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Early dash in bad shape...what can be done?
I bought an '88 924S with about 80K miles on it with the intention of using it as driver. It's in fairly good, to very good mechanical condition. It's one of those annoying cars that has a lot of good things and a lot of not so good. I've thought about dumping it, but realize I won't get 1/2 my invested dollars back so I've been thinking about driving it more, and slowly working on the things that need refurbishing. I really could have bought a MUCH nicer 924S for the $$ I have into this, but I had a bad day when I bought it and now I live with it.
It definitely needs paint, but that will be the last item. The interior, like the whole car is a mix--everything works, the seats are black Porsche-script and in good shape. The dash, however is really trashed. I actually don't mind the typical cracked dash--I can live with those. This one had a plastic dash cap that really didn't appeal to me, so I pulled it off and found that not only is the dash badly cracked (of course) but the PO glued the dash cap on with a wide variety of unknown substances, most notably big round globs of some kind of silicon adhesive and some kind of blackish weird substance. I've made some progress in cleaning all that up using "Goo-Gone" to soften up the adhesives and then scraping, picking, steel-wooling, but it's a lot of work and I don't really know how good it will get. New dashes are just about unobtanium or too expensive to justify putting into this car. Someone emailed me with a NOS dash, IN THE FACTORY BOX, but it's a) brown and would require re-dying, or painting, or something and b) he wants $600 for it. For that money I'd rather get the leather dash cover from The 928 Leather Shop: http://928leathershop.com/Dashboard,_Console_and_Panel_Covers.html I think to even clean up the existing dash it would be best to take it out of the car (Clark's Garage has a procedure written up that looks do-able). I thought I would post here and maybe get some suggestions on how to approach this. Of course if anyone knows of a reasonably good dash for a decent price--$150??? , that might be the way to go also. Or if anyone wants a fine-running, straight-bodied, low-mileage '88 924S as a project or basis for a 924 Spec racer---let me know and I'll start looking for a replacement that is in a little better cosmetic shape. Waiting for the light bulb to go on....
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Stephen Porter -- ABQ, NM --------------------------------------------------------------------- Current: 2007 base Cayman and 1989 944 Past: 2 914's (ancient history)...long list of 951's, S2's, one Boxster S and garage-queen '89 928 S4, now living in Texas. |
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05-28-2009, 08:36 PM
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Misunderstood User
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Not many choices here.
Your options: Dash cover - $50 -$80 Carpet or plastic. Several members have gone this route and everyone has an opinion. Find a used dash - IF you can find one - it might not be any different than what you have. These things crack over time. Find a new one - NLA Find an NOS - Another tuff find but it would be pricey. If I had one to sell it would be in the $600 - $1000 range especially if it's black. Recover your existing one - I had mine recovered by the928leathershop. The work is excellent - better than new IMO. $600 range. It comes down to how much you want to spend and what is the condition of the interior of your car. You invest $600 in a dash, it won't look good against worn seats, gear shift knob or steering wheel. It will make your seats, wheel and knob look worse. Clarks garage has an excellent write-up on dash removal. Take your time, take pictures and wire number everything. Good luck.
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Jim 1983 944n/a 2003 Mercedes CLK 500 - totaled. Sanwiched on the Kennedy Expressway |
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05-29-2009, 05:38 AM
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Registered
Join Date: Sep 2008
Posts: 67
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Looking at the list of cars you have owned,my thoughts are to consider cutting your losses and getting out before you are really buried in it.
