Intro, dilemna, and kudos!!
08-12-2011 | 05:16 AM
#1
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7th Gear
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 7
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From: Pupukea, HI
Intro, dilemna, and kudos!!
I've been lurking for a year plus, and honestly, kind of delaying what I KNEW needed to be done - but that's over now, and I am putting my gorgeous 1981 928 back together.
When I bought it, I thought it had a blown head gasket - turned out to be a cracked cylinder (ouch). So I found a decent block ($900), and had the heads rebuilt ($768), and have acquired the necessary parts (gasket set, timing belt, water pump, pk tensioner) - oh, and let me not forget the Porsche specific TOOLS... need I say more?
Yes - I have come to discover that, much like advice, the most EXPENSIVE Porsche is probably the free (or really cheap) one.
Anyways - kudos to Roger at 928sR-us. I ordered the pk tensioner over this last weekend, and his site said a 20 day wait (give or take). I figured "no problem - ive got a few other projects to clean up first" All of the parts arrived today!!!! And they are really quality items - I really like this setup.
So that brings me to the dilemna - I ALSO have recently acquired a 1983 944 ($500) for my 16 year old son (just turned on Sunday!). Of course it has the obligatory broken timing belt, but is otherwise very clean, 110,000 miles and has a set of brand new tires, to boot (receipt in the glove box shows they're not a year old, and less than 3000 miles, and cost $508). We've acquired a new head, gaskets, belts, upgraded water pump, tools, etc and the plan has been to do his car this weekend. So what's the dilemna?? Oh man - I love my kid, and I love his car, but with all my parts here too, I sure hope we can do BOTH.
But - I think he and I both will have a lot of fun repairing and driving BOTH. Looking forward to reporting back on our progress!!!
When I bought it, I thought it had a blown head gasket - turned out to be a cracked cylinder (ouch). So I found a decent block ($900), and had the heads rebuilt ($768), and have acquired the necessary parts (gasket set, timing belt, water pump, pk tensioner) - oh, and let me not forget the Porsche specific TOOLS... need I say more?
Yes - I have come to discover that, much like advice, the most EXPENSIVE Porsche is probably the free (or really cheap) one.
Anyways - kudos to Roger at 928sR-us. I ordered the pk tensioner over this last weekend, and his site said a 20 day wait (give or take). I figured "no problem - ive got a few other projects to clean up first" All of the parts arrived today!!!! And they are really quality items - I really like this setup.
So that brings me to the dilemna - I ALSO have recently acquired a 1983 944 ($500) for my 16 year old son (just turned on Sunday!). Of course it has the obligatory broken timing belt, but is otherwise very clean, 110,000 miles and has a set of brand new tires, to boot (receipt in the glove box shows they're not a year old, and less than 3000 miles, and cost $508). We've acquired a new head, gaskets, belts, upgraded water pump, tools, etc and the plan has been to do his car this weekend. So what's the dilemna?? Oh man - I love my kid, and I love his car, but with all my parts here too, I sure hope we can do BOTH.
But - I think he and I both will have a lot of fun repairing and driving BOTH. Looking forward to reporting back on our progress!!!
08-12-2011 | 08:46 AM
#2
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Joined: May 2003
Posts: 3,402
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From: Bristow, VA
You're a glutton for punishment!!
But it sounds like you're on the right path. Have fun building and driving and don't give up, both cars will have you ready to throw them off a cliff sometime.
Getting both done in a weekend? Do-able but rough. Get a lot of red bull and water, stay hydrated, it will be a marathon!!
Start planning on a suspension refresh for both cars so you can experience them as they were meant to be! The 944 in particular will be a complete different car. Due to its lower HP output, it needs to be sorted to feel like a Porsche again.
But it sounds like you're on the right path. Have fun building and driving and don't give up, both cars will have you ready to throw them off a cliff sometime.
Getting both done in a weekend? Do-able but rough. Get a lot of red bull and water, stay hydrated, it will be a marathon!!
Start planning on a suspension refresh for both cars so you can experience them as they were meant to be! The 944 in particular will be a complete different car. Due to its lower HP output, it needs to be sorted to feel like a Porsche again.
08-12-2011 | 12:12 PM
#4
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Actualy the 944 and that 928 are very similar in performance..."The 944 in particular will be a complete different car. Due to its lower HP output, it needs to be sorted to feel like a Porsche again. "
The V-8 just sounds better. They are classed together in both POC and PCA driving events and race groups. But the 928 LOOKS better doing it
The V-8 just sounds better. They are classed together in both POC and PCA driving events and race groups. But the 928 LOOKS better doing it
08-12-2011 | 01:06 PM
#6
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Joined: Jul 2005
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From: Mechanochondriacism
08-12-2011 | 01:22 PM
#7
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Joined: May 2004
Posts: 28,618
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From: Philly PA
Welcome , I hope your projects turn out well,
from the info provided,
I would put the 928 on the side and work on the 944,
It sound like its closer to being driven and it will take a good amount of time to RnR the head and set up the belts and other things.
DONT be in a RUSH to finish do one car at a time .
NOTE the 928 will take a lot longer to do as there are more things that need to be done
from the info provided,
I would put the 928 on the side and work on the 944,
It sound like its closer to being driven and it will take a good amount of time to RnR the head and set up the belts and other things.
DONT be in a RUSH to finish do one car at a time .
NOTE the 928 will take a lot longer to do as there are more things that need to be done
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08-12-2011 | 09:09 PM
#10
Thread Starter
7th Gear
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 7
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From: Pupukea, HI
The 928 is really a beautiful car. I have drooled over these cars for SOOOOOO many years, and when this one came along, I just couldn't pass it by... This is an 81 automatic with 70K miles - that is chump mileage as far as I'M concerned.
