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The project 928 arrived today. It's everything I was expecting...and more. Let me start with a disclaimer if the seller is here - I knew what I was getting into when I bid. I'm also quite sarcastic and cover my tears with feeble attempts at humor, so there's no blame here. But it is still a very different experience when the driver starts up the 928 to pull it off the trailer, we're consumed in a cloud of white smoke, and the realization sets in that my son and I have a long road ahead of us.
While the Mrs. knew and approved the purchase, I still knew the first move had to be washing it before she got home. I did wonder at some point whether the dirt I was removing was structural or not and whether I'd mucked up the entire project within the first 30 minutes at the house by pouring water over seals that might not seal. Once that was complete, I thought a good starting point would be to assess what worked and what didn't. The first list didn't take long to assemble. The body seems solid - though the random hole drilled through the driver's door is intriguing. The lights pop up with only one burned out. The wipers move across the windshield...very, very slowly. The car does start and run...with a little smoke and a lot of noises that don't all sound perfectly healthy. The rear hatch opens and stays open on its own - unlike the hood. That might be the end of the good list.
I believe I'll be starting with the electrics and vacuum system. Very little of the electrics seem to work. No power windows. No radio. The temp gauge and speedometer are the only gauges working. No brake lights. No turn signals. The good news here is that there's not much to the interior, so I shouldn't have much to remove to get to the connections.
Once I got past the initial shock, I am excited about the project. I wasn't expecting to drive it to work Monday. It's going to take more time and money than I can anticipate, but I appreciate you all in advance for the history you've recorded, the answers to my forthcoming questions, and the encouragement I'll need at points throughout this journey. I'll share how it goes.
Well, as I said on BaT, with 928 values where they are, a 78 runner, even with problems, but with lots of the goodies that came with it, is a good value. You are ahead. But now the fun begins!
Post up here often, an keep a good rebuild thread going. Before deciding to restore or simply refurbish, get it running and driving as well as you can. Figure out the white smoke issue - could be bad rings or maybe a head gasket? What does the exhaust tail pipe look like? Sooty? Post up some pictures, and a lot of the engine bay too (including the valley under the spider - use flash on the camera). One thing about these cars that's almost magical - the more you drive them, the more some of the issues cure themselves. Obviously driving won't cure a bad head gasket or worn rings, but if it is something else, from sitting, working through old gas with new gas and some MMO could do wonders, especially with a CIS system. We're here for your journey. Read the minerva build thread from William and Dr Rob Edwards all the way through, from beginning to end. It is here: 1978 5sp #107 just arrived - aka the restoration of Minerva - Rennlist - Porsche Discussion Forums. This may be THE definitive thread on a US restoration of a 78 928. Also read through the new visitor sticky thread at the top of this forum, all the way through. Take lots of notes, make lots of copies. Get the WSM - you can get the disc from Roger inexpensively, or find the hard bound 9 volume set for $300 to $400 (preferred). Then dig in, and eat that elephant one bite at a time - not the whole thing at once. Can't wait to follow this and chip in when I can.
You and I recently bought opposite projects (thread - Added an '81 Euro 5-speed. I bought a we'll running engine with an interior that needs complete replacement. At least all the interior pieces from the auction photos look really nice instead of you having go find them.
White cloud on startup is probably a blown head gasket - yes, I've been there (thread - Blown / Damaged Head Gasket?), though it was self-inflicted.
See what works, but yiu might actually want to start with the engine and it's probably coming out for oil pan gasket, motor mounts, head gaskets, can cover gaskets and seals, etc. A lot of stuff is easier to replace around the engine bay with the engine out. You'll need a cherry picker (Harbor Freight) and an engine stand (Sunex 8300GB)
Good luck and have fun with the project. We couldn't do stuff like this without the helpful people here.
Glad you made it here. Best wishes for good luck on the restoration work. This forum is without question the best place to find really useful advice. Unlike the old AudiWorld we both knew, very few jerks around here.
I, too, am subscribing to your thread, so keep 'em coming!!
... I appreciate you all in advance for the history you've recorded, the answers to my forthcoming questions, and the encouragement I'll need at points throughout this journey. I'll share how it goes.
You've absolutely come to the right place; not just for the expertise, but for the friendliness for the group. They've been putting up with my ham-fisted shenanigans for years.
One of the best parts of the 928 community is the gatherings. If you're in NC, you're only a few hours from Frenzy, and even closer to Sharks in the Mountains. Don't worry if your Shark isn't up for the trip, it's 'come as you are', and bring your son!
