New 944 owner - my story + questions

[rwilner]

My dad always wanted a 944. The story is that he missed getting a 944 as a sales spiff when he was the age I am now, by one deal. (software sales)

I browse the classifieds here for fun and pinged him with a car. One week later...price negotiated, picking up the car Saturday.

Car will be stored and worked on in my garage for now. It may or may not have a few more miles on it when my dad finally takes possession

So on to questions. I did searches but would love if folks could point me to the best threads and answers on these:

- what is the best thread on doing the balance shaft and timing belts?
- the car did some shaking when idling and stationary. Rock solid at speed though. I'm thinking motor mounts...right? What's the best thread on replacing these?
- AC blows warm. Is converting to r134 (new barrier hoses) a huge pain? Compressor is newish.
- what do people run for fluids...clutch, transaxle, motor oil, coolant, brake?
- the car has manholes. What are the best tires for spirited street driving?
- only planned upgrades are the short shift kit and throttle cam. Anything else I should be targeting?
- should I replace the fuel lines as a precaution? What's the best kit?

Looking forward to getting this thing tip top and enjoying it for many years to come!!

[djnolan]

I will offer a few words here:

On the A/C, replacing the hoses is not necessary. The cars do well on R134a without any changes at all.

Once you get the timing belt and water pump straightened out, the most beneficial upgrades will be to the suspension such as new struts/shocks and stabilizer bushings.

I have Yokohama Avids on my manholes.

And do replace those fuel lines, including the short jumper line and the tank/filter line. Opinons vary on what is needed (adequate vs. best) in this area, especially in the engine compartment.

Include the model and year of your car in your posts and check clarksgarage.com for the best repair manual for these cars.

Welcome to Pelican.

[rwilner]

Thanks DJ.

Ive been in Pelican for years, but as a 914 and 911 guy. This is my first water pumper.

Car has a relatively new suspension - newer a arms, adjustable konis on all 4 corners. I'm optimistic new tires are all it needs to sing in the Twisties.

I may put new stiffer t bars from elephant and some turbo sways if I can find them at a breaker.

Car is an 87 944s 16v.

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[mr. dude]

Hey rwilner, welcome to the forums. Awesome story! I think it is really cool that you did this for your dad. It is one of my dreams one day to buy my dad his dream car!

As for answers to some of your questions here is what I have to offer:

Q: what is the best thread on doing the balance shaft and timing belts?

A: Clark's Garage Home Page is a great source of technical information that many Pelican Parts members recommend. Go to the Garage Shop Manual link. This will take you to step by step instructions for changing the belts.... among many more good tutorials.


Q: - should I replace the fuel lines as a precaution? What's the best kit?

A: A fellow member (fiily) recommended this to me recently and I agree that you should definitely change them. Here is the info in the post he sent to me...

Now update your fuel lines in the engine bay for $110 here 944 Fuel Line Kit 1983 - 1989 and $93 for the fuel jumper line here 944 Fuel Jumper Line - Damper to Rail, the long $110 fuel lines get cut into the hardline behind the passenger front fender liner, and routed up as the original unit do. The jumper, just unscrews and gets reinstalled in the same place as the factory one. Make sure you relieve the pressure in the gas lines 1st.

[rwilner]

Thanks dude!!

With ethanol in the fuel, I get nervous about any rubber fuel hose.



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[plyhammer]

Search YouTube for the tbelt. I forget the member here but they have a 7 part series on how to do it.

On the shaking at idle it will be the passenger motor mount.

[Jordanarendt]

Motor mounts fixed my rough idle issue and is a common cause of rough idle.
Thomas Ryan posted some useful info for me when I did my mounts:

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/porsche-924-944-968-technical-forum/918026-motor-mounts.html

Jordan

[rwilner]

Originally Posted by Jordanarendt

Motor mounts fixed my rough idle issue and is a common cause of rough idle.
Thomas Ryan posted some useful info for me when I did my mounts:

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/porsche-924-944-968-technical-forum/918026-motor-mounts.html

Jordan

Thanks for that link Jordan! I have some more research to do to figure out what size bolts I need. It's an 87 944s, my assumption is the mounts are original.

I am *blown away* by the cost of the OEM mounts. Oh well, I'll bite the bullet and pay the bucks...they'll probably last another 30 years.

[DannoXYZ]

Fuel-lines can be done by any hydraulic-hose shop. I bring down the entire set, they chop off the ends and crimp new hoses on for about $67 for all three.

[ddbach]

Van Svenson has a number of YouTube videos on 944 maintenance and racing. He posts here too.

https://youtu.be/hAPqGi3ryL0

[djnolan]

I am driving an 87S too. The fuel lines have threaded couplers in the engine compartment so it should be an easy swap out. Earlier cars had crimped single barb connectors and some guys went to a threaded upgrade, others like me went to clamps.