Rrose910

Greetings all, This is my first post so let me see if I can get this right without being beat up. 1st Finally getting into restoring my '80 Euro with the 4.7L 5 spd. Car was a mess when I got her. Faded Tobacco Metallic with enough oil on the engine to pour back in and the typical 40 year old interior. After 2 failed attempts of restoration by me (time, money, and relocations caused many delays, I have been able to go full bore on her. SO I am in need of some assistance from those that have done it, did it, and lived it.....
I apologies for the large pics. Haven't figured out how to do small pics yet

Daughter going hog wild on ripping out stinking carpet.

So I've hit my first couple of snags. 1'st has to do with piston #1

First is this piston cracked or metal fatigue. The piston has a number 1 and a + sign on it. I have figured out what the 1 means through researching the feeds but I haven't found out what the + and - mean. I have all number 1's but 6 have the + sign and 2 have the - sign. SO question 1 is should this piston be replaced? I was unable to see any signs of cracks or issues from the bottom of the piston.
Second question has to do with the camshaft.--- To remove the camshaft from the housing, I had to heat up the housing with a hot air gun and gently wiggle out the camshaft through the front hole where the cam gear was. Is this a normal thing? Or am I going to have a heck of a time getting it back in.
Lastly all I can say is WOW. what a beautiful engine it is when all the oil and grime is cleaned off.

Cleaned the outside. Next step is the inside

Thanks again
Robert

Ladybug83

Nice! Way to dive in!

I can't help with your questions about pistons, but I have done a couple amateur garage restos recently.

Google "928 Dwaynes garage" and "928 sharkskin" for a couple good sites with lots of valuable write-ups on various jobs. Also the service manuals and parts PET are great guides as well to see how things work and fit together.

This forum, above all, might be your best tool because the folks are super knowledgeable and happy to help.

Good luck and nice job so far!

GregBBRD

You obviously are going to need to remove that piston and look at it. If the top ring land is broken and the damage spread to the valve reliefs, that is from detonation (which does occur on these early engines, especially the Euro models.) If the piston looks normal, my guess would be a flaw in the original casting process.

Wisconsin Joe

I'd say 'welcome' for the first post, but you've been here as long as I have, so that doesn't feel quite right.

It's pretty cool that you have an 'assistant'. If she's lucky, the car will be done in time for her to drive it.
She's got small hands, so there will be a number of jobs that she'll get to learn to do. Door handle is one that comes to mind.

Cams can take a bit of effort to get in & out of the towers. Shouldn't be a problem, just be careful. Slow & Gentle is always a good idea.

You aren't brand new, but I'll suggest reading the "New Visitor" sticky. If you read it when you first joined, read it again. Lots and lots of good info. Links to Dwayne's Garage and a couple other 'dedicated owner' sites, where you will find write ups for most jobs. Sharkskin's is a really good one too. Links to the PET and a free download of the owner's manual & Work Shop Manual. A list of trusted vendors, who do a lot to keep parts available and reasonably priced. You may find a 'better deal' on E-Bay or Amazon, but Roger, Mark & Tom and Dave all go to great lengths to ensure they aren't selling cheap counterfeits.
There was a fuel pump on Amazon over the winter. REALLY 'good' price. Roger quickly noted that it lacked the proper markings and was likely a fake. A couple folks chimed in that they had tried similar knock-off pumps and they were not very good. Something to keep in mind.

Good luck and keep us posted. When (not 'if') you get stuck or just aren't sure, get on here & ask. Lots of VERY knowledgeable folks on here who are usually willing to offer advice, bad jokes and commisseration.

And ya posted pics. Good on you. But we need more.