When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
Hello All,
Wow, have I been waiting a long time to write this post! I spent several years searching for the elusive 87 Black/Tan 5spd LSD, only to be foiled by MrMerlin (drat!). However, a different vehicle of almost the same caliber recently fell into my lap as well. See: https://rennlist.com/forums/928-foru...7-s4-auto.html
Ok, so it is not quite the same as MrMerlin's car, but I bought it (happily) and am very excited about joining the Sharktank; albeit the deep end.
Fred was correct about cleaning up the engine bay and motor. Yes, it did look a little bit better, but I am still a bit overwhelmed about where to start. My thought was to break the car down into systems: Engine, Fuel, Braking, Steering, Electrical, Body, Suspension, and misc. Please let me know if I missed something. I will then further break down those systems by what I can determine as broken/missing/melted and needing replacement. My initial goal is to just get the car running/stopping under its own power and long term is supercharging.
As Awili6 stated in his FS post, the engine is out of the vehicle and I am going to pull the heads. The folks at IMA motorwerk in Chantilly, VA. said they would take the heads for repair. The guy on the phone at motorwerk also stated, "you're a better man than I" when I told him of my project. Oh well, I am sure there will be plenty of Debbie Downers out there. I don't care. The turtle wins the race. And while the engine is on the stand, OPG, TB, and WB. Top end refresh is obvious.
Now some background: 22 year Active Duty career, recently stationed at the Pentagon, been in the DC area for the last 6 years. Living in on-post housing, so no garage. The car is in a 10x20 storage facility with a single 110 plug in the ceiling. I have a generator from tailgating but will need air at some point. Anyway, wish me luck. Next move is to pull the heads this week and inventory the parts I have. The goal is to journey up to the Hershey swap meet this weekend to try and find what I need for misc. parts. Thanks for reading and Aloha, Rick. Now for some Pics!
P.s. What do you guys think about the name, "Smoke"? Could work...maybe?????
Congratulations on your acquisition!! You seem to have a passion for the car which is what we all seem to be afflicted with. Find out what local owners are close to you and give them a shout out.
I'm looking forward to your posts and we need more pictures!!
Congrats on the car! Definitely a ton of help here. Two and a half years ago I didn't own one and now I have four! Several guys in your neck of the woods who have probably been there and done that, definitely need to put Frenzy on your list to attend!
I would add motor mounts to the list since engine is out along with looking at power steering rack and boots.
P.s. What do you guys think about the name, "Smoke"? Could work...maybe?????
I think "Smokey" or possibly "Smokey Joe" might be more appropriate!
Hopefully the poor thing will be back to former glory before too long. For sure you have made a major undertaking but on the plus side by the time you get there you will likely know way more about your 928 than most do.
Do post plenty of pics- for sure you will get a ton of help from the list. Fingers crossed that the engine will be in better shape than postulated- just be prepared to deal with whatever you find in there.
Thanks everybody for the replies. This forum is great and the 928 group is even better. No way I would attempt this odyssey without the support of you fine folks. Yes, quite a project and SKPYLE, no I do not have said wheelbarrow or green paper to fill it. I have enjoyed watching the RedWitch come together though. For Smokey Joe, I am just going to work on the car the best I can and have as much fun as I can along the way. Fred, I guess I will start with the motor, first heads and then bottom end. I have a pretty good set of tools already, but if I need anything peculiar I am next to a Sears.
I was all set for Hershey this weekend, but something work wise just came up for Saturday morning. As for starting on the engine bay, I remember FLYMO removed and replaced his heat shield and then stated he would never do it again. I think I will get started on the wiring harness also this week. My question for the group is: Do I scrap off the heat shield and replace or just go as is? I can start the disassembly this week as well.
So, in conclusion, take apart the motor is #1 to see exactly what I am working with. Ok then...here I go
Opening up the motor to get to the bottom of what you need to do is a no brainer- you never know you just might be pleasantly surprised- look on the bright side until such time as you know otherwise. Similarly the quicker you can get the crispy fried critters out of the vehicle the sooner you will feel better about what you have taken on. Create a list of what you need and post it- most listers are very motivated to see an example saved and you may well find yourself flooded with offers of parts to help you recover such is the spirit of this fine organ.
Create a list of what you need and post it- most listers are very motivated to see an example saved and you may well find yourself flooded with offers of parts to help you recover such is the spirit of this fine organ.
+1 on creating a list and posting what you need.
A lot of the things that you will needing to replace are things that are typically not sold or slow to sell things from dismantled cars. A lot of owners have parts stashes set aside with parts that have intrinsic value yes, but again, are things that very seldom are replaced and are taking up storage space. Post that list and a lot that you need might be acquired for the price of shipping.
As far as the harness goes, buy new from Sean @ 928 Docs. Correctly color coded, new age materials, and a perfect fit. 100% worth it.
I hate to be a Debbie Downer, but Sears won't be around much longer.
Wow! Quite a project! I'll be watching. As you said, it's interesting to watch the progress of projects like this. And let's hope the car doesn't take it's name to heart.
Once you get into it, I know you'll be pleasantly surprised with the engine. You have the documents that show the frequency of fluid changes. When I did the OPG about 1.5 years ago, bottom end was sound & very clean. I only ran Royal Purple in it. The journey begins.
04-17-2017, 07:06 PM
Into the Deep End
I have enjoyed watching the RedWitch come together though. For Smokey Joe, I am just going to work on the car the best I can and have as much fun as I can along the way. Fred, I guess I will start with the motor, first heads and then bottom end. I have a pretty good set of tools already, but if I need anything peculiar I am next to a Sears. 
