944 project (non-runner)

[joshe]

Hi all I'm new to the forum, I've come across a Porsche 944 belonging to a family friend, that he's owned since '92 but the last time it was on the road is apparently 2004. Its a 1987 944 in guards red with 100k miles on the clock, has quite abit of paperwork all old mots etc. Its been sat in his garage since then though and not moved. The bodywork is in good condition doesnt seem to be any rust to the sills as I guess its been garaged for most of its life. The brakes I presume are seized as it wouldn't even roll out of position when we gave it a quick try.

Would this be a huge money pit to get back on the road? Just after some advice on them but basically its mine for free it I want it. First things first I would need to get the brakes freed (what would be the most procedure to follow to get the brakes free'd?) and then I would need to get it trailed to my garage, then see if it starts I guess with a new battery and all fluids changed (luckily its only a few miles away from me).

 

[pauljmcnulty]

 

[pauljmcnulty]

Hi, and welcome. You need to use "image" instead of "IMG" here for some reason. []

If the shell is good, the interior good and the paint not faded, then it's quite likely to be worth fixing up, particularly if you can work on it yourself.

I wouldn't start it without changing the belts. It'll need all fluids, and probably most of the hoses, fuel lines, oil seals etc. replacing. The brakes will need overhauling, but then they will on a running 944 by now.

Might well be worth somewhere over £2K when in good running order, if the bodywork is as good as it sounds. One thing to check is the inside of the sills, view through popping out the vent in the door pillar, as they don't show rust on the outside until fairly well gone in most cases.

 

[tref]

Let us assume it is the handbrake which has seized on (most likely) I have had some success in the past using the following sequence.
1. Take the handbrake off!
2. Jack up and try turning the wheels - if one side turns, at least you know which wheel is causing a problem.
3. Remove the wheel (at this stage I have a bar I put across a couple of the wheel studs and try turning the hub with that - it has a bit more leverage than trying to turn the wheel). Gently tap the hub with a hammer. This frequently frees persuades the handbrake shoes to let go of the drum.

If that doesn't work it is more of a headache... but don't be tempted to beat the drums to death with a lump hammer!

4. If you are exceptionally lucky (vey unlikely, the hole in the hub will line up such that you can wind off the handbrake adjusters - very unlikely, besides which, I can never remember which way they are supposed to go and I have done a lot!
5. Accept you are now going to be replacing the handbrake shoes at least (check the price of them, and the springs etc, you might be in for a shock!), spray WD40/Duck oil/Rostoff Ice, whatever your favourite lube is through every available orifice in the drum (take the little screw that holds the drum in place off and spray through there as well as the adjuster hole)
6. Insert two M8 bolts in the holes designed to pull the drum off and wind it off - without backing off the handbrake shoes first, it will likely wreck them. What you can do though is try winding them off a little, then letting them return, and see if this process will also free them off enough... Once you get the drum turning, you can align the adjuster hole with the adjuster, and back the handbrake shoes off - At this stage it will be worth having a look, because what frequently happens is the brake shoe lining separates from its backing.

 

[zcacogp]

ORIGINAL: tref
... Accept you are now going to be replacing the handbrake shoes at least (check the price of them, and the springs etc, you might be in for a shock!)

I seem to remember that shoes from a BMW 5-series are a direct replacement, and a quarter of the price. Someone will correct me on this very soon, I'm sure.

(Hello to the OP as well, and welcome.)


Oli.

 

[os951]

BMW 500-series (E28) shoes can be used. Just need to drill one hole.

 

[craiginuk]

Hi and welcome. Silly question but I would also try to find out why it was layed up in the first place.

 

[Frenchy]

I have just bought 3 sets of handbrake shoes for the grand sum of £13.20 from Eurocarparts, yes that is correct 3 sets for £13.20 there was some kind of offer on []

 

[tref]

Today? I heard of that the other day, and had all sold out...

