Where to start on my 86 944 n/a

[baseman422]

Hey guys,

I have been searching the site for awhile now and finally decided its time to post.

I have found lots of helpful advice on here in regards changing water pumps, belts, etc. but I really need some advice as to where I should begin with my "new" car.

I just bought a 1986 944 N/A. The car ahas been sitting for about 5 yrs. The add said that the car needed a water pump, belts and hoses. I thought for sure that when I saw the car the timing belt would be broke.

I went to look at the car and found that all the belts were intact! I brought the car home and upon further inspection, the belts are really loose and the water pump had been taken loose. I am a little concerned about bent valves and I would like some advice as to where I should go from here.

I do not want to end up sinking more money in this than it is worth. What would you guys check first. I know I will need to replace the water pump, belts, rollers but should I check anything out before I spend the money on those items. If I should get the items where you get them from?

I really appreciate all advice and info.

[mikepellegrini]

Congrats on your buy and welcome to the board!

If the previous owner was a maroon and didn't put the engine OT before he started working, you may have problems - if the engine was rotated with the belts loose.

The first place I'd start is to see if the cam and the crank are On Top - see if the timing marks line up. If they do, then I 'spose I'd go ahead and replace the belts and waterpump, and cautiously see if it'd turn over. Hopefully it'd be ok.

If the marks don't line up but you think the engine has not rotated, then go ahead and replace everything and see what happens - cautiously turn it over by hand. Any resistance at all, stop.

The paranoid but safe way to approach it would be to take the head off and see what's what before doing anything.

Assuming you do the work yourself - and it's not that difficult - the only extra bucks you're out are the head gasket and the intake manifold gaskets. Much cheaper in the long run than replacing bent valves.

Here's the pertinent part of Clark's Garage Shop Manual: Cylinder Head and Head Gasket Removal (8V Cars)

Pelican has all the parts you need.

You'll find 944's are easy to work on. Lots of luck!

[mhariush]

Originally Posted by baseman422

I do not want to end up sinking more money in this than it is worth.

Not to be a pessimist, but if you're worried about spending more money than it's worth you should probably stop right now You will guaranteed spend more money on the car than it's worth, but then again it's worth the money to do it. It's a fun car, and fun to learn how to work on it...

As mikepellegrini pointed out, make sure it all lines up to TDC, tighten the belts, and the water pump if that's loose, and turn the engine by hand. If there's no Resistance and nothing touches, go and replace water pump, rollers, idlers, front seals and belts.

[jwade944]

Replace the rubber fuel lines in the engine compartment.

[Gawernator]

The only way to not spend more than it is worth is to buy a 944 in very good to excellent condition, usually for 5.5-7k$ and even then issues can arise

[holtzy822]

Originally Posted by mhariush

not to be a pessimist, but if you're worried about spending more money than it's worth you should probably stop right now you will guaranteed spend more money on the car than it's worth, but then again it's worth the money to do it. It's a fun car, and fun to learn how to work on it...

As mikepellegrini pointed out, make sure it all lines up to tdc, tighten the belts, and the water pump if that's loose, and turn the engine by hand. If there's no resistance and nothing touches, go and replace water pump, rollers, idlers, front seals and belts.

+1

[baseman422]

If I tighten my belts do you guys think I can turn the engine by hand to check tdc with out damaging my valves?

[sausagehacker]

Originally Posted by baseman422

If I tighten my belts do you guys think I can turn the engine by hand to check tdc with out damaging my valves?

Should be fine, but if you feel any resistance whatsoever... well, yeah immediately stop.

[mytrplseven]

As an additional thought, if the engine does actually turn over by hand after the belts have been properly installed, I'd recommend doing a quick compression check to further check for damaged (bent) valves that may have only had slight damage, but will cause you real problems when the engine's going to be run. Autozone will loan you the tools you need for this, no charge. Hope it turns out ok.
I'd also plan to replace the front seals while you're in there so you don't have to go back later due to oil leaks that are sure to show their ugly heads due to the engine not running for so long a time. Primarily it'll be front crank seal, balance shaft front seals, and both front and rear cam shaft seals. The rear one is easy and it's made of cork. Don't tighten it down real hard. There's some good videos and you tube stuff on making this easy. If you have to go back in later for leaks, you'll have to take the belts off again, so I'd do it now.

[baseman422]

I was able to get some work done on the car today.

I took off the loose belts and lined everything up to tdc, Put the belts back on and did a compression test.

Results looked great to me. they cylinders read 190, 200, 190, 200!

That says to me that there is no valve damage. Does that sound right?

Im making a list of things to do now:

change oil, oil filter, fuel filter, air filter, water pump, belts and rollers, spark plugs and wires, dist cap and rotor, battery, and fill with antifreeze.

Does that sound about right to everybody? I think after all of that it should run.

[Slam]

Excellent compression figures. Maybe even a little high, but a good sign. BTW, remember to flush/change your brake fluid too.

Since you're doing a blitz on repairs, do all the front seals and your oil cooler seals as well. If the WP is out the coolant will be drained anyway.

Looks like a fun project.

[baseman422]

Things seam to be going great! Today I got the old water pump, rollers, tensioners, and rear belt cover off. I have a couple if questions about installing the new waterpump. First of all I have read that I cannot use the old thermostat, is that correct? It seamed to fit just fine in the new pump. Also, what modifications did you have to make to the rear timing cover? I drled out the two holes for the belt guide, but when I put on the new timing roller and tensioner, it seams to rub on the plastic. Any help would be appreciated!

[guru944]

Basemann422:
Congrats...... Sounds like your on the right track so far. I would upgrade the Timing belt tensioner setup to the 87 or later self adjusting setup. Get a 160' cooler thermostat and Bpr7eix NGK plugs. Do and engine oil flush and upgrade to 10w-30 Penzoil Synthetic with a Wix or Bosch oil fiter....
with these mods your car should be just as new!
Post pics, we are all excited for you. Later...