porsche replaced the dryer and condensor(?) and recharged it. He said it blows cold now. My dad is going to look at it for me today. (i am in Germany and it is in Houston) Hopefully it is as nice as the pictures look and as the owner says. If I get it I am going to keep my 16" wheels and Turbo S sway bars and leave the springs and Torsion bars in place for when I sell it. Then I can build the new car up without holding back since I can keep it after leaving Germany <img src="graemlins/jumper.gif" border="0" alt="[jumper]" /> <img src="graemlins/jumper.gif" border="0" alt="[jumper]" /> <img src="graemlins/jumper.gif" border="0" alt="[jumper]" />

ribs

[quote]Originally posted by Steve Lavigne:
<strong>I'll sell my '86 951 with 130k for $18,000.

Any takers?</strong><hr></blockquote>

[quote]Originally posted by Bill:
<strong>Steve,

Lets make a package deal...

2 - 86 951's 45k

Two for the price of one original...such a deal!</strong><hr></blockquote>

When you all are done ****ting on my thread, please remember to wipe (front to back...don't want to get an infection). Please...don't put your sanitary napkins in the toilet, and pull your pants up...you are scaring the children.

[quote]Originally posted by Lemon Yellow 87 n/a:
<strong>Holy ****, I never thought you would sell your car, especially after all the work and cash money you put into it...Perhaps its for the better. Hey, you could do like me and defect to the bimmer side visit <a href="http://www.dtmpower.net" target="_blank">www.dtmpower.net</a> , it has lots of info you might be wondering about. Good luck in any pathyou end up taking...</strong><hr></blockquote>

I am thinking about getting an '89+ rx-7 turbo II to replace this car. I had an '88 turbo II before and it really didn't give me any trouble until the engine blew up (it was more than a year after I bought it, and I used 87 octane gas, so its not like I wasn't expecting it to happen), and I can get a JDM motor (20 or 30 more HP!) with guaranteed compression for $800 or so...much less than most major repairs for my 951. Besides, I loved my rx-7 at least as much as my 951, even if it didn't turn heads.

[quote]Originally posted by Jaime Diaz:
<strong>Too bad is not an '87 <img src="graemlins/burnout.gif" border="0" alt="[burnout]" />

But you are right, a lot of people posting they are selling their car... not me <img src="graemlins/nono.gif" border="0" alt="[nono]" /> I want to see this rebuilt thru and have some fun during the process and afterwards when I push the pedal to the metal/floor in this baby!! <img src="graemlins/burnout.gif" border="0" alt="[burnout]" /> </strong><hr></blockquote>

Yeah...I had that mentality after I got everything fixed about a month ago and it was driving perfect, and then there was these two big flys in the ointment (coolant hose burst - $180 tow, $45 to replace the hose...the next day after fixing it, the head gasket takes a **** on me), and I don't have money to keep fixing **** that is ridiculously expensive (not that a head gasket is, but whats next?) or the energy to do labor intensive operations (a head gasket is labor intensive) since I am in college and would rather just drive and party and go to class...at least I learned a lot from fixing this car and won't have trouble tackling problems in future cars I own, even if they aren't quite as presigious (not that I ever cared).

[quote]Originally posted by ram_one:
<strong>Not to hijack your thread Ribs, but I'd be willing to move my car for $4K if there are any takers. Don't have the facilities or $$ to keep paying my wrench for the little bullsh*t things that always seem to pop up. Right now it's a mystery oil leak by the driver's side balance shaft and a non-functioning oil pressure sender. Could do it myself, but the condo folks freak out if the hood is up in the garage.
Just ordered an '03 Mini Cooper S. Woo-hoo! My own street legal go-kart.
If I don't sell, I'll hopefully get to keep it and build it strictly into a track/fun car.
Decisions, Decisions... </strong><hr></blockquote>

I'd think I would rather be hijacked that **** on. Mini coopers are bad ***...probably the only new FWD car I would rock, unless of course they import a type-R RSX. I know the feeling with not having a good place to fix your car. I have a gravel driveway at school with no garage, my dad converted his garage into a rec room, and replaced the car sized doors with french doors. I rented a storage space before when I had to do major repairs, but it was miserable as the space was barely big enough for my car. You might check to see if your cam cover gasket is leaking as mine is and sprays oil strange places...maybe it is just getting oil spray from somewhere else.

[quote]Originally posted by sflraver:
<strong>Buying a house day after tomorrow or else I would give you cash and come to pick it up with my flat bed. I was looking for one in the 4 to 6 range but I am going to be out of funds for the next 5 or 6 months now. Wish I would have known a little while ago because I think I would have said the hell with the house.... A man has to have his prioritys doesnt he?</strong><hr></blockquote>

Yeah...I dread owning a house someday as my sports car addiction will have to come to a halt for a while. When I buy my first house that is actually custom built, I am getting at least a 4 port garage with a lift, tire balancer/remover/putteroner machines, TIG welder, lots and lots of tools, and if I am rich, an alignment rack and a dyno. Hopefully I'll be able to find a decent job with an information systems bachelors (I'm a senior in this now) and an MBA (what I am doing once I graduate), but the job market is still looking pretty dry.

