Newbie with a vin# question

[thor455]

Hello all,

I just bought a project 1983 928. I am wondering what the best way to decode the vin# and engine# is? I want to make sure I know exactly what I have before I start buying parts for it.

Thanks in advance!!

Matt

[Jim Chambers]

I can't answer your question. Some folks resent when I post this, but there is a lot more action on the Rennlist 928 forum. You would likely have several answers by now if you posted there. For example, there have been 30 posts so far there today, only one here today, yours.

928 Forum - Rennlist Discussion Forums

[stepson]

Here is a link to the actual VIN # thread on RL:

Official 80-95 928 VIN & Option check request thread - Cannot run VIN checks on 78-79 - Rennlist Discussion Forums

[Danglerb]

Vin is fun, but won't with certainty tell you which parts you need without a 928 knowledgeable person on at least one end of the transaction.

[Pete R]

Originally Posted by Danglerb

Vin is fun, but won't with certainty tell you which parts you need without a 928 knowledgeable person on at least one end of the transaction.

+1 true story. It's hard enough getting the right parts with knowledgeable people on BOTH end with a 928

[thor455]

Thank you guys, I did post there also and got an answer. My biggest question was how do you know if it's a Euro or USA and what the options were. I was a Ford parts counterman/manager for over 20yrs, totally understand the issues with getting the right parts.

So, let me ask this, 83 928, 4.7l, 55k miles. The guy I bought it from was restoring it, tore it all apart including removing the engine. He sold me everything to the car and "everything" is there. What would you recommend doing to the engine before putting it back in?

I plan on the timing belt kit and a new clutch, rubber hoses, cleaning electrical connectors and new belts, Anything else?

[Danglerb]

Ford parts system is much smarter, vin knows all your cars parts, of course they are NLA, but it knows them. (Wife's car is a 1999 continental and the parking brake pedal pad is NLA, nothing aftermarket fits). Porsche is the opposite, Model year and vin get most, but only big changes follow the vin breaks exactly.

I would never put back in a 928 engine without pulling the heads and checking for damage/doing a valve job. The short block tends to be rock solid, bearings, rings etc all fine, but heads are often a disaster with dried out ready to leak head gaskets and/or significant coolant damage (looks like termites almost).

If its a Euro the 83 would still be Kjet, CIS injection, not Ljet electronic like a US model. Kjet after sitting might need everything rebuilt and new injectors, Ljet usually fine with cleaning injectors.

Its a big $$$ item, but depending on long term plans I would replace both engine wiring harnesses with most likely the ones Sean in Texas makes. Old failing wires are one of the worst issues with a 928, that an old failing relays.

If the clutch is bad I would consider going to one from Greg Brown, as the Porsche clutch can be very fussy and had some power limits.

Unless you have really deep pockets, I wouldn't shoot gun replace too many parts as the ones that will need replacing are going to be costly enough for most people.

Put a rough idea of your location in your sig and locals can chime in with local help.

[stepson]

[QUOTE=Danglerb;9475330]
I would never put back in a 928 engine without pulling the heads and checking for damage/doing a valve job. The short block tends to be rock solid, bearings, rings etc all fine, but heads are often a disaster with dried out ready to leak head gaskets and/or significant coolant damage (looks like termites almost).

If its a Euro the 83 would still be Kjet, CIS injection, not Ljet electronic like a US model. Kjet after sitting might need everything rebuilt and new injectors, Ljet usually fine with cleaning injectors.
[QUOTE]

+928 Good solid advise in that post from Danglerb

Why is it that everybody says they are restoring a 928 AFTER they pull the engine and the interior out of it and try to sell it?

Note 1: Measure the clutch disk pads and compare them to new. Clutch disks don't have a lot of material on them brand new and your originals may be okay.

Note 2: If you do have a Kjet system, order your pressure gauges now. You cannot adjust the Kjet system without knowing what the various fuel pressures are.

[thor455]

It is a Euro, which means it does have the kjet, so what pressure gauges do I need to get? The guy I got it from was a local body shop owner and was going to install a small block chevy into the car, which is why he pulled the engine, but retired and bought a new vette instead.

[stepson]

Try the forum sponsor first, but if they don't have them, call Roger at 928sRus. He can set you up with what you need.