replacing with a used engine

[GasPowered]

Hi to all.

I'm new to the forum, but have been lurking for awhile. I have to say there's a wealth of knowledge here. I recently rebuilt the front end of my '88 944na (ball joints, rack, ends, bushings, calipers, rotors, calipers, ss lines, etc..) and referenced this site many times. Thank you all.

To my topic.
I'm considering purchasing a used engine and am wondering if it's worth it, or just have someone rebuild what I have?

The main reason for the "new" engine is that the local Porsche shop has diagnosed that my engine has a "bad" wrist pin bushing. You can easily hear it at about +4k rpm. Although I've driven with this ailment for about 80k miles (170k on the car now), I'd like to get it fixed, so I don't have to worry about it anymore.

With the cost of pulling everything and replacing the bushing, would the wiser choice be to get a "nice" lower mileage used engine for about the same money?

Also in searching this site, I've read that switching the 2.5L for a 2.8L might be feasible. Is that true? Is a 2.8L a direct swap, with the only modification being the DME?

I've had the car for 15+ years, so getting rid of it isn't an option.

I appreciate any and all advice.

Cheers

[ae1969]

Uhmmm bad wrist pin....... a ticking time bomb.

Well.............. this is how I would go about it.......

Pull engine. Assess damage. If the block is scored (I would think it would be or at least somewhat out of round). Throw it away and find yourself a low-mileage used engine.

Refresh the engine (fix any leaking seals etc)......... Throw it back in and enjoy.

The cost of rebuiliding a damaged 2.5L NA engine is frankly not worth it IMO. You would be looking at 5-8K depending on parts/machining/odds and ends..............

A 2.8 can be had in a variety of ways. To do a 2.8 conversion properly in an NA would be easily 10K+ project.

P.S... Welcome

[GasPowered]

Thanks Alex.

In referencing the 2.8L, I meant out of an '89na.
(my apologies for any confusion)

Still not a direct swap?


On the used 2.5L engine, what type of compression, and leak down numbers should one look for?

Cheers

[Zero10]

That would be a 2.7L.
A 2.8L is a 2.5L block with a 3.0L crank. It's quite a bit of work.
A 2.7L would be a matter of swapping the DME and wiring harness.

[Razorback1980]

I second Alex's advice.

Hey Gas Powered....One good thing is you have a dismantler right there in your town that specialize in Porsche cars and are very knowledgeable. I have bought many things from them and they are great to deal with. They will probably have whatever you need and that will cut shipping costs if you go with a used engine. Oklahoma Foreign 405-799-0644. I looked a short time back and found engines between 50 and 70 thousand miles for around a thousand dollars. There aren't a huge number with low mileage but there are a few. Let me know if you need help finding one.

Welcome to the forum.

[GasPowered]

Thank you Zero and RazorB.

I've been to Oklahoma Foreign a few times. It's only about 30min from the house.

They've quoted me about $1800 for 2.5L with fresh belts etc. From what you say RazorB that may be a bit high. If you could point me to some other "near by" sources (if possible) for low mileage engines, I would be most grateful. (TX,OK,KS,AR)

Also, what compression and leak-down numbers should I look for?

Thank you.

Cheers

[Razorback1980]

Yeah, they were high for me as well at first, but they seem to negotiate a lot. Let's find one for you and then ask them to match the price.

