1977 924, part out or fix to keep/sell whole?

Harpman2 · 06:36 PM

This first para is what I posted a few weeks back:

My nephew got a rough 924, for $100 from a friend. It ran rough, so he started trying to fix "things". He took the timing belt off, I don't know why, something about getting to a thermostat. He claims he followed the manual (Haynes maybe) when taking the belt off and putting it on, and it did crank OK once he put it back on, but wouldn't fire up, so he redid the belt few times, God only knows what he was altering each time, and now it won't even crank even though battery is fine. If it is an interference engine, how much damage could he have done to the valves, just by cranking it with the battery? He didn't hear any large crashing sounds like I guess you would if the belt broke while driving. ....Kids.

A few of you did tell me before that this is not an interference engine. Thanks, I did let my nephew know what you said on that.

Now, since then he's managed to get it started but it runs real rough and smokes. The car is not welcome at the house it's at now, so he either has to part it out quick, and have the rest towed away, or tow it to a friend of his boss and hope that guy can fix it good enough so my nephew can keep it or to sell it whole. If they get it running correctly what's it worth? It's maroon w/138K miles, BADLY cracked dash, leather seats with a few good size tears in fronts (not real bad), some interior parts off door/maybe missing, rug sorta trashed in hatch area, paint pealing in a few places, small dent back rear corner, rear hatch glass and wing in very good shape. Does it make sense to spend a few hundred on parts and cheap labor to fix it? He does need a car anyway which would cost maybe $1000 at least. He has no internet access (very little anyway) and no experience parting out a car, so would parting out be difficult for him to do, or worth trying? What would this car sell for on EBAY as is? If any of you have the time and want to take a crack at answering all these questions, or some of them, I'd appreciate it. The car is in Eastern PA.

Gordon Rankin · 03-28-2004, 02:49 PM

If this is a 1976 to 1982 924, that is a non interference engine. He probably has the timing very far off. Thats easy to correct with the Haynes manual. Until you can get a comoression check on the car, you really cant tell how much you may invest. 924 is a nice car, inexpensive for upkeep if you can do it yourself. Parts are readily available.

FLA944 · 03-28-2004, 05:31 PM

In a way you are correct "he has to buy a car anyway" so minimal expense to get running following the service manual and he will have nice transportation so fix it.

That it being in such poor condition cannot get much $ parting. The stuff people are looking for is what is bad on that one. The whole car also has little value due to condition maybe $500 tops.

He can put in a little at a time to clean it up and make it more livable as long as the drivetrain is maintained. Get the Book! tow it somewhere to work on it to get running reliably and drive it. Then every now and again get it a present like dash,carpet,etc...

Rick

Harpman2 · 03-28-2004, 06:40 PM

I think he has the Haynes already, he's just not a mechanic at all, neither am I, and the car is 100 miles from here so I have no real chance to even try to help him do it. I did tell him to try to fix it and keep it since he knows someone with car smarts. Thanks.

Gordon Rankin · 03-29-2004, 01:13 AM

We've all been there--trying to fix our cars.. Thats what this BBS is for.. There are many "armchair" as well as professional mechanics here.. We all like to help.. Hook him up with a 'puter and we can help.

Quote:

Originally posted by Harpman2
I think he has the Haynes already, he's just not a mechanic at all, neither am I, and the car is 100 miles from here so I have no real chance to even try to help him do it. I did tell him to try to fix it and keep it since he knows someone with car smarts. Thanks.

Chris_924s · Chris_924s's Garage

924 is relatively cheap and reliable to run. the Audi based 2.0 is a low horsepower (IIRC ~110 hp) nice little engine. Unlike our higher HP 1/2 of the 928's engine.. The haynes manual looks at the full rebuild point of view- very little diagnosinghelp. That's exactly what the BBS is for.

I'm beginning to hate seeing these cars parted out. But if you do shoot me an e-mail. I need some interior parts asap.

Oh, and Gordon- I prefer "weekend wrench and P-car watercooler Evangelist" to armchair mechanic..

Eturbo924 · 03-30-2004, 09:28 AM

If he got the car for $100 it makes more sence to me to fix it up. Take his time and learn how to work on a car.

If the timing is still way off it will smoke since the valves are open and closed at the wrong times.

If he were near me I would lend him a hand and get it going.

Tell him to check the timing one more time.

Make sure the engine is at TDC. He can look through the window at the top of the bell housing. This is at the rear of the engine. When standing on the drivers side of the car and looking down under the coil. Shine a flash light down there and you will see the window. Get the engine to the - 0 mark.

Now get the cam pully lined up to the mark. Tell him to use the section that is dimpled in on the pulley. There might be previous ink marks from other owners that will confuse him. Use the mark that is an indentation.

Anyway then the cars valve timing will be approximately correct.

Next he needs to set the ignition timing. If he pulls the dist cap... leaving the wires in place. The rotor should be pointing approximately at the rear most intake bolt.

If this all is set to be... the car should run. He can then play with the ignition timing (by rotating the dist) and see how the engine responds.

For $100 I would take it.... if I was not states away in MASS.

Get onto www.924.org There might be some one in his area that could run over and give him a hand.

Best wishes

Eric
www.geocities.com/eturbo924