If you really like this particular car,then putting money in it would be fine.But if in the end,this is not the car you want,you will just be putting in more money than you will ever hope to recover. I realize you already have more in it than you think it is worth,but it won't get any better. Having said that,I will continue to put money in my 944 as needed because I enjoy the car and plan on keeping it and know I won't get it back. I don't know how much work you can do yourself,such as paint,but add up your projected costs for paint and dash and whatever else compared to the cost of a very clean original paint 924 that was maintained and needs nothing and you might find the loss you take now will be less than bringing your current car up to the level you want. I hope you don't mind me giving you my opinion,but you sounded a little undecided on which way to go in your post.I have done it both ways over the last 35 years on many different cars and have always come out ahead buying the best car first than trying to restore one. |
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05-29-2009, 05:41 AM
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Proprietoristicly Refined
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: ~Carefree Highway~
Posts: 5,833
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Stephen,
Here is a 1987 924S in fine shape-not an '88 but nice. Low mile, very original 924S for sale Dash...a couple of links: http://forums.rennlist.com/rennforums/928-forum/150402-dash-cracked-heres-how-to-fix.html 928leathershop kit: http://forums.rennlist.com/rennforums/924-931-944-951-968-forum/497344-dash-recover-kit-now-available.html GL John_AZ 1988 924S 60K + 1987 924S 113K DD |
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05-29-2009, 05:42 AM
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Registered
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My experience has been the same as JSteve340's. Unless this is the car that just really excites you, it's probably best to cut your losses now. You can try to restore the paint with some polishing compound with water and then a good coat of good wax. You'll be amazed how much better it will look.
As for the dash...I'm not familiar with the 924 but I have a black later 944 dash without cracks that I would let go for 300 if you are interested but I think your car has the early 944 dash. Here is a list of recyclers that may have one for you. Looks like a couple are in your area. 1984 Dash Panel Porsche 944 GREY CRACKED PAD E27421 $250 Ernies Auto Parts USA-MI(Harrison-Township) 1-877-755-9550 1979 Dash Panel Porsche 924 AC,TAN,BASE-K 071122 $225 Tri County Auto Dismantlers USA-CA(Santa-Paula) 1-877-667-2787 1983 Dash Panel Porsche 944 BLACK A 09A-28 $200 Trails End Auto and Truck Salvage, Inc. USA-IA(Des-Moines) 1-800-717-6505 1988 Dash Panel Porsche 924 -BLK,LESS INSTRUMENTS A F1898 $200 M & M Imports - Will Call Only USA-CA(Fontana) 1-909-428-1111 1980 Dash Panel Porsche 924 NOPAD A 240056 $150 Flower's Auto Wreckers USA-PA(Smithton) 1-800-872-5475 1978 Dash Panel Porsche 924 79749025 79749025 $150 Meier Auto Salvage, Inc. USA-IA(Sioux-City) 1-800-944-1344 1980 Dash Assembly Porsche 924 [251-50640] 00026922 $150 Cars and Parts USA-IN(Columbus) 1-800-225-9025 1983 Dash Panel Porsche 944 2DR,MAROON A 207158 $150 Albany Auto Salvage, Inc. USA-GA(Albany) 800-873-1669 1981 Dash Panel Porsche 924 -Brown A B09003 $150 Nationwide Auto Recycling USA-MA(Lancaster) 1-866-534-0477 1984 Dash