[quote]Originally posted by sm:
<strong>Ribs,

Have a few <img src="graemlins/drink.gif" border="0" alt="[cherrsagai]" /> and take a breather. Maybe some people around your area can help you out? I would if I were anywhere near you, not that I know how to change a headgasket...

Many times I've felt the way you do, but something about the car draws me back </strong><hr></blockquote>

Already had a few, and didn't feel much better. Thanks for the suggestion, but I am bad at asking people for favors (I usually end up doing a lot for all of my friends but hesitate to ask for anything in return...I suppose I am too giving of a person). Once you've had the car for a few years and she has put you through as much hell as she has to me, you may feel differently. The sight of the car makes me ill now (good thing its 100 miles away).

[quote]Originally posted by Dan P:
<strong>Sorry to see ya give up, Ribs.. You've certainly been thru a lot with her. A Guru with over 1k posts.. A true veteran of the board.



</strong><hr></blockquote>

Thanks for the sympathy. I just realized recently that this car like anything else in life that is finite, like a relationship, a dead end job, etc. If you don't love it anymore(I feel like my girlfriend just slept with my best friend about this car right now), its time to cut your losses, say goodbye, and get out with your sanity intact. I've been on this board since 2 or 3 months after I bought my car (ironically a phone call with huntley racing was what turned me onto this board, but after reading all of the bad smack about them, I doubt I would ever do business with them, not to mention the whole time I was on the phone all derrek did was talk about how ****ty his competitors were), learned a lot (probably more knowledge that I will retain for life and put to practical use than my 5+ years as an undergrad at college) and had fun doing it. I'll definitely still hang around even if I defect to another make as I like this board...its kind of like an old redneck bar with wood paneling and a moldy smell with cheap beer, good people, and lots of fun to be had (not that I would insinuate (sp?) that any of you are rednecks)...it feels like my home away from home.

[quote]Originally posted by sauerkraut:
<strong>sm's got a good idea there.....barn raising for ribs perhaps....much like sm ive never replaced a headgasket, but i'd be willing to learn/help. someday we'll all have to be replacing our HG's.....cant think the parts would be more than 350 bucks</strong><hr></blockquote>

I would love to if I had a barn to raise, but the middle of a coule-de-sac (where the car is now) isn't the ideal location for such an endeavor. If somebody around me (the car still runs, just not too well) wants to put up with me and my car for a bit and wants to have a barn raising event, I would definitely be down for it.

[quote]Originally posted by [Michael]:
<strong>Too bad Ribs, I know how frustrating it can be when you keep having problems with something that is suppose to be for fun. Remeber that time that you said that I must have Turbo envy kind of like ***** Envy. Well I still don't

On a positive note!!! I am probably buying another 944! A US Spec one this time! It is an early '85 exactly like the German Spec one I own now. Red with beig interior. It has 78k miles, power windows, moon roof... The guy has all the maint records and it was all done at Porsche. He had the timing belt service done at 75k miles. Also, he said that the A/C wasn't blowing really cold so Porsche replaced the dryer and condensor(?) and recharged it. He said it blows cold now. My dad is going to look at it for me today. (i am in Germany and it is in Houston) Hopefully it is as nice as the pictures look and as the owner says. If I get it I am going to keep my 16" wheels and Turbo S sway bars and leave the springs and Torsion bars in place for when I sell it. Then I can build the new car up without holding back since I can keep it after leaving Germany </strong><hr></blockquote>

I think the head gasket just blew because it was old (the car started sputtering while idling at a stoplight and I wasn't running it hard that night), not really turbo related (and I have plenty of fuel to match the boost). Are you going to have the car shipped to germany? Don't the eurospec 944 n/a's have slightly higher static compression resulting in 10 or 12 more HP?

Thanks for the replies and support so far guys. I appreciate it. If you or anyone you know is interested in this car, drop a line in this thread or send me an e-mail at richietommy@hotmail.com . Peace.

*Michael.*

[quote]Originally posted by ribs:
<strong>
Are you going to have the car shipped to germany? Don't the eurospec 944 n/a's have slightly higher static compression resulting in 10 or 12 more HP?
</strong><hr></blockquote>


Yes I am going to ship it over here. My dad can drop it off in Dallas and the military contractor will ship it. The Air Force ships one car for you when you are stationed over here. Luckily I never shipped a car so I can get it over here for free. And yes the euro version does have more Hp. The euro version has 164hp while I believe the US version has 150 correct?? I have toyed with the idea of slapping some euro-spec pistons in to bump up the compression..

ribs

Oh...here are some pictures of the car taken a few months ago after a wash and a wax. No pictures of the bad stuff yet (I'm nowhere near the car) but these will give you an idea of what she is like:

*Michael.*

Ever think of selling your wheels seperately?

(I hear the Vultures already)