Possible project 87 S4 head work

[SolReaver]

Hey guys..A friend approached me with a few questions and I wanted to do a sanity check here to make sure that I am not totally off base.

He is very impressed with the 928 and has been looking around for one ever since he saw mine and learned that I can repair them. As he is a friend and I have some spare time I am willing to give him a "good deal" (not a great deal) on labor to bring one up to speed as IMHO they all need something and it is just unreasonable to expect one for sale in perfect condition. (just how I see it folks)

I TRIED to steer him to a 16v, but due to his competitive nature he seems to be leaning towards something better than what I have. Anyhow, he has located a 87 S4 with reasonably low miles that has suffered an overheat and has a cracked Driver side head. My difficulty is this...what do you think it will cost to repair it?

I am figuring a new head (duh) belts, and gaskets. To be honest with you I was thinking that if I pull a head, I should pull both and at least have a machinist check the other one for cracks. However, due to the tightness of the engine compartment I am of the opinion that to do the job RIGHT....The MOTOR has to come out and that since it overheated to the point of cracking a head, a refresh is in order otherwise I am just tempting fate.

So...the question is...CAN I just pull one head on an 87 S4 engine, do the belts, Index the cams (yea, I am not looking forward to it, but I think with a new head I will need to) and cross my fingers? OR..Will this car need the engine yanked and a full fledged refresh?

NEXT...What is it worth? I mean I like the guy well enough and I have given him some good deals on several projects before..but this....I mean this is a biggie and I can't just comp him the (how many hours?) time it will take. My usual deal is 2/3 dealer price, but the dealer won't work on it an no on else will either. (funny that )

Hey folks, thanks for looking. Just let me know what ya think. I am currently sooo busy I haven't even had time to work on my own 928 project, and this other car has been sitting for 2 years anyway. I don't think it is going anywhere soon.

[Danglerb]

This is WAY too big of a project to "balance" using money with a friend. Without some quid pro quo, even with it, this could wreck a friendship because the work you do will be somewhat invisible to your friend.

Its open ended, we are talking about a non runner, so the full extent of the problems won't be known until you are many hours into it. Start with why did it overheat, and why did the owner let it overheat, etc. Easily this could be an engine out restoration project.

The S4 vs 16v thing. What I would tell him is that I will help him with the work as much as possible, but my expertise is with the 16v, and most of the spare parts etc. that I have will not work on the newer models, so a lot more parts will need to be purchased retail.

[SolReaver]

Dang, your wisdom is impeccable. I tried explaining all that COULD go wrong, but the mans eyes just glazed over and he kept going back to "it only needs a head" In my own world things don't go so well and this isn't my first time to this particular rodeo. Therefor, I told him that he should EXPECT to pull the engine and replace it as he wants a fast turn around. A used Engine is 4 big ones and my time would be by the hour for as long as it takes. This would bring the Project in just about the same cost as a good running S4, (Funny that )

Which brings up the wisdom that I told him Ages ago.... Get the best shape car that you can afford. But will he listen...Nooooooo....