A twist on the familiar barn find story...my new 928S
10-03-2016, 04:33 PM
#31
Burning Brakes
Thread Starter
Thank you for the thoughts, guys.
@Bureau13, It sounds like he took off the covers and and clearly see everything, but the next step to replace the belt, and water pump, and all of the other WYIT stuff, it will be around $2500. He's suggested that I don't need to go through all that. I'm going to look again at the old receipts to make sure I'm not missing anything, but if it really is 16 years old or something like that, I think I have to replace it. If it's more like 10....well...? I'd hate to grenade such a nice car to save $2500. I just rebuilt a 964 motor, and I'm a little gun shy!
@Bureau13, It sounds like he took off the covers and and clearly see everything, but the next step to replace the belt, and water pump, and all of the other WYIT stuff, it will be around $2500. He's suggested that I don't need to go through all that. I'm going to look again at the old receipts to make sure I'm not missing anything, but if it really is 16 years old or something like that, I think I have to replace it. If it's more like 10....well...? I'd hate to grenade such a nice car to save $2500. I just rebuilt a 964 motor, and I'm a little gun shy!
10-03-2016, 06:19 PM
#32
Burning Brakes
Risk vs reward. On a 16v car I would leave it alone but if it were me with your engine I would constantly worry every second I drove it. Have you checked what the coolant looks like? Old corrosive antifreeze erodes the vanes of the steel impeller of the water pump rendering it less effective - or worse.
Count your blessings on this great find and spend the extra money as insurance. You will still be way ahead. The cost to have an engine rebuilt will be many times more than what you paid for the car.
Count your blessings on this great find and spend the extra money as insurance. You will still be way ahead. The cost to have an engine rebuilt will be many times more than what you paid for the car.
10-03-2016, 06:21 PM
#33
Rennlist Member
Very cool story, and gorgeous car. That blue is stunning, and the condition of the car is remarkable. Wow.
As to the belt, I'd be inclined to change it due to age. This is a (highly expensive) interference engine, no? You already won the lottery once with this beautiful blue ticket...
As to the belt, I'd be inclined to change it due to age. This is a (highly expensive) interference engine, no? You already won the lottery once with this beautiful blue ticket...
10-03-2016, 11:44 PM
#34
Team Owner
I would change the coolant, use Zerex G 05 with distilled water two gallons of each
Swap in a new belt and fill the tensioner with STP oil treatment,
and leave the pump alone.
How does it ride? it could need shocks
Swap in a new belt and fill the tensioner with STP oil treatment,
and leave the pump alone.
How does it ride? it could need shocks
11-16-2016, 03:42 PM
#35
Burning Brakes
Thread Starter
I figured I would post an update to this story.
I got the car back from Precision Motorworks about a month ago. I ended up doing a timing belt as well as the other engine belts. They replaced a pulley that the timing belt goes over, as it was not turning as freely as it should. The coolant was flushed, and the rear wiper adjusted/repaired. I also had new tires installed, as the last ones had been mounted sometime in 1998. Another fun fact due to the incredibly low miles this car has seen...the timing belt has now been changed for the third time...inside of 10,000 miles. The last belt was installed 14 years ago, or just a couple of thousand miles. (My mechanic actually felt bad because the belt looked brand new - but I didn't want to take any chances anyway).
I had the drivers seat bolster wear and tear repaired while it was in the shop by Fibrenew (Delaware) Water Gap. Less than $250, and nearly perfect!
Shortly after getting it home, I had Gary from Bodysmooth take out the couple of small inperfections in the body...small ding and a soft indentation in the rear quarter.
When I first picked it up and drive it home, it felt pretty good - solid and remarkably quiet and tight for a 31 year old car. The next day, though, on the way to work, the car seemed to be shuddering, as if it was in too low of a gear. With any significant throttle, the car would shake and shudder. I called my mechanic and planned to bring it back for further work. That same day at lunch, though, I decided to give it another shot. I carefully and smoothly drive it up and down through the gears using the gear selector. By the end of the day, it was running like a top. I think the car needed a good run after sitting more or less for 10 years.
The only noise in the cockpit was a squeaky hatch. A new hatch insert from 928s R Us solved that issue, and now the hatch is as good as new (although it still doesn't release with the inside door sill ****, but that doesn't bother me).
The instrument pod cover has a couple of hairline cracks, so I've ordered up a replacement for that. The windshield wiper cowl cover was cracked and duck taped (!) by the PO, so I bought a replacement OEM through Porsche Classic. Wish I knew about the aftermarket ones before buying OEM, but live and learn!
I have a new (to be installed) under hood pad sitting in my trunk, ready to go!
I replaced the chipped interior temperature sensor cover with the black metal "button" cover by Jager Engineering. Looks great!
