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tspangle, you're an inspiration! I bought an '85.5 almost 2 years ago, and haven't been able to do beyond very basic maintenance (fluids and bulbs and such), as I live in a city and there's only street parking. This weekend I'm going to take a trip up to my parents' and inspect my suspension, see what needs work. Lifted the car a couple days ago and there were a couple things slightly loose. Doesn't affect handling yet, but it will at some point (thankfully I do less than 700 miles per year). I knew the front suspension, among other things would need attention when I bought the car and I think this weekend will give me the opportunity to address a couple things before I attempt a complete restoration in a few years. I would much rather fix everything under there in one go now, but logistically it's tricky for me here... Once I move out of my apartment and get my own house I'll be able to do as I please, when I please
In the two years the car was down, I heard enough horror stories about failing fuel lines and fires that I decided to take care of that issue before anything else:
How did you end up choosing the rennbay lines versus other stainless steel options? How has the quality been since you installed these RB lines?
Thanks, everyone! I'll admit I haven't done a ton to the car since the fall. I did get a new regulator/motor, so the passenger's side window is working again. Tried fixing the rattling driver's side, but I seem to be missing the window track that's supposed to be part of the door. So for now I'm living with it.
Last night I did a compression check, 180psi on all four cylinders. I don't know what these engines are supposed to be at, but I'm at least encouraged by the fact that they were all the same. So maybe, just maybe, my head gasket is OK?
In that spirit, I've decided to replace the oil cooler seals. First thing is to remove the exhaust manifold. After soaking the fasteners first in acetone/ATF mix, then with PB Blaster, I tried the first one:
Of course. I don't have the parts yet, so I hosed everything down again with PB Blaster, and when I get the parts, I'll take the hot wrench and try again. I really, REALLY don't want to break off a stud in the head.
IMMEDIATELY go and get yourself a bunch of small-diameter drill bits. Lots of them. Left-hand thread if you can find it
Oh, I have those, every type of bolt extractor, breaker, grabber, etc. I've been working on cars in Michigan for 25+ years, I've accumulated quite a collection!
Glad to see this thread is still going! I actually commented on it in like 2017, I totally forgot about that so it was a funny surprise to see my old post. I sold my 944S a while back because I didn't know too much about working on them back then. I regret doing that, especially with how hard it is to find another 944S for cheap (I paid $1000 for mine a few years ago). Still, I'm itching for another 944 of some kind, and reading this thread just gets me amped up to get one. In the last few years I've worked on a bunch of 944's and 928's at my shop, so I'm a lot more familiar with them nowadays.
Well, almost two months later, and it's fixed! Ended up getting the oil cooler seal kit from Pelican. Had plenty of struggles with the exhaust, and other household tasks, and the fact that I simply couldn't be bothered, but today I spent the whole day wrenching, got it back together and running, and it appears that all is good. I filled the crankcase with a 50/50 mix of oil and ATF to clean out any remaining coolant, ran it for about 20 minutes to get all warmed up, then dumped it. No evidence of coolant. Hooray!
But that's it. I'm tired of all the wrenching. I'm just not in a "project car" place right now. So as soon as I can get it all cleaned up and some pics taken, this thing is going up for sale.
Well, almost two months later, and it's fixed! Ended up getting the oil cooler seal kit from Pelican. Had plenty of struggles with the exhaust, and other household tasks, and the fact that I simply couldn't be bothered, but today I spent the whole day wrenching, got it back together and running, and it appears that all is good. I filled the crankcase with a 50/50 mix of oil and ATF to clean out any remaining coolant, ran it for about 20 minutes to get all warmed up, then dumped it. No evidence of coolant. Hooray!
But that's it. I'm tired of all the wrenching. I'm just not in a "project car" place right now. So as soon as I can get it all cleaned up and some pics taken, this thing is going up for sale.
Too bad - sounds like you are really there in all material respects, you should be able to just drive and enjoy for a while. Wrenching for me (as long as it's not too involved) is kind of therapy. Serious stuff is what I am waiting on until I retire in a few years.
03-27-2020, 01:17 PM
