H2

I know this list is not comprehensive and hopefully you can add to it. I failed to add pliars and a hammer as that's what most start out with. But the person who's getting into doing their own repairs to their 928 (I think) should have most of the following tools, etc. Some will not feel a need for some of these items, and others will have shop presses, lathes, and a dyno in their garage. Yes, it's an upfront cost but most people can pretty easily pay for the tools in saved shop costs by carefully doing their own wrenching (or really screw up, making this list void).

If you can afford to have a Porsche Dealer or shop do your 928 work, perhaps you should consider buying a Ferrari? I'm in no way affiliated with any vendor or product listed:

Rennlist Subscription (cheapest and most valuable repair aid you can buy, but it won't replace the manuals)

Kempf Tool for T-belt tension checking (it's easy to do). The expensive Porsche tool will frustrate you.

PorKen 32V-er tool (for checking/modifying timing, not a necessity but I'll never be without mine. Saved me a wad of money just recently when I changed a cam gear and gear backing hub without pulling the cam covers. Slick tool. Search for PorKen if interested)

John Kelly's Timing Belt Manual for Porsche 928S (I followed it carefully for my S4 T-belt change and it worked great. Best step-by-step writeup you'll find....and includes other related how-to-do-it work too. John's a Rennlister and sells these on eBay or directly if you contact him. It's new and it's really good w/LOTS of photos. Should be titled "T-Belt Manual for Dummies")

Speed-dial to "Big Three" 928 parts dealers and Sunset Porsche Parts in Beaverton, OR). Each excels in some way or another. If one dealer doesn't have it, the other probably does.

Good "HIGH" lift floor jack

Jack stands (I use varying lengths of 12x12 timbers just for margin of safety. I don't trust the Made in China things)

Ohm meter (essential) Remember: 928 = lots of electrics, shorts, etc.

Electrical Continuity Tester (buy or make your own as per Wally Plumley's directions)

Bookmark the major "928 How-To" websites (Nichols, Pirtle, and various others. There's a long list of good stuff. Print out the really good stuff you will need. Print off anything that Wally Plumley has written as he's the ultimate "grandfather" authority on most things dealing with 928 maintenance. I think he has a photographic memory with the ALL the manuals stored in it).

Valentine 1 Radar Detector (There may be better but I've not seen it yet. None are very good when it comes to Instant-On. Related to this, make sure your cruise control works. Otherwise you'll find yourself toodling along at 120mph, thinking you're at 60mph. Happens.

Two torque wrenches (essential for aluminum block engine) One for 1-40 Nm and/or lbs. and one for 30-150 lbs or so. You'll use the smaller one most. I have three...a cheap one for lug nuts and big stuff.

Trickle charger for battery

Midget combination wrench set: 4mm-11mm (Sears has a good set)

Rachets and Socket sets: 1/4" (really small for tight places; 3/8" inches you'll use it a lot; 1/2" you'll use too). Also regular metric socket sets...from tiny size to 27mm, it's also nice to have ZNX triple square drivers and hex sockets)...and every kind of socket adapter and extension you can afford. Some extensions have to be "pieced" together to get into tight spots w/out having to remove something you don't have to.

Work Shop Manuals (Print copies are expensive and PITA to use but do a Renn search for Jim Morehouse and contact him for info on CD sets that beat out all the others). If you search, the PET (parts lists) can be downloaded from Porsche (at least today it was possible).

Magnet tool with long, flexible handle: You WILL drop parts in places your hands won't fit). A companion tool to this is the "finger grabber" for non metallic parts. I use mine every job it seems but I'm a klutz.

Rachet Wrenches: The new ones sold by Sears et al are great and get into tight spots a conventional socket set won't fit. Metric: 8mm-17mm

"Shorty" Wrench set: 8mm-17mm (I use these all the time. E.g., I can adjust Tbelt tension w/out removing anything to get to the tensioner). Long wrenches just won't fit lots of places.

Hex wrenches, L-shaped, T-handled, and socket: They all have a use

Assorted screw drivers (good ones...burred heads = bird brains, I'm told)

Mity-Vac for checking vacuum and trouble-shooting. I'm not sure you can be a DIY-selfer without one of these for the 928.