So, in non-running condition, i laid out $2300. I'm still not unhappy about that, as I feel the car is in really superior shape for its age, otherwise. Of course, when you start adding in the OTHER costs - whew - she gets expensive fast. I guess I had better enjoy this car for a few years to come!!
Honestly, although I am mechanically capable, and have pulled (and replaced) a number of engines in other makes previously, I have to admit to a little intimidation by the whole Porsche thing. That is, unutil a few weeks ago when I was trying to get motivated and i came across something someone had written that i found quite inspiring - "The hardest thing about deciding to pull the Porsche engine is deciding to do so." So I got the heads in the shop, and got busy making sure I had all the necessary goodies ordered up.
I do recognize that I probably could have gotten by on the stock tensioner (with a rebuild) but I so LIKE the PK tensioner design that I elected to spend the money anyway (please don't tell my wife).
Now I'm trying to decide if I should stick with the original crossmember/motor mounts or switch into the later model... Thoughts???
I'm not really hurring to do this. We'll do it once, and do it right. In fact - I usually have to rein myself in as my obsessive complusive nature takes over and tries to get me to commit to doing WAY more than I originally MEANT to do ( a head gasket rapidly becomes a total engine rebuild - you know what i mean?)
So, in non-running condition, i laid out $2300. I'm still not unhappy about that, as I feel the car is in really superior shape for its age, otherwise. Of course, when you start adding in the OTHER costs - whew - she gets expensive fast. I guess I had better enjoy this car for a few years to come!!
Honestly, although I am mechanically capable, and have pulled (and replaced) a number of engines in other makes previously, I have to admit to a little intimidation by the whole Porsche thing. That is, unutil a few weeks ago when I was trying to get motivated and i came across something someone had written that i found quite inspiring - "The hardest thing about deciding to pull the Porsche engine is deciding to do so." So I got the heads in the shop, and got busy making sure I had all the necessary goodies ordered up.
I do recognize that I probably could have gotten by on the stock tensioner (with a rebuild) but I so LIKE the PK tensioner design that I elected to spend the money anyway (please don't tell my wife).
Now I'm trying to decide if I should stick with the original crossmember/motor mounts or switch into the later model... Thoughts???
I'm not really hurring to do this. We'll do it once, and do it right. In fact - I usually have to rein myself in as my obsessive complusive nature takes over and tries to get me to commit to doing WAY more than I originally MEANT to do ( a head gasket rapidly becomes a total engine rebuild - you know what i mean?)
08-12-2011 | 09:59 PM
#12
Thread Starter
7th Gear
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 7
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From: Pupukea, HI
The 944 was another sweet deal. You have to love Craigslist...
So my son was about to turn sixteen and got his permit a few months ago, so we started talking cars - and of course he wanted a CRX, GTI, 300ZX. Actually - he was surprisingly particular, and I sort of convinced him to look at Opel GT's and Porsche 944's. We've talked for a long time about going halves, but he was pretty particular about wanting to buy his own. BUT - he wasn't there when I came across a Craigslist ad for a 1983 champagne exterior, brown interior, manual, with essentially brand new tires and a broken timing belt. $500. It took me about one second to call the guy and arrange to come look. So there were two guys supposed to be in front of me - well, neither showed up, and I had cash, so i took the title, keys, and the full set of factory manuals with me, and went back the next day with my son and the trailer.
I will get a few pictures shot this weekend and get those up here - but essentially a pretty nice car - a little parking lot rash, and mild wear and tear, but 117K miles - that's not much. We have to replace the windshield, but for under $1200 he'll be in a 944. Of course, I suspect that $1200 will be the tip of the iceberg - but we'll have fun with it, nonetheless!!!
Oh yes - and if anyone REALLY is a glutton for punishment, and looking to help on a timing belt/head swap, well, we're in Santa Clarita off of Sand Canyon (Canyon Country, more correctly) and we'll be working Sat and Sun afternoon. The wife is cooking up a big couple of lasagna pans, and chocolate bundt cake, and I will be sure to have a few cold ones on hand!! PM me and I'll get you directions!
So my son was about to turn sixteen and got his permit a few months ago, so we started talking cars - and of course he wanted a CRX, GTI, 300ZX. Actually - he was surprisingly particular, and I sort of convinced him to look at Opel GT's and Porsche 944's. We've talked for a long time about going halves, but he was pretty particular about wanting to buy his own. BUT - he wasn't there when I came across a Craigslist ad for a 1983 champagne exterior, brown interior, manual, with essentially brand new tires and a broken timing belt. $500. It took me about one second to call the guy and arrange to come look. So there were two guys supposed to be in front of me - well, neither showed up, and I had cash, so i took the title, keys, and the full set of factory manuals with me, and went back the next day with my son and the trailer.
I will get a few pictures shot this weekend and get those up here - but essentially a pretty nice car - a little parking lot rash, and mild wear and tear, but 117K miles - that's not much. We have to replace the windshield, but for under $1200 he'll be in a 944. Of course, I suspect that $1200 will be the tip of the iceberg - but we'll have fun with it, nonetheless!!!
Oh yes - and if anyone REALLY is a glutton for punishment, and looking to help on a timing belt/head swap, well, we're in Santa Clarita off of Sand Canyon (Canyon Country, more correctly) and we'll be working Sat and Sun afternoon. The wife is cooking up a big couple of lasagna pans, and chocolate bundt cake, and I will be sure to have a few cold ones on hand!! PM me and I'll get you directions!
