'81 euro 5spd project
11-02-2002, 09:08 PM
#1
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'81 euro 5spd project
Now that it's cooled down here in Houston, I'm finally starting to work on the 81 euro 5spd I bought non-running over 2 years ago.
I bought the car from a mechanic that was selling it for the widow of a friend of his. The mechanic had worked on it for years and new all it's history. He even said that he installed Nitrous on it at one point, but the owner asked him to take it off because it was just to scary. Apparently the owner had too many toys and let the car sit for a couple of years and eventually it wouldn't start. He said there's nothing major wrong with the car and that he had narrowed it down to the fuel distributor, but the owner didn't want to spend the money to get it going. I got the car VERY cheap so I figured even if it turned out to have major problems, I could probably still break even selling it as a parts car since it's a 300hp euro. The engine turns over and has spark to the plugs.
I noticed one weird electrical problem when I got the car home and charged the battery. The brake warning light (in German) stays on and the flashing "!" flashes all the time, even with the key off, so I have to leave the battery disconnected.
I bought a used fuel distributor from 928 Intl a couple of years ago but have not installed it yet. The fuel tank had a leak, which I had someone fix with a plastic welder. The fuel pump was dead so I picked up a used one off a newer 928.
Last week I started by reinstalling the tank, fuel pump, and fuel filter. I've got the Bosche book and the shop manuals so I've been reading up on the CIS system. I think I'm about ready to put gas in the tank, bridge the fuel pump relay and check the output under the hood. This would also flush the lines which I figure would be a good idea since some of them have been disconnected for a long time. I'll try the old fuel distributor first and then install the newer one if it doesn't fire up.
Any advice would be appreciated on how to best test the fuel pump output, check the injectors, or anything else I might run into. Or if you just want to point out something stupid I've already done, that's ok too.
My auto 86.5 is fun, but I am really looking forward to driving a 300hp stick, since I've never driven a manual 928. I think if I can get the engine fired up, I will be very motivated to fix the other problems on the car, most of which I don't know about yet. I have no idea of the condition of the brakes, clutch or transmission.
I bought the car from a mechanic that was selling it for the widow of a friend of his. The mechanic had worked on it for years and new all it's history. He even said that he installed Nitrous on it at one point, but the owner asked him to take it off because it was just to scary. Apparently the owner had too many toys and let the car sit for a couple of years and eventually it wouldn't start. He said there's nothing major wrong with the car and that he had narrowed it down to the fuel distributor, but the owner didn't want to spend the money to get it going. I got the car VERY cheap so I figured even if it turned out to have major problems, I could probably still break even selling it as a parts car since it's a 300hp euro. The engine turns over and has spark to the plugs.
I noticed one weird electrical problem when I got the car home and charged the battery. The brake warning light (in German) stays on and the flashing "!" flashes all the time, even with the key off, so I have to leave the battery disconnected.
I bought a used fuel distributor from 928 Intl a couple of years ago but have not installed it yet. The fuel tank had a leak, which I had someone fix with a plastic welder. The fuel pump was dead so I picked up a used one off a newer 928.
Last week I started by reinstalling the tank, fuel pump, and fuel filter. I've got the Bosche book and the shop manuals so I've been reading up on the CIS system. I think I'm about ready to put gas in the tank, bridge the fuel pump relay and check the output under the hood. This would also flush the lines which I figure would be a good idea since some of them have been disconnected for a long time. I'll try the old fuel distributor first and then install the newer one if it doesn't fire up.
Any advice would be appreciated on how to best test the fuel pump output, check the injectors, or anything else I might run into. Or if you just want to point out something stupid I've already done, that's ok too.
My auto 86.5 is fun, but I am really looking forward to driving a 300hp stick, since I've never driven a manual 928. I think if I can get the engine fired up, I will be very motivated to fix the other problems on the car, most of which I don't know about yet. I have no idea of the condition of the brakes, clutch or transmission.
