Oh What to do!

Roganx · 06-09-2008, 06:14 PM

Hi guys, new poster here, nice to meet you all.

I recently acquired a real 'project' car from a friend of mine who had had it sitting out off of the road for a couple years.

So now my question is where do I begin? Since I didn't pay anything for the car apart from the tow to my house I decided I wanted to completely take it apart, rebuild everything and have a great fun car one day that I knew every bolt of intimately. Maybe I am nuts, who knows?

Anyways, I've pulled the engine out and taken the head off, there is no scoring in the cylinders, but the head gasket is pretty corroded.

Can anyone suggest a check list for rebuilding the engine? Also what do I want to replace or not? I have loads of time to tinker with everything but would rather not buy any expensive parts that don't need replacing.

Finally while the engine looks pretty good the automatic transmission looks like it is in really rough shape, ie the rubber pads covering the inspection ports came loose and tonnes of debris and moisture got inside while it was sitting. Is it worth saving? And if not, how hard is it to install a manual tranny instead of a new automatic? It seems like it would be much easier to find a decent used manual as the auto's seem pretty rare.

Thanks in advance for helping with the newby questions, I am sure they are only the first of many.

P.S I searched through the forums before hand and didn't see this exact info anywhere, so if it's there nicely somewhere please point it out for me.

P.P.S I've already figured out that the time and probably money that I put into this is going to cost more than it would to find a car in better condition but as much as anything I want the experience of bringing this car back from death's door myself, so I am committed to it.

hpservertech · 06-09-2008, 06:45 PM

Read ALL of www.clarks-garage.com

That's the best place to start, espcially with the buying guides.

thekidd · 08:36 PM

All rubber belts, hoses, tires, etc. Gaskets, fluids, vacum lines. Timing belts, waterpump, plugs, wires, starter, alternator, battrey, all the door hatch sunroof seals. Im sure I missed more than half the things you need for doing a job like this, but Ive never brought back a car before, but you'll get much help on this Im sure. There was a guy in NJ that just finished up a project like this, Ill look him up for you so you can ask him some Q's. I have a head gasket set when I was thinking about buying a different 944. Also, always check the used parts section in the forum, can pretty much find whatever you need, INCLUDING a MANUEL TRANNY.

Roganx · 06-09-2008, 10:25 PM

I've only been on here a little while and already I love you guys.

Other things I will have to do would be great, I need to put together a big time-lined list to get organized!

Would pictures of anything help?

Rick V · 06-10-2008, 01:51 AM

Bearings, oilpump, OPRV. and all that other stuff that was mentioned. Welcome to the world of the ever emptying wallet.

924RACR · 06-10-2008, 06:10 AM

What kind of debris in the bellhousing? Hopefully not shredded rubber from a blown rubber damper? Better pull it off and check it out. If that goes, a new one is now pushing $1000USD. And you don't want to have to go back in, after pulling the motor, to replace it.

John_AZ · 06-10-2008, 06:14 AM

Richard,
When your friend gave you the car, did you ask him why he parked it? Since it appears the engine cyl look ok and you did not mention bent valves it probably means the automatic transmission needed work. Pelican has good prices on parts. An example would be the common cause for AT failure is the flex damper:

944-116-065-04-OEM Flex Disc, 944 All, Auto Trans
Brand: Genuine Porsche $1151.00
Your decision to go with a MT is good.

If you add up the expense and decide to keep the 944 for parts, Craigslist has a driveable 1988 Turbo for $7200:
http://victoria.en.craigslist.ca/car/711823507.html

Welcome and I will enjoy reading your progress on the 944.

John_AZ
1988 924S + 1987 924S

hpservertech · 06-10-2008, 09:17 AM

Someone will correct me if I'm wrong, but at a minimum I think you would need the following to do an automatic to manual conversion:

manual tranny
manual half shaft axles
manual torque tube
linkage
shifter
manual trim surround, boot, clips, etc

If you wanted to do it all, also add in a new cluster gauge to get rid of the gear display. I'm sure there are other things you need to, just dont know what.

924RACR · 06-10-2008, 10:26 AM

You also have to short out the interlock switch that keeps the car from starting in any gear other than Park!

Slam · 06-10-2008, 11:55 AM

And toss out the throttle body linkages/cables for the kickdown.

John_AZ · 06-10-2008, 12:23 PM

Well I guess the consensus is that an AT to MT is a lot of work.

It has been done and here are a couple of posts:
http://forums.rennlist.com/rennforums/showthread.php?t=239359&highlight=Manual+transmission+conversion
http://forums.rennlist.com/rennforums/showthread.php?t=330404&highlight=Manual+transmission+conversion

But why do it when your next project will be to turbo the NA?

Good luck

John_AZ