Next up is an overhaul of the factory stereo. I want to keep everything relatively stock, meaning no permanent modifications to the car. New speakers, amps, a sub and vintage Alpine head unit should improve things quote a bit. I'll post about that once the project is under way.
So far, my impressions as a die hard air-cooled 911 guy is that the 928 is an amazing GT. I am utterly obsessed with the way the car looks. I keep finding myself going into the garage just to look at it and sit in it. It's almost like an Italian design in many ways, with well-thought out contours and some outrageous styling choices. The swoop of the B pillar...the almost 1950's elegance of those headlight globes when raised. The proportions of the 928 are just magic. Ergonomically, the car is near perfect, with everything falling within perfect reach (much like it's smaller brother, the 944). It's comfortable, and it's somewhat fast, but even with the automatic I just cannot believe how much I enjoy the driving experience. It is, I think, the nicest car I have ever owned in the sum total.
I also cannot believe the attention that the car receives out "in the wild." Every time I have driven it, I have had at least one person stop me to ask questions. I've been asked if it's the Risky Business car, or the Scarface car. I've had YouTubers pull up along side of me on the highway to film the car in motion. A good friend of mine, who happens to be a gifted architect, marveled at the car when she first say it, proclaiming it the best auto design she had ever seen. Two teens the other day followed me just to say that the car was the "coolest car they had ever seen, period." My favorite experience, though came at a stop light in my town. I pulled up to a read light, and noticed a Mercedes SUV getting gas to my right side. A small maybe 5 year old boy was strapped into the back seat, but had the window open. He was staring at the car without blinking. Right before the light turned green, I thought a second, and turned the headlights on. As the globes rolled to their upright positions, the kid's face lit up and he screamed "Oh my God did you just see that?" to his parents. The sheer joy of that child's face made my day. I may have also converted a future owner.
Don't get me wrong, vintage Porsches all seem to get their fair share of attention. I had a school bus full of kids giving my plain old 944 thumbs up the other day. And old 911's always have fans wherever you take them. The 928, though, is so incredibly unique....and rare. People say things like, "I've never seen one of these in person." That's pretty cool. For all of those reasons and more, I'm loving the 928 ownership experience!
I got the car back from Precision Motorworks about a month ago. I ended up doing a timing belt as well as the other engine belts. They replaced a pulley that the timing belt goes over, as it was not turning as freely as it should. The coolant was flushed, and the rear wiper adjusted/repaired. I also had new tires installed, as the last ones had been mounted sometime in 1998. Another fun fact due to the incredibly low miles this car has seen...the timing belt has now been changed for the third time...inside of 10,000 miles. The last belt was installed 14 years ago, or just a couple of thousand miles. (My mechanic actually felt bad because the belt looked brand new - but I didn't want to take any chances anyway).
I had the drivers seat bolster wear and tear repaired while it was in the shop by Fibrenew (Delaware) Water Gap. Less than $250, and nearly perfect!
Shortly after getting it home, I had Gary from Bodysmooth take out the couple of small inperfections in the body...small ding and a soft indentation in the rear quarter.
When I first picked it up and drive it home, it felt pretty good - solid and remarkably quiet and tight for a 31 year old car. The next day, though, on the way to work, the car seemed to be shuddering, as if it was in too low of a gear. With any significant throttle, the car would shake and shudder. I called my mechanic and planned to bring it back for further work. That same day at lunch, though, I decided to give it another shot. I carefully and smoothly drive it up and down through the gears using the gear selector. By the end of the day, it was running like a top. I think the car needed a good run after sitting more or less for 10 years.
The only noise in the cockpit was a squeaky hatch. A new hatch insert from 928s R Us solved that issue, and now the hatch is as good as new (although it still doesn't release with the inside door sill ****, but that doesn't bother me).
The instrument pod cover has a couple of hairline cracks, so I've ordered up a replacement for that. The windshield wiper cowl cover was cracked and duck taped (!) by the PO, so I bought a replacement OEM through Porsche Classic. Wish I knew about the aftermarket ones before buying OEM, but live and learn!
I have a new (to be installed) under hood pad sitting in my trunk, ready to go!
I replaced the chipped interior temperature sensor cover with the black metal "button" cover by Jager Engineering. Looks great!
Next up is an overhaul of the factory stereo. I want to keep everything relatively stock, meaning no permanent modifications to the car. New speakers, amps, a sub and vintage Alpine head unit should improve things quote a bit. I'll post about that once the project is under way.
