I am beginning to look for a 944, Have never owned a 944 before, what should I be aware of? Am going to look at a 85 that needs a timing belt this weekend. How do I tell if it is the 85.5 944? This for a fun project but not a complete restore project. ( Presently have a 928, and do my own work). Where is the best place to get parts? Car has approximetily 80K on the odometer.

Thanks in advance for the help.

Richard

 

needs a timing belt?
Hopefuly that means the timing belt didn't break otherwise the belt broken mean's blown engine....

 

Paragon-Products! I can't say enough good things about their parts.

The only other place may be something local for parts you need right away. In spite of how good paragon is there are no transporters to get you parts in 1 hour.

 

the dash will be drastically different between the two years. also the fuel line hoses will come from the passenger side fender if its 85/2, and from behind the engine if its 85/1.

-Michael-

 

Quickest way to determine a 85 from 85.5 is to look for an external radio antenna. on the 85 and older car there is a retractable antenna in the drivers fender just before the windshield. it is a black thing you can see even with the antenna down. 85.5 and later do not have this hole. They have the antenna flush mounted in the windshield.

 

isn't the 85 1/2 the first year of the new interior? Maybe I am mistaken being that nobody mentioned it yet. Well, please, correct me if I'm wrong. BTW, Richard Lang, drive a 951 before you get the 944. You may just need one instead.
~Eyal

 

yeah i did say that already, dash/interior. the dash is more noticeable, they did change some of the interior in 84. drive a 951 if you think you're interested, but i'd start out with a nice 944 first, then move to the 951 if you want. no sense in getting more car than you can use.

-Michael-

 

Thanks for the quick input. If the timing belt broke is it positive that damage has been done ? My 924 broke a belt with out causing damage. And my first 928 ( 79) broke a belt with no damage. What would be the best way to tell with out tearing the engine down. It is a 5 hour round trip to see this car.

Thanks

Richard

 

the 924 is not an interference engine, so if the t-belt breaks, nothing is hurt. not sure about late 70's 928's. in a 944, the pistons will hit the valves if the t-belt breaks. that's not good. valves get bent, pistons get scored . . . . .

 

78 and 79 928s are non-interference. The engine became interference in 1980.

 

Do a search in the archives on what 944 you want to buy. It sounds like you know these cars (Porsche) fairly well already-so the maintanence, history, pre-purchase inspection, etc is not totally foreign.

There are a lot of vendors, and parts seem fairly simple to come by-new and used. If you want to come to Kansas City, you are welcome to play with my early car. It has been a joy to own since I got it.

 

Offer $500 for the car. Rent a trailer and take it home.

Pull the head and take it to a good shop and have the valves done.

Clean up the block; drain the oil and coolant and flush it out.

Put the rebuilt head back on. Belts etc.

Drain and flush the gas tank. New gas filter, fluids.

Get it running.

Now you have a $3,000 944! For less than $2,000.

Drive the heck out of it.

Better than spending $26,000 for a Rice car only to have it's value drop $10,000 in the first two years.

If you don't want it I know a few who do! Just send me the info.

P.S. That's and idea! Start a listing of all of the broken 944's we can find. Must be lots of opportunities out there for resurrections!

 

Thanks for the input, Just returned from the 250 mile trip to look the car over. It is a early 85, Dash and pod cracked, Body fairly staight two minor dings that could be fixed easily, Some rust on the drivers side door panel not bad. Interior is a complete loss. would have to be replaced or re-upholstered. Tires need replacing ( good rims looked like BBS wideer than stock.) Paint in good shape considering left out for one year. ( Winshield cracked. ) Your right for the right person $500.00 would be the price.

again Thanks, the hunt goes on.