Panel Porsche 944 Tan,Floor,Factory dirty CKB4 A 409467 $150 HyWay Garage Inc. USA-NJ(Lumberton) 1-609-267-9712 1982 Dash Panel Porsche 924 e028 $150 Eagle Auto Parts USA-OH(Cleveland) 216-883-0500 1987 Dash Assembly Porsche 924 BLACK A D0390 $125 Carguts USA-SC(Blacksburg) 1-866-839-2708 1987 Dash Panel Porsche 924 67001012 67001012 $100 Estes Auto and Truck Parts USA-VA(Pilot) 1-877-616-4900 / 1-540-651-4637 1987 Dash Panel Porsche 924 252NG CRKD BLK PCS ONLY M-210 $100 Harbor Auto Used Part Division USA-MA(Lynn) 1-781-593-3344 1983 Dash Panel Porsche 944 BRN 991130 $75 Adopt A Part USA-CO(Denver) 1-800-508-2211 1983 Dash Panel Porsche 944 BRN,3/83,PARTS 708939 $20 W & W Motors USA-TN(Madisonville) 1-800-385-0938 1984 Dash Panel Porsche 944 2J4,1J2 H00153 $Call Intercity Auto - ARAPro USA-OH(Bedford) 1-800-438-8733 (Toll Free) 1-440-786-0000 (Local) 1978 Dash Panel Porsche 924 A P15405 $Call Medford Auto Wreckers USA-NY(Medford) 1-631-289-1772 1977 Dash Panel Porsche 924 CRACKED PAD,STOCK NO. 006457041 006457041 $Call ARichner Auto Parts USA-PA(Milesburg) 1-888-572-3428 1982 Dash Panel Porsche 924 NICE BLACK,STOCK NO. 051876039 051876039 $Call ARichner Auto Parts USA-PA(Milesburg) 1-888-572-3428 1984 Dash Panel Porsche 944 BLK-U 060925 $Call Tri County Auto Dismantlers USA-CA(Santa-Paula) 1-877-667-2787 1979 Dash Panel Porsche 924 Black 080086 $Call Smitty's Salvage and Supply USA-WI(Green-Bay) 1-800-236-6892 1984 Dash Panel Porsche 944 6226 $Call Jamies Auto Dismantling USA-CA(Fresno) 1-559-233-4674 1983 Dash Panel Porsche 944 3DR,RED,TAN LOW SECTION ONLY A 077492 $Call Affordable Auto Salvage USA-FL(Lakeworth) 1-800-771-2640 1987 Dash Panel Porsche 924 BLK,AC,PARTS 010540 $Call Queensway Auto Parts (No U.S. Shipping) Can-ON(Port-Robinson) 1-800-263-7124(Can.) 1984 Dash Panel Porsche 944 2DR,5SPD,AC,BLK,CRAC KS,PARTS 961398 $Call Queensway Auto Parts (No U.S. Shipping) Can-ON(Port-Robinson) 1-800-263-7124(Can.) 1984 Dash Panel Porsche 944 A 060510 $Call Wilken & Sons USA-IA(Nashua) 1-888-435-8222 1978 Dash Panel Porsche 924 BLK,924 A 5000 $Call Broadway Auto Parts, Inc. USA-MI(Detroit) 1-313-368-4062 1983 Dash Panel Porsche 944 BROWN- CRACKED, 5776 $Call PorFor Auto USA-CA(Los-Angeles) 1-323-589-2162 1981 Dash Panel Porsche 924 2DR,AC,BLACK A 991463 $Call Aldergrove Auto Wrecking Can-BC(Abbotsford) 1-800-871-9711 (Canada only) 1-604-856-6383/1-604-857-1818 1977 Dash Panel Porsche 924 NIQ A 2A0222 $Call Interstate Auto & Truck Salvage USA-OH(Ravenna) 1-800-245-8755 / 1-330-296-3056 1983 Dash Panel Porsche 944 VYL CRACKED A 19860 $Call Airport Auto Wrecking - Import USA-WA(Port-Orchard) 360-674-2544/800-819-2819
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Tom 1990 944S2 Cabriolet 2002 Chevy Silverado 2500HD 2003 Maroon Ford F350 dually |
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05-29-2009, 06:48 AM
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Automotive Necromancer
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Beantown, MA
Posts: 1,544
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rebuild
Rebuild your dash. It is a hec of a job, but I did it. WYAIT, replace the heater core and rebuild the heater box. It is a good opportunity to straighten the wiring, replace the flaps and clean out all the dust. I used short cut fiberglass bondo, bed liner, undercoat, and interior vinyl paint. It is a labor intensive task, but the cost in materials is pretty reasonable. see my thread on it for a bunch of pics and running commentary.
