Big Dave

Tensioner bolt is in stock at 928 International. It'll be here by the end of the week (hopefully). Tom at 928 Intl told me that I should try to move the cams as close to TDC (where the notches align) as possible (while the crank is at 45) and THEN move the crank to 0 TDC. I can then move the cams the short distance back to TDC as I put the belt on. He admits that the spring pressure from the cams won't let them easily rest at TDC. I can then test compression in any order I want.

Tom also told me that he has heard of 85s that did not experience damage from a belt failure, although it is not common at all. I'm hoping that at least one of the heads escaped damage, but since Tiburon has made me an offer for 2 rebuilt heads that is cheaper than 1 used head from the Big Three, it won't be too bad if both are damaged. My biggest concern remaining is whether the pistons or the block experienced damage. It's still only a theory of mine that the coolant that was trickling out was from the bent tensioner arm bolt. I haven't found anywhere else where it might have come from. All I know is that the coolant was dripping onto the top of the front of the oil pan and then to the ground, much like it did when my water pump was leaking (hence my initial thoughts that the pump failed).

Since my water pump still turns like new and it's got 1 year and maybe 12K miles on it, I'm planning on leaving it alone. I'll be doing the Ford motor mounts and an oil pan gasket, since it would be stupid not to with the engine out.

bcdavis

One of the strongest suggestions I would make to all 928 owners, is to save a little money, and pick up a daily driver. Some low-cost, reliable import. Get something that will serve a purpose. If you have kids, get a minivan. If you have a house, get a truck. That way, when your 928 is down, you can fix it at your leisure. If you do not have $$$ for the repairs, let the car sit for a couple months, while you assemble the funds. It really does take a lot of the stress out of ownership. It becomes a toy, a hobby, a project... When it is running, you can drive it every single day. But if it breaks, you just switch to the other vehicle...

mpesik

bcdavisi -Wise Words. So true! . I've been looking for another car myself ,will make living with the 928, less stressfull! B.T.W- Anyone know of a Lamborghini Jalpa for sale? 86-87? Mike

heinrich

BC, agreed, that is exactly what my '85 auto is for, and for sunny days the 911 targa. I only drive the S4 5spd on club get-togethers; dates; trips to the store and such.

heinrich

MPesik, congrats on the first of your avatars I could look at without puking

Big Dave

Not that anyone is suggesting it per say, but I can't get a beater. I meet clients and sometimes take folks we're interviewing out to lunch. We've already got a minivan, too, for the wife.

Cameron

I like the RX-8. They are underpowered by today's standards, however. Of course, they are only $30k.

Enjoy and best of luck rebuilding your 928!

......Cameron
'91 Euro GT

Joe '87 S4

Forgive this possibly stupid question in advance but: Is there a way to rebuild a 928 32v engine into a non-interference engine (and still have the same or possibly more HP)? Now, before the flame throwers start...my disclaimer is I never learned that much about cars growing up but I am slowly learning as the 928 has been an education since getting it a few years ago. I'm not sure what I would do if I were in Dave's circimstance since I wouldn't be able to do that work myself. But, I love my 928, and if I were to have the engine rebuilt, I would want to make sure the TB failure wouldn't be lurking for trouble again. Could you rebuild the engine with larger diameter pistons and a shorter travel?

heinrich

Joe yes. It's called spending 14 grand on lowering compression and installing a supercharger or turbo. If you make the engine non-interference, it lowers compression substantially, requiring boost to get power back up ...... not only that but it requires proper re-engineering of the piston crown and resulting combustion chamber. So .... possible, but less likely.

intrepidjohnson

Wow...these replies would scare me if not for the fact that a 928 has been my daily driver since 1977. I have purchased three (new from Porsche dealers) since then and have driven over 400,000 miles without any serious problems.

Joe '87 S4

I was afraid of that. Just to let everyone know, if my TB goes, I have a really nice interior and a lot of new parts. For 14K, I'd just buy another one...

epbrown01

What - you'd leave the family? My back-up cars are all members of the Porsche line up.

Emanuel

Nicole

Totally agreed! If you have it as the only mode of transportation and depend on mechanics doing everything (and doing it quickly), you will be sucked dry very quickly...

I bought a 95 Saab for about wholesale price at an auto auction a few years back, and can keep the 928 for the times it works and I can really enjoy it... Besides, because of multiple car discounts, the insurance for the extra car is only about $500, registration tax is neglectible on both cars, since they are so old.

Nicole

Dave: I'm glad to hear you are likely to rebuild - actually, I have no doubt you will! I would have been really sad to see your shark dismantled and losing you as a member of our wonderful 928 community!

In regards to the RX-8 - you might or might not know that the last car I had in good cold Germany was an 86 RX-7s (comparable to US GXL model). It had a suspension very much like a 928, was smaller and lighter, and with its speed sensitive steering and front/mid engine/low center of gravity layout drove like a go-kart. To this day I think this is the one of my cars that was the most fun to drive (except going over 90mph in cross wind, when it required three lanes on the Autobahn). The engine was mega-awesome and very reliable - the only downside wat that it guzzled more gas than a 928 with twice the power. At German style gas prices that was - mildly experssed - not so pleasant.

If they ever make another coupe that does not have as much of a "playstation" ambiente...

UKKid35

I've been away for the last week otherwise I would have posted sooner: Cam belt failure is not the end of the world.

I haven't read every post but it sounds like you have a pair of heads available, and that is a really good start. You also need time, and lots of it. You also need a bit of cash, but probably not as much as you might think, my repair costs were under $2k. The biggest element other than the heads was the gasket set.

I appreciate that you feel you've been cheated, you've done everything by the book, and yet you've been let down in a major fashion, but now is not the time to give up.

You obviously have the expertise, (I really did not) but with the help of 928 buddies and my dad my engine is now running beautifully, and I promise that the pleasure you get from driving a car you're re-animated is in a different league altogether.