Need help with Timing on an '84 944, in Barrie, ON area

dan476 · 09-20-2006, 05:40 PM

Hey guys,
I have an '84 944. I am planning on doing front engine service: - replacing my water pump, seals, gaskets (including headgasket), belts and tensioners.
I am planning on doing the work this fall/winter but I have never done that before. I have the facilities to do that, but no experience. I am looking for someone in the area that would be able to come out for some beers and guide/help me out with this task.

Just a little history, I picked up this 944 few months ago for $1500. It hasn't ran in over 2 years and last time it ran, the water pump was leaking, so I decided not to even turn it over when i got it, just in case something ceized. Now i want to get it running by spring. I am doing a complete custom interior and planning on working on exterior next summer.

speedracing944 · speedracing944's Garage

Check out www.clarks-garage.com for good step by step instructions on belt replacement. I hope you are able to find someone close to you to give you a hand.

Speedy

hpaulb · 09-21-2006, 08:03 AM

If it's only for service reasons (belts and bearings), I suggest you start up the enging. Change oil first. This will give you an idea of how much your going to run into. Also do a compression test. Plan on taking the head into a good machine shop to check flatness and valve seating. That's inexpensive. You'll need a head gasket kit(contains valve stem seals), the 4 belts, front seal kit and the front belt gears. These have the bearings built in. All doc's/diagrams avialable here. If you don't want to take the head in, you'll have to take the valve springs off to change the seals. I wrote a test here on another thread for testing lifters. What do you have for space/eguipement. Pit? Lift?

dan476 · 09-21-2006, 08:24 AM

well the reason why i have not started the engine is because , if waterpump is seized then it might break the belt and if that happens i will bend the valves. That is my understanding, if I am wrong please let me know,
Because i do not know this engine and what has happend to it until i got it, i was going to pull it out of the car and replace headgasket, front engine seals, timing belt and pulleys, and waterpump. While engine is out i wanted to clean it out, check my engine mounts and do whatever else i need to do to it.
As for facilities I have a car club locally where i can go and use a ligft, engine stand and other tools that are in there.

Has any of you guys ever used Krikit tool to check tension on your belts? if you have what did you think about it?.

Thanks guys

hpaulb · 09-21-2006, 09:21 AM

Most here have or a similar device. I don't. Have done many and use the 90 deg. twist meathod. Last PO I helped had it checked 2k later by the local P guyand it was near perfect. So I know this meathod if done correctly is as close as any tool in a novices hand. Water pump has a friction pulley. No teeth. Take all the front plastic parts off and you should be able to slightly loosen the tension to see if it turns. When I picked up my car, it had been stored in the back yard for two years. No problem with the waterpump. The bearing is on the inside and there is a seal on the outside. Your pretty safe in turning it over. With all the front stuff off, you can line up the engine marks and get an idea if all is lined up. start it to check things out, then line it up again before taking the rest of the parts off. The only thing that I've seen as a problem was a couple bolts on the waterpump snapped. WD-40 and wait a couple days. As the seal ages, water leaks past and sits in the pump housing bolt holes and does a number on the botls. Also if it's the first time, steel bolts in aluminum tent to have a chemical reaction and meld with age. You'll see that with the cam tower bolts to. Entire job will take a Saterday.

dan476 · 09-21-2006, 12:19 PM

Hpaul what area of Ontario are you from?

Eldorado · 09-21-2006, 02:51 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by hpaulb
Last PO I helped had it checked 2k later by the local P guyand it was near perfect. So I know this meathod if done correctly is as close as any tool in a novices hand.

that's me!
yep, paul helped me out... not 2k later.. probably more like 4 or 5... and it was almost bang on - just a little slack (which is expected after the belt breaks in a bit.)

sorry i haven't replied to your PM dan, i was working today.. in response no, i've never done it myself - i dont trust myself enough yet to do it...

dan476 · 09-21-2006, 05:09 PM

Paul if you are in barrie area would you mind helping me out sometime when you have free time?

hpaulb · 09-22-2006, 05:01 AM

I was thinking about it. It's a fair drive up there North of Toronto. I live 90 KM west of the airport. Would take me a couple hours to get there.

dan476 · 09-22-2006, 08:05 AM

Hey Paul, if you are willing to help, I will come down there myself and pick you up. Not to worry about that.

dan476 · 09-24-2006, 12:08 PM

bump