Last edited by Shawn Stanford; 04-24-2021 at 10:26 AM.
Be sure to check my (3) threads on my journey(s), for some hopefully helpful tips.....so far (1) driver, (1) runner, and (1) still patiently waiting....
Thanks for the warm welcome and encouragement. The sun came up on the 928 this morning and my son were excited for demo day. He'll be upset I posted the pic of him under the car, but it's a proud dad moment. We pulled everything out - seats, door panels, steering wheel, center console, cluster, rear quarter panels, and what little carpeting was there. Then we tackled the bumper - appreciate the great threads on that. We never would have found those 13mm bolts. We found so many wires either cut or unattached. That explains why so few things worked. We hooked the radio up to 12V and listened to the ITT speakers while we worked. Not half bad.
First question for the group: we have the stainless gas cap. It doesn't lock. It really doesn't seem to close at all (keeps spinning). We tried to find a tutorial, but they were all for the red version. We can't seem to get the plastic separated from the metal sleeve. Any ideas?
That stainless gas cap is really made of gold! I'm sure Jim will be along to tell you how they can be fixed. (BTW, I also spy a '78 only Euro wiper arm on that R.O.W. car. Wrong for the car, but another part made of gold! Wish I had it!)
Many people say that cleaning the electrical board will magically solve many electrical problems. Others will tell you to replace the ground straps. Both are excellent ideas!
Your center console trim is uncut, so protect that with your life! The long rubber beading that covers both sides of the fenders where they bolt to the chassis (under the hood) is NLA, but a good close substitute is now available; save yours if possible. Door panels are from a later car, which probably also donated all the black interior pieces. Your key/start issue (no springing back from the start) is the rear electrical portion of the ignition switch. I only know because I just replaced mine this week.
You've got an original exhaust system, which is great for originality, but bad because it's not stainless. DO NOT throw that pumpkin muffler or mid-chamber away! If you don't restore it, someone else will. Using a stock system from a later year will keep the original look and be stainless. Those early '78 systems are like hen's teeth & valuable even with a few issues.
Basically, don't throw anything away before you KNOW what it is and are sure it's not original or repairable. There are a lot of unique parts to a '78 that later cars won't have, and I'm already salivating over a few morsels that love to ****** away for my own car! lol!
I was watching the auction on BAT and think you got a good one! It looks like a very solid car and a great project! I hope you're able to bring it back to life as it deserves.
Nice!
What are your plans?
Is this to be a runner or a restoration?
We're still trying to assess that. Going into it, the plan was to do a very nice DD quality car. Wife is already asking when we can get it painted and looking at interior kits, so we'll see...
For the steel gas cap, I drill a small hole in the center of the plastic insert then fill the center w/epoxy. Locks it up really good.
Cool early 928!
Did I catch from BaT that this is a father and son project?
Originally Posted by Ghosteh
That stainless gas cap is really made of gold! I'm sure Jim will be along to tell you how they can be fixed. (BTW, I also spy a '78 only Euro wiper arm on that R.O.W. car. Wrong for the car, but another part made of gold! Wish I had it!)
Many people say that cleaning the electrical board will magically solve many electrical problems. Others will tell you to replace the ground straps. Both are excellent ideas!
Your center console trim is uncut, so protect that with your life! The long rubber beading that covers both sides of the fenders where they bolt to the chassis (under the hood) is NLA, but a good close substitute is now available; save yours if possible. Door panels are from a later car, which probably also donated all the black interior pieces. Your key/start issue (no springing back from the start) is the rear electrical portion of the ignition switch. I only know because I just replaced mine this week.
You've got an original exhaust system, which is great for originality, but bad because it's not stainless. DO NOT throw that pumpkin muffler or mid-chamber away! If you don't restore it, someone else will. Using a stock system from a later year will keep the original look and be stainless. Those early '78 systems are like hen's teeth & valuable even with a few issues.
Basically, don't throw anything away before you KNOW what it is and are sure it's not original or repairable. There are a lot of unique parts to a '78 that later cars won't have, and I'm already salivating over a few morsels that love to ****** away for my own car! lol!
I was watching the auction on BAT and think you got a good one! It looks like a very solid car and a great project! I hope you're able to bring it back to life as it deserves.
04-23-2021 | 02:16 PM
New 928 Owner - BaT Project Car
You can do this!
