I consider myself a hack mechanic, in that I can install a clutch, re and re an engine (have a hoist, engine stand, wrenches, etc), and know very basic mechanics.

I have the opportunity to buy a 1987 944, that had timing belt snap while the current owner was going 90Kph in 5th gear.

Assuming that there is valve damage which I would send to a shop to rebuild, how hard is it for someone like me that has done about 10 engine swaps on Toyota Paseos, Miatas, etc to work on a 944 engine? I had a 924 a long time ago that I sold as it had sat for years and I lost interest in it. I'd done an engine swap in it as well, and it was pretty simple to me.

Thanks!
Curt

 

Well all you need to do is pull the head and have it gone through with the valves replaced. That isn't exactly anything near an engine rebuild. Book time is IIRC 11 hours or so to R&R the head. Expect that the first time you do it. After you have done a few, it is a 3 hour job.

 

OK, thanks for that. Sounds do-able. I looked at the car today, other than a small tear on the driver's seat, it's really nice looking. Paint is mint, tires and wheels good, etc.

Now, there's another 1987 Porsche 944S 16 valve for sale. Same price roughly, same mileage (105K miles). This one was hard to start for a couple of weeks, then died completely.

I'm looking at it tomorrow. Porsche # 1 is Porsche red, Porsche 16 valve is a darker reddish/brown. Seller of Porsche # 2 says the S model is far more desirable than the plain 944. All I know is that a non starting/hard starting car with an intact timing belt is most likely easier/cheaper to repair than one with a toasted head. Comments?

Oh, I'm most likely going to make this a summer car only, then I'll flip it in the fall. Can't see hanging onto it for other than a summer project and fun car to drive.

Thanks in advance!

 

The 16v's can be troublesome as well. If the chain tensioner goes, it will strip the cams and shatter the tensioner off the head, which is obviously very expensive if you have head problems. At least 8V problems are cheaper to deal with. The 16v motor also has a sensor on the power steering pump which is known to short and fry the engine harness, which will cause a permanent no start issue until the harness is replaced. Last 16v harness i replaced was $2k from Porsche.

 

OK, thanks for that. I looked at the first car last night, the guy is pretty set on his $2K price, I was hoping to talk him down to $1500.

The second owner is pretty familiar with the timing belt/tensioner issues, so he's kept up on the maintenance of that.

As for the sensor, I am heavily into electronics, so what I'll do if I get that one is put an inline fuse at the sensor to prevent burning up of the wiring harness. Even if the wiring harness died, I'm sure I could build one for way under $2K.

Thanks again for the info, I'll post as to which one I'll get.

 

Just try and shop around, I think you should be able to pick one up for less than $2k .

 

Thanks! Based on that I should only need a head rebuild, I decided to get the first one. The seller threw in a free Fosgate sub and box, I'll find a use for that somewhere.

This is the car I bought. Paint is superb, the second 944s I looked at was pretty crappy condition-wise. Head cover was off, seats were torn, paint was very iffy.

http://vancouver.en.craigslist.ca/cto/1214198259.html

I'm hoping that repairs will be under $1500. I'll drive it for a couple of months, then I'll flip it late summer. I'll post pix once I get it, and I'm sure I'll have stupid questions once I get into the engine.

Gotta finish putting the engine into my 92 Miata that I'm wrapping up first...