Feargal Sharkey

My 1990 S4 recently suffered TBF and the block is scrap.

I have spent thousands over the past 2 years getting the car right, along with all the usual stuff like TB and WP I have also done Radiator, Wheel Bearings, Shocks, Brakes, Cup Wheels, Cup Mirrors, Paint.

Since good used engines are as rare as hens teeth I may have to bite the bullet and buy a new short block from Porsche, also there are no warranties with the used engines - the new block will have a 2 year guarantee.

Will buying a new short block solve all my problems or am I asking for more ?

Ben

Did you contact Paul Anderson in Stroud? I'm sure he must have an engine for you... all it took was one phone call to him, and I was the proud owner of a nice 'new' one for my S2.

Feargal Sharkey

Yes, all he had was a repaired TBF engine, and I didn't like the sound of that.
It wasn't cheap either considering it comes with no warranty.

Ben

Really.... well I'm afraid I don't know what to suggest then. The price for my replacement engine was quite fair, and it came with a verbal warranty. If I stripped it down and found it to be no good, he would replace it with another. It was like new though, with evidence of at least a recent top end rebuild.

As far as your heads are concerned on a new block, they should be dissasembled and thouroughly cleaned. From my understanding, its really quite difficult to remove the particles from the tappets/lifters, so maybe consider replacing those too.

blown 87

I agree, the heads need to be done and at the least new lifters. (lash adjusters)

GregBBRD

Yes, the heads and the lifters will be filled with the same sludge that is in your oil pan. You can disassemble some of the lifters (not all versions come apart) and ultrasonically clean them. The oil galley plugs in the heads need to come out and the passsages need to be cleaned...when you have the valve job done.

IcemanG17

A good used engine is your best bet....since the complete engine used is probably cheaper than the shortblock from Porsche...... There has to be an equivlent of 928 International in the UK that can get you a good price on a used engine with strong compression #'s.....

Feargal Sharkey

You would be surprised Iceman, Paul Anderson is about the only guy in the UK who breaks and fixes 928's as his sole purpose in life - and he didn't have anything apart from a repaired engine that had already suffered the same fate as mine.

Ben

Keep your eye out on the well known auction site... there was an S4 breaking on there a few weeks ago, and i've seen a few others not too long ago.

I also stumbled across these people while searching for my engine.
Not cheap, but they seem to be a reputable company.

I bet for a similar price though you could get an S4 in poor condition and just swap the engines.

Black Sea RD

Hi Feargal,

Sorry to hear about your current predicament. You would do yourself a big favor and continue conversation with Greg Brown, who posted on this thread, to help you with your engine rebuild. He is the one we would trust for any engine work since he has years of knowledge with these specific engines.

This is the ugly side of TBF that many don't realize until they are there themselves. If you're in the USA you are blessed with more options, but the road to recovery is still a tough and expensive one for most.

Good luck with this project and keep us informed. Have you contacted dismantlers here? I'm sure you can scare up a good block for a lot less than a brand new one from Porsche.

Kind regards,
Constantine

LT Texan

Feargal,

Hopefully you'll find that engine, it won't be easy cause a good heart is hard to find. But the undertone of my message is that I hope you'll soon again be getting your teenage kicks from a well running machine.

86'928S MeteorGrey

I was in Greg's shop discussing tearing down the hydrolic tappets for internal cleaning. There are two different tappets used, and there is no rhyme or reason on which are used with any year engine. The larger style internals will disassemble with compressed air. Greg took the time to demonstrate) If your tappets have the smaller internals, you're screwed. Greg took a die grinder to one right there and then to discover the internal one way clip that is installed in these that prevent disassembly. If you can't get your tappets appart for cleaning, get new ones FOR SURE. There is a huge ledge in there that will surely contaminate your new engine... It's great living close to Precision Motorwerks... When I get mine disassembled, I will post some photos of the process...(If I have the smaller type, I will cut one open and post photos too)...

Good Luck!

Feargal Sharkey

Sods law Mike, I think I have the smaller internals - I remember the shop saying they couldn't access the tappets. Would appreciate those photos if you have time.

Ben, I was thinking i would be cheaper buying another S4 and having a spares car too. But the 928 nut in me says I would love nothing better than a brand new engine.

Constantine, thanks for the advice and I hope to get my wrench and Greg talking as the project gets going.

Dan, thanks for the sympathy - I wouldn't wish TBF on my worst enemy.

LT Texan

Okay, it wasn't the greatest joke in the world, but I had hoped someone would get it. Or a least get acknowledgement that it was a really bad joke.

Feargal_Sharkey

Feargal Sharkey

I got the general Undertone, but it wasn't my place to say. ;-)