1988
Engine
Porsche 944 944-2.5 RVG***,5SPD 0D1669 $1250.7 Central City Auto Parts USA-OH(Columbus) 1-800-357-7969
1988
Engine
Porsche 924 2DR,BLK,5SP 107749 $1200 B and H New and Used Auto Parts, Inc. USA-MD(Elkton) 1-800-527-3887
1988
Engine
Porsche 944 RWD,FI,2.5,AUTO 944 NON TURBO 175ALL 123,000 GH1172 $1200 Campbell Nelson Auto Recycling USA-WA(Arlington) 888-337-7757
1988
Engine
Porsche 944 EFI,RUNS GREAT 138,548 E41084 $1150 Schriever Auto Parts USA-LA(Gray) 1-877-771-0577
1988
Engine
Porsche 944 SHORT BLOCK GOOD LOWER END 58K 58,596 A 17DI02 $1050.07 All Quality Import Auto Parts, Inc. USA-OH(Dover) 1-800-251-8023 Request_Insurance_Quote
1988
Engine
Porsche 944 2.5-RUNS-GOOD-BB-TIM -10-26-05-OILED B4392 $1000 Pasco Auto Salvage USA-FL(Hudson) 1-800-548-4418
1988
Engine
Porsche 944 RUNS GREAT 00013468 $880 All Foreign Used Auto Parts USA-OH(Columbus)1-800-541-6344
1988
Engine
Porsche 924 180psiall new time belt h2o id 131,000 00006897 $880 Modern Auto Parts, Inc. USA-MO(St.-Louis) 1-888-919-8138
1988
Engine
Porsche 924 RWD,FI,4CY,5SPD GOOD H1332 $850 EurAsian Foreign Auto Parts USA-CO(Englewood) 1-800-944-3215
1988
Engine
Porsche 924 -2.5,RUNS GOOD,83K,NDS OIL/P SWITCH, 4470P $800 Maroney's Foreign Car and Parts USA-PA(Smithton) 1-800-245-7278
1988
Engine
Porsche 924 AT,2.5L,FAC,CK DMGE 040468 $Call Fox Auto Parts USA-OH(Malvern) 1-800-228-6159
1988
Engine
Porsche 944 F-5,2.5L,FAC 020680 $Call Fox Auto Parts USA-OH(Malvern) 1-800-228-6159
1988
Engine
Porsche 944 944- PARTS P50203 $Call Ollies I190 Used Auto Parts USA-MA(Phillipston) 1-800-559-5865 Request_Insurance_Quote
1988
Engine
Porsche 924 3DR-HB,BLK,8-87,2.5L ,5SPD,CKKK-ITTT 71,000 040238 $Call Venice Auto Parts USA-PA(Philadelphia) 1-800-523-1600
1988
Engine
Porsche 944 88,4CYL-5SP,NO KEY PO0826 $Call Stan Gills Automotive Parts USA-VA(Chesapeake) 1-800-253-8469
1988
Engine
Porsche 944 PARTS NOF $Call America II Inc. USA-NJ(Mays-Landing) 1-866-883-4799
1988
Engine
Porsche 924 00123 $Call Silver Star Recycling USA-CA(Rancho-Cordova)1-800-783-4911
1988
Engine
Porsche 944 RUNS GOOD 05291 $Call Silver Star Recycling USA-CA(Rancho-Cordova) 1-800-783-4911
1988
Engine
Porsche 924 BASE,2.5L,5MT 309531 $Call Paradise Auto Parts USA-MD(Elkton) 1-888-811-5051
1988
Engine
Porsche 944 2.5,MT,BLK 2831 $Call Anderson Used Auto Parts, Inc. USA-SC(Belton) 1-800-327-2736
1988
Engine
Porsche 944 CORE NOF $Call Magic Used Auto Parts USA-FL(Clearwater) 1-727-573-7751
1988
Engine
Porsche 924 PARTS ONLY 6A020 $Call Blue Grass Auto Parts USA-KY(Lexington) 1-800-432-0730
1988
Engine
Porsche 924 RB41950 CK 4707P $Call Oklahoma Foreign European USA-OK(Moore) 1-800-462-2446
1988
Engine
Porsche 924 SILVER- 2.5 (MISSING PARTS, CORE!) L1842 $Call Brims Imports Auto USA-OH(Kenton) 1-800-221-3874
1988
Engine
Porsche 924 HA0010 $Call Case Used Parts #1 USA-SC(Marion) 1-800-234-2928

This is what I found for an 88....There must have been a change between 87 and 88 but here are some other options but I'm not sure of the engine differences but I bet you can ask the forum if you don't know already ...

1986
Engine
Porsche 944 Runs good per TB Y14B05 70,000 00006045 $1045 Modern Auto Parts, Inc. USA-MO(St.-Louis) 1-888-919-8138

1986
Engine
Porsche 944 60455,NO TC,980315,158K PO9200 $305 Johannes Auto Sales, Inc. USA-MO(Jackson) 1-800-748-7821

1985
Engine
Porsche 944 CORE, -CYL HEAD 2A1463 $Call Austin Veedub, Inc. USA-TX(Austin) 1-800-282-3119

1986
Engine
Porsche 944 4 86,RWD,EFI,2.5,F5,CORE 103,000 A 2A0474 $Call Austin Veedub, Inc. USA-TX(Austin) 1-800-282-3119

