Post-HG Breakin, issues
 

I just went through this ordeal:

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/porsche-924-944-968-technical-forum/566284-how-bend-4-valves-without-snapped-t-belt-proper-timing.html

Anyhow, everything is back together and I've just noticed a couple of items I had questions about.

Also, my mechanic told me that he always sets the belts a little tight to eliminate the 1500 mile re-tensioning. He is a 944 specialist so I trust him.

Are there any special new headgasket break-in procedures. I've been driving the car normally but not going past 4500 rpm or so until I get 1000 miles on it. The mechanic didn't mention anything but I just thought I'd be careful.

I've also noticed the motor seems a little down on power. For lack of a better term, it feels a little "tight" and constrained. I did notice something similar last year when the head gasket was done; the motor didn't seem to loosen up until about 1,000 miles. I was also wondering if the tighter timing belt could have an effect.

how old is your cat? has it ever been replaced? break in is for piston rings and new cams and lifters, so if you didnt change your cam or lifters. no break in.

I thought better safe than sorry. The cat is original (as far as I know) but I think it must be okay since I just passed the new (more stringent) CA smog. Plus, the motor just felt a lot looser before the head came off.

Good to know I can drive it hard (after fully warmed up, of course).

Yes, tight belts make the car feal like it has lost power. a litte worse then putting on the a/c and adding a 160lb passenger.

How do i know. Well i changed my timing belt myself the first time and thought everthing should be tight like a alternotor belt.

The belts had a Whine when the original ones did not. The rev's were noticable slower and the car didnt respond like it used to when i hit the gas.

I didnt know any better and eventualy it did go away but 2-3 years latter it did break. I imagine it would have lasted longer had i not over tightened it as i travel only about 3-5k miles a year max