944S Valve Spring Spread

Sternn · 07-25-2002, 08:56 AM

Hi. I am in the process of rebuilding my 87' 944S head. I have found a couple places with some used valve springs, but need to know the spread to tell if these are worth buying. Does anyone here know the specs on these when they are new and also what the minimum spread is they need to meet to operate?

Thanks in advance.

944S Boyeee · 07-25-2002, 09:25 AM

I'm doing the same thing on my S also (timing belt went).

Why not just buy new springs? - then you don't have to worry about the spread. I don't think they cost that much.

What happened to your S???

944S Boyeee

Sternn · 07-25-2002, 10:46 AM

It's a 16 valve engine as you probably already know, new springs alone would be over $1,300.00. I can buy a used engine, or a used head in excellent condition for that much.

Sternn · 07-25-2002, 10:53 AM

As for what happened:

The rear head gasket seal busted, and coolant got into the rear cylinder. It screwed up the compression and blew out one of the valves totally destroying the spring set, and the rest are now working at about half their normal spread, meaning they are not fully opening or closing. Aside from that, when the valve blew, it caused the timing chain to skip and the engine up and died. Had to have it towed.

So, I have been searching for a used head, but since they are so rare, and most people are asking like $800 for a used one that is 're-buildable' (basically what I have), I have decided to just rebuild the whole head myself. I recently bought:

new head nuts, exhaust valve guides, a head gasket set, timing belt, timing chain, balance belt, and all the rollers under the hood for about $500 (bought them here from PP). I still need the valve springs, and I don't want to spend another $1300 on them, since it will cost a minimum of $500 to put them in, and I still have the labor on breaking down and putting together the engine which is costing me $800+.

944S Boyeee · 07-25-2002, 11:07 AM

As Clinton used to say......"I feel you pain".

I'm having the head re-done also. I bent all 8 exhaust valves. They were gonna run me around $1000 Canadian, just for the valves (dealership), but I got them for around $500.

Here are the new parts I am expecting tomorrow or next week....

Headgasket set
Balance belt (Continental)
Cam belt (same brand)
P/S belt
Alt belt
Rotor
Cap
8 Valve guides
8 Exhaust studs and "special copper" nuts
8 Exhaust Valbes (TWR)
DME Chip

I also ordered a new waterpump, timing chain and rollers set. I forgot to order a roller seal set.

I thought valve springs were very cheap!!! I was wayyyyy off apparenty!

944S Boyeee