Just drive the thing...when you have a couple weeks to put it up for work, rip the dash apart and get to it. Figure the car will be out of action for a bit. DO NOT disconnect the AC system if it currently works.
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There may be nothing quite as expensive as a cheap Porsche: Ruby Red 84 928S : White 87 924s 2.5L NA (Blinky) M44/07-43H10676 spoiler delete - 046/2B - Belts 9/12, Clutch and OC seals 8/08 andd Red 94 Del Sol: Please put your Make, Model and Year in Sig. Try not to break more than you fix. |
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05-29-2009, 10:27 AM
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Automotive Necromancer
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Beantown, MA
Posts: 1,544
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more info
yea, here is the thread. it is an 87 924S, so the same thing. IF you are going to take the dash out IMHO, you should do the heater core and rebuild the box WYAIT.
87 924S heater core
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There may be nothing quite as expensive as a cheap Porsche: Ruby Red 84 928S : White 87 924s 2.5L NA (Blinky) M44/07-43H10676 spoiler delete - 046/2B - Belts 9/12, Clutch and OC seals 8/08 andd Red 94 Del Sol: Please put your Make, Model and Year in Sig. Try not to break more than you fix. |
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05-29-2009, 10:35 AM
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Registered
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Warrington, PA
Posts: 1,348
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Someone on here did a great job for the price of a quick run to a hobby store. They bought some kind of filler, paint, leather reapir, and some other things. Turned out really good. Do a search for "dash repair" "dash fixes" "DIY dash repair" and so on. I think he was re-doing his whole interior, guages, centre consol, etc.. He had before and after pics., and the after pics turned out fantastic. Im sure if you were just glancing the inside of his car, you wouldnt be able to notice, but lookibng carefully, you could see he did something to the dash. Ill try to find it also.
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Steve- If you havent looked, look- www.clarks-garage.com 87 951 red- Maria (current) 84 944 white- Percilla (current DD) 85.5 944 red- Pinta (past) 87 924S red- Nina (past) |
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05-29-2009, 10:38 AM
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Registered
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Quote:
 And WOW! on the dash supply! That's about 10x the number of leads I've gotten after months of posting around! I'll check out some of them and see what kind of condition these are in. I'm kind of leaning towards the idea of just "upgrading" the entire car, but even if I decide to refurb the dash, I think the one in the car may be too far gone to monkey around with.
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Stephen Porter -- ABQ, NM --------------------------------------------------------------------- Current: 2007 base Cayman and 1989 944 Past: 2 914's (ancient history)...long list of 951's, S2's, one Boxster S and garage-queen '89 928 S4, now living in Texas. |
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05-29-2009, 05:15 PM
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Quote:
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Stephen Porter -- ABQ, NM --------------------------------------------------------------------- Current: 2007 base Cayman and 1989 944 Past: 2 914's (ancient history)...long list of 951's, S2's, one Boxster S and garage-queen '89 928 S4, now living in Texas. |
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05-29-2009, 05:18 PM
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Quote:
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I always thought that there must be some way to clean these dashes up--and apparently there is! Quote:
I hadn't driven my '88 much since purchasing it because of the cosmetic issues and the other things that popped up--leaky valve cover, the bad oil cooler seals and a problem with the right front strut. (See how I got so upside down? ). But the car really is fun to tool around in.
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Stephen Porter -- ABQ, NM --------------------------------------------------------------------- Current: 2007 base Cayman and 1989 944 Past: 2 914's (ancient history)...long list of 951's, S2's, one Boxster S and garage-queen '89 928 S4, now living in Texas. |
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05-29-2009, 05:32 PM
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Quote:
__________________
Stephen Porter -- ABQ, NM --------------------------------------------------------------------- Current: 2007 base Cayman and 1989 944 Past: 2 914's (ancient history)...long list of 951's, S2's, one Boxster S and garage-queen '89 928 S4, now living in Texas. |
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05-29-2009, 05:37 PM
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Sharky