Compression Tester for cylinder pressure (and leak-down kit if you're ****)

Power Bleeder for easily changing brake and clutch fluid (great tool)

Assorted adjustable wrenches but use sparingly...remember, burred heads are bad.

Oil injection pump for filling transaxle, etc. with oil

Flywheel lock (don't skimp, you could break something)

GOOD ring plier set (cheap ones will cause you to slit your wrist when they break on a Saturday evening)

Assorted needle nose pliars (Regular size..and really long come in handy too, as well as right angle)

Time-Sert or Coil-Sert thread repair kit (Yes...you'll need it until you get in the habit of using the tork wrench..or for repairing the PO's sins. I don't believe anyone who says they can set bolts in aluminum blocks accurately by "feel.")

Angle-Drill attachment - Allows you to drill out broken WP bolt without pulling radiator

Left-hand drill bits - for drilling out broken bolts

Small wire brushes/tooth brushes for removing grease, grim, etc.

Anti-seize for threads (NOT the copper based stuff) and thread lockers (make sure you use the right locker on the proper threads. Someday you may want to remove a bolt again. And a broken bolt in some places can make you want to put your car on eBay at a bargain price.

Small butane torch - Heat is good for loosing up parts and warming your hands in a cold garage

Halon Fire Extinguisher...for while you're working an your car. Crap happens, expecially if you have a small butane torch, or an inadvertant gas line leak.

I think it's good to stock various "show stopper" spare parts for when traveling (I carry fuel pump, extra relays, hose clamps, extra bolts, screws, fuses, MAF, and key brains). If you keep your eyes open, you can pick them up for pretty cheap...but when you need a part in hurry...forget cheap. BTW, beware too good to be true deals, like new fuel pumps for a $100..they're making fakes in China now. I get Bosch or Porsche brand for the critical stuff that I want to make sure will not leave me stranded in Resume Speed, Texas (Sorry, Rog and Ed..I had to say it)

Parts cleaners, lubricating oils, grease cutters, etc.

New shelving to hold all this stuff.

Band-aids and something to entertain your wife or SO while you're working in the garage, or shelter, or rain.

Those are for "starters". What did I leave out?

Happy wrenching!!!

Harvey

DANdeMAN

Ruber gloves.....bend over please.

hacker-pschorr

14" snap on ultra thin screw driver. It's the only way I can reach many hose clamps on my 16V.

Not to mention copious amounts of duct tape, zip ties, and band aids.

Few cases of beer never hurt either - after the test drive.

AO

A healthy bank account...

macreel

Harvey... I fine a tube of Neosporin an invaluable partner to the bandaids;
gear wrenches, combos, 10 to 19 mm (maybe your 'ratchet wrenches' are these);
Magnetic 'picker-upper' needs a flex-finger version, too, at least 18" long;
ohm-meter must include and amp (current) function;
One screwdriver must be 15" long to get that deep front hose clamp;
Vacuum-pressure gage;
spark plug gap gage;
hand cleaner, your favorite brand;
'Cheater' bar or piece of steel pipe, your favorite length;
Head-lamp, diode lights for your skull, for hands free lighting/wrenching;
assorted vacuum tubing;

and the list goes on...

G'luck

imfinlay

Credit card
Understanding partner
Ebay

And, for the UK-ers:
Paul Anderson's phone number

H2

"Head-lamp, diode lights for your skull"===Macreel...great idea!. I could have used one of these last week. I'll buy one of these this week...as well as the l o n g screwdriver.

Notice I didn't mention a solder gun and brains (human). there are some things that some people (me) should stay away from and the brains...well...where was I?...or was it trains...? Where's the meds?

The understanding partner may be the most difficult acquisition.

Harvey

DonS

For tuning -

- 3mm T-handle allen with 13" shaft for AFM adjustment
- 22mm wrench for O2 sensor

Harvey, are you re-building your garage?

John Veninger

AAA card with the Plus towing option....

PorKen

A carb adjusting tool is great for hidden intake hose clamps.

I have this one:

dr bob

Man, that's a valuable antiqu tool from a bygone age! For reaching under the front bowls on a QuadraJet to tweak the idle mixture. Only seen 'em in history books...

Fortunately, most of the old tools I have will work as well on today's Porsches as they did on new Porsche cars 40 years ago. It would be tough finding all the cool has-been tools again in this age.