Although the 925 was exceedingly pleasant to have fun driving the waiting for a breakdown van was not.
Although it was 10 tears ago every time we see a Porsche we still say "poor barstewards"
Cheers!
Hi Guys,
A bit off topic, but i've been looking for my next project to keep me busy, looking for a car i can restore a bit, and am getting very tempted by
an early 944. I've been speaking to a guy not too far away who has one, but has been sat around for quite a while, and hasn't even
attempted to start it, so completely unkown engine condition.
I've been looking at rebuild kits which would probably be anywhere between £150 to £600 depending on which bits would need replacing....
I might go and have a look and hook up some jump leads and see what happens, but bearing in mind i've never done an engine rebuild (although
doesn't scare me too much) is this just a stupid idea which will cost me 0000,s, or worth a punt if it's relatively cheap?
Opinions welcomed!
Thanks,
Andy
Engine rebuilds can be like herding cats, if it's knackered and needs machining then you could be in for £££s and time spent getting there. If you plan to try and start the car in question, be sure to agree who pays for any damage caused first.
If its been sat a while I wouldn't just try and start it! You may cause some damage.
1. Plugs out.
2. Squirt of oil or diesel down the holes, leave for a while to allow the oil to penetrate.
3. Have a cuppa and chat
4. With the plugs still out, turn engine over by hand once or twice to make sure it turns smoothly.
5. The fuel pump and filter are probably gunked up. look at replacing these.
6. Fresh battery...
7. Plugs still out, crank it over a couple of times
8. Make sure its still sparking...
9. Plugs in and have a go!
please feel free to comment or add/remove steps..
No 2 daughter had a 924 whilst she was at university and met every breakdown van in Scotland! I know the 944 is a different engine but in general it
was totally unreliable, petrol tank, pumps, electrics, alternator the list was endless. Eventually bought her an MX5 (which she was not at all happy
about power wise) which was totally reliable.
Although the 925 was exceedingly pleasant to have fun driving the waiting for a breakdown van was not.
Although it was 10 tears ago every time we see a Porsche we still say "poor barstewards"
Cheers!
Yeh i am swaying towards this being a stupid idea....
My alternative at the moment is an 2nd gen RX7 that i'm talking to a guy about.
I know that's a runner, but has the worrying wankel engine so could be in for nice bills when that goes poop!
At least this will be a second car so doesn't really matter too much....
The Porsche OPC's are currently doing a little front engined restoration competition between themsleves to celebrate 40 years of front engined
cars, there site has many interesting project cars on it here
On the 911uk forum I have seen a few people that have done long road trips in 944's, there is a sub forum for other classic Porsche models on the
forum here
944 is a brilliant car, the handling has to be experienced to be believed.
The only thing I would say is Porsche parts carry a Porsche tax! I looked at getting a 944 for myself a few years ago when I was a student, it was a
bit scruffy but was a good price it just needed a water pump. The trouble was the water pump was only available from Porsche and I wouldn't have
had much change from £300 - for this reason I got scared off. Don't underestimate them as cars though - I'd love one!
quote:
My alternative at the moment is an 2nd gen RX7 that i'm talking to a guy about.
I know that's a runner, but has the worrying wankel engine so could be in for nice bills when that goes poop!
At least this will be a second car so doesn't really matter too much....
Cheers guys, Yeh heard lots about the 944 brig superb to drive... Well after speaking to the guy a bit more I'm starting to think it's a
complete she's so might be swaying towards the Rex...
fuel consumption doesn't bother me much as this will just be the toy, but plan will be to run it till it nukes itself and then look at an engine
conversion!
A mate fitted a new clutch assembly to a 944 and said he wouldn't want to do another
Although to be fair he did do it on his driveway with just a pair of car ramps 
I've always loved the look of them though 
Be wary of Hot start issues with the RX7
As a TIPEC member & owner of a 944 I can add something here. It is a seriously expensive engine to rebuild, there are a couple of specialist tools
you'll need (belt tensioner, flywheel lock & oil pressure release valve alignment) Parts are very expensive added to which the bores need
specialist prep. as it is an Alusil block, very few engineering shops know how to do this. If you need pistons they are around £110 each. The water
pumps are around £180 upwards, rareish 2.7 ones more than twice that. The belts on the front are £60 the pair & the idlers & tensioners are
around £40 each (there are 5) & tend to have shortish life's. A decent s/h engine would be a better choice.
They are however great fun to drive, very practical as a big hatch & very reliable. Mine was a daily driver for 18 months as my company car. I did
38K in 18 months, had the AA out once when I had a puncture & the space saver didn't fit!
back in 95 I went to a surfing contest in Thurso Scotland and back to Plymouth Devon in a 944, second best car I ever went a long distance in, effortless, 2 up, all the surf gear and camping stuff. 760 miles each way, with the odd stop for caffeine and letting some out ! Great car and fantastic long legged fast GT.
quote:
Originally posted by perksy
A mate fitted a new clutch assembly to a 944 and said he wouldn't want to do another
Although to be fair he did do it on his driveway with just a pair of car ramps
I've always loved the look of them though
Be wary of Hot start issues with the RX7
porsche or a mazda , no contest porsche for me. like most out of the ordinary cars join the forums and clubs lots of cash to be saved.
even if the engine needs rebuilt if you take it out, and deliver the head and block to a machine shop thats a fortune saved by stripping yourself,
chances are the engine will be okay anyway
I had a 951 (944 Turbo, 300BHP). Loved that car, almost bankrupted me. Used it every day and it was costing me £12K a year in maintenance and parts
so it had to go