1986
Engine
Porsche 944 10-85,2.5FI,AC,5SP,R WD,CORE ENGINE WG2905 $Call Best Foreign Auto Parts, Inc. USA-CO(Colorado-Springs) 1-800-624-7364

1986
Engine
Porsche 944 139,000 1A4166 $Call Hearn's Salvage Company, Inc. USA-AL(Arley) 1-800-231-2768

1986
Engine
Porsche 944 944,AT,H20 AA0634 $Call EZ Auto Salvage USA-AL(Theordore) 1-251-653-6923 / 1-866-392-6923

With these you might have to use just the block or maybe they won't even work, I have no idea, but there are a lot of really sharp people here that can tell you for sure.

[Usmellgass2?]

Way to go Razor!! That list is printing right now so I have all the phone numbers. I use Carparts.com but this seems to be much better, is it a public search engine?

[Razorback1980]

I got this from a friend in the recycling business. Are you looking for an engine too?

[Zero10]

If it was a bad wristpin bushing, then I can't imagine it would last 80k miles. It might be worth a second opinion before dropping $1000+ on it.

[Usmellgass2?]

Razor, I hope not I will be doing a leak down and pulling the pan in a week or so. If I need a fresh bullet I will give you a shout. Hmmm bet you could hunt up a 968 engine and tork tube too.....

Thanks
Dave

[GasPowered]

Geeze Razor, that's terrific !!
Thank you !!

I'll start giving some of those places a call on Monday.

I believe the '87 and '88 engines have a slightly higher compression and about 8 more hp than the earlier motors.
(somebody correct me if I'm mistaken)

Zero, you may be right about the wrist pin, but I can also hear "something" as well.
She has 170k on her now, so my thinking is that taking the head off to investigate anything further is a minimum $500. She's also due for new belts (another $500), so why not put that money toward a "fresher" engine? I do appreciate your advice though.

Are there any tips or advice I should know about buying a used engine?

Thank you.

Cheers

[Razorback1980]

Hey GasPowered,

Just for the record...I agree with Zero10 and I wouldn't do anything until I know for sure what the problem is. My experience with these engines are they are bullet proof if you do the maintenance. Can you not pull the head off yourself and save that 500 dollars? It may be a cam shaft chain slapping on the adjuster, these engines have a tendency to do that. I actually find that much more believable than a wrist pin. There are several threads out here on that and after reading them, if your questions are still not answered, then start a new thread. There are several folks on here that could easily tell you how to check that. Just a thought.

If you are set on a different engine though, I would still suggest you find a very desireable engine and the price you are looking for and then go to the place next to you and negotiate. They'll match it to get the sale and you can look it over and save shipping. As far as the engine is concerned, get the lowest mileage you can afford and if they will provide some compression numbers that will help but most won't. Of course be ready to spend even more money on the used engine...new belts and new seals at the least but you should also consider a new water pump and new belt rollers. There is probably more that I'm missing but there is a link on what maintenance should be done on a couple threads relating to people looking at buying a 944. Check out that link and see what else is suggested to fix while you have the engine out.

Good luck and let us know if we can help.

[Razorback1980]

Dave, 968 parts are more scarce, but let's see what we come up with...To get the best results I will need the year, but we assumed for a 94 at the moment. ....

1995
Engine
Porsche 968 WHT,3.0L,FI,AT,AC,PS ,10-94 53,288 007121 $3500 Allens Used Auto Parts USA-FL(Tampa) 1-866-626-6121

1994
Engine
Porsche 968 BLACK- 3.0 (CAM GEAR,CAMSHAFT BROKE) N1437 $Call Brims Imports Auto USA-OH(Kenton) 1-800-221-3874

And that's all there is. I had him search for other years, there just aren't many used parts out there.

Hope this helps.

[Usmellgass2?]

I saw the broken one in OH too, very interesting. could just be bent valves or could be a droped valve, hmmmm. Shipping should be about 100$.
check this link, same read out.

http://car-part.com/

[Zero10]

I see your point about not dropping more money on this engine, but here's a suggestion,
Why not buy the replacement engine, with fresh belts, water pump, etc., then once yours is out, disassemble it yourself. Do a bit of investigation, it's free, and you still get to drive your car while you're doing it