Rookie with a new project

[man_knee]

I am new to the forum (posted once before) so I wanted to take a minute to introduce myself and start a thread for my new (but long-awaited) project.





1984 928S 'US' Auto

Some background on myself and the car: I love this car, and this one in particular. I got her when I was 16, drove it to high school, college, work, etc. I've driven this car to-and-from most of life's major milestones. That being said, any amount I have to spend on this car would be worth it just so I can keep it.

I spent a few years on the west coast (PA implant from NJ via CA) and while I was there, the car went on blocks in my parent's garage in NJ. Prior to going in, I drove it until the tank was pretty much empty because I knew it would be a while. When I came back east, it had to sit a little longer while my wife & I were in a condo, but we've recently purchased another property with a proper garage, and after 4.5 years or so, we're finally reunited. Before she made the trip to PA, I had somebody throw in a new radiator, fuel pump, and air pump. When she got to my house, I changed the oil and the plugs, which brings us to the present.

I am hardly a mechanic, but I am determined to get this car back to tip-top shape with my own 2 hands (and occasionally a helper). This is where you guys come in . I've had the workshop manuals for about 2 years in anticipation, and I've read countless threads on this forum and others. The wealth of knowledge here is remarkable, and the work that you've all done to your sharks is amazing. Based off what I've read, I would take the word of any of you as law and it is greatly refreshing to know there are people like you that are willing to take the time to document and share everything you do, and give advice to the rest of us.

I'll be doing a one-over on her this weekend and will be back with more pics and a laundry list of things I'll need advice on. Sorry for the long-winded post, I'll keep it under control from now on! Cheers!

[dcrasta]

timing belt, fluids, tires come to mind.

Its a non interference I believe so you should be 'ok' as far as 'if the belt breaks' . Check the crank end play. I guess just drive it til something breaks. Looks sweet.

[MPDano]

Hmm, sounds like you still had fuel in the tank even though you ran it low. That's 4.5 years of old fuel. Fuel turns into Molasses and can clog anything upstream. If you really want to do this right and have your pride and joy go up in flames. Remove the tank and have it cleaned, replace all the rubber fuel lines in the rear as well as all the ones in the engine compartment. We've done extensive write-ups and pics to follow for the lines. Here is a Thread on this. Welcome back to the Board!

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/porsche-928-technical-forum/607208-most-common-928-issues-fixes.html

[man_knee]

Thanks for the quick reply guys!

timing belt, fluids, tires come to mind.

Certainly one of the first projects will be TB and fluids. Tires still look good. They were pretty new when she went away, and being on blocks they didn't have any pressure on them.

Remove the tank and have it cleaned, replace all the rubber fuel lines in the rear as well as all the ones in the engine compartment. We've done extensive write-ups and pics to follow for the lines.

I definitely do not want to half-a$$ this so I will probably clean out the tank also, and will def replace the lines. I have to say the thread on your 81 Euro was inspiring. I can't imagine how time-consuming it is to meticulously document a rebuild like that and post everything here, but I certainly do appreciate it! You and Dwayne for Dwayne's garage make it all look like a piece of cake.

[MPDano]

Actually I had a lot of practice with my 81 Euro. Follow this thread and you will see why the 83 was a piece of cake, comparatively speaking

Porsche 928 Forums dot com - View topic - Pics of my First 928 and Current Project

[man_knee]

Thanks for the link. I'm pretty much going to print your threads out, slap them in a binder and call it a 'how-to' manual.

[Danglerb]

Welcome to the forum.

Parked 4.5 years is going to be "almost" like starting from scratch, especially if you add in plans to keep it forever.

Sorry, tires are shot, keep them for now to move the car around and maybe make short low speed trips, but 5 year old tires are not to trusted for any other use on a Porsche.

Whats the service history like? How many miles? How soon before you just have to be driving it?

Put your location in your profile so you can hook up with some of the locals.

[davetr]

where r u in pa ? im in bethlehem, i have a guy close to me that knows these cars very well, he has been a huge help to me w getting mine running

[man_knee]

Whats the service history like? How many miles? How soon before you just have to be driving it?

