Today I got started on my front engine refurb. It's a nice Sat, and I have no rush.

Overall condition of the engine and engine bay is pretty good. I have set the world record for number of mud dauber nests. The car sat under a carport in MS for many years. I rescued it a few weeks ago, and decided to spruce it up a bit before deciding on the long term prospects of the car.

It is a solid, well represented car, that has been neglected for a long, long time. No rust anywhere, no body work, and very decent all around condition. The interior and paint are rough due to age, but all present. Even has both undertrays! hmmmm

Front engine came apart fairly easy. I found the water pump to be seized and the deal was on its last minutes before the belt would fry. Lot of skidding on the water pump pulley, and some damage on the back of the belt. The wiring loom is in great shape, however some of the bosch plastic connectors have crumbled. No surprises other than the WP seized.

There was plenty of bowing on the flex plate which I relieved, and check the crank end float. I came up with 7 to 8 thou on three measurements. Of course, the purists would have me douse it in gas, and set fire to it right now - but I plan to lock the crank back, and put a new pinch bolt in and check annually.

Some pics to follow.

 

Where's the " cheap part?" You ain't even gotten started yet.

 

After the front of the engine, and new fluids I'll be back on the road. Next jobs are the motor mounts, OPG, injector replacement, and all new brakes. The current rotors are very pitted. I just want to get it moving before tackling the rest of the needed mx.

Once the mech stuff is up to snuff, I'll get going on the few electrical gremlins that I have. So far I've tested all the exterior lights, and they are ok, most of the int lights are ok. I have a horn, the left mirror works, but windows work slowly, and I'm not going to risk the sunroof. All 8 ways of both seats are working now thanks to a little quick fix on the driver side fore-aft motion.

 

Paid $1300 USD for a running 88 S4 with 132k miles. Clear title.

In my book - that's cheap.

 

D@mn! I thought I stole a car today, but Doc has me beaten by a long mile! Congrats!

 

Very thrifty indeed!!!!!

 

Tell us more. Wacha got, wacha got, wacha got?

 

Well, what a hack-meister. I thought maybe the noisy exhaust was due to the metal of the cat rusting through. Which is pretty rare, because the cat asm is made of darn durable metal.

I grabbed it up and flipped it over this morning, and I am - gobsmacked. Some fem hygiene product actually took a recip saw with a metal cutting blade and SAWED into the bottom of the cat pipe just below where the O2 sensor sits on top! I can see clear through a 3x5" hack job hole right to the O2 threads on top! Unbelievable what some people do. Now I have to clean up the shield metal, grind it smooth, and weld a patch in to the pipe.

Oye vey.

 

Gah!

 

Wow. Surprised he didn't scrawl "Wolverine was here".

 

Why? What was the purpose? Why is that these cars got into the hands of these kinds of people? Less disasterous "fixing" on 80s 911s and bmws.

 

Thread title needed a separator, it's a cheap 88 he's doing a front engine job on.

 

What a steal for that price. Good luck with the car, and may you have a gem when you are done.

 

Nice. Post pics of the exhaust patch!

 

Awesome!