11-02-2002, 11:55 PM
#2
Don,
Are you sure it's a euro? The front and rear side lights are US (not federalized) and the rear rubber bumpers are US. The front fenders could have been switched like my 78 euro, but the rear quarterpanel switch would have been difficult.
Dennis
Are you sure it's a euro? The front and rear side lights are US (not federalized) and the rear rubber bumpers are US. The front fenders could have been switched like my 78 euro, but the rear quarterpanel switch would have been difficult.
Dennis
11-03-2002, 12:07 AM
#3
One clue is the CIS fuel system...81 US models had Ljet at that time I believe. Also the rear fog light is there.....
I do have to say...you don't see many Euros with the nicely integrated front and rear side marker lights....many just go to K mart and tack on some awful reflector....
Maybe the owner specified the proper US spec lights and the body shop cut and put them in ....in the correct spot...Tough job for sure...working with aluminum on the front and steel in the rear...that's why most don't.....
Sounds like a nice project car.....
Later,
Tom
midlman@seanet.com
87S4 aT
89GT
[quote]Originally posted by Dennis Wilson:
<strong>Don,
Are you sure it's a euro? The front and rear side lights are US (not federalized) and the rear rubber bumpers are US. The front fenders could have been switched like my 78 euro, but the rear quarterpanel switch would have been difficult.
Dennis</strong><hr></blockquote>
I do have to say...you don't see many Euros with the nicely integrated front and rear side marker lights....many just go to K mart and tack on some awful reflector....
Maybe the owner specified the proper US spec lights and the body shop cut and put them in ....in the correct spot...Tough job for sure...working with aluminum on the front and steel in the rear...that's why most don't.....
Sounds like a nice project car.....
Later,
Tom
midlman@seanet.com
87S4 aT
89GT
[quote]Originally posted by Dennis Wilson:
<strong>Don,
Are you sure it's a euro? The front and rear side lights are US (not federalized) and the rear rubber bumpers are US. The front fenders could have been switched like my 78 euro, but the rear quarterpanel switch would have been difficult.
Dennis</strong><hr></blockquote>
11-03-2002, 10:13 AM
#4
Rennlist Member
Thread Starter
Yes I'm pretty sure it's a euro. The VIN# has the ZZZ in it, the warning lights are all in German, and the rear fog light is present. The speedo is in MPH and only shows 54k miles. Not sure if it was switched when it was imported or not. There are also no catalytic converters. As for the side marker lights, I was noticing last week that they are different than my 86.5. The edges of the lense is on top of the sheet metal, not recessed. I'll pull one off and see how it was installed.
Thanks for the observations.
Thanks for the observations.
11-03-2002, 11:10 AM
#5
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Don, I love that car. As for the brake warning light. On my 82 it stays on after the car is started until I depress the brake pedal. This is normal for the 82 and some other years. Does your 86 do that? As for the blinking ! I'm not sure, it could have something to do with the brake system (low pressure, ect.). 
Chucker
1982 928 White
Chucker
1982 928 White
11-03-2002, 12:24 PM
#6
Don,
Since the rear side lights are surface mounted rather than recessed, it does appear to be a federalized euro (ROW).I wondered if I could replace the cheesy add ons with the real thing.
Dennis
Since the rear side lights are surface mounted rather than recessed, it does appear to be a federalized euro (ROW).I wondered if I could replace the cheesy add ons with the real thing.
Dennis
11-03-2002, 01:57 PM
#7
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Don - Good catch on your Euro! Get it running and you will enjoy 5 speeds and the extra HP. Sorry I can't offer any advise on the CIS system as I haven't had to fix anything with it yet (thankfully). I've climbed through lots of other things though. I have looked at the Bosh CIS manual and I think they they have ways to check the flow rate for the CIS system as does the 928 shop manual. Have fun!
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11-03-2002, 04:12 PM
#8
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Thread Starter
Here's a couple of shots of my side marker lights if anyone's interested. Looks like a pretty decent installation. I also included a shot of the conversion sticker. Anyone ever heard of John's Conversions? Wonder how much of the required conversion was actually done.
