Rebuild the engine or look for a tested used one?

[uvachief]

Originally Posted by johnkoawood

Didn't vote, not gunna, UVA, is the car at your house, or the mechanics?

If doing rings, and without history on the rest of the engine, check the thrust bearing for wear.. if ANY wear is detected the block needs to come out..

Replace the main bearings, and finish the FULL rebuild.. you will be better off in the long run!

ALSO make sure once the pistons are out the block is checked for roundness and taper... either one could cause the low compression, both CAN be repaired, however I hesitate to tell you the cost of it! (My 951 motor had zero taper, but was at the FSM limit for out of round.. it is now waiting to be reassembled after being repaired to perfect bores!)

Also sounds to me like you need to find some localish friends... I can say I have wrenched on cars from VA beach to Baltimore... Mosley is more in land that I typically go, but hey I am always up for a weekend trip to dive in and help out!

Car is having open heart surgery at the mechanic shop right now. I'll pass your suggestions on.

[seafeye]

These guys engines are great. And in reality the prices are reasonable. I just spent over $2.5k to rebuild myself a motor for an old TR6. If it blows up then i am out the cash.

Check them out....

Engine_Rebuild_Page

[John_AZ]

WOW what a site!

I do not think I can donate enough blood, plasma and sperm to cover the 1/2 down. Maybe go on a couple medical drug evaluations at the same time.

Those prices are for rebuild-able engines. Major parts are extra.

John

[uvachief]

Originally Posted by carlege

i dont think you need a ring job..... maybe the valves are bad on the cylinder head.

Rings were actually broken in multiple pieces. One small scratch on one valve. Re-ringing her, new bearings, nuts, etc.

[Sirius Driver]

Originally Posted by Rasta Monsta

Pull it out. Pull the head, get a valve job. Assess the bores. Decide from there whether to use another bottom end with better bores, or use yours. On whichever bottom end you end up using, install new rod bearings and a crank scraper. Reseal motor, reinstall.

*Above approach seems to have worked on my race motor!


rasta

P.S. Did not vote. . .poll needs "Rasta approach."

This is what I'd do. I wish you luck, $, and patience. Shouldnt be too expensive but when all is done, I think you'll know why you did it.

[uvachief]

Originally Posted by uvachief

Rings were actually broken in multiple pieces. One small scratch on one valve. Re-ringing her, new bearings, nuts, etc.

She's coming along. Going to have sell a kidney to pay the mechanic but it is a ton of labor. Just praying it runs and runs well after re-assembly.



Lots of before and after..check out the carbon build up!

[uvachief]

Hold your breath. Engine nearly re-assembled. Machinist welding a tiny crack in the manifold. After that, it can be re-assembled. Going to keep it on dino oil instead of synthetic.

[uvachief]

Mechanic has test drove for close to 500 miles and no oil leaks. Firing right up and running smooth. Hope to be able to get her out of hock soon.

[uvachief]

750 miles on dino oil and hasn't burned a quart of oil yet.

[uvachief]

Made it 1500 miles to oil cbange and burned 1/3 of a quart of oil. Now gets 28.3 mpg on hwy vs 16 when rings were broken. Kevin and Eugene ay Autowerks did an amazing job. AutoWerks

[uvachief]

Reviving an old threat with the latest update on the ultimate red money pit restoration project. Took her into Lufteknic for a full prospective purchaser inspection. Here are the pressing issues: Project 1) refurbish and go through entire braking system, Project 2) refurbish and go through entire suspension system with new shocks, Project 3) redo entire hvac system (new compressor, condenser, switch, expansion valve, hoses, connections,etc. and 4) refurbish and go through entire electrical system 5) refurbish and redo clutch as it could be the original??? (how can that be true ~140,000 on an original clutch?) and 6) redo the interior (replace headliner, carpets, dash, etc.). So while the engine is running well, it has some major projects ahead of it. I am BALLS DEEP into this car already. It is only worth a fraction more than what I originally paid for it. Throwing more money at it and bringing it back to full showroom condition will only please me in the end. I've got some interested buyers that want to take her on and finish her. I am guessing I have at least $7,500 and more like $10,000 to go to have her looking and performing like she did when she rolled off the dealer's lot in 1986. I cannot just write a check for $10,000 and say, "See you in 3 months!" I would have to do one or two projects per year for the next 3 or 4 years. What sayeth the forum?

1. Spit the bit and sell her (cry in a beer and move on)
2. Come up with a restoration plan, budget and follow it for the next 3-4 years doing quality work
3. Dip into my 401k and get it all done in the next 90 days and drive the ever living snot out of it for the next 5 years and pray these things appreciate to half of their original MSRP by 2021!

[Gawernator]

#2

[alfadoc]

There's an awful lot of "completely go through" this and "completely redo"that on your list. The biggest problem with your car is that you aren't doing the work yourself. What's wrong with the electrical system? How bad is the interior? Does the headliner really need to be replaced? What is your goal, a reliable driver or a show car? Hell, I'd even give you a hand with some of that stuff, though we're two hours apart. Any other 944 owners in Richmond, who might be willing to get together for a tech session? I think there are ways to keep this car and enjoy it without completely opening your wallet to a mechanic. My two cents.

[porschetub]

Donor car needed,I wouldn't go to far on what you have,these cars are very much mass produced in Porsche terms,there are lots of cars around or motors for same,get a good running shortblock.
Start pricing out headset, rings and other parts needed,they aren't that expensive but it all mounts up,you have a nice car but if you want to keep it sensible go for a replacement motor.

[djnolan]

UVA: Not bad on the engine...

Since it runs well then either

1. Drive it and enjoy it (but do the suspension and brakes)

2. Make her a garage queen and give her the treatment as the paycheck allows
a. if all goes well 944's go up in value like Microsoft stock did in the 90's (doubtful) and you can sell if at Barrett's for $200k
b. you retire and have a fun project to show the grandkids

3. Sell it now

[mueller944s2]

Looks great to me!

[jcommin]

What is with some of thinking about dipping in your 401k s? If you are under 59 1/2 this is the most expensive money to use. I wouldn't recommend the thought of borrowing the money on a car. You may need that money for an absolute emergency.


Drive the car and fix what you need to fix. You don't have the financial horsepower to create a 100 pt car. Even if you did, this isn't the car to do it.

FWIW, if my engine goes, I'm going the LS1 route.

[seafeye]

If your 401K plan allows it you can take out a loan. Yes you will be paying interest but you will be paying yourself. In 2008 when people were losing 20% a year. You could still be up 2.75%. Otherwise i agree. Unless you are unemployed do not touch your 401k. Any withdrawals will be penalized and taxed.

[uvachief]

You can borrow against your 401k without penalty. You make a loan to yourself and pay yourself back. You do not take a distribution. Many people do this for college tuition, buying a new car, etc.

[mueller944s2]

Honestly you may never finish that to-do list. Once you fix one thing, there's another little issue that may pop up. What's the next most important thing that needs to be done? If you look at it as a whole with every little thing you need to do it'll overwhelm you. One project at a time