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I recently lost my father and inherited his 928. I have finally got it running after some hard work and help from friends. Basic stuff mainly, new battery and new fuel pump as well as some new fuses. I was able to get it to the gas station and get some gas in it, but it does not want to go into first gear. When my dad last drove it, which was almost three years now there was no issue. It feels like there is a rubber gasket there that is preventing it from going in? Anyways i have done as much research as possible and ask enough through the grapevine, that i am stumped. I would like to do as much of the work, if not all with my hands, help of course is needed but i dont want to go to a shop, or have the money haha depending on what comes from it. I just want to be able to comfortably drive in it down the street for now, so that i can work on the car, but still be with him driving in spirit. Anyways as for specs and what exact model:
1978 928 manual Gold w/gold and black checkered interior. As far as i know all original, besides the fixes i have done as well as what my dad has done. Please ask away, and any assistance would be appreciated.
Last edited by Alex Brooker; 03-28-2017 at 09:01 PM.
Sorry to hear about your father Alex. My 81 was purchased by my father back in 91/92, although he is still with us, that connection has made me ponder if I could ever sell it. A lot of good memories around that car. Glad to hear you were able to acquire it and are working on making it whole again!
When you say it doesn't go into first gear, at any time or only while the car is running? How are the other gears to find?
Please post a few more photos! Since it's a 78 many will want to know the last digits of the VIN to see how early of a car it is. The early cars have a special following, I recently picked up #277.
Where are you located?
Assuming those wheels are all original, we may need a paint sample....
Alex - so sorry about your Dad, I lost mine on Halloween 6 years ago and it still tough. What a beautiful car - relatively rare color - is it Bamboo Beige? Should have a sticker in the drivers door to tell you. Just out of curiosity, what is the VIN? Really looks to be in great shape - would love to see the interior shots as well.
My first guess on why it's not going into gear would be the ball cup on the clutch release lever. My '80 Euro S had the same issue. It's a $11 parts but a pain to replace. If missing (and most likely it's gone completely as they tend to deteriorate with time) your clutch won't release properly and first will not engage. DO NOT CONTINUE TO ATTEMPT TO DRIVE THE CAR until you fix the issue as you can ruin your synchros or maybe more. To check your ball cup remove the air filter and look behind the engine, you will see the top of your clutch release lever where it attaches to the ball housing ona ball stud. If you don't see w white 'ring' of nylon, your ball cup is gone and that's where I would start. Any adjustments to clutch without this in place and you will never get it right and can cause more damage. The shifter bushings and shifter ball cup (same part # as clutch lever ball cup!) may be culprits as well.
Welcome aboard Alex! Sorry to hear about your loss, and this is the ultimate special 928 for you. Unless you are definitely NOT a car guy, then I recommend you keeping it until the time to pass it on to your children. Front/rear coupler plastics pieces would be the first place to check that may save you a ton of doe. Don't take it to a Porsche dealer, bc before you know it, they may replace the entire clutch and/or transmission rebuild.
Anyway, welcome again and beautiful '78! They are getting very rare to find in that condition.
-Hoi
Well, first off, condolences on the loss of your dad. That's a tough one.
Second, welcome to the asylum. Outside of a few curmudgeons, this is an amazingly helpful, knowledgeable and friendly group.
As was asked: Does it go into 1st easily if the car isn't running?
Most likely a clutch issue. You will destroy the snychros if you drive it like that. Once you start to hear the gears grinding when you try to shift, it's too late.
Fortunately, the clutch in this car is the easiest to work on that I've even seen.
Best reference is the WSM (Work Shop Manual). Available as a free download from a link in the "New Visitor" sticky (you did read that, right?) or as the "Moorehouse CD" set available from Roger at 928s R Us.
WSM covers full removal, inspection & replacement of the clutch. Again, it's really easy. No need to pull the motor or drop the trans, like in "normal" cars.
Sorry to hear about your dad. He had good taste in cars.
Try this. With engine off, and clutch out, try to rock the car back and forth and pull the stick into first. I'm sure you know it's a dogleg shift, and first is down and to the left. Try reverse as well with the engine off and rocking back and forth a little bit to get the gear rings to mesh.
If that works, and it will go into first gear, then you have a synchro or clutch issue. Report back, and welcome.
First off, I want to say thank you so much for your kind words. I am not sure about too much on the car. I do believe it was 1 owner before my dad. I live in California, Woodland Hills to be specific. My main want at the moment is to get the title in my name, and I can't do that without a smog check. When on or off there is no putting it in first gear, but it is like rubber jammed it feels like. Starts and runs in 2nd great, I had to move it to my place, but am not driving it until I can be sure it's all good now.
Welcome Alex and sorry to hear about your Dad. Below is what the front shifter bushing looked like coming out of my 79 with only 13,620 miles. Do as Alex (VanD) suggests above post # 4 and get it fixed before your transmission eats itself. Lucky for you Greg Brown....arguably the best 928 mechanic in the US is approx 50 miles SE of you. Precision Moterwerks, 930 E Orangethorpe Ave, Anaheim,CA 92801. If you want to repair her yourself, search and reach out here, plenty of help. Be careful with that beautiful black/brown pascha seating material because it's NLA. It will take a while, but start here: this:https://rennlist.com/forums/928-foru...questions.html 77tony
The cloth appears to be separating from the vinyl on the left base of the drivers seat. Very common and this can be repaid if the cloth isn't torn, and it will with continued use.
My 78 had similar separation and I sent it to Rob Budd @ Classic 9 Leather. Rob has been around the 928 community a long time:
To save a ton on shipping, it's easy to separate the top from the bottom half of the seat. Even if the top half needs work too, cheaper to ship them apart. Move the passenger seat over for temporary test drives.
That original pasha is worth saving at all costs, and it appears you have no rips or tears, just separating from the vinyl.
Back to the transmission, if you cannot find 1st gear even with the car off, sounds like something with the linkage. A lot of small parts in here can cause a shifting issue. The good news is none of them are very expensive or terribly difficult to address.
Here is a cutaway of the linkage system. The bushing Tony is showing above goes in #9:
Send your steering wheel in to Classic9 as well - Bob Budd can re-stich that cover. The Black/Brown Pasha is my all time favorite - make sure it does not tear as it's irreplaceable. What a great looking car!
Send your steering wheel in to Classic9 as well - Bob Budd can re-stich that cover. The Black/Brown Pasha is my all time favorite - make sure it does not tear as it's irreplaceable. What a great looking car!
Any idea at what point the gauges changed or do all 78's have that arrangement?
Any idea at what point the gauges changed or do all 78's have that arrangement?
Not sure - Rob may know - somewhere in the Minerva thread I think he went through the different '78 Guages they had at 928 Intl.
Did all US '78's also have the headlight adjusters even though non-adjustable?
03-28-2017, 07:47 PM
Questions on my inherited 928
77tony
