Hi all,

just registered but have been lurking for a while, lots of great info absorbed already. I’m the proud owner of a 1981 928s.

I am documenting my experiences here on YouTube, first episode is initial look over (I bought blind from eBay)

‘David Johnson Porsche 928’ should get you there if you are interested. Cannot seem to post links.

Aim is to revive rather than restore at this time - but not really sure where I’m going.

My question is a cylinder head / gasket one - I cannot easily source a 1.4mm head gasket for an m28/12 in the uk, and my reinz gasket kit has the 1.1mm I assume.

Heads are around 2.7mm dimension - can I safely use the 1.1mm? It had 1.1mm installed when I got it, but not running.

many thanks
David

 

Have your heads ever been machined? That is the only real reason to get the thicker head gaskets aside from dropping the compression ratio.

If not or they have only been lightly skimmed you can use the 1.1mm gaskets.

 

Hello,

welcome here! You need a few messages than you can post links.

Your car is a real task with the whole corrosion but it's a Euro S five speed. Nice full leather dash.

 

Where in th UK are you? My first 928 was an 81S, loved it

 

yeah - I think they have. My callipers say that the A dimension is 23.7mm or thereabouts.

 

Rotating the Engine on the camshaft isn't a good idea! So much force on the belt and the rollers could make damage. Camshafts can break and are nla.
I lost a timing belt on a 86S3 because one bolt from a roller bend.

Next time use the crankshaft for rotating it.
The last two pistons looks like there is coolant on it, head gasket failure?

 

Monumental task. Best of luck.
Cheers

 

Welcome to the forum. Well I can see that you have a bit of work to do. I'm going to look it up at youtube and see where everything is right now. Best thing to do is first to determine wether it is a viable project or parts for another car? If it was cheap enough then maybe. If you want it to be nice though, putting 15-20k$ into this is what it will take, maybe more. But if you want it just as a project, to get it running and such it could be done. Not cheap, but it could be done. If I can help on the way, I will certainly chime in anyway I can. Good luck with this, and as I heard someone said..; buying and owning a 928 isn't a sane choice, it's an emotional one...

 

Thanks for the welcome!

To be honest i am a bit further in than shown in the latest video, hence my question about the head dimension (apologies, missed out the 3 in the first post - its 23.7mm) as I think I need to source a thicker gasket.

Regards the overall project theres no question I will get this car back on the road in a running form. I am not too fussed about having a concurs car or making the full 300 horses it originally had. Aim is to get it 'safely' running and then take stock - maybe even an EV conversion.

I intend to do as much myself as possible and am happy to re do stuff at a later date

I agree its definitely not a rational journey - but the fun is in the doing (and failing at times) I guess.

I previously did the same with a '70s Series 3 Land Rover which was totally rotten, but am prepared (I hope) this time for the 10x extra it costs for parts this time around. The landrover was not an earner either, but is now my daily driver.

The NLA status of some of the parts scares me - I'm not going anywhere near the cam shafts with a breaker bar again...

 

Lifters are very expensive on the two valve engines. Interior and carpets look very good, the paint and the rear quarters not.
So you haven‘t the big money pit Interieur. Have you access to a part car for good hull parts?

In your video you have the block on the desk. I hope all is fine?

 

Yeah the interior is pretty good - but does smell! I think it’s complete, I kept finding the missing bits…even the seat buttons.

The block..hmm.

Initially I just wanted to take off the heads and sump, but that lead me to looking at the crank - there was an annoying surprise there..the crank oil ways had bits off sealant in so I had to strip it all the way down to clean it.

Interesting job, but stressful being that far in with large components that are a precision fit.

There will be a video on it, warts and all.

 

Any takers on the gasket question?

 

To re-cap dimension ‘A’ is 23.7mm which indicates it’s been machined. Can I get away with a 1.1mm gasket? (M28/12 engine) - I think it’s close to wear limit so probably not.

 

David, I copy the links for you!

The right side frame rail looks very bend, the left not, maybe an accident? Engine and steering rack are dry, that looks good.
Mass points and electric will be a task.
Dampers will be shot, the two disc clutch is very expensive.

Keep on going, it's an interesting journey.

Part 2


And part 3

 

Thanks for propagating the links!

Yes, the frame rails are really dented, I hope not kinked from accident damage...