help with 951 poss. purchase

[thekidd]

I am thinking about buying an '86 951but in the description he staes the new things he put on the car (new fog lights, stereo w/speakers and sub with fiberglass work with turbo script on it, lindsey vacuum lines, spark plug and wires, shifter boot, viser clips, 3"Borla cat back). and also shaved heads. And the bads are the windscreen has a crack, needs inspection, and drips some oil (small concern, but probally a job that ive done before hopfully. But he says that he put on a new fuel pump, and a new timing belt? He also said that it had shaved heads. Car cranks, but doesnt start. I have a few questions that I wanna ask him, but my main concerns are why just a timing belt? Would a car crank with bent valves? Posible that he repaired a HG, and just put on a new belt? he wants 3.5 for the car.

[mhariush]

If it was time for a new timing belt, he could have put a new one on. But usually one should change the rollers and idlers while in there. And if it leaks oil, changes are it's coming from one or more of the front seals, and that requires the timing belt off. And prob worth changing the water pump too...

3.5K isn't bad, is it in good condition overall? The fact that it doesn't start, with a new fuel pump isn't good...If it has bent valves, you should have heard it when it cranks...

Does he say why he thinks it doesn't start? Find out exactly what he has done to it lately. When it last ran.

You could also do a quick compression test on the engine to see if it has any issues. All the cylinders should be close in readings...

[thekidd]

He doesnt mention anything of a new WP, tensioners, rollers, or seals. That and the oild pan gasket are the only 2 big jobs I have yet to do mechanically on my 944 cars.
The pictures in the add make it look pretty nice, but he didnt state the milage. He said that there was a crack near a fog light, but fiberglassed it, painted it. Couldnt see it in the pictures. I didnt ask what it is thats causing a no start. I think all the things he stated is all hes done to it. Last ran not too longago, end of summer I think. Ive only sent him one e-mail, which in return he just gave me his phone number to call, and have yet to call him about the car. I dont think he knows much about these cars because there was an ad on Craigslist from him asking if someone could help him get it running. Id rather just take it off his hands and let it be mine

[mikepellegrini]

+1 on the compression test. That'll tell you a whole lot.

I've never - to the best of my recollection - heard of anyone shaving the heads of these cars. I have heard of planning the head where there was warpage - a few thousandths. But that's about it.

It's an interference engine. There isn't a whole lot of clearance between the valves and pistons anyway. Maybe the guy shaved too much?

An engine with a bunch of bent valves just turns over with no resistance - and it sounds way different. Listen to it and see what it sounds like.

Ask the guy what he thinks is the problem. It could be something as simple as messed up plug wires (been there, done that).

Depending on how nice it is, $3.5k might be a little high. And if the head was shaved too much and it wasted the valves, then the car is junk and worth parts - I'd offer maybe $1,500.

To get it going you'd need a new head and valves - it could be fairly expensive to resurrect depending on your parts sources and technical know-how.

But if it's a nice car otherwise and lower miles (<150K) I'd jump on it.

For reference, I bought my 86 951 (172 K miles) in 2008 for $2,000 - it had sat for 3 years and didn't run. The body and interior were in really decent shape. The only thing immediately wrong turned out to be a TPS. But since then, I've spent over $6,000 in other stuff. Clutch, master and slave cylinders, tires, BOV and wastegate, ball joints, control arm bushings, power steering pump and a new rack, fuel lines, heater hoses, injectors, brake booster, and other piddling stuff (including a new engine - from a parts car).

Every car is different and some are more neglected than others. Just realize that even if you get it cheap, you're likely in for a lot of expenses.

[CJFusco]

Steve -- did you end up purchasing this 951? Mine might be on the market soon...

My 951 *might* be going up for sale: it might have a bad rod bearing, and I don't think I have the time or patience for a major engine repair if that's the case. I've had a good run with the car (8 years, I think), and I'm feeling a slight desire to move on.

Here's the thread about its current issue: 951 in its Death Throes?

It was running well before the issue -- very fast and fun to drive. It's in nice shape, too: body is straight, paint is very good (garnet red), interior is very good to excellent (white seats -- no rips or even wear marks; no cracks in the black dash). The car has some go-fast goodies (some Lindsay Racing stuff, a chip set, etc), Fuchs alloys, etc.

[thekidd]

Sorry CJ. No I didn't get it, was all set to go and get when I called 1 day too late. I don't think I can tackle doing pretty much a full engine rebuild. There's one kinda near me with bad rings, and looking up the info on replacing them kinda put me off on taking the engine out and doing all the while it's out things. Money, distance, and no engine hoist/ lift also is telling me not to get a car with poor internals like rods or rings.

[jeffrsmith]

Originally Posted by CJFusco

Steve -- did you end up purchasing this 951? Mine might be on the market soon...

My 951 *might* be going up for sale: it might have a bad rod bearing, and I don't think I have the time or patience for a major engine repair if that's the case. I've had a good run with the car (8 years, I think), and I'm feeling a slight desire to move on.

Here's the thread about its current issue: 951 in its Death Throes?

It was running well before the issue -- very fast and fun to drive. It's in nice shape, too: body is straight, paint is very good (garnet red), interior is very good to excellent (white seats -- no rips or even wear marks; no cracks in the black dash). The car has some go-fast goodies (some Lindsay Racing stuff, a chip set, etc), Fuchs alloys, etc.

CJ - You got mail

[racerstev]

More mail!

[CJFusco]

Cool -- thanks for all the interest in my car. If anyone else would like more info, just drop me a line!