tlister67

Recently purchased as a possible project or as parts for a couple 928 owners I know. After some evaluation the engine has no compression on any cylinders on the left side and very low on the right. Added oil to one cylinders on the left and it did not affect the compression. We also had a geyser of coolant from one cylinder. Head gaskets must be toast and who knows what else. Clutch is on the floor, slave perhaps. All the electrics I checked are working and I was able to buff out the oxidized paint and body is pretty straight. Seats need inserts and one bolster replaced. It was last registered in 2001 and has 100K kilometers on the odometer. It has a later VIN for 1978, imported from Germany in 1983. I really like the the idea of getting this running but I know it will be a money pit. Any thoughts?

bran3b

If I was in your shoes, I would save it. But then again I have never been accused of using logic when it comes to my project selection.

Dan87951

Is the interior really that clean or do these pictures make it look better? I would save it..

brutus

I would check the cam timing as that is the likely source of zero compression. Also check that the harmonic balancer is not flipped over which gives false timing marks and no compression.

tlister67

The timing is on, checked by a person that has put one on his. Appears to be a newer belt. The coolant tells me that the engine needs to come out anyway.

The interior looks better in the pics. I would need to have the seats repaired. The dash has a couple cracks that I could live with. The vinyl will need to be glued down in places. Missing passenger footwell carpet.

tailpipe

4.5lt motors are relatively cheap to buy used, cheaper than trying to fix yours, I would save it if you can. Maybe organize a motor swap party i'm sure lots of listers will come lend a hand. I would come if you are close enough.

hacker-pschorr

Owning a 928 defies logic, so anything after that is just going along for the ride.

I vote save it.

Podguy

It looks like a keeper. You did not say what the miles are. And since you cannot drive it you have no idea of the condition of the transmission. Sometimes small cracks in the dash can be repaired at least temporarily by people who do vinyl repair.

I have a 78 4.5 engine that came out of Erik's car when we put in the Euro S motor. It is from two owner car and only has 60K miles on it. The engine was running great when we took it out of the car and had been well maintained. I was saving it as a spare for my 78.

Good luck with the car.

tlister67

I put my location info up, not too many Porsches around here. So would a used motor be better than trying to salvage this one? Gasket sets sure are pricey.

Dean_Fuller

If you have the space then I would keep it. I LOVE the OD's without spoilers. Pasha is so cool. I may change my 89 S4 into a early no spoiler car one day with pasha interior too.

Nicole

The car looks salvageable, with enough effort. The question is whether you are savvy enough, and have the right combination of time and financial resources to do it. Remember that even if you do it yourself, you will invest more than the car will be worth in the end. Do it for fun, as a personal challenge, and it can be very rewarding!

You'd have to extend your rear quarters to work with the early bumpers. The front fenders could be replaced with OB style ones. It's an intriguing idea, if you can pull it off. Just remember that you'd do a "downgrade" in some ways...

h011yw00d

Is it just me or is this car not federalized? Odo in Km, no aftermarket bolt on side markers. Hmm...

Which begs the question. Why are there so many neglected cold war era Euros? Did service men bring them over planning to make money on them or just drive a car outside of their means and then the maintenance caught up with them?

Jherriott

This interior looks 5 times better than guys selling their "turnkey" cars up here for like 15K. Save it! Don't let another one die!

Landseer

Maybe so.

Federalization was about chosing importers and federalization shops that knew people and could work the paperwork.

Maintenance caught up with most owners it seems.

Dealers hated working on the cars.

Save the car.

bronto

how early is it? Complete VIN will tell us.