Service history is good, however, not well documented so I need to pull from memory. I should have mentioned I'm 29 now, so I've had the car 13 years. My dad had a mechanic buddy of his he liked to take all the cars to, so whenever I needed something he took it to his guy and I just gave him some cash. Odo stopped working at 108k a while ago, but I kept driving so it has to be close to 150k. I appreciate you laying it straight with me abt the tires, I need guys like you to tell me to stop thinking wishfully and get with reality. I'm not in a huge rush to drive it. Being in PA, it's freezing and the snow won't be far behind so it can stay in the garage. I'm hoping that come spring-time/summer it can be a place where I can take it for some jaunts.

where r u in pa ?

I'm actually right over in Easton, in Forks Twp. That would be excellent to have somebody with some serious know-how within close range!

[davetr]

cool ur very close to me , adam kresge is right here in bethlehem he knows these cars very well he will be a huge help to you his # is 610 866 7925, he has a nice shop has been working on these cars for a long time, he gets parts quick sometimes in th same day, he is a great guy and will b a big help to you

[man_knee]

Thanks for the tip, I know exactly where that is. We hit up Brew Works once in a while, and are avid Musicfest & Celtic Classic fans.

What I'd like to start doing this weekend is give the engine a good cleaning. I'm definitely going to remove & clean the tank, and redo the fuel lines (5/16" or 3/8"? I recall there was some confusion in Dano's thread about the correct size). Ideally I'd like to do a refresh similar to what he did with his 83 (pull spider, clean, send injectors for cleaning, etc), minus the wicked-awesome powdercoated spider. What do you all recommend for engine cleaning? Most threads seem to be all over the place about what the best method is, pressure wash/don't pressure wash, brake cleaner/no brake cleaner, etc. I'll defer to you.

[davetr]

b careful w cleaners, iv had some bad luck w some of them, do you ever check out any local bands at any of th local clubs ???????

[Danglerb]

I do a little Celtic, but we are more Poxy Boggard types.

Anything easy is likely a bad idea. Nix on the pressure wash.

I would start at one end and fix til I am or it is broke. Seriously, I would begin with pull the fuel tank and radiator and sending them to a good Behr smart shop for cleaning, then pull the engine and do a full reseal with it on a stand while cleaning the engine bay, replacing motor mounts, rebuilding the steering rack, new bushings, new shocks, any brake work, etc.

Come spring there are LOTS of great events like SITM.

Not to be negative, or anything bad about your dads friend, but good mechanics that don't know the 928 like the back of their hand are well known for leaving a trail of things that need to be redone.

[man_knee]

do you ever check out any local bands at any of th local clubs ???????

Sometimes we're out at some local places seeing bands, but usually in Easton, at Pearly Baker's or Porter's Pub. Aside from Brew Works, we've been over to the Sand's a few times and the St. James' Gate. If you have any suggestions in Bethlehem, I'm always looking for a night out. My wife's pregnant with our first so I gotta get them in now while I still can!

Danglerb, thanks for the recommendations, that sounds like a good plan. Like I said, I really want to do this the right way, and given that you all have infinitely more experience than myself, I'll go with the assumption that if that's what you would do, that's the right way to do it. I'll have pics up this weekend so you guys can see a little better what I'm working with.

[davetr]

yes i suggest th scorecard in wind gap, th slate in penn argyl, th riverside on 611 and th overlook on 611, let me check my schedule and see where when im playing next

[man_knee]

Excellent, I'm always down for live music.

For the tank, in the DIY spirit, I see in this thread that acetone can be used and does a pretty nice job. Seems like it'd be cheaper than paying somebody to do it, thoughts?

[davetr]

there are some awesome local bands in this area, i am in th band (triage) we do classic and newer rock ...... always a blast when we play

[Danglerb]

Originally Posted by man_knee

Excellent, I'm always down for live music.

For the tank, in the DIY spirit, I see in this thread that acetone can be used and does a pretty nice job. Seems like it'd be cheaper than paying somebody to do it, thoughts?

YIPES not my first choice. I can't even guess why someone would try acetone on our plastic tanks.

[MPDano]

Originally Posted by man_knee

Excellent, I'm always down for live music.

For the tank, in the DIY spirit, I see in this thread that acetone can be used and does a pretty nice job. Seems like it'd be cheaper than paying somebody to do it, thoughts?

I paid $25 for a Professional Radiator Shop to clean mine. Why bother taking chances. I'm with Mike, Acetone?

[man_knee]

Fair points fellas, we'll leave it to the pros. Thanks!