So many valves! (ie about a motor rebuild)

memorexedbs · 05:13 PM

I am looking into a 1987 944s for a possible daily driver. The prospective car has "bearing salad" in the oil filter and has low oil pressure. Would the engine need to be rebuilt? If so I am clueless to where or how to rebuild a 944s engine. Any information/opinions would be helpful.

Porsche944 · 07-13-2003, 08:44 AM

Run away.

If there is babbit (bearing) material in the oil then chances are at least one connecting rod bearing has failed. For certain there is babbit material through out the lubrication system which will require a completed system flush.

Last year I passed on an '87 S for $1500.00 for the very same reason. All though I could have done the work myself, I just don't have the funds for a complet engine tear down and rebuild.

However, if the body and drive train are in good shape, you could always do an engine swap and then part out the original engine.

memorexedbs · 07-13-2003, 07:06 PM

Thanks for the help... I really don't know if I will buy it. Anyone have a cheap used 944S engine?

memorexedbs · 07-14-2003, 01:02 PM

Well I do think that the engine is beyond my mechanical ability to rebuild (though the seller says it still runs and will make the 500 mile drive from him to me). Would it be practical/ easy to sell the 16 valve head? If so were/ who could I sell it to? Otherwise than the engine the car is in good condition for a $2000 car.

SoCal Driver · SoCal Driver's Garage

A 16 valve 'S' head is worth a few bucks.

Might just cover the cost of changing out the DME system including the complete harness and the selective rewiring you will have to do to the rest of the electrical gauges.

Also the cost of a decent low milage "regular" 944 engine.

Sternn · 07-15-2003, 05:34 AM

a cheap 944S engine = oxymoron

I have gone through 2. I decided on a full rebuild for mine since buying used ones usually ends up in buying an engine that runs for 2 years then blows up (at a cost of about $4000 an engine).

Rebuilding the head alone will cost you some bucks. You need 16 spring sets - they run $75 here @ Pelican, and those are the cheapest I found. That means your looking at $2200 before you even start buying valve guides, covers, etc.

Rebuilding the long block, welll thats anther huge expense on it's own.

But I love my S and don't mine throwing $20k or so into it, since they are so rare (and becoming even more rare by the minute).

-S