944S with crashed valves

CL has an '87 944S in decent cosmetic shape for $1,000. Apparently the owner tried to replace the timing belt and water pump, couldn't get it timed, and now says that it "may" have bent valves. I'm operating on the assumption that it "does" have bent valves.

1) Can a person do the t-belt themselves? IIRC, it requires some crazy $500 tension gauge. Is there a workaround, or can the tool be rented from somewhere?

2) How hard to find/expensive will fixing bent valves be?

3) What else is on the deferred maintenance "must do" list for these cars?

Always liked these. Not crazy about the color on this one, but it's intriguing.

the t-belt job isn't that bad, but is time consuming. I have the arnworx kit, which is what I used to do the t-belt on my 944 turbo. You can borrow it if you end up with the car.

t-belt isn't too difficult, but requires patience.

I've heard that timing the two cams together is a bit more difficult, but I have no experience with that.

The valves are available, but twincam valves are more expensive, and there are more of them.

Not sure it's worth a grand, unless the body is in REALLY good shape.

i just timed the 8v engine in my new to me 87 non-S which has the spring loaded tensioner without using that gauge, not sure about the S model. i used the tensioner, added a small bit more for a new belt and used the 90 degree twist test too. it took a lot more time to get the tension on the balance shafts to not make noise, and i used the 180 degree test on that one. it's supposed to be way looser than i wanted to make it so it took a few tries to get it right without making pulley noise but. there's a bunch of steps but none are too difficult.

but there's a belt tensioner gauge on 944online along with a tool to hold the balance shafts while tightening the sprocket bolt and a flywheel lock tool (i made my own but is probably worth just buying), as a kit for $140

sounds like a great v8 car to me though

there are a couple places to buy the tools i bought mine used for under a $100.00. but figure on pulling the engine if you are going to pull the head. i have found it a lot easier to do heads on these cars with the engine on the stand. it just makes everything easier

Maroon92 wrote: t-belt isn't too difficult, but requires patience. I've heard that timing the two cams together is a bit more difficult, but I have no experience with that. The valves are available, but twincam valves are more expensive, and there are more of them. Not sure it's worth a grand, unless the body is in REALLY good shape.

Looks pretty nice. One dent in the fender, other than that pretty good. Has a brand new $400 water pump and reupholstered seats, as well.

Water pumps are $400? Sweet bejeebus thank god I bought a MR2 instead.

That said, I keep daydreaming about the challenge and a 944 chassis seems like a great place to start once you get rid of the 'spensive German mill. I'm a challenge and teutonic metal noob though, so I'm not sure exactly how much pain and suffering I'd be in for.

1) Remove expensive Porsche engine.

2) Fix expensive Porsche engine and sell or just sell it for parts

3) Insert favorite american V8 (see renegade hybrids if help is needed)

4) Enjoy beautiful handling with some actual power.

Matt B wrote: Water pumps are $400?

Only for idiots. A quick call to Brad can get you one for about 1/4th of that.

20v audi turbo mill is rumored to fit.

I'd buy it if the chassis and interior checked out, but I've been wanting to put a cammed 5.3 in one for a long time.

I just started working on GF's '88 8v 944, I have it ready to pull the belts out, but I am doing the water pump and seals at the same time. Not too bad, I bought one of the tool kits from a site mentioned above, I think it was about $400 for the kit, comes with the tensioner and flywheel lock and a few others that should help with seal replacement. I think the Belt kit with Gate's racing belt and pump and new idlers is about $600, I am also doing power steering hoses, sending the injectors off, doing the cooling hoses, fuel lines. The car sat for 10 years, but is in great shape other than that. It is a change from working on Alfa V6s and 4s, but pretty straight forward so far. With brakes and new tires, I am guessing we will have close to $3k in car, but it was free from her mother and the tools will get used again, so not too bad.

If it were me, I'd show up with about $750 in cash, talk him down as low as possible, and drop a frakkin' LSx motor in there.

oh damn...and I know where there's a wrecked 10v turbo Audi I could probably get cheap...shut up shut up LALALALALA not listening...

Arnnworx sells a really nice tensioning tool for under $200. Beats the pants off those little clicker type tools.

Step 1. Fix the truck you would use to haul this car home.
Step 2. Hope some other sucker buys that ugly, broken 944 before you complete Step 1.

Wouldn't by chance be this car http://columbiamo.craigslist.org/cto/3658885904.html

This is a 924s. This has the 8v motor so a timing belt job is simple. I have done a bunch of them. the only real tools you "need" are the thin wrenches used to adjust / tighten belt tension. That is it. You don't need the tension tool and all the other stuff. Doing it on a 8v motor is a lot simpler than on many FWD cars as you actually have more room and you don't have a motor mount in the way.

Some goes for the S. The two cams can be a little tricky but really no worse than doing the timing belt on a MR2. If it is the 8 v car I a t belt is easier than a MR2. if it is an S than about the same as an MR2 just a little easier access.

f it is that 924s it s over priced. at 1K it is an ok deal. the trans in that car is wanted by the spec 944 people due to better gear ratios than the 944's

If it is an s and the valved did bang the pistons it is a easy fix as long as it did not damage the head. You can get replacement valves. the 16v heads are getting pricey and hard to find. But when they are running rite they are really nice cars. The other thing to be aware of are the cam chain guide / tensioners need to be replaced if there is no documentation of them being serviced.

dean1484 wrote: Wouldn't by chance be this car http://columbiamo.craigslist.org/cto/3658885904.html This is a 924s. This has the 8v motor so a timing belt job is simple. I have done a bunch of them. the only real tools you "need" are the thin wrenches used to adjust / tighten belt tension. That is it. You don't need the tension tool and all the other stuff. Doing it on a 8v motor is a lot simpler than on many FWD cars as you actually have more room and you don't have a motor mount in the way. Some goes for the S. The two cams can be a little tricky but really no worse than doing the timing belt on a MR2. If it is the 8 v car I a t belt is easier than a MR2. if it is an S than about the same as an MR2 just a little easier access. f it is that 924s it s over priced. at 1K it is an ok deal. the trans in that car is wanted by the spec 944 people due to better gear ratios than the 944's

Nope. Actually it's on the Kansas City CL, and I'm pretty sure it's a legit 944 SLink to KC 944

Nevermind my "ugly" comments then...I thought it was the striped one here in town.

It wasn't cranked? I would take that gamble if I were closer.

Heck ya I would rock that at that $$. Looks t be a nice car and if he did not actually start the car then the valves should be ok. If it was running and something happened then valves are probably bad. In either case it is a relatively simple fix. You need more information about exactly what he did. Next to an s2 that is the 944 I would like to have.

Parts are not that bad. If you end up with it and need some parts I can probably help.

That would probably already be in my driveway if it was a local car. Thankfully, it's not, since I don't have time to do what I want to do with it.

I don't think you can go wrong for $1000 for that. I have looked at much rougher 944s for more money.