what did you do to your 944 today

[zcacogp]

Pete, When I helped a friend re-build his 928 he found instructions on the internet about how to make a gauge. Essentially, the timing belt on the 928 engine has a long horizontal run, and the gauge was simply a strip of acrylic plastic with a notch cut out of one end it, that fitted over the belt in the middle of this run. This obviously dangled down and exerted a twist on the belt, with the amount that it dangled being proportional to the belt tension. He knew it had to dangle by 15cm, and tightened the belt until it did so. I am wondering whether something similar could be developed for a 944. Oli.

 

[simdel1]

Very interesting stuff. The problem is that, being an engineer, I want to understand exactly what is going on. To me the logical process is to get the proper gauge, set it to that, then play with other methods in a scientific way. I'll be looking at min/max limits in a range of condidtions and correlating the alternative methods to the Porsche gauge. Besides, ever since I heard about the sonic tension measurement method I've wanted to try it out. []It seems far more accurate than any other method. Yes, I'm odd. []

 

[sulzeruk]

The 90 degree twist is not the most scientific method at all. I would not want my engine to be done that way. How does the guy measure the balance belt? You can't do that by any other method than with the correct tools. The tools are about £200 to do the job properly. Available from Arn Worx in the USA. [link]http://www.arnnworx.com/catalog/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=65&products_id=188&zenid=735ac714d9fb7d066b195c67e526ce09[/link] it means your belts are spot on every time, there is also a factor for tensioning used belts as well so every occasion is catered for. It could cost you £300 to get a so called specialist to do them, save them money and do them yourself! Alasdair

 

[944 man]

I fitted a virtually unused but 20+ year old cassette box hinge, which I found in my garage (removed in 1992 when three years old). When I get another bout of enthusiasm I will order a povery spec odments tray from Sheffield OPC and fit that in its place, I think.

 

[Jonny944CS]

Well said Alastair. I experimented with various methods (out of interest like smidel1) when I had my engine on the bench. My conclusion was that the 90° twist method is a 'finger in the air' job at best on a 944.

Good clear access to the cambelt-run is not possible and the balance belt tension is so arbitry that unless you have years of experience - a tensioning tool is the only practical option for doing a proper job and achieving the factory tolerance. One reason that the tolerance window is so narrow is that the expansion of the all-aluminium engine with its fixed tensioner causes the belt tension to double between a cold start and normal running temperature. Therefore getting it right will not only extend the life of your belts, but likely the water pump and idlers too.

 

[scam75]

New fuel filter and replaced original fuel pump with new sytec motorsport item. Good for 400+bhp, more than enough output for my needs! Also much cheaper than a Bosch 044 pump for similar spec. Stuart

 

[spyro_x]

This weekend I have visited my OPC to pick up some new seals - and ordered another one when I was there because I bought the wrong one originally. Took her for a spirited run around the local A roads and enjoyed the sunshine, then brought her home for a wash, clay and wax - I think she looks good but since I just finished and can barely see outside it'll have to wait until the morning!

 

[simdel1]

Thanks to everyone for their views on the cam belt tensioning. Hopefully I'll be able to add to the information with my experiments.

 

[Hairyarse]

Threw a bucket of water over it this evening, shines up nice []

 

[944Scott]

Made the 3 gauge din plate fit in preparation for my AEM gauges.

 

[MarkK]

I bumped my S3 at croft,hope it's not TOO much damage[&o]

 

[GlennS]

I have shaved a few tenths off the 0-60 time by removing several kilos of Silverstone Woodlands camp site mud from the wheel arches... []

 

[simdel1]

ORIGINAL: MarkK I bumped my S3 at croft,hope it's not TOO much damage[&o]

Gutted. At least it sounds like it was a relatively low speed shunt. I'll keep my fingers crossed for you. I'm always amazed that they allow cars to drive on that circuit - it's sooo narrow.

 

[Frenchy]

What gauges you getting Scott, i have innovate AFR meter which is the same animal as AEM, should be taking the exhaust off this week and getting the sensor bung repositioned as it the original is to near the turbo at present (heat) which will cook the lambda.

 

[colin944]

My painter friend wants to kill me.Aparently the car has been painted at least 4 times during its life and a couple of times it's not even been rubbed down between paint jobs.The other problem is that the swage line on the drivers door is not straight( i cant see it) and its driving him mad trying to remove previous damage that's been covered up with catalloy.WEnt I last saw it it was all one colour of primer but now hes rubbed most of that off trying to get the panels straight. oops

 

[Diver944]

Well it wasn't today, it was two weeks ago but I'be just had to replace the front wing (again) after a 10 ton skip lorry caught it whilst reversing round a corner whilst I was parked up at work. The noise was horrific and it dented the wing, scuffed the bumper and both front wheels (the offside was parked next to the kerb and the lorry dragged it sideways enough to kiss it). The skip company paid up in full and a new Porsche wing is now fitted and painted along with the bumper and both front wheels so I'm all smiley faced again [][][]. The dented wing was actually brand new from Porsche last February when I had the car resprayed - doh! Must be one of the shortest lifespan wings ever fitted to a 944

 

[Frenchy]

Did you swear Paul ? I know i would have !

 

[Mike_Pollock]

I would have too...... Bet the "old" one has a good bottom....

 

[Frenchy]

Good point A9, Paul did you retreive the old one, don't say it went in the skip, my front MO30 struts were replaced with new weks before i bought it back, i went to the garage that had changed them, the skip had been picked up []

 

[944 man]

I wasted five hours this afternoon cutting, polishing and waxing my pink Turbo. In the end it all came up as red and shiny as the repainted and laquered wing, but I suspect that a little application would make the wing more red and more shiny than everything else. I intend to put that much Meguiars wax on it over the next few days, that itll never need polishing again - even bird squeeze will run off!