Which is why I am thinkin LeMons. You get the best of the 944 LeMons cars... A good chassis and ditch teh 2.5L motor which needs a miricale to be relable in a $500 car. The 924 is very cheap and if the 2.0L is solid.. perfect LeMons car IMHO.

 

Your best bet really would be to part that car out and buy an 86 or newer 944. Lots of improvements, larger motor, better wiring, much better fuel management....and still plenty to tinker with

 

well that was my point. no disrespect to any young person wishing to drive a nice, project car. but, look at the bigger picture.. you buy a car for about 3 grand and you're further ahead after fewer steps. does anyone know when they upgraded the cars to the thin rust-resistant layer ?


1. get the timing system right. radiator flush, and complete tuneup including your fuel filter.
2. shop around for a nice set of wheels.
3. buff the paint or get minor body work and respray.
4. pull the carpet, clean and re-dye.
5. clean up the interior pieces with SEM, and get the driver's seat redone.
6. start shopping around for spare parts.... including spare brake discs and suspension items.


some route like that.

 

The 924 for 1980 and after was fully zinc treated for rust prevention. Before 1980 only the lower body was zinc treated on the 924.

 

so his car is a '79. ouch.

 

oh jesus, people. he got it for $100. if he can get it running with some spare hours and a few parts, awesome. if he can't, he'll still learn some wrenching. sometimes a cheap fun car is just a cheap fun car.

 

If the rust is only cosmetic and light build-up, you can use a 10-15% soln. Phosphoric acid and swab it on until the rust turns charcoal/black...instant primer. If it's deeply pitted, get out the wire brushes.

 

no ! this is a life and death struggle ! ...



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XmbURZANDOo

 

Good luck with it. Keep in mind the old maxim "There's no such thing as a cheap Porsche"....

 

Ouch, tell me about it. Mine was "free," and "in great shape." I've put ~$2500 into it (at a steeply discounted rate, no less), and still haven't even been able to drive the thing.

 

Begin with the $50 Paint job.
Why? Once you begin to work on the engine and electrics you will have motivation to keep at it.

http://www.rickwrench.com/index79mas...llarpaint.html

GL-- Pulling hair out in frustration optional--see previous thread.

John

 

My advice is to get the car running and have some fun with it. After it is running then he can decide whether to continune with the project. And as far as the 86 or newer 944. What is the reason for that? Actually I know the common reasons but those usually come from people who have not had both. I have both and prefer the 83 for lots of reasons that I do not have time to detail in someone elses thread. Whether it is a 83na or 87na, they are all very similiar cars and it mostly comes down to personal preference.

 

you have to start somewhere....I know i was down that road too my friend. It may be a long journey....but its worth it. Nothing better than the sense of accomplishment.

 

yeah I'm quoting myself but this is the best path. As mentioned earlier DO check the battery cables--I had a negative cable fail on my pristine 924 Turbo with 53k miles and it used the return spring for the shifter as its new ground point...almost burnt the car to the ground. I got spooked and added a second ground right from the battery!

 

looks like a great starter project. i would first buy a porsche service manual set for the car. while you are waiting on that, pull the seats and carpet and get the thing cleaned and smelling fresh. this will take some work but will be worth the effort. start reading faq's here on the forum and read some writeups and start shopping for replacement parts to get this bad boy back on the road!

the car is definatly due for some majpr service such as a timing belt/water pump, external engine gaskets, air and fuel filters, t-stat, belts hoses, cooling system and fuel system flush, oil change, vacuum line replacement, diff and trans oil change etc.

congrants on picking up a really cool project car! keep us updated with pics!