Chris Harris & GT PORSCHE
#16
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one does read funny stuff.
Over Christmas I read an old book written by Jeremy Clarkson called "on cars" where he states "Me. I have always preferred the Porsche 928, the Big Daddy". Great so far.
Then he went on to say "I have to ignore the microscopic boot (Marton - trunk for the North Americans)..."
I wonder what he was drinking when he sees a microscopic boot ?
Marton
Over Christmas I read an old book written by Jeremy Clarkson called "on cars" where he states "Me. I have always preferred the Porsche 928, the Big Daddy". Great so far.
Then he went on to say "I have to ignore the microscopic boot (Marton - trunk for the North Americans)..."
I wonder what he was drinking when he sees a microscopic boot ?
Marton
#17
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He was peering into the spare tire well and wondered what could possibly share the space with the air pump.
Clarkson. He's just a big lovable oaf.
Loved how he tried to drive the 928 in his video and smoked the clutch by starting in 2nd gear. Push left and forward, that's where 1st is, isn't it?
Clarkson. He's just a big lovable oaf.
Loved how he tried to drive the 928 in his video and smoked the clutch by starting in 2nd gear. Push left and forward, that's where 1st is, isn't it?
one does read funny stuff.
Over Christmas I read an old book written by Jeremy Clarkson called "on cars" where he states "Me. I have always preferred the Porsche 928, the Big Daddy". Great so far.
Then he went on to say "I have to ignore the microscopic boot (Marton - trunk for the North Americans)..."
I wonder what he was drinking when he sees a microscopic boot ?
Marton
Over Christmas I read an old book written by Jeremy Clarkson called "on cars" where he states "Me. I have always preferred the Porsche 928, the Big Daddy". Great so far.
Then he went on to say "I have to ignore the microscopic boot (Marton - trunk for the North Americans)..."
I wonder what he was drinking when he sees a microscopic boot ?
Marton
#18
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Chris Harris is a 911 boy and nothing else. He hates change and will never consider anything that is watercooled a Porsche. I saw the article myself and found him to be very opinionated and biased. His opinion like his magazine has no real concrete evidence to back anything up that comes from his mouth.
I stopped buying his magazine after what he compared a 928 GTS to a 2007 997. The cars have like a 12 year difference and are TOTALLY different animals. The article was just a waste of paper.
I stopped buying his magazine after what he compared a 928 GTS to a 2007 997. The cars have like a 12 year difference and are TOTALLY different animals. The article was just a waste of paper.
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1st post from a long time lurker and new(ish) owner...
Pretty disappionting article by Mr Harris - he's generally a little more objective than that. We're all entitled to our opinion, but he doesn't back up this 'cracked block waiting to happen' claim with any facts...... Also doesn't say much for the editorial quality of GTPP.![grr](https://rennlist.com/forums/graemlins/cussing.gif)
We all know the Shark needs some love, for the most part they are pretty robust mechanically, which was an important consideration for me. 5 months into 928 ownership and its big smiles all the way.
Pretty disappionting article by Mr Harris - he's generally a little more objective than that. We're all entitled to our opinion, but he doesn't back up this 'cracked block waiting to happen' claim with any facts...... Also doesn't say much for the editorial quality of GTPP.
![grr](https://rennlist.com/forums/graemlins/cussing.gif)
We all know the Shark needs some love, for the most part they are pretty robust mechanically, which was an important consideration for me. 5 months into 928 ownership and its big smiles all the way.
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#22
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Wait a minute.... 928 blocks do crack, even with antifreeze, but only in certain situations. AFAIK, only those with stroker cranks crack and I won't get into the 6 cwt vs 8 cwt crankshaft debate. I don't believe I've heard of a 5.0/5.4 L block cracking even when boosted. George's engine broke during an ORR, but I don't know what started the failure. The block is not very strong, and subject to enough stress, will flex. The Reynolds 390 alloy is brittle. The cracks will develop from the upper part of the main bearing upward. The 928 block is made with less material around the bottom of the cyl bores than 944 blocks. Tim Murphy cut both types of blocks apart and noticed that.
That's why I developed the aluminum spacer to go between the block and the oil sump. The spacer serves two purposes. 1) Keep the oil in the sump further away from the rotating assembly. 2) Permits using no sump gasket and allows the cast sump to be bolted tightly to the block. That greatly increases the stiffness. The sump and engine block act as one piece and should reduce flexing and help prevent the cracks.
Earlier this year, Greg Brown had a post on Rennlist where he discussed the block cracking and lamented the fact that it happens too often in stroker engines. I think he had some pics of the cracks in his post. I saw them somewhere. I corresponded with him and explained my oil sump spacer and how it should stiffen the block to help with the cracking problem as well as reduce oil frothing. Greg thought it a great idea and I've heard that he now uses my idea and makes the spacer for his engines. Must be a reason for it. Mike Simard also makes the spacers. I bought one from him for a future project.
That's why I developed the aluminum spacer to go between the block and the oil sump. The spacer serves two purposes. 1) Keep the oil in the sump further away from the rotating assembly. 2) Permits using no sump gasket and allows the cast sump to be bolted tightly to the block. That greatly increases the stiffness. The sump and engine block act as one piece and should reduce flexing and help prevent the cracks.
Earlier this year, Greg Brown had a post on Rennlist where he discussed the block cracking and lamented the fact that it happens too often in stroker engines. I think he had some pics of the cracks in his post. I saw them somewhere. I corresponded with him and explained my oil sump spacer and how it should stiffen the block to help with the cracking problem as well as reduce oil frothing. Greg thought it a great idea and I've heard that he now uses my idea and makes the spacer for his engines. Must be a reason for it. Mike Simard also makes the spacers. I bought one from him for a future project.
