sharkmeister85

I've started the process of doing the first TB/WP job on my '85 5 spd. In the 10 or so years that I've owned it, this job has been done 3 times, but this will be the first time by me. There are a few other jobs that really should be done on it, since it serves as my daily driver.
I think I have some minor intake related vaccum leaks, the intake manifold is flaking and looks like crap, the injectors should be rebuilt/replaced and at least one fuel line(the horse-shoe shaped one near the firewall) looks real scary. I also have Porken's cam timing tool and want to time the cams, necessitating removal of the cam covers, so I might as well get them refinished as well. I'd like to deal with those issues now while I'm in there anyhow.
As a daily driver the car has not given me problems starting on a daily basis, but it hasn't been started since the middle of December now, and if I try to do all the work I've listed, it will be a few more months. Does it make sense for me to try and do all this work in one shot? As a first-timer in there, am I being too ambitious? If the car doesn't want to start in a couple of months after doing all these jobs, I'm concerned that trouble-shooting it may have been made more complicated because I would have messed with so many more things. So should I just do the TB/WP first and see if I make out okay and then go back and tackle the others? I miss driving my 928, so I could really use some wisdom on this. TIA
My apologies for such a long post.
Glenn Benson

ErnestSw

My advice would be to do the TB/WP first. The intake issues are not addressed in the TB/WP job and are actually more complicated. Concentrate on one job at a time.

Garth S

Glenn,
Just rebuilt a tensioner on the engine, torqued down a new water pump and installed and set tension on the TB this afternoon on a S4 - too cold now to do more than type . The '85 is almost identical, and as Ernie says, the TB/pump is a good place to start.
Once the accessories, fans ( fan in your case), TB covers. etc are out of the way and a new TB in place, everything is nicely opened up should you choose to proceed with cam covers, intake .....

sharkmeister85

Ernest and Garth,
Thanks for your replys. I'll stick with finishing the TB/Wp first and then go from there. Would there be any problem starting the car (just to confirm it starts and the new belt is running true) before putting it all back together(ie. just put the alt. belt on and top up the rad)?
Glenn

SteveG

Should be no problem. Just make sure you turn the engine through twice (I think I did it 4 x) to make sure tension was set) to make sure timing cam notches are lined up. Might want to do the oil filler neck gasket too. Once the fuel rails are out, you will want to make sure you have done everything concerning the vacuum and painting before putting it back together. I have only minor flaking on my intake, but I wish I had powder coated them and the covers. I don't understand why some intakes are so much worse than others.

sharkmeister85

Steve,
Ya, it sounds like powder-coating is the way to go. I'll do the oil filler neck gasket too, and have it powder-coated as well.
Glenn