Don Carter

Not that I needed another project, less than a year after buying the red 89 TBF car, but it's pretty much done, and an opportunity came up that I couldn't pass up. One of our local enthusiast, Ramon, occasionally on RL (risc), bought a white 88 S4 with 92k miles from a mechanic that did some work on it and the owner never paid the bill ($1600).

Ramon did a lot of work on it, cleaning, painting, ordering new parts, then found out the engine was locked up. Jim D. helped him pull the engine, and they found that a piston was stuck in a cylinder and wouldn't budge. Maybe a head gasket failure and coolant sat in the cylinder? Anyway, the engine was taken to a machine shop and the shop rebuilt the heads, but couldn't fix the block or get the piston out. At this point, Ramon decided to call it quits on the car (he has a beautiful new BMW M1 he wants to concentrate on) and did not pick up the engine or heads from the machine shop.

I bought the car for the same $1600 price including all the new parts Ramon had bought. I picked it up last weekend (used it as a excuse to buy a new 18' car trailer), with the help of Jim D, who got there early and started putting the wheels and rack back on, Thanks!

Part of the reason I bought the car was the timing of the 1/2 price sale at 928 Intl. I was able to lock in an 89 engine with 93k miles for 2250 before the end of the year, and picked it up at the truck terminal today.

After picking up the engine today, I went by the machine shop that had the heads and bad engine and bought everything for $400, rebuilt R1 heads, block (with stuck piston, maybe good for a coffee table), crank, cams, etc... So I've got a ton of extra parts from this project and the last that I need to sell.

The car is pretty decent, body is straight, white paint is oxidized, but I'm thinking it will buff out nice. No cracks in the dash even though it sat in the mechanic's lot for nearly 3 years (also spotted by Lawndart over the years). The seats are linen color and I think they will clean up pretty well. They are heated and have lumbar adj which I've never seen before, and it has driver and passenger memory. Carpet is off white, and hopefully it will clean up. Engine bay and underneath are very clean, transmission has been serviced, calipers painted, intake and cam covers painted, stainless braided rear brakelines were installed, new starter ready to go in, new rear tail lights, new caps, rotors, battery, brake pads, motor mounts and lots of other new parts. Rack was recently rebuilt. New shifter and leather boot. No front spoiler or belly pans. Wheels are stock, and as you'll see it has the rare, two rears on the left, two fronts on the right option. Tires are old and dry rotted.

I still have the 89 TBF engine from the red car, so I'm wondering if I have all the parts for a complete additional engine, top end from the TBF engine, lower half of the block from the 88 bad engine. The machinist I talked to said you generally can't swap the lower part of the block from one engine to another but sometimes it is possible, depending on the precision of the manufacturing. Maybe something to play around with later.

Enough for now, but I'll post progress occasionally. Starting a thread really helps me keep the project moving, and of course I get lots of great advice and information. This project will probably go slower than the red car though.

Some pics...




























Used engine from 928 Intl






Rebuilt Heads

Calgary Ole

You are smitten with the 928. Really like the colour combo on this one. Good to know that I won't need to rent a car next time I come down to see ya'all. Great buy and good luck with it!

Calgary Ole

Like the white seats and the dash looks great

tkrtape12

Nice ... Looks like a fun project... Like the white.

dcrasta

Sweet find..congrats.

pcar928fan

DON...THE 928 SAVIOR! YEA!!! Way to go Don! So glad the '89 TBF car went well so that you are able and willing to take on this job! You got a SMOKIN' deal on that 928 Intl motor! You are going to have an '88 and '89 on the REAL CHEAP my friend! You may be one of the few folks who will actually (some day) be able to sell your S4's for what you have in them or even a profit! Most of us will never be in that position!

Keep us posted on this save! I love a good save as you well know!

Mrmerlin

good luck with your project I hope it turns out great

Bill Ball

White? I thought I was the only one who liked white.

Nice buy on the car and on the <100K motor from 928Intl. Have fun.

Nicole

That'll keep you busy (and out of trouble) for a while...

Enjoy!

Dan87951

I love threads like this keep us posted! I really like the white!

Jadz928

I wish I lived in your garage, Don! I'd have a field day with all those parts.

Looking forward to following you progress and I will do my best to help when I can (you seem to have it covered).

Your last save was uber successful, I'm sure this one will be as well!

killav

Don,

John Curry must have rubbed off on you a little at all those Third Coast's!!!! He has saved a few 928's over the years.

Way to go on saving yet another car.

WallyP

Fun project - finding all of the little bits and fasteners will drive you nuts.

I would try leveling the stuck piston and adding ATF/acetone for several weeks. If a block of wood and a BFH still won't move it, cut the piston apart in the cylinder and get a used piston from your TBF engine (if they are the same size).

jeff spahn

I really like your engine stand / lift. Very cool idea.
I wish I had known about this car.

Drill out the piston and see if you can collapse it and see what happened. Perhaps the block isn't beyond repair.

Chuck Schreiber

Don,

you are my hero dude!!

I've been trying to convince Michelle we need to get a 928 project car for her for years. Still is not flying, in fact, she still thinks I have one too many!

Looks like a great project man!! Nice find, Nice Save!!