928 mechanics in D.C/MD/VA area?
08-08-2007, 12:15 PM
#16
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thanks all...
dark blue, how much did that TB/WP change cost you? trying to get a sense of the major work im going to have to do every few years or so. might make sense to do that soon given i have no idea when it was last done. where in gaithersburg is auto therapy? i grew up in gberg so i know the area ok
dark blue, how much did that TB/WP change cost you? trying to get a sense of the major work im going to have to do every few years or so. might make sense to do that soon given i have no idea when it was last done. where in gaithersburg is auto therapy? i grew up in gberg so i know the area ok
08-08-2007, 01:09 PM
#17
Rennlist Member
Macfly,
I too want to recommend a friend and fellow 928 owner/driver - Earl Gillstrom (Capt Earl per above). He lives in Glen Mills, PA (about 30 minutes southeast of Philly, and very near I-95, north of Wilminton, DE). He is retired IBM computer technician and ex-race car mechanic. He works on about 20-30 different 928's in the mid-Atlantic region, - MD, PA, NJ, NY, and others who know him coming from VA, OH, MI, TN, KY, etc.
He does the work in his home garage, and his rates are SIGNIFICANTLY lower than a shops rates. He has owned ~5 928's over the past 20 years, current ride is a '91 GT which was totaled by an engine fire, and a physical accident. He restored it to show room condition over the winter ~5 years ago. He KNOWS 928's from top to bottom. He and I have completely dismantled 3 928's for parts - all wrecked when we got them. Before I met Earl, I took my S4's to Holberts Porsche near Philly (owner is/was Al Holbert's father). They had 3 certified 928 mechanics. In my opinion, Earl's service is better, and far less expensive than theirs!!! He does all the service on my '89 track car, and my '94 GTS that I don't/can't do (and he has done any major service required on my previous '87, 88, and '89 street cars as well).
Earl's e-mail is: captearlg@gmail.com . His telephone number is: 610-358-1268. Best bet is to arrange to leave the car with him for a few days. He will let you know anything/everything it needs, and it will be your choice what you have him do.
Welcome, best wishes and Cheers,
Gary Knox
West Chester, PA
928 Owners Club Treasurer
PS: Since I met Earl, he and I are the ONLY one's who do any work on my 928's.
I too want to recommend a friend and fellow 928 owner/driver - Earl Gillstrom (Capt Earl per above). He lives in Glen Mills, PA (about 30 minutes southeast of Philly, and very near I-95, north of Wilminton, DE). He is retired IBM computer technician and ex-race car mechanic. He works on about 20-30 different 928's in the mid-Atlantic region, - MD, PA, NJ, NY, and others who know him coming from VA, OH, MI, TN, KY, etc.
He does the work in his home garage, and his rates are SIGNIFICANTLY lower than a shops rates. He has owned ~5 928's over the past 20 years, current ride is a '91 GT which was totaled by an engine fire, and a physical accident. He restored it to show room condition over the winter ~5 years ago. He KNOWS 928's from top to bottom. He and I have completely dismantled 3 928's for parts - all wrecked when we got them. Before I met Earl, I took my S4's to Holberts Porsche near Philly (owner is/was Al Holbert's father). They had 3 certified 928 mechanics. In my opinion, Earl's service is better, and far less expensive than theirs!!! He does all the service on my '89 track car, and my '94 GTS that I don't/can't do (and he has done any major service required on my previous '87, 88, and '89 street cars as well).
Earl's e-mail is: captearlg@gmail.com . His telephone number is: 610-358-1268. Best bet is to arrange to leave the car with him for a few days. He will let you know anything/everything it needs, and it will be your choice what you have him do.
Welcome, best wishes and Cheers,
Gary Knox
West Chester, PA
928 Owners Club Treasurer
PS: Since I met Earl, he and I are the ONLY one's who do any work on my 928's.
Last edited by Gary Knox; 08-08-2007 at 01:25 PM.
08-08-2007, 02:23 PM
#19
Drifting
Originally Posted by DonT
08-08-2007, 06:02 PM
#20
Race Car
Originally Posted by Gary Knox
......Gary Knox....Earl Gillstrom....?
I never got an invite like that ??
What's the saying, never look a gift horse in the mouth?
Michael
08-08-2007, 09:51 PM
#21
Rennlist Member
I'd separate the repairs into a few categories.
Things that are specific to 928's like a timing belt job, front suspension, most major engine work, etc. should only be handled by seasoned 928 mechanics. Not just a Porsche mechanic.
Other things like A/C, electrical issues and alignment are more dependent on a specialist who's got the right equipment and who knows what he's doing.
There was a good garage in Tyson's Corner called Intersport. It appears that they now are a used car dealership specializing in Porsche. There were some very good mechanics there a few years back that knew 928's. Those guys must be somewhere in the area. You could call Intersport Performance, and ask for Omar. He probably knows where the good wrenches went.
I wouldn't rule out Curry's totally. It can be hit or miss. It depends on the specific garage. The one in Sterling is better for 928's than the others.
I was fortunate to have a guy named John work on my GT. This guy had just come from Heishman's Porsche and he knew what he was doing. Simply getting an appointment at the closest Curry's & not going in and finding out who the right guy for 928's is may not be any better than just going to a garage that specializes in foreign cars. They're a good garage, but they can be a bit of a factory, because they do alot of business. Plus I would limit Curry's to less major work like fluid flushes, brake work, etc. I'd defer to a really good 928 wrench for the more critical things like timing belt.
2nd that on Earl Gilstrom. Earl is the definition of mechanically minded. Anybody who can take a GT with extensive fire damage & restore it to showroom condition and paint it himself, is a versatile guy who knows what the hell he's doing. If you can justify the trip to PA for something 928-specific (timing belt), and Earl will do the work, I'd give it some serious consideration.
Things that are specific to 928's like a timing belt job, front suspension, most major engine work, etc. should only be handled by seasoned 928 mechanics. Not just a Porsche mechanic.
Other things like A/C, electrical issues and alignment are more dependent on a specialist who's got the right equipment and who knows what he's doing.
There was a good garage in Tyson's Corner called Intersport. It appears that they now are a used car dealership specializing in Porsche. There were some very good mechanics there a few years back that knew 928's. Those guys must be somewhere in the area. You could call Intersport Performance, and ask for Omar. He probably knows where the good wrenches went.
I wouldn't rule out Curry's totally. It can be hit or miss. It depends on the specific garage. The one in Sterling is better for 928's than the others.
I was fortunate to have a guy named John work on my GT. This guy had just come from Heishman's Porsche and he knew what he was doing. Simply getting an appointment at the closest Curry's & not going in and finding out who the right guy for 928's is may not be any better than just going to a garage that specializes in foreign cars. They're a good garage, but they can be a bit of a factory, because they do alot of business. Plus I would limit Curry's to less major work like fluid flushes, brake work, etc. I'd defer to a really good 928 wrench for the more critical things like timing belt.
2nd that on Earl Gilstrom. Earl is the definition of mechanically minded. Anybody who can take a GT with extensive fire damage & restore it to showroom condition and paint it himself, is a versatile guy who knows what the hell he's doing. If you can justify the trip to PA for something 928-specific (timing belt), and Earl will do the work, I'd give it some serious consideration.