 

[Veerzigzag]

I would also try to find out why it was layed up in the first place

If the reason wasn't some mechanical disaster, this looks like a really good, achievable project.
Usual renewals: fluids, battery, tyres, rusty brakes, maybe some sticky electrics; nothing that time and commitment can't fix.
Wake the old girl up very gently, then have great satisfaction in driving a superb car that, but for you, would be on the scrapheap.
What an opportunity!

 

[joshe]

Hi guys, thanks for the warm welcome. I'm hoping to go and have a better look at the car this weekend and get the wheels off etc look at the brakes situation. Although when I first viewed it I did notice it was left in gear and the handbrake was off. In terms of the reason it was 'layed up', I'm not yet 100% sure... I remember the owner mentioning it had had a head gasket failure in the past but believe this was fixed at the time.

Will keep you all posted as to the progress of this. Any tips and advice are much appreciated as I'm pretty new to the 944s.
Josh

 

[craiginuk]

Hi Josh, it might be worth posting where in the country you are as someone might be close who could cast an eye over it with you. Most of us on here don't have to be asked twice to come and have a look at a car with someone. I love spending other people's money! []

 

[joshe]

That would be great if anyone is local and doesn't mind giving it a once over with me. I am based in Leicestershire, the car is in Woodhouse Eaves (LE12).

Josh

 

[joshe]

Managed to get her moved today, just the n/s rear brake that was stuck. Got a 4 x 2 timber with some leverage against the wheel studs which got the hub moving (thanks 'tref' for the tip).

Put a powerpack onto the battery and the electrics seemed to be working, windows etc. Ordered a new battery, so next step is to see if she turns over...

 

[Mike_Pollock]

Hi Josh
Welcome and congratulations!
I'm in Leicester, near Fosse Park, so if you want I'd be happy to drop over.
Give me a call - number is below.

 

[edh]

looks great for a free car []

I assume it will need new tyres as well..

 

[zcacogp]

Great news! She looks like a nice machine.

Did you screw the towing eye into the front bumper? If not, that may suggest that it was towed home last time it was out, which may suggest something is broken, as Craig(inuk) commented above.

Keep us posted with progress.


Oli.

 

[GlennS]

ORIGINAL: pauljmcnulty
I wouldn't start it without changing the belts.

This is good advice...

 

[joshe]

Yes the towing eye was screwed on today only for the recovery. Couldn't find one in the boot of the 944 so luckily this one off an Audi A5 happened to fit. The tyres all seem to have held air ok over the years but yes I'm sure they will need replacing regardless due to age.

Will look into changing the belts asap then.

ORIGINAL: A9XXC

Hi Josh
Welcome and congratulations!
I'm in Leicester, near Fosse Park, so if you want I'd be happy to drop over.
Give me a call - number is below.

Thanks Mike, will be sure to get in touch very soon.

 

[pauljmcnulty]

Will look into changing the belts asap then.

Hi Josh,

At the risk of boring the long-term members of the forum, it's worth reminding why I recommend you don't turn the key on a 944 with belts over 4 years old, or 48K miles in the unlikely event that's sooner.

The belts had an absolute maximum recommended life of four years when new, according to Porsche's service shedule. As the car age, a number of factors add to the risk of the belts deteriorating faster; storage life at the dealer, possible contamination from oil leaks, that sort of thing.

There is significant evidence of belts failing between 4 and 5 years, leading to the obvious rebuild the engine will need. To the point where I'd recommend three years as a safer option, or at least an inspection by someone who knows what they are doing. That's not scientific, just based on my 9 years or so of hearing the horror stories. Oil seals fail and the belt gets contaminated, rollers fail, tensions are not set right, it all adds up. 16V cars are more prone to failures, I'd guess down to the extra bits they have, particularly the plastic chain guides, but even so I would never want to let a belt on a 944 go over the four year maximum myself.

I'd be pretty sure that a car that's sat, unused, for nine years (with no idea how old the belt was even in 2004), will have a belt hardened and perished to the point it's going to break. You will need to change it if the car's ever going to be used again, so why risk a "glory moment", where you start it up and rev it to hell, filming it probably, just to see if it starts? The car looks remarkably good in the pics, I'd be nursing it back to health with every precaution if it was my project.