So far, my impressions as a die hard air-cooled 911 guy is that the 928 is an amazing GT. I am utterly obsessed with the way the car looks. I keep finding myself going into the garage just to look at it and sit in it. It's almost like an Italian design in many ways, with well-thought out contours and some outrageous styling choices. The swoop of the B pillar...the almost 1950's elegance of those headlight globes when raised. The proportions of the 928 are just magic. Ergonomically, the car is near perfect, with everything falling within perfect reach (much like it's smaller brother, the 944). It's comfortable, and it's somewhat fast, but even with the automatic I just cannot believe how much I enjoy the driving experience. It is, I think, the nicest car I have ever owned in the sum total.
I also cannot believe the attention that the car receives out "in the wild." Every time I have driven it, I have had at least one person stop me to ask questions. I've been asked if it's the Risky Business car, or the Scarface car. I've had YouTubers pull up along side of me on the highway to film the car in motion. A good friend of mine, who happens to be a gifted architect, marveled at the car when she first say it, proclaiming it the best auto design she had ever seen. Two teens the other day followed me just to say that the car was the "coolest car they had ever seen, period." My favorite experience, though came at a stop light in my town. I pulled up to a read light, and noticed a Mercedes SUV getting gas to my right side. A small maybe 5 year old boy was strapped into the back seat, but had the window open. He was staring at the car without blinking. Right before the light turned green, I thought a second, and turned the headlights on. As the globes rolled to their upright positions, the kid's face lit up and he screamed "Oh my God did you just see that?" to his parents. The sheer joy of that child's face made my day. I may have also converted a future owner.
Don't get me wrong, vintage Porsches all seem to get their fair share of attention. I had a school bus full of kids giving my plain old 944 thumbs up the other day. And old 911's always have fans wherever you take them. The 928, though, is so incredibly unique....and rare. People say things like, "I've never seen one of these in person." That's pretty cool. For all of those reasons and more, I'm loving the 928 ownership experience!
11-16-2016, 04:15 PM
#36
Rennlist Member
I've had similar reactions. I loved the story with the kid's reaction to the headlights!
Regarding your hatch release, does the switch do anything? Can you hear the little motor?
How about your interior cabin lights...do they come on when you open the door? At least on my '86, the lights and hatch release share a circuit, and I've blown that fuse a couple times. tl;dr: Check your fuses, esp if your interior lights aren't turning on.
Regarding your hatch release, does the switch do anything? Can you hear the little motor?
How about your interior cabin lights...do they come on when you open the door? At least on my '86, the lights and hatch release share a circuit, and I've blown that fuse a couple times. tl;dr: Check your fuses, esp if your interior lights aren't turning on.
11-16-2016, 04:58 PM
#37
Burning Brakes
Thread Starter
I've had similar reactions. I loved the story with the kid's reaction to the headlights!
Regarding your hatch release, does the switch do anything? Can you hear the little motor?
How about your interior cabin lights...do they come on when you open the door? At least on my '86, the lights and hatch release share a circuit, and I've blown that fuse a couple times. tl;dr: Check your fuses, esp if your interior lights aren't turning on.
Regarding your hatch release, does the switch do anything? Can you hear the little motor?
How about your interior cabin lights...do they come on when you open the door? At least on my '86, the lights and hatch release share a circuit, and I've blown that fuse a couple times. tl;dr: Check your fuses, esp if your interior lights aren't turning on.
The hatch release does make a noise when the **** is pulled, but the hatch does not release. It will open with the key, however.
11-16-2016, 06:28 PM
#38
Rennlist Member
Stunning ride Drew 
Look forward to see you and your 85 at Hershey and/or Frenzy next year. At the minimum, get yourself some LED festoons for all interior lighting including glovebox or risk a dead battery leaving a door, hatch, etc. open to long. T
https://www.superbrightleds.com/vehi...=324&year=1985 (opt for the warm 3000k white versions)
Look forward to see you and your 85 at Hershey and/or Frenzy next year. At the minimum, get yourself some LED festoons for all interior lighting including glovebox or risk a dead battery leaving a door, hatch, etc. open to long. Thttps://www.superbrightleds.com/vehi...=324&year=1985 (opt for the warm 3000k white versions)
Last edited by 77tony; 11-16-2016 at 07:21 PM.
11-17-2016, 10:36 AM
#39
Rennlist Member
Hmmm...if it makes a noise, it's not the fuse. Maybe the motor is disconnected from the latch mechanism?
Funny you should mention the lights! The two in the front foot wells do come on when a door is opened, but the ones on the ceiling (fore and aft) both do not come on with the doors. In fact, the rear one isn't functioning at all even if I manually try to turn it on.
The hatch release does make a noise when the **** is pulled, but the hatch does not release. It will open with the key, however.
The hatch release does make a noise when the **** is pulled, but the hatch does not release. It will open with the key, however.