Yes I also remember reading that article a couple months back in a train station in London and thought it was insane.
I honestly havent ever heard of a cracked block in 928's. Now the car does have a few well known possible issues, 2/6 rods, TBF, timing belt neglect, but cracking a block IS NOT one of them.
I honestly havent ever heard of a cracked block in 928's. Now the car does have a few well known possible issues, 2/6 rods, TBF, timing belt neglect, but cracking a block IS NOT one of them.
#23
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Wait a minute.... 928 blocks do crack, even with antifreeze, but only in certain situations. AFAIK, only those with stroker cranks crack and I won't get into the 6 cwt vs 8 cwt crankshaft debate. I don't believe I've heard of a 5.0/5.4 L block cracking even when boosted. George's engine broke during an ORR, but I don't know what started the failure. The block is not very strong, and subject to enough stress, will flex. The Reynolds 390 alloy is brittle. The cracks will develop from the upper part of the main bearing upward. The 928 block is made with less material around the bottom of the cyl bores than 944 blocks. Tim Murphy cut both types of blocks apart and noticed that.
That's why I developed the aluminum spacer to go between the block and the oil sump. The spacer serves two purposes. 1) Keep the oil in the sump further away from the rotating assembly. 2) Permits using no sump gasket and allows the cast sump to be bolted tightly to the block. That greatly increases the stiffness. The sump and engine block act as one piece and should reduce flexing and help prevent the cracks.
Earlier this year, Greg Brown had a post on Rennlist where he discussed the block cracking and lamented the fact that it happens too often in stroker engines. I think he had some pics of the cracks in his post. I saw them somewhere. I corresponded with him and explained my oil sump spacer and how it should stiffen the block to help with the cracking problem as well as reduce oil frothing. Greg thought it a great idea and I've heard that he now uses my idea and makes the spacer for his engines. Must be a reason for it. Mike Simard also makes the spacers. I bought one from him for a future project.
That's why I developed the aluminum spacer to go between the block and the oil sump. The spacer serves two purposes. 1) Keep the oil in the sump further away from the rotating assembly. 2) Permits using no sump gasket and allows the cast sump to be bolted tightly to the block. That greatly increases the stiffness. The sump and engine block act as one piece and should reduce flexing and help prevent the cracks.
Earlier this year, Greg Brown had a post on Rennlist where he discussed the block cracking and lamented the fact that it happens too often in stroker engines. I think he had some pics of the cracks in his post. I saw them somewhere. I corresponded with him and explained my oil sump spacer and how it should stiffen the block to help with the cracking problem as well as reduce oil frothing. Greg thought it a great idea and I've heard that he now uses my idea and makes the spacer for his engines. Must be a reason for it. Mike Simard also makes the spacers. I bought one from him for a future project.
Great post Louis
Is the cracking limited to Stroker and Track driven cars or is this something you've seen on street cars?
#24
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[B]" AFAIK, only those with stroker cranks crack and I won't get into the 6 cwt vs 8 cwt crankshaft debate. I don't believe I've heard of a 5.0/5.4 L block cracking even when boosted."[/B]
#25
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Sorry, missed that last bit.
This should be sent directly to the editors of GT. Bummer is that even if GT acknowledges the error they will probably post a small correction where it will be missed by most readers.
This should be sent directly to the editors of GT. Bummer is that even if GT acknowledges the error they will probably post a small correction where it will be missed by most readers.
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Clarkson. He's just a big lovable oaf.
The 928 with a burnt out clutch subsequently (some months later) had a fuel leak and burnt out completely
Marton
#27
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Louie,
Thats honestly the first time I have ever heard your someone confirm blocks cracking. You present some good points about the alloy itself and I was not aware of the problem.
I figured the guy must have heard from someone close to him of at least one engine cracking, otherwise he wouldnt have written the article, but this is the first time I have heard of this issue. I guess its not really an issue though, TBF, and 2/6 Nearing issues seem to be far more common then blocks cracking, thankfully they arent common enough that we all just trash the car though.
Thats honestly the first time I have ever heard your someone confirm blocks cracking. You present some good points about the alloy itself and I was not aware of the problem.
I figured the guy must have heard from someone close to him of at least one engine cracking, otherwise he wouldnt have written the article, but this is the first time I have heard of this issue. I guess its not really an issue though, TBF, and 2/6 Nearing issues seem to be far more common then blocks cracking, thankfully they arent common enough that we all just trash the car though.
#28
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Just a quick extract from th email I have sent
I am getting really nervous about this now as I my 1984 4.7 car has over 180,000 miles on it and judging by his editorial it must be due to blow soon?
By the way if Mr Harris wishes to read the true story on 928's with comments from owners with real life experience he could do with going here https://rennlist.com/ and looking at the 928 forum.
Yours
Funky
I am getting really nervous about this now as I my 1984 4.7 car has over 180,000 miles on it and judging by his editorial it must be due to blow soon?
By the way if Mr Harris wishes to read the true story on 928's with comments from owners with real life experience he could do with going here https://rennlist.com/ and looking at the 928 forum.
Yours
Funky
#29
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You have to think some people will read that article and write off the 928 as a car they would like to own. I expect a more responsible article from a Porsche mag, silly me.
#30
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Greg should be a good source for information on whether stockish 928 engines have block failures.