Need a Good 944 Mechanic in N. Dallas

[Bmangler88]

Hey All.
I have a 1988 Turbo S that I recently acquired. No record on when the timing and balance belts were last serviced. I intended to do most of the fix up and restoration work on this one myself but I want this part to be perfect, so I'm willing to pay a few bucks to be sure its right. Can anyone recommend a mechanic in the N. Dallas area that they trust to work on their pride and joy? I have seen few mechanics on other threads that seem to just do 911s and race cars, but I'm looking for someone who knows the 944s. Any advice?

[Bmangler88]

bump

[nize]

i asked a porsche buddy who recently moved near dallas but he's still new to the area so didn't know.

[soxnail]

I live in Dallas (last 30 years). I hate to tell you this but Dallas has a dearth of good 951 guys. Its one of the reason I do most of the work myself. There is Al over at Zims http://www.***********/
Sox

[Techno Duck]

How far are you from Houston? If you have the tools and willigness to do It yourself I can walk you through it. Working at a snails pace it will take 5-6hrs for just the belts, more if you want to do the pump also.

[Bmangler88]

I actually bought the car in Woodlands? It took about 3-3.5 hours to get down there and a little longer to get back, bc we stopped a bunch and my dad got pulled over haha.

Anyway I would love and appreciate the help. Im not sure what special tools I need to do the job, but my dad has a pretty vast collection of tools. When ever he needs a tool he just goes out and buys it. I have read that there is a special tensioner tool that is needed to get the tension within tolerances.

From what I understand the water pump is pretty much required if your doing the belts. I've also been told to replace the bearings and seals for all the rollers too which requires some special tool to remove the seals? But I haven't looked into any of the details on that. Any advice?

I was looking into ordering the belt kit that is listed here on pelican, as well as the water pump and any other odds and ends I need, soon.

[Techno Duck]

A little too far for me, about a 4.5hr drive from Pasadena. Was hoping you were in south Dallas.

You do need a tensioner tool, i recommend the one made by ArnnWorx.com (the 920x). Bruce Arnn made these specifically as a replacement to the 9201 and it works great. You can do them by hand, but it is very subjective this way.

Waterpump and seals should be done every other belt job or roughly every 60-70k miles. No special tool really needed for the seals, a generic seal puller works.

[Bmangler88]

Ya I'm in Lewisville right off I35. Haven't lived here very long but I hear South Dallas is kinda sketchy. It would be a hell of a long drive for you, I understand why yo wouldn't want to go that far.

From what I am understanding I would need a belt tensioner, flywheel locking tool, balance shaft sprocket pin spanner tool and possibly a thin 27mm wrench. Is that it or am I missing something? Also don't have a seal puller. To buy all those things I would prob be spending another $200 or more on tools.

Im starting to think it might be best to just bite the bullet and let a professional do it. I have a two more numbers of porsche guys I can call for a quotes. I'll see how that goes.

[nize]

$200 on tools is a very cheap one-time investment if you plan on keeping this car.

[msteele]

There are a couple of good shops in the area.

Ruf Automobile in Addison. They have a guy there that is great with 944's.
Fifth Gear in Lewsiville. They specialize in 944's.

Fifth Gear is off of 407.

Hope that helps,
Mark